Eleven cricketers who could play Tests for Ireland
Steven Mullaney
> In some ways, he's the typical county pro: tidy batsman, medium-pace bowler and no real prospect of playing for England. He does, however, have the heritage he needs to represent Ireland, and his strong performances in televised games for Nottinghamshire speak of a big-match temperament that is ideal for a Test cricketer.
Nick Larkin
> After a brace of Ireland appearances against Sri Lanka 'A', Nick Larkin returned to his native Australia and has since broken into the New South Wales team. A Sheffield Shield best of 130 suggests that he's good enough to command a place in the Irish top order if he wants to.
Sean Terry
> The Irish son of a German-born England player, Sean Terry's best performances have been against the red ball. His six half-centuries in a fledgeling first-class career speak of someone willing to knuckle down, although he still needs to prove he's got a big innings in his locker.
Rob Keogh
> A highly experienced batting all-rounder for Northamptonshire, Keogh is eligible for Irish selection thanks to his family heritage. With career bests of 221 and nine for 52 with bat and ball respectively, he has the ability to put in Test-class performances.
Jack Tector
> Jack Tector was a player whose talents had been recognised by several English counties, but since his 2017 Interpro season has been particularly impressive: he averages over 50 in all three formats, and his T20 strike rate of 160 shows impressive adaptability. Still only 20 years old, Tector has a future in green in all three formats.
James McCollum
> McCollum has played some first-class cricket for Durham MCCU, but it is his recent unbeaten century against a strong Leinster team which merits his inclusion. After coming to the crease in the fourth over of the innings, only his Knights teammates' failure to support him could bring his innings to a close on an unbeaten 119.
Lorcan Tucker
> He's currently only Ireland's fourth-choice wicket-keeper, though a clutch of Twenty20 appearances in green show that the Leinsterman is in the selectors' thoughts. With Niall O'Brien and Gary Wilson not getting any younger, and serious question marks about the glovework of Stuart Poynter, Tucker can still press his case for inclusion.
Mark Adair
> Bowling all-rounder Mark Adair is far from the finished article, but at only 21 years old he has already broken into a strong Warwickshire first team on several occasions. A little bit of extra pace and height could make him the natural successor to the oft-injured Boyd Rankin.
Robert McKinley
> Although not yet a full Irish international, McKinley has some impressive performances behind him, none more so than when he took three for 67 against a Nottinghamshire side including seven full internationals (Brendan Taylor, Alex Hales, James Taylor, Samit Patel, Chris Read, Jake Ball and Harry Gurney). His experience playing against players of this quality in his time at Loughborough University will be crucial, and at the young age of 23 he has a bright future ahead of him.
Bobby Gamble
> Another Loughborough MCCU representative, Gamble reportedly bowls with a little more pace than McKinley. Though he has yet to record any outstanding performances in first-class cricket, he has been identified as someone with leadership qualities, having been made Loughborough MCCU captain this year.
Simon Kerrigan
> Simon Kerrigan is the only player on this list with Test experience. Almost four years ago, he endured a harrowing debut in an Ashes Test, and has been frozen out of international cricket ever since. It would be a remarkable comeback story if he made an international return for a new country and succeeded.
