Tim Wigmore looks ahead to Ireland’s first day of Test cricket but warns the waters may be choppy as they look to settle...
Welcome to the club, Ireland.Friday, May 11, will be a historic day for Irish and international cricket: Ireland will become the 11th Test match nation. A small global sport will become a little bigger. And at a time when the very future of Test cricket causes such existential angst, that should be a cause for great celebration.
Ireland’s journey to this moment has been intoxicating. In 13 years, they have gone from an all-amateur side who had never qualified for a World Cup to joining cricket’s most elite club. It has been a wonderful testament to the skill and tenacity of their cricketers, the indefatigable work of grassroots coaches and volunteers, and the vision of Warren Deutrom, Cricket Ireland’s chief executive.
For them, the notion of being the ‘19th county’ was never enough. They wanted to judge themselves by international standards instead. On Sunday at Malahide, former Ireland internationals have been invited to watch the third day and join the celebrations.
And yet, for all there is to cheer, perils lie ahead for Ireland in Test cricket. That is the lesson from history.
Consider how long it has taken each nation to record their first-ever wins in Tests. Australia, naturally, won the very first Test of the lot in 1877; England then won the second. Since then, though, the norm has been for long and arduous waits to record a first victory.
This story is from the May 11,2018 edition of The Cricket Paper.
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This story is from the May 11,2018 edition of The Cricket Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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