Cricket heading into semi-pro era

IRISH cricket officials are toying with the idea of offering semi-professional contracts to the national side as they embark on a greatly expanded programme in 2006 and 2007, culminating with the World Cup in the West Indies.

Ireland will play matches against nine English counties in the C&G Trophy, starting with the visit of Shane Warne’s Hampshire to Clontarf on April 23 and wrapping up with a home game in Stormont against Somerset on June 25.

Adrian Birrell’s side will also take in two trips to Lords, defend their Intercontinental Cup title and play an historic first ever full one-day international - against England - that has been fixed for the Belfast venue for June 13.