Ireland, the future?

[The Good Mugabe]

Very good article by Tim Wigmore, who takes a realistic look at the current state of the Ireland international team

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ireland/cont...49149.html

[Warleybear]

Thanks for that GM…. Very good article. Ways need to be found to push the game forward …. Whether it’s making Ireland a T2 test nation (to play the likes of Zimbabwe, Bangladesh or West Indies), or encompassing / encouraging smaller nations who may not compete at Test level into the 50 or T20 world cups. My views on bringing T20 to the Olympics and Commonwealth games well known. When I saw the success of Rugby sevens at the Olympics, I was totally convinced. I would even consider rationalising some of our competitions to include Ireland, Scotland and Holland for the good of European cricket. I would also encourage a pathway for a couple of our minor counties to enter these competitions to bring new players / supporters in these areas into the game, rather than rewarding constant failure elsewhere. Cricket needs to nurture new development to drive the game forward. Ireland may be having a wobble…. But other countries have had worse than that. Good luck to them.

[Leicester Exile]

I agree WB - when you have the likes of San Marino and Leichenstein playing in football's major competitions it is such a shame the similar doesn't really happen in cricket. And yes I had the same views when I was watching the rugby sevens.

[The Good Mugabe]

A 40 run defeat for Ireland in today's T20 with Hong Kong

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/ma...04729.html

The series continues on Wednesday.

[Terry]

(05-09-2016, 06:49 PM)The Good Mugabe Wrote: A 40 run defeat for Ireland in today's T20 with Hong Kong

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/ma...04729.html

The series continues on Wednesday.

....but they have won four matches in a row in the Intercontinental Cup.

[The Good Mugabe]

Sky Sports will be carrying the Supersports coverage, on sky sports 3, of the South Africa v Ireland game from 9am Sunday morning. With Shaun Pollock& Paul Harris included in the commentary team.

This is effectively a warm up game for the South Africa side, which will, probably, have a large number of "quota" players, so that they can select their strongest side during their series with Australia that starts next week.

There should also be audio coverage of the game on http://www.radio2000.co.za, also available through the TuneIn radio app.

[The Good Mugabe]

South Africa currently scoring at a very comfortable 6.7 per over.

You could say it's all gone " De Kock" for Ireland.

[Paul]

Porterfield has to bat yet.

[The Good Mugabe]

South Africa finished on 354-5 off 50.

The Irish side looked very untidy in the field, missing several chances, also they consistently bowled too short.

The coverage from Supersport is very good, and the Benoi ground looks to be a good 'traditional cricket ground, with large grassed banks for spectators.

[Terry]

Tough day at the office for Porterfield - out for nought

[The Good Mugabe]

A very poor " day at the office" for the entire Ireland side, losing by over 200 runs.

That performance does nothing to help their claims that they should have more games against the ICC full member sides, especially as it was against a South African side packed with "quota" players & therefore not at full strength.

The cricinfo report http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa...59025.html

[The Good Mugabe]

Australia play Ireland on Tuesday, in their 'warm up' game for their series against South Africa

http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa...59186.html

The game should be live on skysports, & however it is likely to be as one sided a match as Sunday's 206 run victory by South Africa

[Terry]

(26-09-2016, 08:44 PM)The Good Mugabe Wrote: Australia play Ireland on Tuesday, in their 'warm up' game for their series against South Africa

http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa...59186.html

The game should be live on skysports, & however it is likely to be as one sided a match as Sunday's 206 run victory by South Africa

I don't think it will be that one-sided.  The Australians may not be able to match Ireland but they should come close.

[The Good Mugabe]

A very easy victory for Australia, by NINE wickets with 20 overs left.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa...59320.html

There have to be questions about the value of such uncompetitive warm up games for both Australia & South Africa before their five game series.

[The Good Mugabe]

Good news about the structure & status of the Domestic game in Ireland. also provides employment opportunities for English cricketers.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ireland/cont...61711.html

[GrizzlyBear]

Very good to see a governing body with a credible strategy for developing the game. ECB please note.

[Terry]

Ireland become a Test nation as from tomorrow; and ex-Bear William Porterfield becomes a Test match captain:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/44072695