Give Ireland the test status

Ireland is currently the ‘leading associate nation’ in cricket world. Despite the fact that they have no first class domestic structure and most of their players are not professional cricketers, they have had significant impact on the world stage. They have done more upsets than any other associate country in the past did. They have shown a spark in their game which has made them most exciting upcoming cricket team. They have done wonders with both bat and ball and have won matches on varied kind of surfaces.

If we compare with the exploits of other countries who have gained test status in the last 30 years or so, they have achieved everything required for a test membership. Ireland is ready for the next big step. The lack of proper first class domestic set-up can be compensated in part if they are given regular representation in the English county championship.

Although they have been recognized as a cricket playing nation since as early as mid nineteenth century, they played their first ever first class match in 1902 in England. They have always been giant killers. They beat South Africa in 1904 to record their first win against a test nation. They have been playing with Scotland annually for their first class cricket till late 20th century. They beat touring West Indies in 1928 in a 3-day first class match. They again defeated a West Indian side having players like Clive Lloyd and Clyde Walcott in 1969 by getting them all out for 25. In the latter part of 20th century they were competing with Sri Lanka and Scotland for the test status. Although Sri Lanka leapfrogged to become a test nation in 1981, Ireland were given associate membership by the ICC in 1993, a year ahead of Scotland.

After getting the associate status, they started competing in the ICC Trophy (now ICC World Cup Qualifier) from 1994. In 1997 they were beaten by Scotland in the third place play-off, hence missed a chance to play ICC World Cup 1999. The 2001 tournament was a nightmare for them as they finished a poor eighth. They hosted the next trophy in 2005, where they were the runners-up after losing the final to Scotland, thanks to the batting exploits of Ed Joyce. They qualified for the ICC World Cup which was held in West Indies in 2007 where they surprised every one with their resilience and cricketing skills. After playing a tie with Zimbabwe they upset Pakistan and then beat Bangladesh. They won the next tournament which was held in South Africa in 2009. They also won the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in 2008 and hence qualified for the 2009 World T20 Trophy along with runners-up Netherlands.

The ICC Intercontinental Cup was introduced in 2004 for the associate nations so that they could play first class cricket on a regular basis. Ireland has won it three times consecutively between 2005 and 2008. They have the best over-all win loss ratio among all the Associate nations.

Ireland gained full ODI status in 2007 when they qualified for the 2007 ICC World Cup. They were beaten by England in their first ever ODI by 38 runs but got their first ODI win in their next match against the Scots in which Eoin Morgan top scored with 99.

Riding on a magnificent hundred by Jeremy Bray, they tied with Zimbabwe in the 2007 World Cup. In their next match on Saint Patrick's Day, they knocked Pakistan out of the World Cup by defeating them to record a stunning upset. They progressed to the Super 8 stage where they beat Bangladesh to round off a sensational tournament for themselves.

As a result of these results, Ireland were promoted to permanent ODI status, being given the recognition in ICC’s official ODI rankings. In 2009 ICC World Twenty20, they beat Bangladesh throwing them out of the tournament. In 2009, they became 10th ranked ODI team ahead of Zimbabwe when they beat Kenya 3-0 in an ODI series.

The continued success of the team resulted in Cricket Ireland handing central contracts to many of its players. As most of the players are still part-timers, the Irish Cricket needs a big boost from ICC as well as their big brother England so that they can progress and eventually get a full time test status.

The 2011 World Cup did not start well for them as they were beaten by Bangladesh but by upsetting a strong English team they have reminded every one once again that they are no more push-overs. The innings played by Kevin O’Brien has set the tone for them in the tournament and if they could somehow qualify for the quarter-finals, it will further strengthen their claim for the test promotion.

When Bangladesh beat Pakistan, Pakistani captain Wasim Akram had wished them best of luck and termed them ‘brothers’. With the help of the Asian Block, Bangladesh succeeded in getting the test status. Ireland needs the same support as they can do no worse than Bangladesh after being promoted. The time has arrived that Ireland is given the test status. It will help test crickets as well especially when ICC is contemplating a two-tier test championship. Cricket World needs Ireland as much as Ireland needs Cricket World.