Cricket: Ireland apply for Test status
Wednesday November 04 2009
Cricket Ireland have launched a campaign that could lead to Ireland becoming a Test-playing nation within three years – if they can negotiate the complex political world of the International Cricket Council.
Irish Officials have written to the ICC to say they intend to apply for full membership status, and the move is likely to be discussed at the board's next meeting in February.
"If we were simply satisfied with being the leading associate nation then I think we would be doing a disservice to the cricketers of Ireland," Warren Deutrom, the chief executive of Cricket Ireland, said.
"It is important we have ambitions to move forward in all three forms of the game otherwise we would have more players walking away to qualify elsewhere than we do now.
"In terms of the type of full membership we realise we have to be flexible. We have ambitions to play Test cricket but we are fully aware of the economic challenges the game faces and player burnout.
"We also recognise the fact that a Test series in Ireland between Ireland and Australia, for example, would not have the broadcasters jumping up and down, but we have to start somewhere."
Ireland's chances will be bolstered by performances at recent ICC events. The Irish cricketers reached the Super Eights stage of the last World Twenty20 and the 2007 World Cup, beating full-member nations at both events.
Ireland were only narrowly defeated by England last summer in a 50-over match and recently won the ICC's World Cup qualifier, which guaranteed a place at next year's event in India where they will meet England in the first round.
Ireland are also the holders of the ICC Intercontinental Cup, the ICC's four-day tournament for associate nations.
Several leading Irish players are with English county sides – Will Porterfield plays for Gloucestershire and Niall O'Brien for Northamptonshire – while Ed Joyce and Eoin Morgan have represented England.
Warwickshire fast bowler Boyd Rankin, was recently included in an England performance squad and Cricket Ireland are keen to stem this loss of talent.
Full-member status would also make Ireland eligible for a greater share of ICC handouts – they have received significantly less than teams they have beaten and outperformed, such as Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. Bangladesh were the last team to be awarded Test status in 2000 but it took them 35 matches to win.
Crucially, however, Bangladesh's promotion tipped the balance of political power in favour of the sub-continental bloc and any attempt to change this, which could happen if Ireland were handed full voting rights, might be met with fierce resistance.
"I don't see this as a political decision," said Deutrom. "I hope our application is taken on its merits and trust the decision will be taken on our ability. We know it will be a long process, but we are prepared to be patient in order to show our ambition."
- Nick Hoult
© Telegraph.co.uk
