Irish cricket team
Encyclopedia
The Ireland cricket team is the cricket
team representing all of Ireland
. Because of political difficulties, the Irish Cricket Union
(ICU) was not elected to the International Cricket Council
(ICC) until 1993, and qualified for the World Cup
for the first time in 2007. The Irish Cricket Union is the governing body of Irish cricket. The Irish cricket team is made up of both professional cricketers and those who earn their living outside the sport. Cricket Ireland, which succeeded the Irish Cricket Union as the sport's governing body in the country, introduced contracts for its players in 2009, and as of the 2011 Cricket World Cup
13 players have full-time contracts.
The first match played by an Irish team was in 1855. Since then, Ireland have gained a reputation for giant-killing. Ireland played their first One Day International (ODI) in 2006 against England. Since then, they have gone on to play 61 ODIs, resulting in 29 victories, 28 defeats, 3 no results, and 1 tie
. Highlights in Ireland's cricketing history include beating a touring West Indies side in 1928, 1969, and again in 2004, progressing to the second round of the 2007 World Cup – in which they beat Pakistan and Bangladesh and tied with Zimbabwe – and beating England in the 2011 World Cup.
Ireland take part in the ICC Trophy
, the European Cricket Championship
(which they have won three times and hold the title of European champions), and the ICC Intercontinental Cup
, which they have won consecutively three times since 2005. Until 2009, the team also competed in the Friends Provident Trophy against English counties. Ireland is an Associate member of the ICC; Associates are the next level of team below those that play Test cricket
. Due to their recent successes in the Intercontinental Cup and at the World Cup, they have been labelled the "leading Associate". Ireland is currently one of the teams in Division 1
of Associate Members of International Cricket Council
who has One Day International and T20
International status. After the tremendous success at International stage , Cricket Ireland has applied for Full Membership from the International Cricket Council
. Ireland have recently won the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2008 and 2009 ICC World Cup Qualifier
and qualified for 2009 World Twenty20 and 2011 Cricket World Cup
. Being a full member will allow Ireland to become a permanent One Day International playing nation and eventually grant them Test
status.
and Ballinasloe in the early 19th century. In the 1830s, the game began to spread; many of the clubs which were founded in the following 30 years are still in existence today. The first Irish national team played in 1855 against The Gentlemen of England in Dublin. In the 1850s, the Englishman Charles Lawrence was responsible for developing the game in Ireland through his coaching. In the 1850s and 1860s, Ireland was visited for the first time by touring professional teams. Ireland's first match against Marylebone Cricket Club
(the M.C.C.) was in 1858.
The game increased in popularity until the early 1880s. The land war in the 1880s resulting from the Irish Land Commission
and a ban on playing "foreign" games by the Gaelic Athletic Association
set back the spread of cricket. The ban was not lifted until 1970. Anyone playing foreign games such as cricket would be banned from the extremely popular Irish games such as hurling
and Gaelic football
. Irish teams toured Canada and the USA in 1879, 1888, 1892, and 1909. On top of this, Ireland defeated a touring South African side in 1904. Their first match with first-class
status was played on 19 May 1902 against a London County side including W.G. Grace. The Irish, captained by Sir Tim O'Brien
, won convincingly by 238 runs
.
The Irish played yearly first-class games with the Scots, only interrupted by wars, up until 1999, but all their other cricket was dictated by whenever touring international sides found it convenient to visit Ireland. However, they sometimes surprised Test
nations in these games, winning by 60 runs in a three-day game in Dublin over the West Indies
in 1928, for example; it was Ireland's first match against the West Indies. In 1969, they defeated a West Indian side including Clive Lloyd
and Clyde Walcott
by nine wickets, after bowling them out for 25. The match was played at Sion Mills
in County Tyrone
. This was the last time Ireland defeated a touring side until 2003 when they beat Zimbabwe by 10 wickets.
The Scots and the Irish were mostly competing with Sri Lanka
for the title as best non-Test nation at the time – indeed, Ireland drew with Sri Lanka in a rain-hit first-class match in 1979, Ireland scoring a total of 341/7 in two innings while Sri Lanka made 288/6 in one innings. Ireland joined the ICC as an Associate member in 1993, a year before Scotland.
for the first time. They won three of their seven games to finish seventh in the tournament. Three years later in Malaysia, they progressed to the semi-finals after a good showing in the group stage, but lost by seven runs to Kenya. They went on to lose the third place play-off with Scotland, thus missing a place at the 1999 cricket World Cup
. The 2001 tournament in Canada showed the batting skills of Ed Joyce
, who ended up with 359 runs at an average of 71.80 in eight innings with a highest score of 87. Joyce, who had been signed by Middlesex
two years earlier, could not save the team from a number of defeats, however. They lost to the USA
by six wickets in the first match in Canada, and also lost to Denmark
by 12 runs. In the end, the Irish lost five matches, finishing eighth in the tournament.
The 2005 ICC Trophy
, which was hosted in Ireland – the group stages in Belfast
, Northern Ireland
, the final stages in Dublin, Republic of Ireland
– saw the Irish improve drastically. Ed Joyce's four years in county cricket
, where he earlier in 2005 became the first batsman to hit 1,000 runs, gave him the experience to lift the Irish to big totals (he averaged 106 in four innings for Ireland), and even when he left for County Championship
games with Middlesex
, they managed to win, defeating Canada
by four-wickets thanks to Peter Gillespie
, who hit a career highest score in the ICC Trophy with 64 not out – his first fifty – to anchor their chase to 239. Earlier, South African-born Andre Botha
had taken 4/47 runs. In the final against Scotland, as they conceded a total of 324/9 after electing to bowl first. The return of Joyce did not help; even though he made 81 the Irish still lost the match by 47 runs. Joyce later that year qualified to play for England
, leaving the Irish cricket team. He is still hailed as one of the best players ever produced by Ireland. Although Ireland lost in the final, they had secured their place at the 2007 World Cup as well as an extra $500,000 over the next four years from the ICC to encourage development of Irish cricket.
in 2004, Ireland received a chance to play first-class on a regular basis. The competition was split into four divisions, with the top team from each division progressing to a knock-out stage. Whilst they beat the Netherlands, Ireland lost their group match against Scotland in 2004
and failed to progress beyond the group stage. Ireland won their first Cup title in October 2005
with a six wicket win over Kenya. An unbeaten century by Niall O'Brien
, half centuries from Eoin Morgan
, Andre Botha
, and Jeremy Bray
, along with four wickets each for Andrew White
and Kyle McCallan
were the principal contributions. For its third edition, the tournament was revamped. The number of participating teams was reduced from 16 to 8 and was divided into two groups in stead of four. This was done to ensure that the best Associate sides got the chance to play more first-class cricket and develop. In May 2007, Ireland played in the final of the ICC Intercontinental Cup
against Canada. Ireland, led by Trent Johnston
, emerged convincing winners by an innings and 115 runs at Grace Road, the four-day match concluding within two days. This made Ireland the first team to successfully defend the Continental Cup, confirming its current status as the most successful non-Test playing nation.
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Ireland, along with Scotland and the Netherlands, has at times played in competitions for English county cricket sides, including the Benson & Hedges Cup
and the Friends Provident Trophy (previously the C&G Trophy
). Since there is no nationality restriction in county cricket, non-Irish players have competed for Ireland in these matches. For example Hansie Cronje
of South Africa competed for Ireland in the 1997 Benson & Hedges Cup, and more recently New Zealander Jesse Ryder
played for Ireland in 2007. In 2004, Ireland beat Surrey
by five wickets in the C&G Trophy.
For the 2006 season, the C&G Trophy was reorganised to include a round-robin stage instead of being entirely knock-out. Whereas Ireland had only one match guaranteed in the tournament before, they now had more fixtures against English county sides. For the 2006 tournament, they were bolstered by the signings of Saqlain Mushtaq
and Shahid Afridi
, the two overseas players they were allowed when competing in English domestic competitions. Ireland recorded one win in their nine matches. Their victory was over Gloucestershire
on 30 April by 47 runs.
The C&G Trophy changed its name to Friends Provident Trophy for the 2007 season. In 2007, Ireland played in the Friends Provident Trophy against nine English county sides. Of those nine matches, they lost six and the remaining three matches were abandoned due to rain. They finished bottom in the South Conference of the trophy.
For the 2008 season, the round-robin section of the trophy was changed from two divisions to three; Ireland were in the newly formed Midlands Division. In 2008, Ireland played eight games in the Midlands Division, winning one match with one no result and six losses. They finished fifth in the division which had five teams. Ireland's four wicket victory over Warwickshire
on 16 May was Ireland's first win in the competition against a county side for two years. Captain William Porterfield anchored the innings with 69 runs.
