Matthew Hayden and Wade Seccombe take a break

Shocked by their defeat in the ICC tournament recently, the Irish team and officials put on a brave face to act as the perfect hosts here at the North of Ireland CC in Ormeau, Belfast.

Unfortunately, even the best of hosts have no say over the weather, and after an hour-and-a-half of competitive cricket, the heavy grey skies opened up like a burst water main.

So heavy and persistent was the rain that we didn't even look like restarting the match after the first spots called into action the umbrellas and raincoats of the frustrated crowd.

From Irish cricket's point of view, the abandonment of this eagerly-awaited fixture against the Aussies is probably symbolic of the frustrations they are currently experiencing.

The team's disappointing performance in Toronto sees them drop from second to eighth position in the ICC rankings of non-Test playing countries.

This drop in standing has major repercussions to the development of cricket in this country.

Matthew Hayden with his catch

Not only will there be financial suffering from the ICC, but the route to 2007 World Cup will now be strewn with more hurdles with an increase in the number of qualifying games to get through to the dream tournament in six years' time.

As bleak as the situation currently looks, there are enough positives here to keep the hopes alive.

Apart from a number of talented young players like Ed Joyce (a brilliant left-handed batsman who is playing at Middlesex), the Irish have a fighting spirit that will hold them in good stead in the future.

For international cricket's sake, it is my opinion that all of the non-Test playing nations should be given encouragement financially, and through opportunity, to develop their grassroots and structures, so that cricket continues to blossom throughout the world.

As for today, the party is over in terms of golf, fishing and Irish hospitality.

With the fourth Test starting at Headingley on Thursday, our re-charged batteries will hopefully make for more energetic and determined performances in this Test match.

The re-introduction of Alan Mullally and Nasser Hussain to the England line-up will boost the confidence of our opponents, and with the loss of Steve Waugh in our batting order, it may be suggested that the scales, on paper at least, may be a little more balanced.

Steve Waugh's loss is obviously significant but I believe it will just act as another incentive to the team.

The talk all summer has been of the enormous loss of Nasser Hussain's leadership to the England team.

We will be determined to prove that even the skipper is not irreplaceable in any side, and that we can continue winning regardless of the hole left by the world's consistent and ruthless player.

From Belfast

JL