Boost for Irish as Joyce returns to the crease

IRELAND’S talismanic batsman Ed Joyce could line out in today’s ICC Trophy final against Scotland at Castle Avenue in Dublin.

Joyce, who has been starring for Middlesex this season and is being touted as a possible in the England batting line-up for the Ashes series, trained with the Irish team yesterday and is included in a 14-man panel.

Citing the Scots as “one of our oldest and most traditional rivals,” team manager Roy Collins said last night that coach Adrian Birrell was keeping his cards very close to his chest and would not name his starting eleven until just before the toss.