Ireland Call for Test Status

[maehara]

Ireland call for Test status
...and for a Test match against Zimbabwe or Bangladesh to prove they're up to it. Warren Deutrom makes some fair points, and Cricket Ireland only lack two of the ICC's pre-requisites for Full Membership: a domestic first-class competition, and a playing record against other Test sides. I don't think it's unfair for them to expect the ICC to help them get the games that would give them that playing record. Here's hoping the ICC respond in the right way...

[zimfan1]

i think Ireland need to be shown a pathway to test cricket becasue if they dont then England will go on taking there best players i reckon Paul Sterling will be the next one on their list

Ireland should have a years trial in test cricket where they play Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and even maybe New Zealand and The West Indies and then there performance can be judged on the results and a decision can be made whether the give them test status or not

One question for you Maehara as Ed Joyce is no longer playing for England can he come back and play for Ireland or is there a waiting period??

[maehara]

One question for you Maehara as Ed Joyce is no longer playing for England can he come back and play for Ireland or is there a waiting period??

He can't be selected for Ireland until 4 years after his last England match. A player can carry on playing for his Associate home nation while qualifying for a Full Member nation, but not the other way around.