We're a Test member but at the moment it only feels like a name: Ireland captain Andrew Babirnie

While Ireland were granted Test status in 2017, they have hardly played any Tests since then. As a matter of fact, the last time they played in whites was more than two years ago. The fact that they hardly play the longest format of the game despite being a full-member side has upset their captain Andrew Balbirnie.

He was seemingly unhappy with the fact that his side they aren’t getting to play too many red-ball games. On the other hand, their upcoming schedule consists of the same old issues pertaining to facilities, funding and fixtures. During the second day of the first Ashes Test match, Ireland’s captain took to Twitter to speak about the same.

“Test cricket looks fun. Anyone want a game ?? Seriously” read his Tweet. Of late, the Irishmen haven’t really had the best of times either. During the ICC T20 WC 2021, they were knocked out of the first round, and lost to Namibia.

It’ll be three years in the summer that we’ve haven’t played a Test: Andrew Balbirnie

“We’re a Test member, or a Full Member, but at the moment it only really feels like a name, nothing’s really showing for that. We’ve had our days out at Lord’s and Malahide but apart from that, all I can see is a name. It’ll be three years in the summer that we’ve haven’t played a Test match,” said Andrew Balbirnie, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. He also expressed his disappointment of watching Test cricket but not being able to play it.

“It’s massively disappointing, watching all of these brilliant Test series around the world – the Ashes particularly, staying up all night to watch such an historic series. I go back to that Lord’s Test because it was the highlight of a career. For the young guys coming through to maybe not have that experience again, that’s hugely disappointing.” he said.

Ireland’s next assignment is against the United States of America, against whom they play three ODIs and two T20Is. However, according to the Future Tours Programme (FTP), they are scheduled to play Tests against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the next 18 months. Yet an important point to be noted is the fact that the Babirnie-led side have had fixtures being cancelled at short notice.