Ireland first team to qualify for 2015 Cricket World Cup

Ireland are the first team to qualify for the 2015 Cricket World Cup after a dramatic tie (their second in their past four ODI's) against the Netherlands overnight. The Dutch needed 11 off the final two balls for the win and Michael Rippon hit a four and then a six off the last ball to secure a point for his team. Essentially the tie was the best result for both teams as it means Ireland have gained a big enough lead to be crowned the World Cricket League Champions and therefore qualify for the World Cup. While the Netherlands have remained in second, and two wins against Canada next month should be enough to see them through as well.

For Ireland this will be their third consecutive World Cup and it continues their push to become a test nation by 2020. The best thing Ireland can do to convince the ICC of their worth is to continue qualifying for global events and that is what they are doing. Ireland though will be hoping for a good showing in 2015 and should be aiming to make the quarter-finals.

It is also excellent in a financial sense for Cricket Ireland as they will receive $1 million from the ICC as a preparation grant. Hopefully now with over 18 months to prepare, Ireland will be able to secure some quality fixtures against the full members in order to give themselves the best preparation to the World Cup.

To see the World Cricket League standings, click on the tab titled "Road to Australia/NZ" at the top of the page

Ireland on the cusp of World Cup Qualification

Ireland and the Netherlands are about to begin their two match ODI series as part of the World Cricket League Championship. Ireland are currently are on top and two wins from these matches will secure them their third consecutive 50-over world cup. The Netherlands on the other hand have fallen to third on the WCL rankings, and will want at least one win from this series in order to keep the likes of Scotland and Afghanistan at bay.

Good news for associate cricket fans and the global development of cricket with the matches being streamed live on the ICC website.

http://www.icc-cricket.com/

World Cricket Live Update

Pakistan 230/8 (48.4 overs) defeated Ireland 229/9 (50.0 overs) by 2 wickets
The ODI Series between Ireland and Pakistan came to a thrilling conclusion last Sunday as Kamran Akmal and tail-ender Wahab Riaz won the match for Pakistan. The visitors were in dire straits at 17/4, and also 133/7, but the wicket-keeper and fast bowler put on a show scoring around 90 off the last 10-12 overs. Ireland had earlier managed 229/9 on the back of Ed Joyce who became only the second player behind Eoin Morgan to score an ODI century for two different countries. Ireland's score was definitely under-par, however they more than made up for it with the ball, as Trent Johnston and Tim Murtagh ran through the top order. Unfortunately for the Irish they couldn't capitalize and they will be kicking themselves after a great chance for the first ODI series win by an associate against a full member nation.

England (354 and 287/5dec) defeated New Zealand (174 and 220) by 247 runs
After matching England for three of four innings in the first match, New Zealand had high hopes to remain competitive and perhaps pinch a win in the second test. They failed to do this though as England finetuned their Ashes preparations with a convincing 247 run win. Joe Root scored his maiden test century, while Alistair Cook made 130 in the second innings. Their bowlers were superb with Graeme Swann picking up 10 wickets for the match. New Zealand, on the other hand, were quite disappointing in the batting department, scoring lower than both England's totals in their innings. Their first innings of 174 was incredibly disappointing with no.10 and 11 Wagner and Boult scoring nearly a third of the runs.

The teams play a short three match ODI series in preparation for the Champions Trophy tournament which starts next week. I will post a preview of what will be the last ever edition of this tournament sometime in the next coming days.

Netherlands v South Africa @ Amstelveen
The single ODI between Netherlands and South Africa has just started with South Africa winning the toss and batting. They lost two early wickets but have now steadied to be 67/2 after 14 overs. Colin Ingram is unbeaten on 21, while JP Duminy is on 14. Mudassar Bukhari picked up the breakthrough of Petersen, while debutant Paul van Meekeren dismissed Hamish Amla. Hopefully the Dutch can continue to fight and make a match of this.

Kevin O'Brien and Paul Stirling secure thrilling tie against Pakistan

Irish World Cup hero Kevin O'Brien and the man who scored a breathtaking century two years ago against the same opposition have led Ireland to a tie in the 1st One Day International overnight. In a rain-affected match, Ireland were chasing a D/L revised target of 276 in 47 overs. Opener Paul Stirling repeated his feats of two years ago with another century - a run a ball 103 which featured 12 fours and a six. It was Kevin O'Brien though who gave the chase some momentum with a rapid 84* off only 47 balls. Ireland needed 13 runs off the final three balls with O'Brien hitting a six, a two, before a four off the final delivery of the match tied the scores.

Earlier, Pakistan's innings was constantly interrupted with rain, however kudos to the ground-staff for their great work in ensuring that hardly any play was lost. Nasir Jamshed retired hurt after a back injury, while fellow opener Imran Farhat made a scratchy 9 off 34 balls before being dismissed by Alex Cusack. Mohammad Hafeez and Asad Shafiq wrestled the momentum back from Ireland with a stand of 188, before Shafiq gave Cusack his second scalp. Hafeez continued on though scoring an unbeaten 122* at more than a run a ball. In the end though it will be the innings of O'Brien which will be remembered from this match which secured Ireland their first positive result (tie/loss) against a full member on Irish soil.

