THE Irish trio at Durham continue to make waves. Last week they played a one-dayer and a three-day game against Lancashire at Stockton-on-Tees.

In the 50 over game Stuart Poynter made 3 while Peter Chase didn’t bat, but he took 2-26 off five as Durham won by 32 runs.

Lancs featured a bowler called Mattie McKiernan who may well be worth a Cricket Ireland enquiry.

Barry McCarthy joined his fellow Irishmen for the three-dayer and was the pick of the bunch. Chase came on second change in the first innings, taking the wicket of Will Hale in 12-1-54-1.

None of the Irishmen starred with the bat – 10 runs between them – and Chase didn’t bowl in 2nd innings as he was hauled away into the 1st team squad for a championship match against Lancs at Old Trafford. He didn’t make the XI but is now obviously in Durham’s plans.

In his absence McCarthy opened the bowling second time around bowling 5-1-5-0 as the game petered out in a draw. The Pembroke all-rounder also turned out for the Durham Academy against Gateshead Fell in the North East Premier League Premier Division at the Riverside.

McCarthy made nine with the bat but then, opening the bowling, had the excellent return of 13.4-1-52-5 including NSW U17 player Adam Whatley as his team won by eight runs. (Interesting format this league: first innings is limited to 65 overs, with total match over limited to 120 – a bit like the old Belvedere Bond league in Leinster).

And in the same league last weekend, playing for Brandon against Felling, Stu Poynter made 6.

Fresh from a weekend in Strabane and the ‘Broke, Andrew Balbirnie was back at Lord’s turning out in a 13 v 17 warm-up game for Middlesex against the Indians at Lord’s.

Fresh from picking up a new two year contract, ‘Balbo’ made 19, more than fellow Irish first teamers Paul Stirling (17) and Eoin Morgan (15).

Shane Getkate played for Sunbury against Sutton in the Surrey Championship Premier Division. He went in at No.6, making 10, but didn’t bowl in a one wicket loss.