In 2009, Ireland inflicted Worcestershire's
lowest ever one-day total (58 all out) in a 94-run Friends Provident Trophy group A win at New Road. Peter Connell
did the most damage in taking 5–19. It was the first time that Ireland had bowled out a county for less than a hundred. This was Ireland only win in the group & they finished 5th & last with 4.0 pts. After the 2009 competition the English Cricket Board reorganised it, changing the format from 50 to 40 overs. Although Ireland were invited to participate the team declined, preferring to focus their limited financial resources on international cricket.
, Stormont, on 13 June 2006 against England. It was the first time Ireland had played the full England side. Tickets sold well for the game, with a full house of 7,500 attendees. Marcus Trescothick
scored a century as England, scoring 301/7 from their 50 overs, beat Ireland who made 263/9 from their allotment, including 52 from Andre Botha, the highest score of the Irish innings. Andrew Strauss
, England's stand-in captain for the match, said "I thought [Ireland] played really well, and put us under pressure... Full credit to Ireland though who played really well, and showed what they're capable of".
August saw them participate in Division One of the European Championship, against Denmark, Italy
, the Netherlands and Scotland. The games against the Netherlands and Scotland had ODI status. In the tournament, and what was the team's second ODI, Ireland recorded their first ODI win, beating fellow Associates Scotland by 85 runs after man-of-the-match Eoin Morgan made 99. Although the match against the Netherlands was a no-result, Ireland won the European Championship title.
. January 2007 saw the start of more than three months of almost constant cricket. First was a visit to Kenya, where they took part in Division One
of the ICC World Cricket League. They finished fifth in the league after four narrow defeats and Kenya won the league. Prior to the World Cup, the team participated in a high-performance camp in South Africa. The team was managed by Roy Torrens
. In the final 13-a-side warm-up matches before the World Cup, Ireland lost to South Africa
by 34 runs; and beat Canada by seven wickets. Ireland's performance in their inaugural World Cup in the 2007 tournament
took many pundits by surprise. Their first game was on 15 March when they tied with Zimbabwe
, primarily thanks to Ireland's first ever World Cup century by man-of-the-match Jeremy Bray
and economical bowling in the final overs by Trent Johnston and Andre Botha. From having required 15 runs from the last six overs with four wickets in hand, Zimbabwe were dismissed for 221 off the last ball of the innings with the scores level. In their second match, played on Saint Patrick's Day
, they beat the fourth-ranked team in the world, Pakistan
, by three wickets, thus knocking Pakistan out of the competition. These two results were sufficient to advance Ireland to the Super 8 stage of the tournament. Their final group stage game was against the West Indies, where they lost by eight wickets.
In the Super 8 stage, they lost their first four matches against England, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, but then recorded a 74-run victory against the 9th ranked team in the world and Test playing nation Bangladesh. As this was their second win against a full ICC member, Ireland gained promotion by way of recognition in the ICC's official one-day rankings. The list consisted of the ten full members, Kenya, and Ireland. Ireland suffered defeat in their final match of the tournament. The team received a heroes welcome on 24 April 2007 in Dublin. A documentary, Breaking Boundaries directed by Paul Davey recounting the story of the World Cup campaign was released in 2008.
took over the role of coach from Adrian Birrell
. India
were scheduled to play South Africa
in a series of One Day Internationals in Ireland in June 2007. Ireland also played one-off matches at Stormont against the two teams. Missing several players from their World Cup squad, Ireland lost both games. Ireland hosted a quadrangular tournament in Dublin and Belfast
from 10 July to 15 July involving the West Indies, the Netherlands, and Scotland. Ireland and the West Indies both won two games with their direct encounter being a no result due to rain. The West Indies were declared tournament winners because of a bonus point won against the Netherlands. Ireland played three ODIs against Test nations (two losses and a no result), and five ODIs in total, winning the two matches against fellow Associates Scotland and the Netherlands. A triangular ODI series in Scotland as well as the European Twenty20 Championship had to be cancelled due to conflicting dates with the quadrangular series. The 2007–08 ICC Intercontinental Cup began in June, with Ireland playing their first match in August. In November 2008, the team's campaign drew to a conclusion. After having finished second in the round-robin stage of the competition, Ireland faced Namibia in the final. Ireland won by nine wickets under the captaincy of William Porterfield
, securing their third consecutive Intercontinental Cup title. In March 2008 Ireland toured Bangladesh
, playing three ODIs against the hosts and losing all of them. In July, Ireland played a tri-series
against New Zealand and Scotland in Aberdeen
and lost both matches.
Reigning champions Ireland hosted the European Cricket Championship
(Division One) in late July and they won their third European title, winning every game, including the decisive encounter against Scotland by seven wickets. They were captained by William Porterfield. In early August, Ireland hosted five other Associate nations at the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier
in Belfast. During the tournament, Ireland made their Twenty20 International
debut. Playing against Scotland, they won a low scoring match by four wickets. After beating Bermuda in their second and final match of the group stages, Ireland progressed to the knock-out round of the tournament. Ireland defeated Kenya in the semi-finals to secure a place in the final against the Netherlands. The final was rained off and the teams shared the trophy. Andre Botha was named the Man of the Tournament. By getting to the final of the tournament, Ireland qualified for the 2009 ICC World Twenty20
in England in June 2009. Later in August, Ireland played three ODIs at home against Kenya. Ireland won the first game, the second game could not be finished due to rain and the last match was completely washed out. In October, the team visited Kenya for a tri-series of ODIs
with the hosts and Zimbabwe. Only two of Ireland's four games in the round-robin stage could be played, the others were rained off. Ireland suffered defeat in their first match to Zimbabwe, but won their second against Kenya. Ireland failed to qualify for the final because of their run-rate, which was lower than that of both Kenya and Zimbabwe. In January 2009, Ireland dropped to 11th in the ODI rankings after Zimbabwe due to victories against Kenya.
, similarly to Ed Joyce
several years earlier, who was selected to play for England, making him ineligible to play for Ireland again. Ireland played their first Twenty20 International against a full ICC member side on 8 June 2009. In their opening match of the tournament, Ireland defeated Bangladesh by four wickets and knocked them out of the tournament with Kevin and Niall O'Brien making quick runs to put Ireland back on track after their run chase wavered. It was their first victory against a full ICC Member and only their fourth Twenty20 International match. Ireland progressed to the second stage of the competition. They were grouped with New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and lost all three of their matches. In 2009, Ireland played nine ODIs, winning the seven they played against Associate nations, losing their only match against a Test team (England), and one match was abandoned.
Ireland played 17 one day internationals in 2010, winning 11 and losing 6 including beating Bangladesh and losing against number 1 ranked side Australia and other teams with Test status West Indies, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe. Ireland were knocked out of the 2010 ICC World Twenty20
, hosted by South Africa in April and May, after being beaten by the West Indies they took on England. After 20 overs England finished on 120–8, however Ireland only managed 14–1 when the game was rained off after 3.3 overs resulting in England progressing to the super eight stage by net run rate and then to be champions.
with Kevin O'Brien
hitting the fastest World Cup century off only 50 balls. It was the highest successful run chase (329 in 49.1 overs) in World Cup history. Taoiseach-in-waiting Enda Kenny
congratulated the team saying "Their supreme effort will lift the spirits of every single Irish person, no matter where they are in the world."
(ICU) – the governing body of Irish cricket – was officially founded in 1923, although its predecessor had been active since 1890. In common with a number of other Ireland sporting governing bodies, the Union was formed to represent cricket throughout the island of Ireland, rather than just the Republic of Ireland
and in common with its counterparts for rugby union
and field hockey
, the Union therefore does not use the Irish tricolor, but instead employs its own flag, which is used by such bodies as the International Cricket Council
to represent the team. In 2007, it announced major changes to bring it in-line with the main cricket governing bodies. After the World Cup, Irish cricket experienced a dip in success with poor results in the 2007 Friends Provident Trophy as many players were unavailable. The Irish cricket team was – and still is – an amateur side and most of the players had full-time jobs with commitments conflicting with cricket. After the World Cup there were delays in paying the players which resulted in them ignoring the press in protest to their treatment after an Intercontinental Cup match against Kenya.
Warren Deutrom, the chief executive of the ICU, has stated that it wants to "seek actively to place Irish players into top-level cricket, by developing relationships with [especially] county cricket which will incorporate appropriate player release for Irish international duty, and feeder systems for developing Irish cricketers". The reorganised ICU sought closer links with the English county teams, encourage the development of age group cricket, and to introduce a professional element into the Irish game. They also want to take the Ireland cricket team on winter tours more often. In an attempt to prevent the game losing players to counties or other commitments such as jobs, it was suggested that central contracts should be introduced. By June 2009, Trent Johnston
and Alex Cusack
were the only players to have central contracts with the ICU.
