Pace is pace

One debutant offered a brief glimpse of why there has been clamour to include him in the Irish attack

Liam McCarthy (left) was presented his debut cap by Curtis Campher. 📸: Cricket Ireland

When was the last time an Irish bowler hit a batter?

Answers on a postcard, please. Curtis Campher being hit on the finger in the nets doesn’t count.

There’s been plenty of coverage of Ireland’s lack of top end pace. So many factors - conditions, coaching attitudes, competition from other sports - work against this country’s ability to develop top end pace.

Two deliveries in Clontarf on Wednesday offered a brief glimpse into what it’s like seeing a green jersey genuinely trouble a batter.

West Indies all-rounder Matthew Forde was hit in the midriff. The ball wasn’t particularly short. This was no vicious snorter rearing up towards the gloves. But it did enough off the pitch to hit him. It hurt, too.

Which Irish bowler was responsible?