The Lloyds TSB Tri-Series went as was expected. It was not necessarily the best advert for Associate cricket, with both Ireland and Scotland sustaining what many will see as predictably heavy defeats to New Zealand.

The tourists deserve immense credit for not treating this as an end of tour jolly, fielding virtually a full strength line-up in each of the ties while never once slipping below the standards established during the NatWest Series against England.

It vividly illustrated the chasm that remains, although – as Daniel Vettori pointed out – it is a gap that the Kiwis themselves took 30 years to bridge before they acquired a level of global respectability.

What next though for the Celts, other than their forthcoming Inter-Continental Cup ties, and August’s World Twenty20 qualifiers?

Richard Done, the ICC’s High Performance Manager, joined us in the commentary box during the Scotland v Ireland game to discuss the development of the Associates. Perfect timing in the week that the politicking over the cash that the sport’s governing bodies dishes out to its supposed lesser lights is taking place in Dubai.

“That’s why I came here, rather than being in Dubai, to get away from it,” joked Done, who took over what is a difficult job from the late Bob Woolmer, in his day a passionate advocate for expanding the game outside the big ten.

With the ICC’s board expected this week to sanction a tripling of the funding it doles out to the likes of the Scots and Irish to around £750,000 a year, Done admitted he would like to see some of the money utilised to provide professional contracts to leading players. A necessary step forward, he said.

It would means less of the absenteeism that blighted Ireland’s series, removing the county versus country dilemma that kept the likes of Will Porterfield, Eoin Morgan and (on other occasions) Kyle Coetzer away. When Scotland met Kenya in 1999, the honours were very much even. Since the Kenyans went full-time (aided, in no small manner, by the friendly exchange rate and low cost of living there), they have accelerated ahead.

Much of Done’s work involves providing assistance and support to the Associates to close the gap between haves and have-nots. There is a limit on what more can be accomplished, he argued, unless the ICC - and more significantly the ECB and its counties – buy into the programme. More money welcome. More support required.

Still, Gavin Hamilton’s terrific 115 against the Irish displayed a class which befitted a man who has had to battle his demons since he was cruelly dropped by England after that Johannesburg Test of 1999. Even 12 months ago, Hamilton looked spent. He took some time away from the game – and has found rejuvenation.

The only thing missing was his shirt. Thanks to the Mannofield cleaners who threw out a perfectly good ‘Hamilton’ jersey, leaving East Brierly’s finest to borrow Fraser Watts’ spare kit.
"I'll be wearing Fraser's stuff from now on," said Hamilton, who added another highlight with a brilliant catch on the square leg boundary from Andrew White.

"We get given our kit in bin-liners with our names on it, but I was the only one stupid enough to leave it in the dressing room.” Not that it mattered too much. Other than when the two Watts were briefly together at the crease.

New Zealand, fresh from a day on the golf course, would be a different matter. The risk of sunburn was diminished, for one. Fleeces a necessity.

Phil Goodlad, our intrepid presenter, ventured out without the protection of before Thursday’s start of play for a tour of the ground on the back of the groundsman’s golf cart. Chauffeur-driven, he looked like royalty. Or at least he told us he did.

New Zealand were the true Kings of Aberdeen on this occasion. As commanding on Thursday as they had been 48 hours earlier against the Irish, they underlined how far the Celts must yet travel on their journey.

On the field, over the two ties, there were some good performances from the hosts. On his ODI debut, Qasim Sheikh performed with a swagger against the Irish until he was needlessly dismissed but that he held up against New Zealand bodes well.

Evergreen Colin Smith, the hometown hero, took a record four catches against the Emerald Isle and surpassed his one-day best with a battling 59. Dewald Nel’s 4-25 was the best by a Scotland bowler. After being freed by Worcestershire at the end of last summer, he surely merits another look.

It was a shame that rain drenched Mannofield for much of the final day’s play. No shock that the tourists reigned supreme. For the aspirants, more work lies ahead.