The second ODI which is now the series decider is to be played on Sunday.

Pakistan move onto Ireland

After rain forced the abandonment of the second ODI against Scotland, Pakistan have moved onto Ireland for another two match series. Pakistan won that first ODI against Scotland, however it wasn't without a scare after they were 115/5 and also in the second innings when Scotland were 52/1 chasing 231. Their bowlers eventually did manage to get on top running through the Scottish line-up bowling them out for 135 to seal a 96 run win.

Ireland will no doubt offer a much bigger challenge, so Pakistan would want to be on top of their game to avoid a second loss to the Ireland side. Weather hopefully holds up with the farcial circumstances last year in the Ireland and Australia match.

Good news for world-wide cricket fans with Google and Cricket Ireland teaming up to provide a live stream via Youtube of the match. This is excellent news to try and showcase the Ireland cricket team on an international scale.

Link here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsRRHwOHuK4

Pakistan's European tour about to begin

Pakistan's short tour of Scotland and Ireland is set to begin tonight. Pakistan organised 2 ODI's each against Scotland and Ireland as preparation for an assault on the Champsions Trophy to be played in England in June. Pakistan has probably been the country most willing to play the associates, so kudos must be go to them for playing these matches.

Pakistan will be a formidable opponent for the European associates. Scotland may struggle, however Ireland will be hoping to spring an upset. With their campaign to get test status by 2020, they will be hoping to remind the ICC powerbrokers just how good a team they are.

Full Fixtures:

17th May: 1st ODI - Scotland v Pakistan @ Grange Cricket Club, Edinburgh, Scotland
19th May: 2nd ODI - Scotland v Ireland @ Grange Cricket Club, Edinburgh, Scotland

23rd May: 1st ODI - Ireland v Pakistan @ Clontarf Cricket Club, Dublin, Ireland
26th May: 2nd ODI - Ireland v Pakistan @ Clontarf Cricket Club, Dublin, Ireland

Development of Irish cricket

Good news has come out of Ireland with a huge spike in the number of participants in the game. According to this ICC article, the overall participation figure is up to around 40,000 - a 60% increase since Ireland's World Cup feats of two years ago. This really is great news and shows that Irish cricket is developing really well at the grassroots level. As Warren Deutrom, Chief Executive of Cricket Ireland stated, Ireland does have a goal to be a test nation by 2020, and this recent surge in playing number is a significant step along the way to this objective.

The provisional squads have been released for the three teams competing in the Inter-provincial series. Leinster Lightning on paper seem to have the strongest squad with a significant number of players having represented the national side before. Current player and former Ireland skipper Trent Johnston has been announced as player-coach. Johnston has said he wants to coach in the future, and this appointment is a sign that his transition from player to coach is one step closer.

ICC article: http://www.icc-cricket.com/newsdetails.php?newsId=23291_1365581040

Cricket Europe articles about Inter-provincial series
http://www.cricketeurope4.net/DATABASE/ARTICLES6/articles/000030/003079.shtml
http://www.cricketeurope4.net/DATABASE/ARTICLES6/articles/000031/003106.shtml
http://www.cricketeurope4.net/DATABASE/ARTICLES6/articles/000031/003102.shtml
http://www.cricketeurope4.net/DATABASE/ARTICLES6/articles/000030/003092.shtml

Ireland and Scotland establish respective inter-provincial series

Both Ireland and Scotland have announced in the past few months details of inter-provincial series. Both cricket boards have secured $1.5 million (US) funding over the next  three years which will go towards setting up domestic cricket.

For Ireland establishing a first class structure is key to succeed in their goal of playing test cricket by 2020. Implementing an inter-provincial structure this year is a good start. Ireland have established three teams for 2013 - the Leinster Lightning, Northern Knights and the North West Warriors. Although three teams may seem small, with the still limited funds available it is a good start.  The teams will play each other in three-day, 50-over, and 20-over matches across the Irish summer. In future years the number of team, and number of matches can be expanded.

Cricket Scotland have established two teams - the Highlanders and the Reivers to play each other in a mix of three day, 50-over and 20-over matches. Cricket Scotland Performance Director Andy Tennant believes that the possibility for a "cross-border competition" in future.

I think this is how European associate cricket can really improve significantly. For Ireland to become a test nation, a competitive first class competition is required. However having any more than four teams would probably stretch the playing pool and funds too thin. Ideally a Euro-League consisting of teams from Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands should be implemented. For instance the league could feature 4 Irish teams, 3 Scottish teams, 2 Dutch teams, and perhaps a national team such as Italy, which would help their development. The ten teams could play across the season, with perhaps a T20 tournament played exclusively over a 9-10 day period. This could hopefully attract sponsorship and some international players.

I think there is no doubt that the heads of the Irish and Scottish Cricket Boards are definitely thinking about this, and the fixtures for 2013 are a step in the right direction.

