Promising season beckons for College Park cricketers

It’s that time of year. The sun is shining, skies are blue and Trinity students can finally socialise outside again. What better place than by the cricket pitch’ The Pavilion bar is within walking distance, the library is only a short stroll away (should you for some reason feel the need to venture inside before the exams) and most importantly, there’s cricket to be seen.

Now, before Ireland’s success in the Cricket World Cup ensured that the joys of leather on willow became the new national sport, cricket must have seemed merely the background to that picturesque post-exam drinks session down by the Pav. However, with an increase in popularity due to the World Cup, everyone seems to be a cricket fan, with even the most unlikely individuals willing to discuss the merits of bowling maidens and the qualities of a good googly as opposed to a leg-cutter.

Trinity has been a stalwart within the Irish cricket community for longer than anyone can remember. It is well documented that some of the game’s greats, such as WG Grace, Len Hutton and Gary Sobers, have strutted their stuff on the College Park. In recent times, there has always been a strong showing by Trinity within the Leinster leagues, and the College has traditionally excelled in the Intervarsities Championships. This year promises to be no different, with the club boasting three male league teams, the more social Ramblers XI, and the ladies league team.

The first XI, led by Mark Raftery-Skehan with the assistance of vice-captain Mark Lane, will be competing against the cream of Irish cricket in the DGM 45-over league. This league features many overseas professionals and Irish Internationals, so the standard is extremely high. With a comprehensive pre-season training programme and upcoming friendlies, the firsts will hope to have gained momentum in time for the start of the season. The first match, against Civil Service, is on April 29, so head down to College Park to give the boys some welcome support.

The Second XI will hope to improve upon a disappointing 2006 season, where several critical matches were rained off or cancelled due to exams. Under the leadership of David Lydon, the team will be competing in the intermediate ’A’ league. Having won the first two matches of the year, the seconds are pushing for promotion and can hope to continue doing well this season.

For the first time in as long as anyone can remember, Trinity will field a Third XI in league cricket this season. Previously, the Ramblers XI, a team comprised of players of all ability that is picked according to the fixture, has been the college’s third team. However, with captain Ronan Kane at the helm, the thirds have a strong chance of outplaying many of the teams in their Junior ’B’ league, and will hope to start the season well against Leinster on May 2. Until then, the Ramblers will be playing on a regular basis, matches having bugun on the 10th and 12th April. Both of these matches were in College Park, and there is no better way to enjoy your lunch break than by the side of the Pav.

As well as these 45-over fixtures, the ladies’ team will be playing shorter evening matches in front of packed Pav crowds. Led by Caoilfhionn Rowan, the ladies began their season on April 20 with a win against Merrion, and will hope to thrill the masses that fill the Pav in the long summer evenings.

If you would like to play cricket for Trinity this season, contact lydond@tcd.ie.

By: David Lydon