Namibia and Canada aren’t in the top drawer of cricket nations, but they were banana skins that could have dented progress. On top of several impressive wins was the incentive to qualify for World Cup 2015 after the ICC reversed their original decision and bowed to popular opinion. The decision restored faith in natural justice and followed a huge swell of support from all over the world for the Associate nations, and in particular Ireland.
The recall of the county players strengthened the team for the two vital ODIs against Canada and the two wins on top of the two wins over Namibia sets the pace in the Qualifying League. The prospect of another fairytale in Australia may seem a long way off, but the Ireland team has enough young players to stay the distance. The gallant Trent Johnston may not figure as a player, but hopefully his Ireland career will be extended in some role as he has served the cause with great distinction. His return to the fold against Canada was an important asset and despite the ravages on his body, he gave 100% as always. Virtually all the squad made notable contributions in the past two weeks, which must have been heartening for National Coach Phil Simmons as he looks forward to many more exciting challenges down the line.
The Irish set-up has moved beyond all recognition in the past decade and that includes the administration and coaching support. Big Phil has proved to be an exceptional coach and his success has long since lifted him out of the shadow of his predecessor Adi Birrel. Let’s hope we can hold on to him. West Indies cricket is crying out for his expertise!
In Warren Deutrom Cricket Ireland has a visionary and highly-respected CEO who can mix with the highest at ICC level and still retain a firm grip on what is needed at grass-roots. Cricket Ireland has certainly benefitted from Warren’s Irish ‘connections’ so we can look forward with plenty of optimism for much of the same in the years to follow.
Cricket Ireland has also benefitted from past World Cup performances because it raised the profile of our best players and opened doors of opportunity into the professional game. Boyd Rankin, Nial O’Brien, William Porterfield and Paul Stirling had their best seasons to date in the county scene, Ed Joyce is a seasoned pro and we lament that Eoin Morgan moved on to bigger and better things.
The emergence of Kevin O’Brien and George Dockrell has been another bonus, although hopefully Gary Wilson will get the opportunity to establish himself at Surrey. He certainly has the talent. Others wait in the wings.
If there was one disappointment in the past week then it was the choice of Ryan ten Doeschate as the Associate Player of the Year at the Annual Cricket Awards Gala Dinner in London. Many people would have placed him behind both Kevin O’Brien and Paul Stirling in the short-list, but with the complicated voting structure it is obviously not simply a question of ability and performance!
Well done Cricket Ireland in 2011.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
