It is easy to imagine the sense of awe that must have gripped the 1888 Lions as they embarked on what was essentially a voyage into the unknown.

IRELAND’S cricketers kept on course for automatic qualification for the 2015 ICC World Cup with a 56-run victory over Canada in the RSA one-day international at Clontarf yesterday

IRELAND have named a full-strength squad for next Thursday’s one-day international against England at Clontarf.

IRELAND’S cricketers will discover their World Cup fate inside the next three days as intense lobbying continues in a bid to convince the International Cricket Council (ICC) to allow them a chance to qualify in four years’ time.

PRIDE and World Cup ambition will be at stake for Ireland when they take on England at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium today (Live on Sky Sports 1, 9am).

Four Pakistan cricketers accused of involvement in an alleged betting scam may be asked to withdraw from the remainder of the team’s tour of England and Wales while the investigation continues.

The Pakistani cricket team ploughed on with their British tour today, dogged by accusations of match-fixing, after the man at the centre of the alleged plot was bailed by police.

Liverpool 1 Portsmouth 0

JOE KINNEAR will take training for the first time at Newcastle this morning knowing that he is the man with everything to gain and nothing to lose.

Middlesbrough 5 Yeovil 1

Ireland opening bowler David Langford-Smith has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect.

Ireland have named a squad of 13 for their forthcoming Friends Provident Trophy games against Middlesex and Glamorgan.

Basement boys Ireland crashed to a fourth straight South Conference defeat in the Friends Provident Trophy against Gloucestershire despite captain Trent Johnston taking a hat-trick in Dublin.

The Irish Cricket Union this morning announced a squad of 13 for their Friends Provident games with Gloucestershire and Essex, which take place at Clontarf on Thursday and Sunday.

THE World Cup hangover continued for Ireland yesterday with a second heavy defeat in the Friends Provident Trophy, at Taunton, and the loss of Andre Botha for at least two weeks with a dislocated finger.

Skipper Justin Langer led from the front as Somerset thrashed Ireland by 128 runs to record their second Friends Provident Trophy win of the season.

THE Irish Cricket Union yesterday announced a 13-man squad for the Friends Provident matches in England this weekend.

The Irish Cricket Union this morning announced a 13-man squad for their Friends Provident games with Somerset and Hampshire, which take place in England this weekend.

THE Irish Cricket Union have signed 21-year-old Vernon Philander as one of their two permitted overseas players for this year’s Friends Provident Trophy.

ENGLAND have set their sights on finishing their summer with a flourish when they attempt to complete an emphatic victory over Pakistan in next week’s final Test.

Ireland’s batsmen let their side down as Somerset cruised to a 73-run victory that leaves their hosts rooted to bottom of the C&G Trophy South Conference.

Ireland have named a squad of 12 for their final C&G game with Somerset at Stormont on Sunday June 25.

ROGER WILSON has a point to prove when Ulster take on Connacht in the Celtic League at Ravenhill tonight (7.10pm).

ENGLAND are facing an anxious wait to determine whether captain Michael Vaughan is fit enough to feature in the second Ashes Test after sustaining another injury in the nets at Edgbaston.

ENGLAND have named an unchanged squad for the second Ashes Test against Australia starting at Edgbaston on Thursday.

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting set about laying the foundations for a sizeable target as his side extended their lead past 100 in the opening Ashes Test at Lord’s.

ENGLAND openers Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Strauss produced a record-breaking stand to thwart South Africa’s ambitions in the second Test.

GARY JOHNSON has perhaps the most unusual curriculum vitae in the depths of Division Three.

FAMOUS giant-killers Yeovil are eagerly looking forward to their FA Cup third-round match against Liverpool.

FAMOUS giant-killers Yeovil are eagerly looking forward to their FA Cup third-round match against Liverpool.

Mark Butcher marked his 50th Test for England with a determined century today after he battled through an uncertain start to his innings in the final Test against a new look Australian line-up at the SCG.

Drinks giant Guinness today defended an advertising campaign featuring cricketer Ian Botham, who has reportedly claimed it breaches his image rights.