Former Australia paceman and Roar expert Jason Gillespie has called for Ireland to be elevated to the Test cricket ranks.
The 39-year-old, now head coach of Yorkshire, believes the move would both reward Ireland’s performances in limited-overs internationals and provide a necessary boost to the five-day format.
“Let’s face it, outside of Australia and England and, to a lesser extent, South Africa, people don’t turn up to watch Test cricket,” Gillespie told All Out Cricket.
“That’s just the way it is, and it’s sad.
“One fantastic way to give Test cricket a lift straight away would be to give Ireland full Test status. It’s something that should happen sooner rather than later from the ICC.
“Imagine if Ireland were given Test status. That would be huge news in world cricket, and it would be a massively positive story for the world game.
“The ICC and all the national boards talk a lot about the importance of protecting the integrity of Test cricket. If it is that important, then we should look to improve it, and in my view including Ireland would improve it.”
Ireland reached the Super Eight stage of the 2007 World Cup, beating Pakistan and Bangladesh in addition to a memorable tie with England, and also qualified for the World Twenty20 in 2009 and 2010.
“Ireland are ticking all the boxes,” Gillespie added.
“They’ve punched well above their weight in limited-overs tournaments.
“Think of the list of names who’ve plied their trade in English domestic cricket and who have even played for England. It would make a decent Test side.
“I don’t see why it couldn’t happen. Eoin Morgan is obviously with England full-time now but, apart from him, you’ve got Ed Joyce (Sussex), William Porterfield, Boyd Rankin (both Warwickshire), George Dockrell (Somerset), Peter Chase (Durham).”
Surrey captain Gary Wilson, Middlesex opener Paul Stirling and brothers Niall and Kevin O’Brien are also among the Irish contingent to make their way in the county game.
Rustom Deboo
Roar Guru
Great point by Gillespie, how I wish the so-called custodians at the ICC had the same foresight. Test cricket needs Ireland more than Ireland needs Test cricket. I have no doubt that the Irish would do a lot better than what Bangladesh have managed to do so far since gaining Test status. Ireland are yearning to play in whites and it will be a shame if the likes of Ed Joyce and Paul Stirling are deprived of representing their nation in the highest form of the game. Unfortunately, they are being given a raw deal by the myopic ICC, who are in fact busy restricting the game rather than spreading it - case point being the pathetic decision of reducing the number of World Cup teams to just ten from 2019. The Irish have great Test potential, and the ICC should make every effort to encourage them in the greater interests of the game. But it is not happening at the moment as the ICC are obsessed with going after quick cash. Whatever happened to the 'meritocracy'? Wake up ICC, enough of your hypocrisy.