CRICKET:THE INTERNATIONAL Cricket Council (ICC) have confirmed they have received a letter from Cricket Ireland (CI) noting their intention to apply for full member status.
Ireland are an associate member of the ICC, and the bid to join the 10 Test-playing countries is seen as a means of seeking clarification from the world governing body on how the country can make the step up over the coming years.
ICC spokesman James Fitzgerald said: “We have received a letter from Cricket Ireland expressing their intention to apply for full membership. In the event of them doing that, the matter will be discussed at the next board meeting.”
The ICC’s next board meeting is scheduled for February, but a decision to elevate Ireland to full member status would only be taken by the general council at their annual conference.
Bangladesh, whom Ireland have beaten twice in major international tournaments, were the last country to be elevated, in 2000, three years after first submitting their application, while a Kenyan bid failed after four years.
Cricket Ireland recently turned down an offer to play in the new English 40-over competition next year in an attempt to align the senior team more with international cricket.
CI chief executive Warren Deutrom has long stated Ireland’s case for an increased exposure to top-level international competition and inclusion in the new Future Tours Programme, which is being drawn up by the ICC at present.
He is also well aware that the criteria laid down to achieve full member status will be exacting, regardless of the strides made both on and off the pitch in Ireland over the last couple of years.
“There’s a long way to go,” Deutrom said. “Traditionally, applications have taken two, three or more years. There are clearly a large number of hoops we have to jump through.
“In terms of challenges that are facing us, yes, there is clearly an awful lot of work we need to do just to fulfil the compliance and existing criteria.
“It perhaps sets in motion a process that allows others to see the levels they need to reach in order to fulfil the same ambitions. It shouldn’t be easy.
“Test cricket is regarded as the pinnacle of the game and it’s quite right that those trying to ascend to Test cricket, or just full membership without necessarily involving Test cricket, have to ensure that they are coming up to some pretty rigorous criteria.”