Deutrom has commented that it is difficult for Ireland to become a Test team
as Ireland have not received guidance on how it can be achieved. In June 2009, shortly before the start of the 2009 ICC Twenty20 World Cup in which Ireland defeated Bangladesh to progress to the second round of the tournament, he said "Ireland has proved itself head and shoulders above the rest of the associate nations. Yet we are bumping up against a glass ceiling".
Intercontinental Cup
ICC 6 Nations Challenge
/World Cricket League
ICC Trophy
/ICC World Cup Qualifier
ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier
ICC World Twenty20
European Championship
Triple Crown
Most ODI runs for Ireland
Most ODI wickets for Ireland
Highest ODI score for Ireland
ODI record versus other nations
Note: Ivan Anderson's
198* v Canada was in a non first-class match
Most first-class runs
Most first-class wickets
Most Twenty20 runs for Ireland
Most Twenty20 wickets for Ireland
Highest Twenty20 score for Ireland
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
team representing all of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Because of political difficulties, the Irish Cricket Union
Irish Cricket Union
Cricket Ireland, officially the Irish Cricket Union , is the governing body for cricket in Ireland , and oversees the Ireland cricket team and Ireland women's cricket team...
(ICU) was not elected to the International Cricket Council
International Cricket Council
The International Cricket Council is the international governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from England, Australia and South Africa, renamed the International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1989.The...
(ICC) until 1993, and qualified for the World Cup
Cricket World Cup
The ICC Cricket World Cup is the premier international championship of men's One Day International cricket. The event is organised by the sport's governing body, the International Cricket Council , with preliminary qualification rounds leading up to a finals tournament which is held every four years...
for the first time in 2007. The Irish Cricket Union is the governing body of Irish cricket. The Irish cricket team is made up of both professional cricketers and those who earn their living outside the sport. Cricket Ireland, which succeeded the Irish Cricket Union as the sport's governing body in the country, introduced contracts for its players in 2009, and as of the 2011 Cricket World Cup
2011 Cricket World Cup
The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup was the tenth Cricket World Cup. It was played in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It was Bangladesh's first time co-hosting a World Cup...
13 players have full-time contracts.
The first match played by an Irish team was in 1855. Since then, Ireland have gained a reputation for giant-killing. Ireland played their first One Day International (ODI) in 2006 against England. Since then, they have gone on to play 61 ODIs, resulting in 29 victories, 28 defeats, 3 no results, and 1 tie
Tie (draw)
To tie or draw is to finish a competition with identical or inconclusive results. The word "tie" is usually used in North America for sports such as American football. "Draw" is usually used in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Commonwealth of Nations and it is usually used for sports such as...
. Highlights in Ireland's cricketing history include beating a touring West Indies side in 1928, 1969, and again in 2004, progressing to the second round of the 2007 World Cup – in which they beat Pakistan and Bangladesh and tied with Zimbabwe – and beating England in the 2011 World Cup.
Ireland take part in the ICC Trophy
ICC Trophy
The ICC World Cup Qualifier is an international one-day cricket tournament run under the auspices of the International Cricket Council. Any Associate or Affiliate member of the ICC may attempt to qualify for the ICC Trophy by means of a system of regional qualifying events. The test-playing Full...
, the European Cricket Championship
European Cricket Championship
The European Cricket Championship is a group of various tournaments in which national cricket sides throughout Europe compete. The tournament is designed to encourage and develop the best players in countries where cricket is not a major sport and Europe's only Test cricket playing country,...
(which they have won three times and hold the title of European champions), and the ICC Intercontinental Cup
ICC Intercontinental Cup
The ICC Intercontinental Cup is a cricket tournament organised by the International Cricket Council as part of its cricket development programme...
, which they have won consecutively three times since 2005. Until 2009, the team also competed in the Friends Provident Trophy against English counties. Ireland is an Associate member of the ICC; Associates are the next level of team below those that play Test cricket
Test cricket
Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. Test matches are played between national representative teams with "Test status", as determined by the International Cricket Council , with four innings played between two teams of 11 players over a period of up to a maximum five days...
. Due to their recent successes in the Intercontinental Cup and at the World Cup, they have been labelled the "leading Associate". Ireland is currently one of the teams in Division 1
2007 ICC World Cricket League Division One
The 2007 ICC World Cricket League Division One was a One Day International cricket tournament played from 29 January 2007 to 7 February 2007 in Nairobi, Kenya. Division One, which is the successor to the now defunct ICC 6 Nations Challenge, is the highest tier of the World Cricket League, and is...
of Associate Members of International Cricket Council
International Cricket Council
The International Cricket Council is the international governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from England, Australia and South Africa, renamed the International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1989.The...
who has One Day International and T20
Twenty20
Twenty20 is a form of cricket, originally introduced in England for professional inter-county competition by the England and Wales Cricket Board , in 2003. A Twenty20 game involves two teams, each has a single innings, batting for a maximum of 20 overs. Twenty20 cricket is also known as T20 cricket...
International status. After the tremendous success at International stage , Cricket Ireland has applied for Full Membership from the International Cricket Council
International Cricket Council
The International Cricket Council is the international governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from England, Australia and South Africa, renamed the International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1989.The...
. Ireland have recently won the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2008 and 2009 ICC World Cup Qualifier
2009 ICC World Cup Qualifier
The 2009 ICC World Cup Qualifier was a cricket tournament that took place in April 2009 in South Africa. It was the final qualification tournament for the 2011 Cricket World Cup....
and qualified for 2009 World Twenty20 and 2011 Cricket World Cup
2011 Cricket World Cup
The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup was the tenth Cricket World Cup. It was played in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It was Bangladesh's first time co-hosting a World Cup...
. Being a full member will allow Ireland to become a permanent One Day International playing nation and eventually grant them Test
Test cricket
Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. Test matches are played between national representative teams with "Test status", as determined by the International Cricket Council , with four innings played between two teams of 11 players over a period of up to a maximum five days...
status.
Early history
Cricket was introduced to Ireland by the English in the towns of KilkennyKilkenny
Kilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...
and Ballinasloe in the early 19th century. In the 1830s, the game began to spread; many of the clubs which were founded in the following 30 years are still in existence today. The first Irish national team played in 1855 against The Gentlemen of England in Dublin. In the 1850s, the Englishman Charles Lawrence was responsible for developing the game in Ireland through his coaching. In the 1850s and 1860s, Ireland was visited for the first time by touring professional teams. Ireland's first match against Marylebone Cricket Club
Marylebone Cricket Club
Marylebone Cricket Club is a cricket club in London founded in 1787. Its influence and longevity now witness it as a private members' club dedicated to the development of cricket. It owns, and is based at, Lord's Cricket Ground in St John's Wood, London NW8. MCC was formerly the governing body of...
(the M.C.C.) was in 1858.
The game increased in popularity until the early 1880s. The land war in the 1880s resulting from the Irish Land Commission
Irish Land Commission
The Irish Land Commission was created in 1881 as a rent fixing commission by the Land Law Act 1881, also known as the second Irish Land Act...
and a ban on playing "foreign" games by the Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
set back the spread of cricket. The ban was not lifted until 1970. Anyone playing foreign games such as cricket would be banned from the extremely popular Irish games such as hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
and Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
. Irish teams toured Canada and the USA in 1879, 1888, 1892, and 1909. On top of this, Ireland defeated a touring South African side in 1904. Their first match with first-class
First-class cricket
First-class cricket is a class of cricket that consists of matches of three or more days' scheduled duration, that are between two sides of eleven players and are officially adjudged first-class by virtue of the standard of the competing teams...
status was played on 19 May 1902 against a London County side including W.G. Grace. The Irish, captained by Sir Tim O'Brien
Sir Tim O'Brien, 3rd Baronet
Sir Timothy "Tim" Carew O'Brien, 3rd Baronet was born at Dublin on 5 November 1861 and died at Ramsey, Isle of Man on 9 December 1948. He was an Irish baronet who played cricket for England in five Test matches....
, won convincingly by 238 runs
The result in cricket
The result in a game of cricket may be a win for one of the two teams playing, a draw or a tie. In the case of a limited overs game, the game can also end with no result...
.
