The Cricket Thread

**geysir** · 03/03/2011, 5:00 PM

Don't forget our Boovidge who backed Ireland, €2 at 100/1.

**boovidge** · 03/03/2011, 6:20 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Can Ireland even qualify for the next World Cup, or is it just the big ten?

And how do we get to not be an associate country any more? Isn't there something about winning x number of games against full ODI countries?

I don't think there's any way that Ireland will feature in the WC unless the ICC change their minds. I'm also not sure if there's a set in stone way Ireland can become a test side, I think it's just down to whether the ICC want Ireland in. Don't hold your breath.

**bennocelt** · 03/03/2011, 6:57 PM

Love the cricket at the moment, was following the game all day at work but had to leave it to get a bus home -imagine my surprise then when i arrive home and check the news - sweet jesus, what a comeback. Work was great today!!!!!!!!
Sharing the house with four Indians so roll on Sunday!

**Real ale Madrid** · 03/03/2011, 9:02 PM

I'm not exactly sure what you need to become a "test" playing nation.

There are various criteria - one of which, afaik, is a first class competition in that country - I don't think we will ever have enough cricketers for that. Its not a great reason to stop us from achieving test status if we have enough players playing professionally in England. If we can get to the quarter finals for the second successive tournament it might force a re-think.

**WexCar** · 03/03/2011, 9:31 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

And how do we get to not be an associate country any more? Isn't there something about winning x number of games against full ODI countries?

This is the best I could find ; ICC

Scroll down to the bottom, under Members heading there is a link for Full Membership Criteria.

Hope this helps

**pineapple stu** · 04/03/2011, 9:40 AM

Good result coming up for Ireland - Bangladesh all out for 58 (having been 56/6), and the Windies look like getting that in about ten overs, which will hammer Bangladesh's NRR, which in turn will help Ireland if we both end up on two wins.

**Dodge** · 04/03/2011, 9:46 AM

It might help us get above them but it won't help us get ahead of one of the WIndies, England, India or South Africa so it doesn't really mean much

**geysir** · 04/03/2011, 9:48 AM

Ireland are currently 10 in the ODI rankings and that position looks safe enough. It is these rankings that will be used.
I think you have to consider the statements coming out from the ICC about how they intend to frame the format for the next WC.

ICC meeting in May to decide new World Cup format

The ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat told ESPNcricinfo that the ICC Board had to finalise its last piece of a global ODI league format and arrive at a cut-off for eligibility for the 10 teams due to take part in the 2015 World Cup. The purpose of this "cut-off" is to make both the new league, which will begin after the World Cup, and the ICC's ODI rankings meaningful. The ICC must decide how many teams at the bottom of the top ten ODI rankings will compete in a World Cup qualifying competition with the Associates to enter the World Cup.
the ICC's board would decide what that cut-off should be. "Somewhere we have to make the cut-off. Who knows what that would be yet - eight or nine or seven. The cut-off means that teams ranked higher than the cut-off directly get into the World Cup. Whoever is left out, goes into a qualifier."

Using the current ODI rankings to give a hypothetical example, should the cut-off for the next World Cup be fixed at seven, it would mean that Bangladesh and West Indies would not be guaranteed an automatic place in the next World Cup, but must play a qualifier with Ireland, Zimbabwe, Netherlands, Canada and Kenya to determine which three complete the ten-team field. Lorgat said, "That's where the Associates get the opportunity.

**pineapple stu** · 04/03/2011, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

It might help us get above them but it won't help us get ahead of one of the WIndies, England, India or South Africa so it doesn't really mean much

Oh bugger. I thought we just had to finish ahead of two teams to get through.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 04/03/2011, 1:01 PM

Be interested to know if certain posters of origins in the North are backing this team as conspicuous by their absence in doing such.
Or are they all too busy preparing their latest statement, on, er, 'nationality' or the like??

**Dodge** · 04/03/2011, 1:19 PM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Be interested to know if certain posters of origins in the North are backing this team as conspicuous by their absence in doing such.
Or are they all too busy preparing their latest statement, on, er, 'nationality' or the like??

Not like you to make an issue of it?

**ArdeeBhoy** · 04/03/2011, 2:13 PM

No, just curious. As to their relatve maturity?
Are they and their ilk supporting us?

**mypost** · 04/03/2011, 5:21 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

It might help us get above them but it won't help us get ahead of one of the WIndies, England, India or South Africa so it doesn't really mean much

Bar the increased prize money you get for the more progress you make. The higher you finish, the more money you make. More prize money, means more money to invest in the sport here, more progress, and better players.

We have 4 games left, (albeit one against India) and are capable of winning the 2 more we need.

**boovidge** · 04/03/2011, 6:27 PM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

No, just curious. As to their relatve maturity?
Are they and their ilk supporting us?

It's not them supporting "us", it's an all Ireland team which just as much represents unionists in the North as it does nationalists. Describing them as "their ilk" hardly seems like a relatively mature way of going about things either. If you genuinely do want more all Ireland co-operation in sporting events- perhaps ending this pointless hostility would be a step forward?

**ArdeeBhoy** · 04/03/2011, 8:47 PM

Well would describe them as 'unionists', but that's a whole lot of other assumptions....

And whilst you make your point well and accept it unconditionally myself, certain signals from that quarter would indicate not all that potential fanbase is not in entire, albeit probably unrealistic, agreement.