I like that idea, I don't think that Ireland should take over Zimbabwe becuause i'm sure that much of the interest in the game would be lost. I think that the idea of a two Tier Test Cricket is good however, interest in the game will be lost from the teams that get relegated from the first tier into the second. I think that it would be good for teams like the UAE and Namibia and even America to revive cricket.

From the bbc website

"We're now ranked in the top 10 sides in the world, and I'd like to see us climb even further up the ladder," said Johnston.





"We've some exciting fixtures lined up over the coming months, including the InterContinental Cup Final with Canada from 22-25 May at Leicester, and a tri-series involving West Indies. There's also talk we'll be taking on India and South Africa."

Well it seems that Ireland will be playing more ODI's. And this can only be a fitting reward for their performance at the world cup. The question is how well will they need to perform in these games before people begin to think they are ready for the move to the higher level, and given that they will be missing 4 of the top players for the domestic competition how do people feel that they will perform? Also do people feel that Ireland should have first call on the irish players for the domestic one day competition. This will obviously not impact the other three domestic competitions for the county contracted players, but would make Ireland more competitive.

BTW when I say missing 4 players I am referring to players missing for the FP domestic fixtures, and not for the international ODI's, and the question regarding how they will perform is primarily aimed at in the domestic FP competition, although it could equally refer to the ODI's as all 4 of the teams which they are listed to play in the article have shown some potential weaknesses recently.

Two thoughts, if England or Australia dropped into the second tier, under the system I proposed they would have to be at the bottom of the Test ladder, and would have to lose a series to the top ranked team in the lower division. If they did that it would be their own fault and they would deserve to go down. So what if lose traditional rivalries, maybe we have to lose those traditions in order to see Cricket develop in a truly World game, rather than a game primarily played by Commonwealth countries.

I doubt it will happen to England or Australia in the near future - but if in 20 years they lose out, then who's fault is that?

Bangladesh have been carted in Test cricket ever since they arrived. Despite recent good ODI performances, I can't see them really competing at Test level. What can they possibly learn by being beaten in three days?? Let them earn that right by learning how to win against the other teams, then when they prove they can consistently beat them, they get promoted.

http://www.world-a-team.com/showpost...60&postcount=1

This is exactly what happened to Durham a few years back, they were the best Minor County for a few years, got themselves into the Championship on Merit, now have a great ground, produce Test players and are up there in the higher league. The same could happen to Ireland, if they prove they are good enough, over a long period, playing with the other ICC nations?

I like the recent stuff they have done. We have the ten test playing nations.

then for the associates the World Cricket League. with six divisions maybe 5 i think. Now I think each country should play the other once away and once home in first-class match series over a period of two years. Then top two teams move up and bottom ones are relegated. And every 6/8 years allow the top two teams in D1 to play series against 9/10 of test nations, they win they move into the test areana. and possibly relegate bottom two test teams. The team in D1 can also play full ODIs.

Just an Idea....any takers?

I don't want Ireland to gain test status off the back of one good world cup but if they continue to improve over the next few years then i wouldn't have a problem with them gaining test status.

Zimbabwe should have been thrown out long ago.

Ireland have a good squad full of hard=working and in some cases talented cricketers. But you have to remember, only half of the side have any test experience. Some of their players are playing for local town cricket teams and their main proffession is teaching at schools, not cricket. How can you suggest a team with members of their squad who aren't even proffessional cricketers in some cases to compete in the hardest and most demanding for of cricket?

Maybe in the future if Ireland can estabilish themselves as a proper cricketing nation. Bangladesh are getting there, Zimbawbe have hardly moved and Kenya might soon be ready. Ireland won't be for a few years yet.

I don't think they will be able to go the distance for five days just yet, but in saying that I would have more faith in them than the current Zimbabwe team, so my choice would be to do without either.

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- VVVRulz..

Not just that. In fact, the last time they played - two/three weeks ago - it was extremely one-sided in zimbabwe's favour (zimbabwe then went on to get a drubbing from Kenya who had received a drubbing from Ireland). They've only met twice...and Ireland are yet to win. Recent (last 3/4) records against BD also show zimbabwe in a reasonable light (despite obvious flaws in the comparison - time differentials, home/away yadayadayada):

1st ODI at Harare Sports Club - Feb 4, 2007
Bangladesh won by 45 runs
2nd ODI at Harare Sports Club - Feb 6, 2007
Zimbabwe won by 8 wickets (with 88 balls remaining)
3rd ODI at Harare Sports Club - Feb 9, 2007
Bangladesh won by 14 runs
4th ODI at Harare Sports Club - Feb 10, 2007
Bangladesh won by 1 wicket (with 16 balls remaining)

only one real drubbing (though i suppose 45 runs is getting on to being one).

.....and Ireland in not such a good light:

1st ODI at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur - Mar 18, 2008
Bangladesh won by 8 wickets (with 61 balls remaining)
2nd ODI at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur - Mar 20, 2008
Bangladesh won by 84 runs
3rd ODI at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur - Mar 22, 2008
Bangladesh won by 79 runs

Everyone agrees, including zimbabwe, who withdrew themselves a long time ago and have not played a test in a number of years.

With no support, management or regular games against decent opposition i suppose it is easy to dismiss zimbabweans as talentless (as many posts infer), they are not. There are many in the squad who are genuinely good players and wish to do no more than play at a reasonable level - preferably for their country. I wonder if anyone in a new zimbabwe would ever 'thank' those calling for them to be 'thrown out' of the only sport that ever made them any forex and had a vaguely uniting effect.

As for ireland. well, i guess my post suggests i am not in favour of them gaining test status - which i'm not, no more than zimbabwe getting theirs back. I agree that it is too early, as it was with BD, but i certainly hope they can improve at the same rate the seem to be doing. There is no doubt that if they do, they will soon be distinctly better than both Kenya and Zimbabwe and probably start answering questions posed by any BD test.

at this point i think a second tier would be justifiable as there are a few nations out there who would make it interesting.

BD would be the Oz of the group (yoyo-ing between divisions with WI..on current form..though NZ would also be in relegation contention)
Zim
Ireland
Kenya
Namibia
Holland
Scotland
Canada


yup, i like flanflingers (the tier system) idea a lot more than i did a few years ago!