ICC likely to award Test status to Ireland and Afghanistan by 2019

According to popular English website, The Times, the ICC is set to confer test status to Afghanistan and Ireland. It is understood that there is agreement among all the ten Test-playing nations that the Test format should be expanded as part of the plans to globalize the longest form of the game.

The next three years could become the most pivotal in the development of cricket in the European nation. If all goes as said then we might see Ireland play their first Test match against England at Lord’s in 2019.

The ICC had originally planned for the winner’s of the Intercontinental Cup to play the lowest ranked Test nation in four five-day matches. A win in the series would give the associate team their Test status, but the Test nation would not be relegated.

A source close to the ICC said, “There is no confirmation of them getting status yet, there will be a  final announcement regarding the matter by the end of the year. A country needs to concentrate on growing its base infrastructure to meet the basic requirements. Hence, until those are fulfilled there will be no confirmation. The basic structure is that the number of Test playing teams will be extended to 12 and the top two associate nations will be given that status.”

Currently, Ireland is top of the Intercontinental Cup after four games, and look set to finish in second place at the very worst. They play Afghanistan in their next match at the end of March 2017.

A Cricket Ireland administrative representative denied of knowing about any such communication with the ICC. He said, “We have not been informed of any such development yet, however, if this does happen it will give the game in Ireland a massive boost. We have been pushing for test status since 2007, so I think we deserve to be there.”

If Ireland and Afghanistan are promoted, they would be the first to gain Test status, since Bangladesh who was given the honour in 2000. Ireland would join England at the only European teams.

Test status would allow Ireland the chance to keep hold of their top players. In recent years, Eoin Morgan and Boyd Rankin have both played Test matches for England. Morgan remains within the England one-day set-up, while Rankin has returned to Ireland.