It was a case of what might have been for Ireland in their opening tie of the 2008 Friends Provident Trophy.

After winning the toss on a pitch tinged with more than a hint of emerald green, Phil Eaglestone and especially Kevin O'Brien had Nottinghamshire in real trouble at 19-3, and in front of the Sky Sports cameras, another major shock for Ireland looked a distinct possibilty.

However, Ireland failed to cling on to a succession of half chances at vital times, and the chance of a morale boosting victory disappeared, as first Adam Voges, and then Chris Read proceeded to steer Notts towards and then past the 200 barrier.

Voges showed his undoubted class - you don't play international cricket for Australia unless you have exceptional talent. He was their top scorer with a composed 60, while Read bludgeoned his way to 45, hitting 4 fours and two sixes, one of which disappeared into Killester Dart Station!

It could have been all so different had an edge from his first scoring shot not bisected keepr Gary Wilson and first slip Andre Botha.

Kevin O' Brien (4-31) showed just why he has been trusted with the new ball, while Phil Eaglestone and Thinus Fourie both took 2-49, suffering in the latter stages of the innings, as Ireland so often do.

Ireland showed intent initially in their batting, with skipper William Porterfield hitting 3 early fours in his 15, before edging Sidebottom to slip. Stirling and O'Brien failed to score, while in between Strydom got bogged down in the face of an accurate seam attack, and was trapped lbw  for 9.

It certainly wasn't the easiest of tasks facing probably the best seam attack in England, and when Botha edged Broad to depart for 21, a very early finish was on the card at 60-5.

Ireland rallied thanks to the impressive Andy White (30), Alex Cusack (20), and Kyle McCallan (20*), to score a respectable 161.

You can't help but feel if we would have been celebrating another famous win if we had been at full strength - however, there is a realisation that it could have been a real Hammer House of Horror if Notts had won the toss and bowled first!

Room for improvement in the catching and batting, but the ground fielding was sharp, and the bowling pretty good until near the end.

Hopefully the overseas player will bring an extra bit of a cutting edge to the attack. It may needed before May is out with another 7 games in 25 days, starting with a double header away trip this weekend to Leicester and Northants.