Ireland got off to a great start in their crucial Intercontinental Cup match in Sharjah today, with players with Cricket Leinster connections having a dream start.
Ed Joyce, (currently with Sussex, formerly of Merrion and Dublin University) made batting look easy with a 120 ball 99 not out, putting on an unbeaten 85 with Niall O'Brien (now with Leicestershire, formerly of Railway Union) for the third wicket. Their efforts, alongside those of William Porterfield and Paul Stirling, have put Ireland in the commanding position of 272-2.
Tomorrow will give Joyce the opportunity to complete his third century for Ireland, and the first since he returned to the Cricket Ireland colours after a spell with England.
The low, slow conditions in Sharjah meant that Ireland's selection was always going to be weighted in favour of spin, and it meant that Max Sorensen of The Hills and Alex Cusack of Clontarf were always going to struggle to make the final eleven.
Tomorrow's play starts again at 6am Irish time, and it will be a big day for Ireland as they attempt to put a big score on the board.