Before 1993
After the 1902 tour of England, where four matches yielded one win, two draws and one loss, the Irish did not play first-class cricket again for five years. Although the Irish had lost to the South Africans in 1894 – Ireland's first match against a Test-playing nation – Ireland defeated South Africa in 1904; it was the team's first victory against a Test side. In 1909, the first annual first-class match between Ireland and Scotland was held. An annual match against the M.C.C. was arranged and held from 1924 onwards.The Irish played yearly first-class games with the Scots, only interrupted by wars, up until 1999, but all their other cricket was dictated by whenever touring international sides found it convenient to visit Ireland. However, they sometimes surprised Test
Test cricket
Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. Test matches are played between national representative teams with "Test status", as determined by the International Cricket Council , with four innings played between two teams of 11 players over a period of up to a maximum five days...
nations in these games, winning by 60 runs in a three-day game in Dublin over the West Indies
West Indian cricket team
The West Indian cricket team, also known colloquially as the West Indies or the Windies, is a multi-national cricket team representing a sporting confederation of 15 mainly English-speaking Caribbean countries, British dependencies and non-British dependencies.From the mid 1970s to the early 1990s,...
in 1928, for example; it was Ireland's first match against the West Indies. In 1969, they defeated a West Indian side including Clive Lloyd
Clive Lloyd
Clive Hubert Lloyd CBE AO is a former West Indies cricketer. He captained the West Indies between 1974 and 1985 and oversaw their rise to become the dominant Test-playing nation, a position that was only relinquished in the latter half of the 1990s...
and Clyde Walcott
Clyde Walcott
Sir Clyde Leopold Walcott, KA, GCM was a West Indian cricketer. Walcott was a member of the "three W's", the other two being Everton Weekes and Frank Worrell: all were very successful batsmen from Barbados, born within a short distance of each other in Bridgetown, Barbados in a period of 18...
by nine wickets, after bowling them out for 25. The match was played at Sion Mills
Sion Mills
Sion Mills is a village in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland on the River Mourne. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 2,050 people. It lies within the Strabane District Council area...
in County Tyrone
County Tyrone
Historically Tyrone stretched as far north as Lough Foyle, and comprised part of modern day County Londonderry east of the River Foyle. The majority of County Londonderry was carved out of Tyrone between 1610-1620 when that land went to the Guilds of London to set up profit making schemes based on...
. This was the last time Ireland defeated a touring side until 2003 when they beat Zimbabwe by 10 wickets.
The Scots and the Irish were mostly competing with Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan cricket team
The Sri Lankan cricket team is the national cricket team of Sri Lanka. The team first played international cricket in 1926–27, and were later awarded Test status in 1981, which made Sri Lanka the eighth Test cricket playing nation...
for the title as best non-Test nation at the time – indeed, Ireland drew with Sri Lanka in a rain-hit first-class match in 1979, Ireland scoring a total of 341/7 in two innings while Sri Lanka made 288/6 in one innings. Ireland joined the ICC as an Associate member in 1993, a year before Scotland.
ICC Trophy
As a member of the ICC in 1994, Ireland were allowed to compete in the ICC TrophyICC Trophy
The ICC World Cup Qualifier is an international one-day cricket tournament run under the auspices of the International Cricket Council. Any Associate or Affiliate member of the ICC may attempt to qualify for the ICC Trophy by means of a system of regional qualifying events. The test-playing Full...
for the first time. They won three of their seven games to finish seventh in the tournament. Three years later in Malaysia, they progressed to the semi-finals after a good showing in the group stage, but lost by seven runs to Kenya. They went on to lose the third place play-off with Scotland, thus missing a place at the 1999 cricket World Cup
1999 Cricket World Cup
-England:-Outside England:-Group A:-Results:-------------------------------------------------------------Group B:-Results:------------------------------------------------------------...
. The 2001 tournament in Canada showed the batting skills of Ed Joyce
Ed Joyce
Edmund Christopher Joyce is an Irish cricketer who has played for both the Irish and English national cricket teams. After beginning his career with Middlesex, he moved to Sussex in 2009. A left-handed batsman and occasional right-arm bowler of medium pace, Joyce is widely regarded as one of the...
, who ended up with 359 runs at an average of 71.80 in eight innings with a highest score of 87. Joyce, who had been signed by Middlesex
Middlesex County Cricket Club
Middlesex County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Middlesex. It was announced in February 2009 that Middlesex changed their limited overs name from the Middlesex Crusaders, to the...
two years earlier, could not save the team from a number of defeats, however. They lost to the USA
United States cricket team
The United States national cricket team is the team that represents the United States of America in international cricket matches. The team became an associate member of the International Cricket Council in 1965...
by six wickets in the first match in Canada, and also lost to Denmark
Danish cricket team
The Denmark national cricket team is the team that represents the country of Denmark in international cricket matches. They have been an associate member of the International Cricket Council since 1966 and are currently part of the ICC's High Performance Program.-Beginnings:Cricket has been played...
by 12 runs. In the end, the Irish lost five matches, finishing eighth in the tournament.
The 2005 ICC Trophy
2005 ICC Trophy
Ireland beat Bermuda easily as Ed Joyce made 103 for the hosts in Stormont.----Denmark beat Uganda by 28 runs as Thomas Munkholt Hansen took 6 for 30 to carry Denmark to a 28-run win over Uganda in Muckamore. Denmark made 197 with Henrik Saxe Hansen making 71...
, which was hosted in Ireland – the group stages in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, the final stages in Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
– saw the Irish improve drastically. Ed Joyce's four years in county cricket
County cricket
County cricket is the highest level of domestic cricket in England and Wales. For the 2010 season, see 2010 English cricket season.-First-class counties:...
, where he earlier in 2005 became the first batsman to hit 1,000 runs, gave him the experience to lift the Irish to big totals (he averaged 106 in four innings for Ireland), and even when he left for County Championship
County Championship
The County Championship is the domestic first-class cricket competition in England and Wales...
games with Middlesex
Middlesex County Cricket Club
Middlesex County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Middlesex. It was announced in February 2009 that Middlesex changed their limited overs name from the Middlesex Crusaders, to the...
, they managed to win, defeating Canada
Canadian cricket team
The Canada cricket team is the national cricket team representing Canada in men's international competition. It is run by Cricket Canada.While Canada is not sanctioned to play Test matches, the team does take part in One Day International matches and also in first-class games against other...
by four-wickets thanks to Peter Gillespie
Peter Gillespie
Peter Gerard Gillespie is an Irish cricketer. A right-handed batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler, he had played for the Ireland cricket team 116 times up to the start of the 2007 World Cup, including twelve first-class matches and 35 List A matches, four of which were One Day International...
, who hit a career highest score in the ICC Trophy with 64 not out – his first fifty – to anchor their chase to 239. Earlier, South African-born Andre Botha
Andre Botha (cricketer)
Andre Cornelius Botha is a former South African-born Irish cricketer. He played 55 times in all for Ireland, including the 2005 ICC Trophy and the European Championship in 2004 and 2006...
had taken 4/47 runs. In the final against Scotland, as they conceded a total of 324/9 after electing to bowl first. The return of Joyce did not help; even though he made 81 the Irish still lost the match by 47 runs. Joyce later that year qualified to play for England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
, leaving the Irish cricket team. He is still hailed as one of the best players ever produced by Ireland. Although Ireland lost in the final, they had secured their place at the 2007 World Cup as well as an extra $500,000 over the next four years from the ICC to encourage development of Irish cricket.
Intercontinental Cup
With the introduction of the ICC Intercontinental CupICC Intercontinental Cup
The ICC Intercontinental Cup is a cricket tournament organised by the International Cricket Council as part of its cricket development programme...
in 2004, Ireland received a chance to play first-class on a regular basis. The competition was split into four divisions, with the top team from each division progressing to a knock-out stage. Whilst they beat the Netherlands, Ireland lost their group match against Scotland in 2004
2004 ICC Intercontinental Cup
The 2004 ICC Intercontinental Cup was the inaugural edition of the ICC Intercontinental Cup first class cricket tournament, an international cricket tournament between nations who have not been awarded Test status by the International Cricket Council. The tournament took place last from 25 March to...
and failed to progress beyond the group stage. Ireland won their first Cup title in October 2005
2005 ICC Intercontinental Cup
The 2005 ICC Intercontinental Cup was the second edition of the ICC Intercontinental Cup, a cricket competition for 12 nations from Asia, Africa, North America and Europe. All the games were scheduled for three days and were designated first class....
with a six wicket win over Kenya. An unbeaten century by Niall O'Brien
Niall O'Brien (cricketer)
Niall John O'Brien is an Irish cricketer educated at Marian College, Ballsbridge. He is a left-handed batsman and wicket-keeper. O'Brien's brother Kevin plays with him in the Irish team...
, half centuries from Eoin Morgan
Eoin Morgan
Eoin Joseph Gerard Morgan is an Irish cricketer who plays for the England national cricket team. A left-handed batsman, he plays county cricket for Middlesex and has been selected for England's Test, ODI and Twenty20 squads. He originally represented his native Ireland at international level...
