Mar

Top Ten Series: Roy Torrens selects his Top Ten Irish Players

Irish Team Manager, Roy won 30 caps for Ireland between 1966 and 1984 as a fast bowler. Siggins and Fitzgerald featured him in Ireland's 100 Cricket Greats, 2006.

Roy Torrens: Photo courtesy of Joe Curtis

"My ten best Irish cricketers over the last 40 years are as follows:

Ed Joyce (1997-present) - to date our best ever batsman. Played a major role in qualifying for the 2007 World Cup before playing for England against Ireland in the World Cup. After a successful period with Middlesex, including captaining them in 2004, he moved to Sussex after the 2008 season
Dermot Monteith (1965-1984) - played for Middlesex for 2 seasons and was Ireland's best ever slow left arm spinner. Was an inspirational skipper and producer of many match-winning performances for his country
Alec O'Riordan (1958-1977) - left arm opening bowler and middle order batsman who if he had wished could have played cricket for a number of interested counties. Was also a very good close to the wicket fielder
Ivan Anderson (1966-1985) - probably Ireland's best ever all-rounder, Ivan's 198* v Canada was a record score for 30 odd years. A very good off-break bowler, Ivan was also an outstanding fielder in the covers
Simon Corlett (1974-1987) - Simon was a fine opening bowler who could also bowl spin, believe it or not with either hand! An excellent fielder and a more than useful batsman it was easy to see why Simon got his 'blue' from Oxford before coming to live Ireland
Ossie Colhoun (1959-1979)- only those who played with Ossie could have appreciated just how good he was. In his prime there were very few in county cricket as good and he turned down numerous offers to play county cricket. Without doubt, Ireland's best ever wicket keeper
Asif Masood (1982-1988) - an exciting opening bat and one who was suited to play one day cricket. A very aggressive batsman who scored heavily in Leinster cricket and a useful medium pace bowler
Trent Johnston (2004-present) - Trent would have to be in my Top 10 especially after his performances at the 2007 World Cup where he excelled as a pace bowler, fast scoring middle order batsman and a very fine fielder. Would be in contention with Dermot Monteith as Ireland's best ever captain
Niall O'Brien (2002-present) - Niall's performances at the World Cup were nothing short of brilliant and his innings against Pakistan must go down as one of the best ever by an Irishman. He has scored heavily in recent years with some innings of 150 plus and with his proficient wicket keeping has become a very important member of the team
Eoin Morgan (2003-present) - Eoin has followed Ed Joyce into the Middlesex team and has already represented England with great distinction in the shorter forms of the game. For Ireland, was disappointed with his scores at the World Cup but despite being still very young holds the record for the highest score by an Irishman in international cricket (209) and will no doubt go on to break many more records on his way to becoming Ireland's best ever batsman