By BBC NI's Alvin McCaig

Irish cricket is at a crossroads following a summer of massive disappointment for the national team.

The ICC Trophy debacle in Toronto was followed by a humbling Triple Crown whitewash and the resignation of coach Ken Rutherford.

Two C&G Trophy victories could not hide the deep-seated problems which have hindered Irish progress.

The Irish Cricket Union have moved to raise standards by scrapping the inter-provincial series.

It will be replaced from next season by a new competition involving teams from the NCU and the North-West, plus a third including players from Leinster and Munster.

Key member

This will include two-day games and form a major part in influencing team selection before the European Championships in Northern Ireland next July.

The ICU are also looking at the feasibility of establishing an All Ireland League.

These are plans supported by Kyle McCallan, until recently Irish skipper and a key member of the side since making a sensational debut in 1996.

He took a wicket with his very first ball and followed that up with a maiden century in the next game.

While welcoming the ICU's desire for change, the Cliftonville all-rounder believes more must be done to stop the rot in Irish cricket.

"We need to have a serious look at ourselves," said McCallan.

"We came fourth in the 1997 ICC Trophy but we did not do anything to progress - we stood still."

His blunt assessment focuses on club and provincial cricket as the basis of preparing the national team.

According to McCallan there is a huge chasm in class between club and international cricket.

"Club cricket in Ireland is not good enough preparation for the national team.

"Our youth teams do well but where do these players go - they disappear into club cricket and pick up bad habits.

"This is where the Development Squad can be developed further so the best youngsters can compete regularly at a higher level.

"The inter-provincials are being replaced by a three-team competition - the Development Squad could become the fourth side.

'More attractive'

"It is all about making the step up to international cricket not as big and the Development Squad is the ideal way of doing this."

So that is the recipe for success on the pitch but McCallan believes there is a equally big task off it - in the hearts and minds of the young.

Selling cricket to a generation with so many other sporting attractions is tough but vitally important.

"If we have serious aspirations we have got to market the game a bit more," McCallan argues.

"Something radical needs to be done to make it more attractive."

Irish cricket is entering a new era after New Zealander Rutherford quit the top post.

If the Kiwi's parting shot is anything to go by his successor faces a daunting task.

Rutherford described the Irish club game as "recreational" and said ambitions of World Cup qualification were "pie in the sky".

The ICU are now advertising the position and McCallan is clear what the job description should include.

"It is important to have someone at the head of things, whether it be as national coach or Director of Cricket.

'Talented players'

"But this must be someone responsible for national cricket in its entirety, overseeing all levels."

"They will be in charge of a national team which is not 'second rate' as reported after the ICC Trophy and includes many talented players including Dom Joyce and Jason Molins."

On a personal front the right-hander is enjoying his career in the Irish set-up and says there are no sour grapes after losing the captaincy to Molins.

McCallan admits he had difficulty getting ideas 'past traditionalists' in the higher echelons of the game during his two-year stint as Ireland skipper.

That does not bode well for the future as McCallan believes radical action is needed to save the game being pushed permanently to the boundary.