Ireland-Test Status
- Thread starter icyman
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shravi
National Board President
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2005
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- India
Yeah, that's why I was confused as well. I couldn't think of a "high class allrounder" from Ireland whose first name is Ryan.
bali singh
School Cricketer
oops!
i an sorrry
i an sorrry
Jigsawpuzzell
School Cricketer
- Joined
- May 27, 2012
- Online Cricket Games Owned
I'm Irish myself, and the answer is: well, there is no answer just yet. It's a complicated one.
Firstly, what we have achieved is greater than what Zimbabwe and Bangladesh achieved to gain Test status. We have beaten Pakistan, England and Bangladesh on the biggest stage, drawn with Zimbabwe too. At last year's World Cup, we were competitive against the eventual winners and in more games too. We were not embarrassed by anyone.
We are by far the best Associate Nation. We have won the Intercontinental Cup so we are good in the first class arena, and we have no trouble qualifying for limited over events like the World Cup and WorldTwenty20.
Quality- no problem.
But here are the main problems.
Venues- we need test venues, simple as that.
Interest- is not there yet. I think within 20 years it will be one of the top 5 sports here. Already what we have achieved in beating countries like Pakistan that breathe cricket is amazing. The interest is in the North though!
First class domestic scene- there is none, but with England so near then I think there can be some way of accommodating Irish teams.
What we need is regular ODI matches against the very best first, and then first class matches against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. We can beat them. And then, within 20 years I expect us to be a decent Test side.
And I'll be the happiest man in Ireland.
Firstly, what we have achieved is greater than what Zimbabwe and Bangladesh achieved to gain Test status. We have beaten Pakistan, England and Bangladesh on the biggest stage, drawn with Zimbabwe too. At last year's World Cup, we were competitive against the eventual winners and in more games too. We were not embarrassed by anyone.
We are by far the best Associate Nation. We have won the Intercontinental Cup so we are good in the first class arena, and we have no trouble qualifying for limited over events like the World Cup and WorldTwenty20.
Quality- no problem.
But here are the main problems.
Venues- we need test venues, simple as that.
Interest- is not there yet. I think within 20 years it will be one of the top 5 sports here. Already what we have achieved in beating countries like Pakistan that breathe cricket is amazing. The interest is in the North though!
First class domestic scene- there is none, but with England so near then I think there can be some way of accommodating Irish teams.
What we need is regular ODI matches against the very best first, and then first class matches against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. We can beat them. And then, within 20 years I expect us to be a decent Test side.
And I'll be the happiest man in Ireland.
1iram1
Club Captain
^ Bangladesh is supposed to tour Ireland this summer. Should be good. I personally like associates like Afghanistan, Ireland, and Netherlands and believe they should have series against the top ten teams.
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In an already excessive schedule, when?!?!?!?!?
"No" is the simple answer, not until the Test set up is addressed and changed. Ireland would just be another Bangladesh, another Zimbabwe, another (sorry to say) West Indies that teams would have to play and wouldn't want to because they play too much cricket already.
So Ireland would end up playing the other sides that none of the top sides wants to play, they'd get one off Tests and two Test series and get thumped. They wouldn't develop because the level would be all wrong, and so the ICC might as well tier off cricket because it is essentially divided into the top teams and those teams want to play, and the weaker teams who the top teams have to play because it is required.
No matter how often a team has a good World Cup, it doesn't make them Test quality. Ireland don't "deserve" Test status because they aren't good enough and have no way of proving it because no side decent enough to prove it by playing them has time to play them over five days.
And if further evidence were required, look at the two sides last awarded Test status. Zimbabwe struggled and Bangladesh even worse. Adding any other teams without a restructure would be ridiculous, and I can't see the ICC adding any more as they haven't for over a decade already. The Irish and others could try persuading Zimbabwe and Bangladesh to play them in Test length series, it's not as if their schedules are packed with more than two match series here and there
All you guys talk of Ireland need ODI's against WI, Zim, Bang etc. It's not happening, not because Ireland aren't asking but because the ICC/BCCI (cough cough) won't give them the funding necessarily! It really hacks me off, they are producing good young cricketers without a first-class structure, imagine them with one?
I just want them to get it because I love the passion and skill these so called "associates" bring to the game and I wont their good players to stop being poached!
I just want them to get it because I love the passion and skill these so called "associates" bring to the game and I wont their good players to stop being poached!
1iram1
Club Captain
Oh, but Ireland are hosting Bangladesh for a couple of limited over and 1 first class match in August.
That's true and I'm really excited about it, Ireland had to fund it itself though!
It was going to include a 4 day match but now it's just 3 T20's and 1 T20 against Netherlands and Scotland for Bangladesh. This is an exception, wish more top nations would do the same!
Themer
Chairman of Selectors
Because the gulf in quality is so much different. England vs Namibia would be lambs to the slaughter in Test Cricket.
I live in Ireland and it would be amazing if they could get test status. I live in Malahide where they are currently developing an international standard stadium. Think of the players with massive ability like Porterfield, Stirling, O'brien and Rankin who don't have the chance at Test cricket whereas average players like Sajid Mahmood and Darren Maddy have had a chance. Maybe not straight away but I really do think the Irish could compete internationally on the Test stage.
vorgaphe
Club Cricketer
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2011
- Online Cricket Games Owned
To avoid these clashes couldn't they have divisions ?
Div 1:
England
India
Australia
South Africa
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Div 2:
West Indies
Bangladesh
New Zealand
Zimbabwe
Ireland
Afghanistan
Div 3:
Netherlands
Kenya
Canada
Namibia
Scotland
UAE
They could play over 4 years with each teams playing each other in test series home and away with promotions and relegations.
Aislabie
Test Cricket is Best Cricket
Ireland are good enough, and when the new 11,000 seater ground is finished, will have a top class venue for test cricket. Clontarf and Stormont are pretty good too. Base one first class team at each ground, invite Netherlands and Scotland to play and Bob's your uncle, two birds with one stone.
You sir are brilliant, love the idea.
