CricketThere is plenty at stake for Ireland as they take on the Scots in the InterContinental Cup at Mannofield, Aberdeen today, tomorrow and Monday. A trip to Namibia in October is the prize for the European qualifier in this tournament and a win here will go a long way to securing Irish involvement in those knock-out stages for the first time.
Also, there is the small matter of pride. It is exactly a month since Adrian Birrell's team were beaten by Scotland in the final of the ICC Trophy in Dublin's Castle Avenue. Scotland also beat Ireland in this tournament last year, again in Castle Avenue.
Ireland will be without Trent Johnston (for work reasons) and Eoin Morgan (tied up with his county Middlesex), and with Ed Joyce and Andy White no longer available for selection, it is not as strong a side as fell at the final hurdle a month ago. However, it presents exciting opportunities for Conor Armstrong and the uncapped Roger Whelan, who have come into the squad.
It's not the same Scotland side either. Gavin Hamilton, Dougie Brown and John Blain are missing but with the likes of Ryan Watson, Fraser Watts, Paul Hoffman and Cedric English this is still a formidable outfit.
The pressure will be on Scotland, however. Their recent match against the Netherlands was washed out and such is the complex bonus-points system, that disappointing draw puts them at a serious disadvantage. As such, even if Ireland lose here, they can still win the group if they beat the Netherlands in Stormont on August 23rd-25th.
Meanwhile, in Leinster's WMK League Clontarf and Malahide can close the gap at the top of Section A if they beat Phoenix and Munster Reds respectively. In Section B, The Hills host Railway Union, looking to keep their 100 per cent record intact.
IRELAND SQUAD: J Molins (capt), A Botha, J Bray, P Gillespie, C Armstrong, D Joyce, K McCallan, A McCoubrey, P Mooney, R Whelan, G Thompson, G Wilson.
SCOTLAND SQUAD: C Wright (capt), C English, P Hoffmann, S Knox, D Lockhart, G Maiden, D Nel, C Smith, I Stanger, R Watson, F Watts, S Weeraratna.
