“DaIn the past it mattered little what the average pundit thought of decisions made at the top in the cricket hierarchy, but thanks to the all powerful Internet and particularly Forums, we have a platform for armchair critics to state their case. And they seem to be having a field day given their ‘knowledge,’ and assumptions of the forthcoming new Interprovincial Series.
The vast majority of cricket people have been calling for a stepping-stone from club cricket to representative cricket for some time, and although Cricket Ireland seemed reluctant to take it on board, the door was opened when the ICC agreed to finance the cost. Of course, the motive for Cricket Ireland is to create a tournament of 1st Class status to feed the national team and thereby satisfy one of the key elements required to gain test status. So if we can satisfy the people who have been crying for this tournament for years, the ICC and Cricket Ireland, then why do we need to pay any attention to the website knockers who, self-righteously equate themselves with cricket hierarchy? Quite simply, we do it out of respect for another man’s opinion. Once heard or read, we can then move on.
The silent and vast majority of cricket people in Ireland will welcome this tournament with open arms even if they don’t enter the public domain to show their appreciation. Well done to Cricket Ireland and the committees in the Provincial Unions to get it off the ground and to bring it into the modern era with a professional structure. Paying players and officials in sport for their services is not a crime, but a reflection of what is needed to take it to the highest level. Nobody is saying Irish cricket has a 1st Class structure to match the Sheffield Shield or the County Championship, but in much the same way that Ireland is not Australia or England in cricket status, our new Interprovincial Championship could well match the West Indies Inter-Island Tournament where I do have some knowledge. Certainly, the potential players who could be on display could match several islands where cricket is on the decline. Ireland is a coming cricket nation and if we continue the momentum generated by Phil Simmons, the players and Warren Deutrom’s high-quality growing back-up team, then we will pass some established nations going in the other direction. Time to look forward and not back dinosaurs. Stop knocking the visionaries as they have focus and ambition while you offer nothing! For that reason alone we should all support the new Interprovincial Series and give it a chance. There will be plenty of time to tweak it for better results.
The biggest challenge for the legislators will be qualifications to play and availability of the top players. We can do nothing about the weather and the issue of payment is a red herring. If selection involves only players likely to play for Ireland it will dilute its status. The primary aim should be to have the best players on display and to do that you have to give cognizance to ability irrespective of age. If Ryan Haire, Junior McBrine or Kyle McCallan are playing better than the younger players they should be selected. If the Ireland selectors want to blood or watch a younger player then they should liaise with the Interprovincial selectors in much the same way as the Ireland Rugby Coach does.
And what of overseas professionals you may ask? Many people emphatically say no and others say yes, but perhaps there will be a cosmetic compromise and 2-3 may be included in each team?
It is decisions like these that resurrect the catchphrase “Dammed if you do and dammed if you don’t” and make me more comfortable being a pundit in the background.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
