Irish Cricket 2009

**Stuttgart88** · 20/07/2009, 11:15 AM

Clarke gone too. I expect that's it now.

Looking out my window & not a cloud in sight!

**Schumi** · 20/07/2009, 11:19 AM

375/8. All over now.

**EalingGreen** · 20/07/2009, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by Sheridan

It was a West Indies C team at best due to a player strike. There's no way Ireland should be considered for Test status until it has a functioning domestic structure. That's something attainable to aspire to in the short term, if the will is there.

First step: Sort out the domestic structure, as you say.
Second step: Apply for Ireland to join the E&W County set-up as the 20th team; if nothing else, that might keep the likes of Joyce and Morgan from England's clutches a little bit longer.
Third step - Move up the international rankings in the short form of the game (like Sri Lanka?).

Then (and only then), start thinking about Test Status.

P.S. Flintoff has just got his "Five-For" - Cheerio Aussies!

**Sheridan** · 20/07/2009, 3:41 PM

Eh, no. If Ireland were integrated into the ECB it would lose any claim to a national team. We need to keep our best players here in a revitalised domestic structure to pass on their expertise, not ship them abroad.

**endabob1** · 22/07/2009, 8:21 AM

I've always thought Ireland, Scotland & Holland could all do with being more involved in the County set up in England, I just assumed Cricket politics would be the issue.

**Sheridan** · 23/07/2009, 10:47 PM

It's been an eventful week in Irish cricket. A strong under-19 side won the European Championship in Jersey, qualifying for the World Cup in the process. Although they lost to Scotland in their final match, causing a three-way tie for first place, Ireland's net run-rate secured the laurels. The Netherlands took the second World Cup berth ahead of unlucky Scotland.

In a novel fixture at YMCA's ground, Ireland A took on the Croatian national team in a Twenty20 match. A somewhat unsportingly powerful Irish side racked up 230-4 off their fifty overs. Chris Dougherty, Niall McDonnell and Brian Shields all retired out after scoring fifties. Gary Kidd took 3-18 as Croatia managed 97-7 off their twenty overs. Ireland A won by 133 runs.

The Ireland A squad which will defend its European Championship in the Netherlands this August is as follows: John Mooney (North County, capt), Andrew Balbirnie (Pembroke), Andrew Britton (Fox Lodge), George Dockrell (Leinster), Phil Eaglestone (Strabane), Shane Getkate (Malahide), James Hall (Waringstown), Nigel Jones (CSNI), Gary Kidd (Waringstown), Fintan McAllister (Malahide), Andrew Poynter (Clontarf), Eddie Richardson (North County), Paul Stirling (Carrickfergus), Reinhardt Strydom (YMCA).

Again, a very strong squad which should win the tournament at a canter. One might argue that the number of full internationals in that selection goes something against the ethos of "A" competition.

Finally, Mark Garaway has been announced as CI's Director of Cricket Operations. He was previously assistant to Duncan Fletcher in the England set-up.

**Gather round** · 24/07/2009, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by Sheridan

Eh, no. If Ireland were integrated into the ECB it would lose any claim to a national team. We need to keep our best players here in a revitalised domestic structure to pass on their expertise, not ship them abroad

Why? Integration into the FP trophy hasn't lost the claim to a national (two-national?) team.

**holidaysong** · 24/07/2009, 4:37 PM

Originally Posted by Sheridan

In a novel fixture at YMCA's ground, Ireland A took on the Croatian national team in a Twenty20 match. A somewhat unsportingly powerful Irish side racked up 230-4 off their fifty overs. Chris Dougherty, Niall McDonnell and Brian Shields all retired out after scoring fifties. Gary Kidd took 3-18 as Croatia managed 97-7 off their twenty overs. Ireland A won by 133 runs.

Now that was unsporting..

**TheBoss** · 24/07/2009, 11:24 PM

The Croats dont appear to be a good team

**shefellover93** · 24/07/2009, 11:50 PM

Very shifty umpire

**ArdeeBhoy** · 26/07/2009, 8:11 AM

Anyone going or interested in going to, er, Stormont?
Have access to tickets if needed....let me know?

**ArdeeBhoy** · 06/08/2009, 7:13 AM

Take that as a 'No', then??

**Stuttgart88** · 08/08/2009, 5:52 PM

I'm away on holidays for 2 weeks, otherwise I'd have nipped down to my local cricket ground (Lords) for MCC v Ireland next week.

**Sheridan** · 12/08/2009, 10:05 PM

Ireland "A" have made a good start to their European Championship defence in the Netherlands. Yesterday, they recorded an easy five-wicket win over Denmark, with Andrew Britton (2-20), Leinster spinner George Dockrell (2-22) and Paul Stirling (39) the stand-out performers.

Today, slow left-armer Gary Kidd returned the remarkable analysis of 8-15 in a rain-affected nine-wicket win over the hosts. Strydom (36*) and Stirling (38*) easily saw Ireland past the small target of 81.

**MariborKev** · 12/08/2009, 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Anyone going or interested in going to, er, Stormont?
Have access to tickets if needed....let me know?

I am sure your offer is appreciated AB, but I'd say everyone posting on this thread is well able to access tickets.

**Sheridan** · 21/08/2009, 9:14 AM

To round out the above, Ireland "A" retained their European Championship with ease, but subsequently lost heavily to MCC at Lord's.

The Scotland vs. Ireland Intercontinental Cup match ended in a draw. Scotland took nine points to Ireland's three due to their marginal first innings leads of six runs. Ireland were in a winning position, having reduced Scotland to 72-5 chasing 298, but rain forced the abandonment of the final day's play (one wonders whether the Scots did much to protect the pitch, they have previous there.)

Porterfield (77 & 118) and White (55) were the only Irish players to succeed with the bat. Regan West's 7-88 in the first innings rescued Ireland after a poor showing from a toothless new-ball attack devoid of any pace in the absence of Boyd Rankin.