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Valuable game time despite Somerset washout

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Ireland’s preparations for its historic first Test Match provided a valuable opportunity for the squad to begin its transition from 50-over cricket to red-ball cricket, despite a frustrating climax to the match against Somerset County Cricket Club, which was abandoned without play due to inclement weather on the last day on the four-day match.
After early morning rain in Taunton persisted through to the scheduled lunch break, match officials called the game off just after 1.30pm.

Reflecting on the game, Senior Men’s Head Coach Graham Ford said:

“Obviously getting game time before the Test Match in May is very important to the squad, it was unfortunate that a lot of playing time was lost here in Taunton due to poor weather.”

“For the team and coaching staff, it was still a valuable outing. We knew that switching from 50-over mode to Test match mode was not going to be easy, however, the match provided us with a clearer indication of a number of areas we need to work very hard on.”

“We’re 32 days out from the start of the Test Match, and we now look forward to hopefully improved weather conditions between now and 11 May to allow the lads some decent outdoor preparation during the Test build up. This will provide us the time to make improvements in our Test match skills and disciplines.”

In related news…

• Tickets are selling quickly for the Test Match, fans can purchase their tickets online through Ticketmaster.

• Work began today on turning the picturesque Malahide Cricket Club ground into a Test venue. The first infrastructure arrived this morning, with the build continuing through until early May.

• Today also brought media reports that Pakistan’s 31-year old legspinner Yasir Shah, who was almost certain to feature, has withdrawn from his team’s tour of Ireland and England after picking up a stress fracture of his hip during the recent Pakistan Super League competition.

Image: Malahide in international match mode (Ireland v England, ODI, 2013). Image credit INPHO-Morgan Treacy.