, Andre Botha
Andre Botha (cricketer)
Andre Cornelius Botha is a former South African-born Irish cricketer. He played 55 times in all for Ireland, including the 2005 ICC Trophy and the European Championship in 2004 and 2006...
, and Jeremy Bray
Jeremy Bray
Jeremy William Bray was a British Labour politician and a Member of Parliament for 31 years.Bray was educated at Kingswood School, Bath and Jesus College, Cambridge and was a Choate Fellow at Harvard University...
, along with four wickets each for Andrew White
Andrew White (cricketer)
Andrew Roland White is an Irish cricketer, who played in the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies, where Ireland reached the Super 8 stage. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm off-break bowler. He has played with Northamptonshire since 2005, and with Ireland since 2002...
and Kyle McCallan
Kyle McCallan
William Kyle McCallan, MBE , usually known as Kyle McCallan, is an Irish cricketer. A right-handed batsman and off spin bowler, he has played more times for the Ireland cricket team than any other player, more than 40 caps ahead of the next player in the table, the retired Peter Gillespie...
were the principal contributions. For its third edition, the tournament was revamped. The number of participating teams was reduced from 16 to 8 and was divided into two groups in stead of four. This was done to ensure that the best Associate sides got the chance to play more first-class cricket and develop. In May 2007, Ireland played in the final of the ICC Intercontinental Cup
ICC Intercontinental Cup
The ICC Intercontinental Cup is a cricket tournament organised by the International Cricket Council as part of its cricket development programme...
against Canada. Ireland, led by Trent Johnston
Trent Johnston
David Trent Johnston usually known as Trent Johnston is an Australian-born Irish cricketer...
, emerged convincing winners by an innings and 115 runs at Grace Road, the four-day match concluding within two days. This made Ireland the first team to successfully defend the Continental Cup, confirming its current status as the most successful non-Test playing nation.
English county competition
Benson & Hedges Cup
The Benson & Hedges Cup was a one-day cricket competition for first-class counties in England and Wales that was held from 1972 to 2002, one of cricket's longest sponsorship deals....
and the Friends Provident Trophy (previously the C&G Trophy
C&G Trophy
The Friends Provident Trophy was a one-day cricket competition in the United Kingdom.It was one of the four tournaments in which the eighteen first-class counties compete each season. They were joined by teams from Scotland and Ireland...
). Since there is no nationality restriction in county cricket, non-Irish players have competed for Ireland in these matches. For example Hansie Cronje
Hansie Cronje
Wessel Johannes "Hansie" Cronje was a South African cricketer and captain of the South African national cricket team in the 1990s...
of South Africa competed for Ireland in the 1997 Benson & Hedges Cup, and more recently New Zealander Jesse Ryder
Jesse Ryder
Jesse Daniel Ryder is a New Zealand cricketer. He is a middle-order batsman for Tests and is an opening batsman in ODIs. Ryder also bowls useful medium-pace. He has previously represented his country in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup of 2002...
played for Ireland in 2007. In 2004, Ireland beat Surrey
Surrey County Cricket Club
Surrey County Cricket Club is one of the 18 professional county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Surrey. Its limited overs team is called the Surrey Lions...
by five wickets in the C&G Trophy.
For the 2006 season, the C&G Trophy was reorganised to include a round-robin stage instead of being entirely knock-out. Whereas Ireland had only one match guaranteed in the tournament before, they now had more fixtures against English county sides. For the 2006 tournament, they were bolstered by the signings of Saqlain Mushtaq
Saqlain Mushtaq
Saqlain Mushtaq is a Pakistani cricketer, regarded as one of the finest off spin bowlers of all time.He is best known for pioneering the "doosra", which he employed to great effect during his career...
and Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi
Sahibzada Mohammad Shahid Khan Afridi , popularly known as Shahid Afridi , is a Pakistani cricketer. Between 1996 and 2011, Afridi played 27 Tests, 325 One Day Internationals, and 43 Twenty20 Internationals for the Pakistani national team...
, the two overseas players they were allowed when competing in English domestic competitions. Ireland recorded one win in their nine matches. Their victory was over Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Gloucestershire. Its limited overs team is called the Gloucestershire Gladiators....
on 30 April by 47 runs.
The C&G Trophy changed its name to Friends Provident Trophy for the 2007 season. In 2007, Ireland played in the Friends Provident Trophy against nine English county sides. Of those nine matches, they lost six and the remaining three matches were abandoned due to rain. They finished bottom in the South Conference of the trophy.
For the 2008 season, the round-robin section of the trophy was changed from two divisions to three; Ireland were in the newly formed Midlands Division. In 2008, Ireland played eight games in the Midlands Division, winning one match with one no result and six losses. They finished fifth in the division which had five teams. Ireland's four wicket victory over Warwickshire
Warwickshire County Cricket Club
Warwickshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Warwickshire. Its limited overs team is called the Warwickshire Bears. Their kit colours are black and gold and the shirt sponsor...
on 16 May was Ireland's first win in the competition against a county side for two years. Captain William Porterfield anchored the innings with 69 runs.
In 2009, Ireland inflicted Worcestershire's
Worcestershire County Cricket Club
Worcestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Worcestershire...
lowest ever one-day total (58 all out) in a 94-run Friends Provident Trophy group A win at New Road. Peter Connell
Peter Connell
Peter Connell is a New Zealander-born Irish cricketer. An opening bowler, he made his debut for Ireland in 2008, aged 26. He took part in Ireland's successful campaign in the 2007–08 ICC Intercontinental Cup...
did the most damage in taking 5–19. It was the first time that Ireland had bowled out a county for less than a hundred. This was Ireland only win in the group & they finished 5th & last with 4.0 pts. After the 2009 competition the English Cricket Board reorganised it, changing the format from 50 to 40 overs. Although Ireland were invited to participate the team declined, preferring to focus their limited financial resources on international cricket.
One Day Internationals before 2007
As a result of their second place in the 2005 ICC Trophy, Ireland qualified for the 2007 World Cup and gained official ODI status until 2009. Ireland's inaugural ODI was played in Belfast at the Civil Service Cricket ClubCivil Service Cricket Club
Civil Service Cricket Club is one of Ireland's oldest cricket clubs. Formed in 1863 in Dublin's Phoenix Park, the club currently has over 40 members and competes in league and cup competitions arranged by The Leinster Cricket Union....
, Stormont, on 13 June 2006 against England. It was the first time Ireland had played the full England side. Tickets sold well for the game, with a full house of 7,500 attendees. Marcus Trescothick
Marcus Trescothick
Marcus Edward Trescothick MBE is an English cricketer. He plays first-class cricket for Somerset County Cricket Club, and represented England in 76 Test matches and 123 One Day Internationals. A left-handed opening batsman, he made his first-class debut for Somerset in 1993 and quickly established...
scored a century as England, scoring 301/7 from their 50 overs, beat Ireland who made 263/9 from their allotment, including 52 from Andre Botha, the highest score of the Irish innings. Andrew Strauss
Andrew Strauss
Andrew John Strauss, OBE is an English cricketer who plays county cricket for Middlesex County Cricket Club and is the captain of England's Test cricket team. A fluent left-handed opening batsman, Strauss favours scoring off the back foot, mostly playing cut and pull shots...
, England's stand-in captain for the match, said "I thought [Ireland] played really well, and put us under pressure... Full credit to Ireland though who played really well, and showed what they're capable of".
August saw them participate in Division One of the European Championship, against Denmark, Italy
Italian cricket team
The Italy national cricket team is the team that represents the country of Italy in international cricket matches. They have been an associate member of the International Cricket Council since 1995, having previously been an affiliate member since 1984...
, the Netherlands and Scotland. The games against the Netherlands and Scotland had ODI status. In the tournament, and what was the team's second ODI, Ireland recorded their first ODI win, beating fellow Associates Scotland by 85 runs after man-of-the-match Eoin Morgan made 99. Although the match against the Netherlands was a no-result, Ireland won the European Championship title.
2007 World Cup
In August 2006, the Irish Cricket Union named their squad for the 2007 World Cup2007 Cricket World Cup
The 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup was the ninth edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup tournament that took place in the West Indies from 13 March to 28 April 2007, using the sport's One Day International format...
. January 2007 saw the start of more than three months of almost constant cricket. First was a visit to Kenya, where they took part in Division One
2007 ICC World Cricket League Division One
The 2007 ICC World Cricket League Division One was a One Day International cricket tournament played from 29 January 2007 to 7 February 2007 in Nairobi, Kenya. Division One, which is the successor to the now defunct ICC 6 Nations Challenge, is the highest tier of the World Cricket League, and is...
of the ICC World Cricket League. They finished fifth in the league after four narrow defeats and Kenya won the league. Prior to the World Cup, the team participated in a high-performance camp in South Africa. The team was managed by Roy Torrens
Roy Torrens
Robert "Roy" Torrens OBE , is a retired cricketer and the current manager of the Ireland cricket team....
