Should ireland be given test status

[flibbertyjibber]

Only if Boyd Rankin plays for them.

If they are allowed test status then give them a chance and allow Morgan and Rankin to return for them straight away.

 

[Prince EWS]

There are no good arguments against this now that the FTP is gone. If no-one wants to play Tests against them, they just won't schedule Tests against them.

 

[morgieb]

They're no worse than Zimbabwe as they stand.

 

[brockley]

If the rumour is right and Brendon Taylor retires after the World Cup to Play for Hamshire,then Zimbabwean cricket is screwed and well below Ireland.

 

[Riggins]

Immediately IMO. Debut test could be a one-off against New Zealand on their tour to the UK next year.

Obviously not going to happen, but I'd be tempted to go over to Ireland to watch it.

Harsh on them to play their first test against an ATG outfit.

 

[Flem274*]

Wouldn't mind getting Ireland down here in early December for a test tbh. Would be a nice start to the season, and yeah Heef's idea about teams popping over while around the UK is a good one.

 

[Valer]

There are no good arguments against this now that the FTP is gone. If no-one wants to play Tests against them, they just won't schedule Tests against them.

Stat inflation.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Harsh on them to play their first test against an ATG outfit.

Look, we all know that for their debut Test, Ireland will need a massive drawcard to get the fans through the turnstiles (c.f. 1950) and the agribusiness telebucks. Hence, the ATG Blackcaps would be the ideal team to play.

 

[fredfertang]

Except that it further dilutes the quality of the product

 

[kiwiviktor81]

With Ireland, Scotland, Kenya, Afghanistan et al. pressing for Test selection it might be time to move to a two-division game, with windows outside of a championship to allow for other matches.

 

[ImpatientLime]

if you remove his performances against zimbabwe, bangladesh and ireland he only averages....

 

[Prince EWS]

Stat inflation.

Emphasis was on 'good'.

 

[OverratedSanity]

One more team for Sanga to bash.

 

[test cricketer]

Kenya is crap, sadly they are not as good as they used to be, my fear, is with the 2019 world cup not really allowing associates to play, ireland and afghanistan might go the same way.

 

[andruid]

Kenya is crap, sadly they are not as good as they used to be, my fear, is with the 2019 world cup not really allowing associates to play, ireland and afghanistan might go the same way.

Kenya became crap because our top brass can't be bothered to actually enlist schools, colleges and institutions to play cricket. Perhaps if the ICC had gotten IOC affiliation then cricket would have been a far easier sell in places like Kenya, who knows. Be that as it may I don't see the same extent of problems in Ireland, with their youth programs sponsorships etc. Really the ICC should split full membership from test status. Some countries with lots of raw talent are too all over the shop administratively, and some others could do so much more with a bit more leverage in the ICC.

 

[Flem274*]

i don't really see why we're so precious about test status. it's not like bangladesh or zimbabwe are at south africa or australia level. even in the middle and top of the table, if you put an india or australia in the wrong place at the wrong time they lose the plot.

im not saying open the floodgates but there is nothing lost by giving ireland and afghanistan a crack. you can't even make the stats inflation argument since no one judges people off career averages anymore. it's always "excluding bang/zim or away vs home tests" etc

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Imagine how good it would be for Bangladesh to have a tour of Ireland and England and manage to play 4 or 5 tests in a couple of months, players from Ireland and Bangladesh would benefit from this. In fact most of the sides who play the first tour to England would probably be able to go to Ireland after. I think Ireland would get bigger crowds than many of the current test sides would get. Also I bet there are many players worldwide who may suddenly qualify for Ireland and improve their strength but wouldn't be prepared to play for them in their current state.

 

[GIMH]

The downside though is uppercut might start posting in CC again

 

[brockley]

Ireland have 1 of the worst bowling line ups for the world cup,the way they we're beaten by Holland at the t20 qualifiers is not a one off.They miss Johnston bad.Its really up to the youngsters to stand up because Cusack and Monney aren't what they used to be with the ball.My tip is Scotland for a few upsets at the world cup.

 

[Prince EWS]

Ireland have 1 of the worst bowling line ups for the world cup,the way they we're beaten by Holland at the t20 qualifiers is not a one off.They miss Johnston bad.Its really up to the youngsters to stand up because Cusack and Monney aren't what they used to be with the ball.My tip is Scotland for a few upsets at the world cup.

Craig Young is quite good when he's fit; he could do something special in the World Cup. He's usually injured though.