The saying goes 'food for thought' but driving past the world's great undiscovered vineyards of the Niagara Peninsula, home to some of the greatest ice-wines and emerging rieslings and chardonnays of the new world, perhaps 'In Vino Veritas', in truth wine, is more apt.
Last year's journey to Toronto, to see Ireland's Under 19's thoughts centered on a team mission, the objective; secure a place at the Under 19 world cup. This year with an Intercontinental Cup victory already in the bag, and no ranking points at stake for the two ODI games against Canada, Ireland's selectors will be looking for individuals to cement a place on the plane to Zimbabwe later this month and further prove credentials to warrant inclusion in a preliminary squad for the 2011 world cup, just five months away. For some, these two Canada games could be the moment of truth in their cricketing life so far.
The side will show at least a couple of enforced changes from the last game, a nine wicket thumping of the Netherlands last month. Gary Wilson's excellent County Championship maiden hundred forcing Surrey to re-think their decision to make him available for the two contests scheduled for Monday and Tuesday at the impressive Toronto Cricket Curling and Sailing club. Also unavailable is Trent Johnston's preferred number three Alex Cusack. These two shared an unbroken stand of 44 to help Ireland coast past the Netherlands by nine wickets after Paul Stirling's firework display.
Fellow world cup qualifiers, Canada, at home should provide a sterner test, and the Monday game will provide the biggest crowd of the week as its labor day in North America. In Rizwain Cheema and Ashish Bagai, Canada have two players who can influence the outcome of any game, Cheema a devastating ball striker on his day; Bagai is Canada's answer to Niall O'Brien. Canada will be looking to avenge the Intercontinental Cup defeat.
Andrew Poynter and Nigel Jones having sat out the 4-day game will both be eager to impress. Rory McCann, Ireland's record-breaking glove man, will seek to transfer this season's club and Ireland A form to the full international side with the bat.
Alan Eastwood should make his ODI debut, after sitting out both games against the Netherlands. With Peter Connell not figuring in the plans and Craig Young recovering from injury Ireland are in need of a reliable seam option. The middle order is now a real strength and in Andrew White, John Mooney, Kevin O'Brien and the return to form of Andre Botha, Ireland should have enough to win the series.
