It seemed an innocent enough internet poll to determine who the fans would like to replace Kyle McCallan in the Ireland cricket team. Visitors to the CricketEurope site voted on a shortlist to determine who they felt would best represent their country now the record breaking McCallan has retired.

It seemed no more than a bit of harmless fun over Christmas to wile away the hours over the close season. A shortlist put up by the editor (one assumes) asked viewers to choose between Albert van der Merwe, Andrew Balbirnie, Lee Nelson, Gary Kidd, George Dockrell and Greg Thompson. I'm pretty sure that those were the first names that came into his head.

However the non selection of Albert van der Merwe to the Ireland squad by coach Phil Simmons after Albert topped the internet poll seemed to whip up some forumites into a frenzy not seen since 2003 when Gaelic football fans tried to get Peter Canavan voted in as BBC Sports Personality of the year ahead of world cup winning rugby star Johnny Wilkinson!

All the names in the internet poll with the exception of Albert were young Irish players who have come up through the ranks of underage national teams. Albert was born and raised in South Africa settling in Ireland after arriving on these shores as an overseas professional. Members of The Hills CC where he now plays seemed to react furiously to his non selection. Obviously some members were suffering severe withdrawal symptoms from the reality TV program X Factor.

An internet poll is just an internet poll and is not binding on Phil Simmons. The X Factor is judged on the public vote. No doubt if John and Edward were from Skerries, then we could safely assume that some members would be letting Simon Cowell know that it was a disgrace and an injustice that Joe, Ollie and 'Dagenham' Stacey were selected ahead of the gruesome twosome.

Every injustice actual or perceived seems to have been expressed. Matt Dwyer's non Ireland selection for many years was seen as a conspiracy by the selectors and an affront to the cricketing fraternity. Most of us don't remember it like that. Matt was a very consistent bowler who outlasted his competitors for the national team. He deserved his opportunity when it eventually came. Because of his consistency he had a successful Irish career even if it was a little late. But you could hardly claim it an injustice that lasted a decade because he wasn't selected ahead of Des Curry, Garfield Harrison or Neil Doak.

I do get the impression that the Fingal cricket followers feel like they are victimised especially when the Ireland team contains anyone from outside their area. (Known as the Munster syndrome in rugby circles).
Mind you being a North West man I have little cause to point the finger. The North West Annual Cricket Dinner is always an excuse to Whine and Dine! I suppose the difference between the NW and the Milverton forumites is their whinging is at least legible. 'i spose dats 1fing yous agree bout'

So now that I have given myself leave to complain then I wonder why another player didn't even make the list. He is eligible for Ireland and is married to a local girl. He has been here for many years having arrived as an overseas professional. He plays for a club that has won the league 5 out of the last 8 years so not exactly low profile. He is a top class batsman and possibly the best off spin bowler in Ireland. So Barry (Ed) why was Brigade's Iftie Hussain not on the list? Surely it's not because he is ex-Ardmore?!

So where do I stand on the issue of who is going to replace Kyle? Well the arguments tended to fall along the lines of whether or not you wanted to see young Irish talent given the opportunity to impress at the highest level or whether or not you wanted to see the best team selected from those eligible to play irrespective of where in the world they come from.

Let's try some market research then and I will answer some questions honestly representing fans of the Ireland team.

Q1. Do you want to see the best possible Ireland team take the field regardless of where they come from?
A1. Yes.

Q2. Would you support the selection of an overseas player who is now resident in Ireland to replace Kyle McCallan in the national side?
A2. Yes.

Q3. Would you therefore back Phil Simmons if he selected Albert Van der Merwe or Iftikhar Hussain to play for Ireland?
A3. Yes.

Well so far so good. I think most people would answer those questions with a yes. Let's try another angle.

Q1. Do you want to see young Ireland players given the opportunity to represent their country?
A1. Yes.

Q2. Are you concerned with the number of players born overseas in the Ireland team?
A2. Yes.

Q3. If there was little to choose between them would you prefer to see a young Ireland player selected ahead of a player born overseas?
A3. Yes.

Q4. Would you therefore support Phil Simmons in selecting George Dockrell and Gary Kidd to play for Ireland?
A4. Yes.


So there you have it. I am both for and against the selection of Gary and George ahead of Albert and Iftie. Like my friends in The Hills we like nothing better than complaining but deep down we are reasonable men. We are perfectly balanced individuals. It's probably the chip on both shoulders!