…to ‘professionalize’ its players is a huge step in shaking off our amateur cobwebs and taking us positively into the professional cricket arena. It won’t make the national team world-beaters overnight, but it will go a long way to levelling the playing field, and allowing our best players to prepare by training and playing on a fulltime basis. Professional contracts had to come at some time, but with limited funds it was never going to come without ICC funding, so at long last the world governing body has looked beyond its inner sanctuary and acted outside the box.
It says much for cricket in Ireland that it has reached this stage given the major challenges of climate, public support, logistics, limited personnel and sponsorship. Add the perennial loss of our best players to the county scene, and it all presents a daunting challenge to the administrators. Critics come aplenty in Irish cricket these days, but the realism is that nothing can happen without funding, and if the ICC commits to supporting six Associate countries in a tangible way, then there is real hope that Ireland can eventually take a place in the hierarchy of cricket in years to come. That has to start somewhere, and while we can look back at some memorable achievements over the past five years, this is the real kick-start that Cricket Ireland needs to move to the next level. But not only will heavy funding be needed to improve the quality on the field, but equally off it, as the days of amateur officials administering the game are surely numbered as well.
Inevitably there will be speculation on who should get the players’ contracts, but reading into the comments from Richard Done the ICC High Performance manager, there shouldn’t be too much confusion as he clearly states the emphasis has to be on emerging players rather than the old guns. That may seem harsh as Cricket Irelandowes much to the experienced and seasoned veterans who have brought us to this stage and who continue to excel at this level, but if the emphasis is put on long-term benefit, then the strategy is well-founded. Hopefully this won’t mean a clearout of the old brigade, but more of a seamless transformation of younger professional players replacing the semi-professionals and amateurs. Whether they are as good in the short-term is a moot point that coach Phil Simmons will have to evaluate, but looking down the road this has to be good in the long-term.
The reputation of Irish cricket worldwide has never been higher. Our World Cup exploits in the Caribbean last year brought us plenty of praise and hard-earned respect from some seasoned commentators and former players, even if we spoiled the script by ousting the mighty Pakistan. But of equal importance in taking the game forward, was the retention of the ICC Intercontinental Cup for the third year in succession, and qualification for the Twenty20 World Cup in Englandnext year. These achievements are very important in keeping the momentum positive. We should also be very proud of how our current county players have established themselves, and while the talents of Ed Joyce and Eoin Morgan may not be harnessed to the Irish cause as tightly as we would like, in tandem with Niall O’Brien and William Porterfield, they have contributed a lot to putting Irish cricket on the global map. Other potential young players like Gary Wilson wait in the wings, and will hopefully make their breakthrough next season.
We have moved a long way in a short time and with proper funding from the ICC there is every reason to feel Cricket Ireland can go on to even greater heights.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