. In the final 13-a-side warm-up matches before the World Cup, Ireland lost to South Africa
South African cricket team
The South African national cricket team represent South Africa in international cricket. They are administrated by Cricket South Africa.South Africa is a full member of the International Cricket Council, also known as ICC, with Test and One Day International, or ODI, status...
by 34 runs; and beat Canada by seven wickets. Ireland's performance in their inaugural World Cup in the 2007 tournament
2007 Cricket World Cup
The 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup was the ninth edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup tournament that took place in the West Indies from 13 March to 28 April 2007, using the sport's One Day International format...
took many pundits by surprise. Their first game was on 15 March when they tied with Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean cricket team
The Zimbabwean cricket team is a national cricket team representing Zimbabwe. It is administrated by Zimbabwe Cricket...
, primarily thanks to Ireland's first ever World Cup century by man-of-the-match Jeremy Bray
Jeremy Bray (cricketer)
Jeremy Paul Bray is a former Australian-born Irish cricketer. He is a left-handed top order batsman. Bray was the Player of the Championships at the 1992–93 Australian Under-19 Cricket Championships in Brisbane and was selected for the Australian Under-19 side, playing two Youth Tests and one...
and economical bowling in the final overs by Trent Johnston and Andre Botha. From having required 15 runs from the last six overs with four wickets in hand, Zimbabwe were dismissed for 221 off the last ball of the innings with the scores level. In their second match, played on Saint Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick's Day is a religious holiday celebrated internationally on 17 March. It commemorates Saint Patrick , the most commonly recognised of the patron saints of :Ireland, and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. It is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion , the Eastern...
, they beat the fourth-ranked team in the world, Pakistan
Pakistani cricket team
The Pakistan cricket team is the national cricket team of Pakistan. Pakistan, represented by the Pakistan Cricket Board , is a full member of the International Cricket Council, and thus participates in , and cricket matches....
, by three wickets, thus knocking Pakistan out of the competition. These two results were sufficient to advance Ireland to the Super 8 stage of the tournament. Their final group stage game was against the West Indies, where they lost by eight wickets.
In the Super 8 stage, they lost their first four matches against England, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, but then recorded a 74-run victory against the 9th ranked team in the world and Test playing nation Bangladesh. As this was their second win against a full ICC member, Ireland gained promotion by way of recognition in the ICC's official one-day rankings. The list consisted of the ten full members, Kenya, and Ireland. Ireland suffered defeat in their final match of the tournament. The team received a heroes welcome on 24 April 2007 in Dublin. A documentary, Breaking Boundaries directed by Paul Davey recounting the story of the World Cup campaign was released in 2008.
After the World Cup (2007–2008)
After the World Cup, former West Indies cricketer Phil SimmonsPhil Simmons
Philip Veraint Simmons is a former skilled all-round cricketer who played as an opening batsman a useful bowler and a talented slip fielder.-Career:...
took over the role of coach from Adrian Birrell
Adrian Birrell
Adrian Victor Birrell in Grahamstown, Cape Province is a former South African first class cricketer and Irish cricket coach. A leg break bowler, Birrell took 75 wickets at 30.16 in his career for Eastern Province, before turning to coaching.He led Ireland in the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup where...
. India
Indian cricket team
The Indian cricket team is the national cricket team of India. Governed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India , it is a full member of the International Cricket Council with Test and One Day International status....
were scheduled to play South Africa
South African cricket team
The South African national cricket team represent South Africa in international cricket. They are administrated by Cricket South Africa.South Africa is a full member of the International Cricket Council, also known as ICC, with Test and One Day International, or ODI, status...
in a series of One Day Internationals in Ireland in June 2007. Ireland also played one-off matches at Stormont against the two teams. Missing several players from their World Cup squad, Ireland lost both games. Ireland hosted a quadrangular tournament in Dublin and Belfast
Quadrangular Series in Ireland in 2007
The Quadrangular Series in Ireland was a One Day International cricket tournament, contested between three associate nations and one full member , from July 10 to July 15, 2007, following the conclusion of the West Indies' tour of England...
from 10 July to 15 July involving the West Indies, the Netherlands, and Scotland. Ireland and the West Indies both won two games with their direct encounter being a no result due to rain. The West Indies were declared tournament winners because of a bonus point won against the Netherlands. Ireland played three ODIs against Test nations (two losses and a no result), and five ODIs in total, winning the two matches against fellow Associates Scotland and the Netherlands. A triangular ODI series in Scotland as well as the European Twenty20 Championship had to be cancelled due to conflicting dates with the quadrangular series. The 2007–08 ICC Intercontinental Cup began in June, with Ireland playing their first match in August. In November 2008, the team's campaign drew to a conclusion. After having finished second in the round-robin stage of the competition, Ireland faced Namibia in the final. Ireland won by nine wickets under the captaincy of William Porterfield
William Porterfield
William Thomas Stuart Porterfield in Donemana, Northern Ireland, is an Irish cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and the captain of the Ireland cricket team. He has played for the senior Ireland since 2006 and the Under-19s since 2003...
, securing their third consecutive Intercontinental Cup title. In March 2008 Ireland toured Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
, playing three ODIs against the hosts and losing all of them. In July, Ireland played a tri-series
2008 Associates Tri-Series in Scotland
-2nd Match-Ireland vs Scotland:-3rd Match-New Zealand vs Scotland:...
against New Zealand and Scotland in Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
and lost both matches.
Reigning champions Ireland hosted the European Cricket Championship
European Cricket Championship
The European Cricket Championship is a group of various tournaments in which national cricket sides throughout Europe compete. The tournament is designed to encourage and develop the best players in countries where cricket is not a major sport and Europe's only Test cricket playing country,...
(Division One) in late July and they won their third European title, winning every game, including the decisive encounter against Scotland by seven wickets. They were captained by William Porterfield. In early August, Ireland hosted five other Associate nations at the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier
2009 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier
-Group B:---------Semi-finals:-----Finals:---------External links:* from Cricinfo* from CricketArchive* from CricketEurope...
in Belfast. During the tournament, Ireland made their Twenty20 International
Twenty20 International
A Twenty20 International is a form of cricket which is played over 20 overs per side between two national cricket teams. The game is played under the rules of Twenty20 cricket...
debut. Playing against Scotland, they won a low scoring match by four wickets. After beating Bermuda in their second and final match of the group stages, Ireland progressed to the knock-out round of the tournament. Ireland defeated Kenya in the semi-finals to secure a place in the final against the Netherlands. The final was rained off and the teams shared the trophy. Andre Botha was named the Man of the Tournament. By getting to the final of the tournament, Ireland qualified for the 2009 ICC World Twenty20
2009 ICC World Twenty20
The 2009 ICC World Twenty20 was an international Twenty20 cricket tournament which took place in England in June 2009. It was the second ICC World Twenty20 tournament, following the inaugural event in South Africa in September 2007...
in England in June 2009. Later in August, Ireland played three ODIs at home against Kenya. Ireland won the first game, the second game could not be finished due to rain and the last match was completely washed out. In October, the team visited Kenya for a tri-series of ODIs
2008 Associates Tri-Series in Kenya
The 2008 Associates Tri-Series in Kenya is a One Day International cricket tournament which was held in Kenya from October 17 to October 25, 2008. The tri-series involves the national teams of Ireland, Kenya and Zimbabwe.-Points Table:-Matches:--------...
with the hosts and Zimbabwe. Only two of Ireland's four games in the round-robin stage could be played, the others were rained off. Ireland suffered defeat in their first match to Zimbabwe, but won their second against Kenya. Ireland failed to qualify for the final because of their run-rate, which was lower than that of both Kenya and Zimbabwe. In January 2009, Ireland dropped to 11th in the ODI rankings after Zimbabwe due to victories against Kenya.
2009 and 2010 World Twenty20s
In the run up to the 2009 ICC World Twenty20, Ireland were deprived of batsman Eoin MorganEoin Morgan
Eoin Joseph Gerard Morgan is an Irish cricketer who plays for the England national cricket team. A left-handed batsman, he plays county cricket for Middlesex and has been selected for England's Test, ODI and Twenty20 squads. He originally represented his native Ireland at international level...
