Over The Lateral: England’s Irish cricketers only damage the game

Cricket Ireland’s strategic aims are: to enhance Irish Cricket’s image and profile within world cricket; to make substantial progress at international level for our men’s, women’s and Under-Age teams - straightforward and admirable aims.

Ireland is currently at associate (second tier) level, along with Afghanistan, Canada, Netherlands, Kenya, Scotland and the USA.

After a phenomenal 2007 World Cup, where Ireland beat established cricketing nations Pakistan and Bangladesh, in the One Day International (ODI) format, it seemed that the only way was up. That is, a serious effort to take Ireland to the next level – full Test status.

Now, even taking those unprecedented victories in the World Cup, there is still a massive gap to the level of the top sides like Australia, South Africa, England, and even more to the point, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh – the weakest of the Test nations.

There is little argument, however, that further ODI and Twenty20 victories for Ireland would amount to ‘progress at international level’. Small steps indeed, but forward steps nonetheless.

To point out the bleeding obvious, better players equals better results. Better results lead to higher profile, higher profile equates to more money, more facilities, and more incentive for youngsters to stick with cricket, eventually leading to ‘progress at international level’. So what’s the problem?

Eoin Joseph Gerard Morgan, of Dublin, made his ODI debut for Ireland in 2006. He scored 36 points (or runs as they call them) in his last ODI against Bangladesh…FOR England. Cricinfo.com describes him as an ‘Irish-born Englishman’.

Ed Joyce (‘An Irishman who always held ambitions to play at the very highest level’) made his ODI bow against England in 2006 and last played international cricket at the 2007 World Cup FOR England. He is now sniffing around the Irish team again with a view to playing in next year’s World Cup.

The vibe I got from Ireland’s cricketing set was that they wished both lads the best - as Ireland is not a ‘Test-playing nation’, then the cream of the Irish crop should indeed try to better themselves for Her Majesty’s pleasure.

Now, hold on a moment. Traditionally in this country, the cricketing set have been closer to the rugby set than say, hurlers or handballers. I can remember how some people in this country wanted Irish-born Kyran Bracken MBE, Ice skater Esq., to fail at rugby.

And when I say fail at rugby I mean, of course, they wanted his head removed from his shoulders by Trevor Brennan, and wanted it done in the first few minutes, preferably. Even though poor Kyran had been rejected at Irish trials (he went on to win 51 caps for England) there wasn’t much of a ‘go for it’ attitude then. Nothing less than a compound fracture was wished upon the Skerries lad.

The argument then goes that Irish soccer has benefited hugely from granny-rule players – where would we be without the likes of Cascarino (from Outer Mongolia or somewhere like that), Lawrenson, Aldridge, McCarthy and Hughton? Sitting in a pub wondering what a World Cup or European Championship is, that’s where.

But the difference is, that as good as these players were, their decision to play for Ireland was not considered detrimental to the progression of England. It didn’t conflict with the stated aims of the English FA.

Surely by allowing the best Irish cricketers to abandon their country is detrimental to the ‘progress at international level’ that Irish Cricket aspires to.

Of course, that’s just one opinion. Another opinion is that cricket should be banned altogether. I mean it’s a game that they can play for 25 days and not produce a winner.