Waiting game continues but Ireland hope to receive green light
AND then there was one — maybe. Ireland still hope to have one more one-day international before they play their three-match World Cup Super League series against Afghanistan after today’s scheduledgameagainsttheuae in Abu Dhabi was postponed for a fourth time.
Although neither the hosts nor Ireland reported any new positive cases of Covid-19 after the latest round of testing, the UAE’S public health directives will still not permit a resumption of competitive action after four home players contracted the virus last weekend.
Although that means hopes of action today have gone the same way as the planned games for Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday this week, the Emirates Cricket Board are hopeful that the second (and now final) game in the proposed four-match series can take place on Monday. A decision will be taken by this evening.
Cricket Ireland High Performance Director Richard
Holdsworth said: “Frustratingly, the wait goes on to resume competitive action, however we fully accept the rationale for the government’s health directive and the health and safety of players and support staff will remain Cricket Ireland’s top priority.
“With the Afghanistan series due to start next Thursday (also in Abu Dhabi), the players and coaches are keen to get at least another competitive fixture in againsttheuaepriortothat,so we are hoping a continued clean bill of health in both camps will allow us to play on Monday. The players will head out for a centre wicket practice tomorrow.
“We share the frustrations of fans who were hoping to see a great series with our hosts, but we acknowledge the work of the ECB in trying to recover what we can of the series given the difficult circumstances.”
Harry Tector, the Dubliner who plays for Northern Knights in the Interprovincial Championship, has admitted that it is a challenge not knowing when your next game will be and who it will even be against.
“Allwecandoattheminuteis train and wait for news,” he said. “Always as a player you are trying to plan for your next opponent but, for now, we don’t know, and that’sthedifficultpartinyour preparation.
“All we can do is control the things we can, in the nets we can only face our own bowlers, and they are very good, so your skills are kept sharp, But that’s all you can do and hope, when match day comes along, it will all come together.”