, similarly to Ed Joyce
Ed Joyce
Edmund Christopher Joyce is an Irish cricketer who has played for both the Irish and English national cricket teams. After beginning his career with Middlesex, he moved to Sussex in 2009. A left-handed batsman and occasional right-arm bowler of medium pace, Joyce is widely regarded as one of the...
several years earlier, who was selected to play for England, making him ineligible to play for Ireland again. Ireland played their first Twenty20 International against a full ICC member side on 8 June 2009. In their opening match of the tournament, Ireland defeated Bangladesh by four wickets and knocked them out of the tournament with Kevin and Niall O'Brien making quick runs to put Ireland back on track after their run chase wavered. It was their first victory against a full ICC Member and only their fourth Twenty20 International match. Ireland progressed to the second stage of the competition. They were grouped with New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and lost all three of their matches. In 2009, Ireland played nine ODIs, winning the seven they played against Associate nations, losing their only match against a Test team (England), and one match was abandoned.
Ireland played 17 one day internationals in 2010, winning 11 and losing 6 including beating Bangladesh and losing against number 1 ranked side Australia and other teams with Test status West Indies, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe. Ireland were knocked out of the 2010 ICC World Twenty20
2010 ICC World Twenty20
-------------------------------------------------Group A:---------Group B:---------Group C:---------Group D:---------Super 8s:...
, hosted by South Africa in April and May, after being beaten by the West Indies they took on England. After 20 overs England finished on 120–8, however Ireland only managed 14–1 when the game was rained off after 3.3 overs resulting in England progressing to the super eight stage by net run rate and then to be champions.
2011 World Cup
Ireland beat England by 3 wickets on 2 March 2011 at the World Cup2011 Cricket World Cup
The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup was the tenth Cricket World Cup. It was played in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It was Bangladesh's first time co-hosting a World Cup...
with Kevin O'Brien
Kevin O'Brien (cricketer)
Kevin Joseph O'Brien is an Irish cricketer who plays for Railway Union Cricket Club and Gloucestershire. He holds the world record for the fastest century ever scored at a World Cup, coming from 50 balls against England on 2 March 2011. An all-rounder, O'Brien is an aggressive right-handed...
hitting the fastest World Cup century off only 50 balls. It was the highest successful run chase (329 in 49.1 overs) in World Cup history. Taoiseach-in-waiting Enda Kenny
Enda Kenny
Enda Kenny is an Irish Fine Gael politician, and has been the Taoiseach since 2011. He has led Fine Gael since 2002. He served as Minister for Tourism and Trade from 1994 to 1997. He is also a two-term Vice President of the European People's Party.Kenny has been a Teachta Dála for Mayo since...
congratulated the team saying "Their supreme effort will lift the spirits of every single Irish person, no matter where they are in the world."
Governing body
The Irish Cricket UnionIrish Cricket Union
Cricket Ireland, officially the Irish Cricket Union , is the governing body for cricket in Ireland , and oversees the Ireland cricket team and Ireland women's cricket team...
(ICU) – the governing body of Irish cricket – was officially founded in 1923, although its predecessor had been active since 1890. In common with a number of other Ireland sporting governing bodies, the Union was formed to represent cricket throughout the island of Ireland, rather than just the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
and in common with its counterparts for rugby union
Irish Rugby Football Union
The Irish Rugby Football Union is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. The IRFU has its head office at 10/12 Lansdowne Road and home ground at Aviva Stadium, where Irish rugby union international matches are played...
and field hockey
Irish Hockey Association
The Irish Hockey Association is the governing body for the game of hockey throughout the island of Ireland.The Association was formed in 2000 with the merger of the Unions that managed the men's and women's game separately. These Unions had governed the sport of hockey since the late 19th...
, the Union therefore does not use the Irish tricolor, but instead employs its own flag, which is used by such bodies as the International Cricket Council
International Cricket Council
The International Cricket Council is the international governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from England, Australia and South Africa, renamed the International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1989.The...
to represent the team. In 2007, it announced major changes to bring it in-line with the main cricket governing bodies. After the World Cup, Irish cricket experienced a dip in success with poor results in the 2007 Friends Provident Trophy as many players were unavailable. The Irish cricket team was – and still is – an amateur side and most of the players had full-time jobs with commitments conflicting with cricket. After the World Cup there were delays in paying the players which resulted in them ignoring the press in protest to their treatment after an Intercontinental Cup match against Kenya.
Warren Deutrom, the chief executive of the ICU, has stated that it wants to "seek actively to place Irish players into top-level cricket, by developing relationships with [especially] county cricket which will incorporate appropriate player release for Irish international duty, and feeder systems for developing Irish cricketers". The reorganised ICU sought closer links with the English county teams, encourage the development of age group cricket, and to introduce a professional element into the Irish game. They also want to take the Ireland cricket team on winter tours more often. In an attempt to prevent the game losing players to counties or other commitments such as jobs, it was suggested that central contracts should be introduced. By June 2009, Trent Johnston
Trent Johnston
David Trent Johnston usually known as Trent Johnston is an Australian-born Irish cricketer...
and Alex Cusack
Alex Cusack
Alex Richard Cusack is an Australian-born Irish cricketer. A club cricketer for Clontarf, Cusack was a carpenter by trade until he was granted a professional contract with the Irish Cricket Union in 2009. He is a middle-order right-handed batsman and bowls right-arm medium-fast. Cusack made his...
were the only players to have central contracts with the ICU.
Deutrom has commented that it is difficult for Ireland to become a Test team
Test cricket
Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. Test matches are played between national representative teams with "Test status", as determined by the International Cricket Council , with four innings played between two teams of 11 players over a period of up to a maximum five days...
as Ireland have not received guidance on how it can be achieved. In June 2009, shortly before the start of the 2009 ICC Twenty20 World Cup in which Ireland defeated Bangladesh to progress to the second round of the tournament, he said "Ireland has proved itself head and shoulders above the rest of the associate nations. Yet we are bumping up against a glass ceiling".
Tournament history
World CupCricket World Cup
The ICC Cricket World Cup is the premier international championship of men's One Day International cricket. The event is organised by the sport's governing body, the International Cricket Council , with preliminary qualification rounds leading up to a finals tournament which is held every four years...
- 1975–1992: Ineligible (not an ICC member)
- 1996–2003: Did not qualify
- 20072007 Cricket World CupThe 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup was the ninth edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup tournament that took place in the West Indies from 13 March to 28 April 2007, using the sport's One Day International format...
: 8th (Super Eight Stage) - 20112011 Cricket World CupThe 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup was the tenth Cricket World Cup. It was played in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It was Bangladesh's first time co-hosting a World Cup...
: First Round
Intercontinental Cup
ICC Intercontinental Cup
The ICC Intercontinental Cup is a cricket tournament organised by the International Cricket Council as part of its cricket development programme...
- 2004: First round
- 20052005 ICC Intercontinental CupThe 2005 ICC Intercontinental Cup was the second edition of the ICC Intercontinental Cup, a cricket competition for 12 nations from Asia, Africa, North America and Europe. All the games were scheduled for three days and were designated first class....
: Won - 2006–072006 ICC Intercontinental CupThe 2006 ICC Intercontinental Cup was the third edition of the ICC Intercontinental Cup first class cricket tournament, an international cricket tournament between nations who have not been awarded Test status by the International Cricket Council...
: Won - 2007–082007-08 ICC Intercontinental CupThe 2007-08 ICC Intercontinental Cup was the fourth edition of the ICC Intercontinental Cup tournament, an international first class cricket tournament between nations who have not been awarded Test status by the International Cricket Council. The first fixtures were played in June 2007, and the...
: Won - 2009–10: 4th
ICC 6 Nations Challenge
ICC 6 Nations Challenge
The ICC 6 Nations Challenge was a cricket tournament played every two years between 2000 and 2004. It was a tournament involving the best associate members of the International Cricket Council, who were joined in the first two tournaments by A teams from Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka...
/World Cricket League
World Cricket League
The ICC World Cricket League is a series of international one-day cricket tournaments for national teams without Test status, administered by the International Cricket Council. All associate and affiliate members of the ICC are eligible to compete in the league system, which features a promotion...
- 2000: 3rd place
- 2002: Did not participate
- 2004: Did not participate
- 20072007 ICC World Cricket League Division OneThe 2007 ICC World Cricket League Division One was a One Day International cricket tournament played from 29 January 2007 to 7 February 2007 in Nairobi, Kenya. Division One, which is the successor to the now defunct ICC 6 Nations Challenge, is the highest tier of the World Cricket League, and is...
: 5th place (Division One) - 20102010 ICC World Cricket League Division OneThe 2010 ICC World Cricket League Division One was a cricket tournament which took place in July 2010 in the Netherlands. It is a part of the World Cricket League competition administered by the International Cricket Council, the international governing body for cricket.Division One, which is the...
: Won (Division One)
ICC Trophy
ICC Trophy
The ICC World Cup Qualifier is an international one-day cricket tournament run under the auspices of the International Cricket Council. Any Associate or Affiliate member of the ICC may attempt to qualify for the ICC Trophy by means of a system of regional qualifying events. The test-playing Full...
