Associate and Affiliate Thread

[Aislabie]

As I write, Scotland have thumped a very mediocre looking Canada, who continue to show why they are a disgrace to their ODI status, and Ireland have notched up a dominant draw over Afghanistan in a match they would have probably won if the first session on Day 3 hadn't been lost, let alone the first two days.

You probably all know my thoughts on Ireland (see here), but for now, they belong in this thread too.

***

Well played Calum MacLeod, must be gutted to be stranded on 99*, especially after blocking a dot ball, only for an overthrow to give the one that Scotland needed, but not the two that MacLeod needed. Well played, MacLeod!

 

[Phen]

Must be gutting for the Irish to get such bad luck with the weather. Showing once again that they are the best of the rest though.

Being an Irish supporter, where you at the game?

 

[Aislabie]

No, can't get time off school for that. I guarantee I will be at their first Test match, though, whenever it ma be.

 

[Phen]

No, can't get time off school for that. I guarantee I will be at their first Test match, though, whenever it ma be.

That would be awesome knowing that your at your country's first test match.

I'm just hoping that match will be sometime in the next five years, not twenty.

 

[Aislabie]

Exactamundo.

As it is, I'd quite like to go see some of the Bangladesh games, but it's whether I can find the time and money.

 

[Phen]

I'm such a massive fan of Irish cricket that I've decided once my playing days are over, I'm going to one day coach in Ireland (after coaching in NZ for a few years).

I'd say 20 years would be too little, too late unfortunately for Ireland. The ICC are clueless when it comes to development.

 

[Aislabie]

^
Couldn't agree more.

They need Test status now, and maybe a dispensation for Eoin Morgan to return to them. Ease them in similarly to Zimbabwe's recent return to the fold, and have them play a match against each English tourist. It wouldn't be that complicated. The domestic structure can sort itself out.

And besides, this squad could beat any of the bottom four Test teams on its day:

1. William PORTERFIELD (c)
2. Ed Joyce
3. Andrew WHITE
4. Hamish MARSHALL
5. Paul STIRLING
6. Niall O'BRIEN (wk)
7. Kevin O'BRIEN
8. Alex CUSACK
9. Trent JOHNSTON
10. George DOCKRELL
11. Boyd RANKIN

• Gary WILSON (wk)
• John MOONEY
• Albert van der MERWE
• Tim MURTAGH
• Max SORENSEN

 

[Phen]

Agreed, you have lot's of young guys coming through as well.

 

[Aislabie]

Agreed, you have lot's of young guys coming through as well.

Exactly, people like George Dockrell, Paul Stirling and possibly Graeme McCarter are going to keep the Irish side going for the next five to ten years.

 

[Phen]

Great fight back from the Irish, too bad they couldn't seal the game and keep the series alive.

 

[Aislabie]

By the way, I'm making an Irish Cricket fansite - check it out!

Ireland Cricket - Home

 

[Phen]

Another close game, could have gone either way.

----------

Looks good so far by the way.

 

[sifter132]

^
Couldn't agree more.

They need Test status now, and maybe a dispensation for Eoin Morgan to return to them. Ease them in similarly to Zimbabwe's recent return to the fold, and have them play a match against each English tourist. It wouldn't be that complicated. The domestic structure can sort itself out.

Well I can't fault you on saying that Ireland need Test status - it would be great for them. Trouble is that it would suck for everyone else. More games to fit into an already packed schedule, more money being funnelled away from established countries that are struggling for cash eg. New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies, even Zimbabwe.

I'd like to see more 'A' teams play against Ireland, that's how I'd improve their cricket.

 

[Phen]

Well I can't fault you on saying that Ireland need Test status - it would be great for them. Trouble is that it would suck for everyone else. More games to fit into an already packed schedule, more money being funnelled away from established countries that are struggling for cash eg. New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies, even Zimbabwe.

I'd like to see more 'A' teams play against Ireland, that's how I'd improve their cricket.

The schedule is only packed because of these pointless five or seven match series against average sides in the top ten. If three, three, three was the standard for most series it would give plenty of room for one more team.

 

[Aislabie]

Well I can't fault you on saying that Ireland need Test status - it would be great for them. Trouble is that it would suck for everyone else. More games to fit into an already packed schedule, more money being funnelled away from established countries that are struggling for cash eg. New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies, even Zimbabwe.

I'd like to see more 'A' teams play against Ireland, that's how I'd improve their cricket.

But if you tag on one Test against each England tourist, and incorporate a Quadrangular ODI tournament including Ireland, England and both tourists, then you won't inconvenience anybody.

Then if Ireland tour a couple of places in the winter for a test and a few ODIs, then, again, they won't be inconveniencing anyone. Particularly when New Zealand or Bangladesh or Zimbabwe go through one of their periods of not playing anybody.