*Official* Pakistan tour of Ireland, England and Scotland 2018

[S.Kennedy]

They'd thrash the Windies

 

[TheJediBrah]

SL just gave Pakistan a pounding in tests in the UAE.

But I think we can all agree, Ireland v sub continental sides and WI in Ireland will be interesting to see what happens.

I think Ireland has ZImbabwe beat easy, esp at home. But this Irish team has a lot of dated stock.

This is the issue. Most of their core team that got them this far are well on the way to retirement/declination. I'm not sure they've got the depth to replace them in the short-to-medium term.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

They'd thrash the Windies

Nah, they have to talk to Afghan about that!

 

[Mr Miyagi]

They'd thrash the Windies

2nd Test, West Indies tour of England at Leeds, Aug 25-29 2017 | Match Summary | ESPNCricinfo

 

[Borges]

"Ireland officially have a Test Match honours board and Kevin O'Brien becomes the first name to grace it here at Malahide Cricket Club" - IrishCricketers
"[FONT=&quot]We,re going to need a bigger board" - exiledirishman
[/FONT]https://twitter.com/IrishCricketers/status/996102478054686723

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

"Ireland officially have a Test Match honours board and Kevin O'Brien becomes the first name to grace it here at Malahide Cricket Club" - IrishCricketers
"[FONT="]We,re going to need a bigger board" - exiledirishman
[/FONT]https://twitter.com/IrishCricketers/status/996102478054686723

Thats great

 

[Uppercut]

This is the issue. Most of their core team that got them this far are well on the way to retirement/declination. I'm not sure they've got the depth to replace them in the short-to-medium term.

It's funny how our first test also feels like the end of an era. It's like, you need the golden generation to create the consistent performances, profile, and infrastructure to become a test nation, but by the time that's all in place, the golden generation is pretty much done.

Thing is though, we've never actually had a stand-out performer. We've had guys like Morgan, Rankin, and Joyce that obviously have far more talent than the others, but their performances haven't been a level above their nuggety-jack-of-all-trades team-mates in practice. Maybe their retirement will allow us to focus on our tradition strengths: cricketers so talentless that their effectiveness completely undermines the credibility of the sport. We can get back to the good old days of 11 all-rounders, all of whom bowl either flightless off-spin or nippy medium pace and have hideous but vaguely effective batting techniques. The batting order can once again be determined by the drawing of lots.

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

They'd thrash the Windies

I doubt this. WI have the bowling attack to get Ireland twice cheaply and their batting line up has guys who can dig it up. I think WI have the upper hand. BD will fold to Irish bowlers in swinging conditions most of the time. Also I dont see our bowlers being effective here. Ireland has the upper hand. With SL, Im not so sure.

 

[TheSilverFox]

SL just gave Pakistan a pounding in tests in the UAE.

But I think we can all agree, Ireland v sub continental sides and WI in Ireland will be interesting to see what happens.

I think Ireland has ZImbabwe beat easy, esp at home. But this Irish team has a lot of dated stock.

You can't take anything for granted with the Irish Cricket Team. The Squad is aging and there is real concern regarding the ability to integrate young players into the squad, especially when there will be only 1 or 2 test matches a year, therefore the best experience players will get are International ODIs. An area of continuing concern is Ireland's batting against spin and especially getting power onto the slower deliveries.

It is interesting to see that there is basically a uniform squad, in that most players play both ODI and T20 with no specialist players for either format. Couple that with the dismal 17th place in the T20 ICC Rankings, it is an interesting challenge for Cricket Ireland to consider what types of players do they need in a bigger squad and what competitions do they need to concentrate on.

 

[S.Kennedy]

The strengthening of the Inter-Provincial competition has to be a priority. Once it gets to the stage when Irish players feel content to play first-class cricket in Ireland and not move to a English county, much of your problem is sorted.

 

[Mr Miyagi]

You can't take anything for granted with the Irish Cricket Team. The Squad is aging and there is real concern regarding the ability to integrate young players into the squad, especially when there will be only 1 or 2 test matches a year, therefore the best experience players will get are International ODIs. An area of continuing concern is Ireland's batting against spin and especially getting power onto the slower deliveries.

It is interesting to see that there is basically a uniform squad, in that most players play both ODI and T20 with no specialist players for either format. Couple that with the dismal 17th place in the T20 ICC Rankings, it is an interesting challenge for Cricket Ireland to consider what types of players do they need in a bigger squad and what competitions do they need to concentrate on.

I don't see Ireland serving up too many dustbowls at home in May.

Now if you meant in Asia, that's fine, but that's not at all what I explicitly said nor took for granted in my post.

But I agree with you, Ireland have a long way to go before they do well in Asia. Even the might of the Aussies with Smith and Warner were lucky to escape Bangladesh with a drawn series after going 1-0 down.

 

[Starfighter]

Even the might of the Aussies with Smith and Warner were lucky to escape Bangladesh with a drawn series after going 1-0 down.

There's nothing 'lucky' about losing one test narrowly and outplaying the opposition by a distance in the second.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Even the might of the Aussies with Smith and Warner were lucky to escape Bangladesh with a drawn series after going 1-0 down.

Yeah that's just a misleading statement. Nothing about Australia was "lucky" that series.

 

[S.Kennedy]

An Irish/England match would be a great event. Because of the proximity you could run a four test series across both countries. Stage it in our boozier grounds - Old Trafford to attract the Scouse Plastic Paddies. Big old piss up. People dressed as leprechauns and knights and some truly appalling cricket on show, streaky **** against 80mph dibbly dobblers. It would be much better than the Ashes.

 

[Flem274*]

There's nothing 'lucky' about losing one test narrowly and outplaying the opposition by a distance in the second.

Yeah that's just a misleading statement. Nothing about Australia was "lucky" that series.

lel this from the nation that calls others far too sensitive

 

[Flem274*]

truly appalling cricket on show, streaky **** against 80mph dibbly dobblers.

i think you mean great cricket

there is nothing funnier than fat medium pacers sending down unplayable hooping deliveries under an overcast sky.

 

[Starfighter]

lel this from the nation that calls others far too sensitive

Yeah, pointing out the truth is being sensitive is it? Silly me...

 

[S.Kennedy]

i think you mean great cricket

there is nothing funnier than fat medium pacers sending down unplayable hooping deliveries under an overcast sky.

Amen. Leave all that twirly nonsense to the sub-continent.

 

[Mr Miyagi]

There's nothing 'lucky' about losing one test narrowly and outplaying the opposition by a distance in the second.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...t/news-story/ca863e794111322b9460e5532e2f9ed8

Australia headed into the first day of the second Test against Bangladesh with an unsettled line-up and an unfavourable weather forecast as they attempted to save the series.

Weather forecast

It’s not good ...

Perhaps those more familiar with Bangladesh are in a better position to comment, but my understanding is that early September is still part of the monsoon season there. So after going down 1-0, Aus were even if ever so slightly and fractionally lucky for the weather to have sufficiently held off. The last time tests were played at this time of year, SA and India touring, there were washouts.

Seems it only rains in the monsoon season now when Bangladesh is on top.

But in a 2 test series, after going down 1-0, plenty of teams will need to catch a break with the weather. Watch how this test championship unfolds with the complaints over bad weather to follow in the 2nd tests.

 

[Firebreaker]

I wish there were ODIs instead of T20s against Scotland.