Ireland Inter-provincial Series 2013 
(Fixtures from CricketEurope - http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CEIRELAND/ZONEMATCHES/IRELAND/2013/DOMESTIC/INTERPRO/about.shtml)

Three - Day

14th - 16th May: Leinster Lightning VS North West Warriors, College Park, Dublin

4th - 6th June: North West Warriors VS Northern Knights, Eglinton

25th - 27th June: Leinster Lightning VS Northern Knights, College Park, Dublin

30th July - 1st August: Northern Knights VS North West Warriors, NCU (TBC)

13th August - 15th August: North West Warriors VS Leinster Lightning, Bready

27th - 29th August: Northern Knights VS Leinster Lightning, NCU (TBC)

 

50 Overs

6th May: Leinster Lightning VS Northern Knights, The Hills
19th May: North West Warriors VS Northern Knights, Coleraine
1st June: Leinster Lightning VS North West Warriors, Malahide
15th July: Northern Knights VS North West Warriors, Comber
10th August: Northern Knights VS Leinster Lightning, NCU (TBC)
21st September: North West Warriors VS Leinster Lightning, Strabane

Twenty 20

 21st June: Leinster Lightning VS Northern Knights, TBA
21st June: Leinster Lightning VS North West Warriors, TBA
21st July: North West Warriors VS Northern Knights, Bready
21st July: North West Warriors VS Leinster Lightning, Bready
22nd September: Northern Knights VS North West Warriors, Comber
22nd September: Northern Knights VS Leinster Lightning, Comber

Scotland Pro Series 2013 
(Fixtures from Cricket Scotland website - http://www.cricketscotland.com/news/article/cricket-scotland-pro-series-2013/) 

Three – Day

28^th July – 30^th July: Highlanders VS Reivers, Goldenacre

20^th August – 22^nd August: Reivers VS Highlanders, New Williamfield

50-over

28^th April: Highlanders VS Reivers, Myreside

8^th May: Reivers VS Highlanders, Titwood

22^nd May: Reivers VS Highlanders, New Williamfield

23^rd June: Highlanders VS Reivers, Forthill

18^th August: Highlanders VS Reivers, Mannofield

20-over

27^th June: Reivers VS Highlanders, Titwood

1^st September: Reivers VS Higlanders VS Cavaliers XI (3 match round-robin), Arbroath

World Cricket Live Update

Apologies for the break in posts so below I have summarised the most recent results on the international cricket scene:

• New Zealand and England drew Test Series 0-0
• India whitewashed Australia 4-0 to end a horrendous tour for the visitors
• Sri Lanka secured a 1-0 series victory in their home test series against Bangladesh
• Sri Lanka lead their ODI series against the same team 1-0 with one match to play, after the second encounter was rained out
• West Indies completed their series whitewash with a 2-0 result in the test matches, after a 3-0 and 2-0 win in the ODI and T20I series respectively
• South Africa won the deciding game to seal a close ODI series with Pakistan 3-2

 

• Ireland clean-swept their tour of the UAE with a win in their Intercontinental Cup match, two World Cup Qualifiers and single T20I
• Kenya won both both WCL Championship matches against Canada, as well as the first class match, while the T20I series was drawn 1-1
• Scotland were smashed by Afghanistan with the Afganistan team winning the two WCQ's, the Intercontinental Cup match and the two T20I's

Pakistan and Ireland fixtures confirmed

With Pakistan agreeing to play Scotland in 2 ODI's before the Champions Trophy, it was uncertain whether these games were in addition to or in place of the games against Ireland. Turns out it is the former, which is great news for associate cricket. The ground has not been confirmed yet, but the matches will be played on the 23rd and 26th of May. This means that Pakistan will play 4 ODI's against associates in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy. This really is a double win, as the associates get valuable experience against the full members, and Pakistan get accustomed to the UK conditions. Other nations should definitely take a leaf out of Pakistan's book here. Countries could play Ireland/Scotland/Netherlands before a tour of England, instead of games against counties. Although this is done often, it really needs more regularity. Ireland's fixture list is growing though this year, as along with these 2 ODI's, they will play 1 against England in September, a 4 day game against Australia A, and also a rumoured T20I series against Bangladesh. Hopefully the visit by Bangladesh will also include some ODI's and possibly even an unofficial test match. With the extra TAPP funding there is no doubt Ireland would be willing, Bangladesh on the other hand is another question.

Meanwhile in other associate/affiliate news (related to Pakistan), Afghanistan are going to hold a four week camp in February in Pakistan, in preparation for the matches against Scotland in March, including the vital 2015 World Cup Qualifier matches. Apparently Afghanistan will play 12 matches against regional sides, along with Pakistan A (according to Cricinfo). Hopefully Afghanistan and Pakistan can continue to strengthen links between each other. For Pakistan, Afghanistan may be the ideal country to play home matches against - perhaps a combination of ODI's and T20I's.

Ireland/Pakistan - http://www.espncricinfo.com/ireland/content/story/601615.html
Afghanistan/Pakistan - http://www.espncricinfo.com/afghanistan/content/current/story/601658.html