News

In the words of Cricket Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom, on Thursday June 22nd Irish cricket crossed the Rubicon. Ireland were confirmed as the 11th Full Member country in the top echelons of world cricket when the historic confirmation was given at the ICC Conference at the Oval in London at 3:05pm.
“Where were you when you heard the news?” Will forever be the question asked by Cricket Ireland fans, players, officials, members, and volunteers. Warren was in the boardroom at The Oval, Ed Joyce was fielding at slip for the Leinster Lightning, while Kyle McCallan had to pull over in his car as the emotion was too much for him.

This good news story could well be the Irish sports story of the year and it contains so much of what Ireland represents. As Warren said in the IAA at Friday’s press conference; “Cricket is now played by more than 52,000 men and women, boys and girls, able-bodied and disabled, Irish and non-Irish from Limavady to Limerick, from Laois to Lurgan. Cricket is arguably representative of the new Ireland like no other sport.”

Test status and full membership is something to which the players have aspired to. “The players have been very clear in their stated objective of wanting to play at the very highest level of the game and it’s clearly a momentous day that we will be able to do that in the very near future,” Deutrom added.

However, this achievement is also that of the countless volunteers, members and officials who have gone before and ensured Irish cricket has progressed over many years. “Everywhere I look in Irish cricket, I see people with the talent and desire to succeed on the field of play, and off it. I see accomplished players, talented youngsters, dedicated volunteers, passionate administrators, generous sponsors and a growing profile. I see a desire for success, a burning self-belief and a willingness to innovate and embrace best practice. With all this in place, and the game finally ready to embrace change, where might we be in the next 10 years,” concluded Deutrom.

Read more about the granting of Test Status and see what’s next for Cricket Ireland


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