/ICC World Cup Qualifier
- 1979–1990 inclusive: Ineligible (not an ICC member)
- 19941994 ICC TrophyThe ABN-AMRO 1994 ICC Trophy was a cricket tournament that took place in Kenya in February/March 1994. It was the qualifying tournament for the 1996 Cricket World Cup. The UAE defeated the host nation Kenya in the final and the Netherlands finished 3rd with all 3 sides qualifing for their first...
: Second round - 19971997 ICC TrophyThe Carlsberg 1997 ICC Trophy was a cricket tournament played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in March/April 1997. It was the qualification tournament for the 1999 Cricket World Cup. Kenya and for the first time Bangladesh and Scotland all Qualified.-First round:...
: 4th place - 20012001 ICC TrophyThe 2001 ICC Trophy was a cricket tournament played in Ontario, Canada in 2001. It was the qualifying tournament for the 2003 Cricket World Cup...
: 7th place - 20052005 ICC TrophyIreland beat Bermuda easily as Ed Joyce made 103 for the hosts in Stormont.----Denmark beat Uganda by 28 runs as Thomas Munkholt Hansen took 6 for 30 to carry Denmark to a 28-run win over Uganda in Muckamore. Denmark made 197 with Henrik Saxe Hansen making 71...
: 2nd place - 20092009 ICC World Cup QualifierThe 2009 ICC World Cup Qualifier was a cricket tournament that took place in April 2009 in South Africa. It was the final qualification tournament for the 2011 Cricket World Cup....
: Won
ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier
ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier
The ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier is an international Twenty20 cricket tournament run under the auspices of the International Cricket Council. The purpose is to qualify the top Associate Members for the ICC World Twenty20. First ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier was held in 2008 and it was in similar...
- 20092009 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier-Group B:---------Semi-finals:-----Finals:---------External links:* from Cricinfo* from CricketArchive* from CricketEurope...
: Won - 20102010 ICC World Twenty20 QualifierThe 2010 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier was played from February 9–13, 2010 in the United Arab Emirates and a part of ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier series...
: 2nd place
ICC World Twenty20
ICC World Twenty20
The ICC World Twenty20 or ICC World T20 also referred to as the T20 World Cup is the international championship of Twenty20 cricket. The event is organised by the sport's governing body, the International Cricket Council...
- 2007: Did not qualify
- 20092009 ICC World Twenty20The 2009 ICC World Twenty20 was an international Twenty20 cricket tournament which took place in England in June 2009. It was the second ICC World Twenty20 tournament, following the inaugural event in South Africa in September 2007...
: Super Eight stage - 20102010 ICC World Twenty20-------------------------------------------------Group A:---------Group B:---------Group C:---------Group D:---------Super 8s:...
: Group Stages
European Championship
European Cricket Championship
The European Cricket Championship is a group of various tournaments in which national cricket sides throughout Europe compete. The tournament is designed to encourage and develop the best players in countries where cricket is not a major sport and Europe's only Test cricket playing country,...
- 1996: Won
- 1998: 4th place (Division One)
- 2000: 4th place (Division One)
- 2002: 3rd place (Division One)
- 2004: 2nd place (Division One)
- 2006: Won (Division One)
- 2008: Won (Division One)
- 2010: 2nd place (Division One) as Ireland A
Triple Crown
Triple Crown Tournament
The Triple Crown Tournament was a cricket competition staged annually from 1993 to 2001 between the Home Nations; that is to say Ireland, Scotland, Wales and a team representing England...
- 1993: 2nd place
- 1994: 3rd place
- 1995: 3rd place
- 1996: Won
- 1997: 3rd place
- 1998: 3rd place
- 1999: 4th place
- 2000: 2nd place
- 2001: 4th place
Squad
- The following table lists the players in Ireland's squad for the 2011 World Cup2011 Cricket World CupThe 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup was the tenth Cricket World Cup. It was played in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It was Bangladesh's first time co-hosting a World Cup...
, with the exception of Andre BothaAndre Botha (cricketer)Andre Cornelius Botha is a former South African-born Irish cricketer. He played 55 times in all for Ireland, including the 2005 ICC Trophy and the European Championship in 2004 and 2006...
who has since retired.Name Age Batting Style Bowling Style Notes Batsmen Ed Joyce Ed JoyceEdmund Christopher Joyce is an Irish cricketer who has played for both the Irish and English national cricket teams. After beginning his career with Middlesex, he moved to Sussex in 2009. A left-handed batsman and occasional right-arm bowler of medium pace, Joyce is widely regarded as one of the...
LHB RM Seam bowlingSeam bowling is a phrase used for a bowling technique in cricket whereby the ball is deliberately bowled on to its seam, to cause a random deviation. Practitioners are known as seam bowlers or seamers....
Plays for Sussex County Cricket Club Sussex County Cricket ClubSussex County Cricket Club is the oldest of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Sussex. The club was founded as a successor to Brighton Cricket Club which was a representative of the county of Sussex as a...William Porterfield William PorterfieldWilliam Thomas Stuart Porterfield in Donemana, Northern Ireland, is an Irish cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and the captain of the Ireland cricket team. He has played for the senior Ireland since 2006 and the Under-19s since 2003...
(cCaptain (cricket)The captain of a cricket team often referred to as the skipper is the appointed leader, having several additional roles and responsibilities over and above those of a regular player...
)LHB OS Off spinOff spin is a type of bowling in the sport of cricket which is bowled by an off spinner, a right-handed spin bowler who uses his or her fingers and/or wrist to spin the ball from a right-handed batsman's off side to the leg side...
Plays for Warwickshire County Cricket Club Warwickshire County Cricket ClubWarwickshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Warwickshire. Its limited overs team is called the Warwickshire Bears. Their kit colours are black and gold and the shirt sponsor...Paul Stirling Paul StirlingPaul Robert Stirling is an Irish cricketer. He debuted in first-class cricket in March 2008, playing for Ireland in the Intercontinental Cup. The same year Stirling made his debut in One Day Internationals . Having represented Middlesex's youth sides and Second XI, Stirling signed a contract...
RHB OS Off spinOff spin is a type of bowling in the sport of cricket which is bowled by an off spinner, a right-handed spin bowler who uses his or her fingers and/or wrist to spin the ball from a right-handed batsman's off side to the leg side...
Plays for Middlesex County Cricket Club Middlesex County Cricket ClubMiddlesex County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Middlesex. It was announced in February 2009 that Middlesex changed their limited overs name from the Middlesex Crusaders, to the...All-rounders Alex Cusack Alex CusackAlex Richard Cusack is an Australian-born Irish cricketer. A club cricketer for Clontarf, Cusack was a carpenter by trade until he was granted a professional contract with the Irish Cricket Union in 2009. He is a middle-order right-handed batsman and bowls right-arm medium-fast. Cusack made his...
RHB RMF Seam bowlingSeam bowling is a phrase used for a bowling technique in cricket whereby the ball is deliberately bowled on to its seam, to cause a random deviation. Practitioners are known as seam bowlers or seamers....
Trent Johnston Trent JohnstonDavid Trent Johnston usually known as Trent Johnston is an Australian-born Irish cricketer...
RHB RFM Fast bowlingFast bowling, sometimes known as pace bowling, is one of the two main approaches to bowling in the sport of cricket. The other is spin bowling...
Former captain Nigel Jones Nigel Jones (cricketer)Nigel Geoffrey Jones is a New Zealand born Irish cricketer. Jones is a right-handed batsman who bowls right-arm medium pace. Jones plays international cricket for Ireland. He was born on Timaru, New Zealand....
RHB RM Seam bowlingSeam bowling is a phrase used for a bowling technique in cricket whereby the ball is deliberately bowled on to its seam, to cause a random deviation. Practitioners are known as seam bowlers or seamers....
John Mooney John Mooney (cricketer)John Francis Mooney is an Irish cricketer. A left-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-pace bowler, Mooney made his first-class debut in 2004. He had previously represented Ireland in the Under-19s World Cup of 2000 and has captained Ireland A. He made his One Day International debut in...
LHB RM Seam bowlingSeam bowling is a phrase used for a bowling technique in cricket whereby the ball is deliberately bowled on to its seam, to cause a random deviation. Practitioners are known as seam bowlers or seamers....
Kevin O'Brien Kevin O'Brien (cricketer)Kevin Joseph O'Brien is an Irish cricketer who plays for Railway Union Cricket Club and Gloucestershire. He holds the world record for the fastest century ever scored at a World Cup, coming from 50 balls against England on 2 March 2011. An all-rounder, O'Brien is an aggressive right-handed...
RHB RMF Seam bowlingSeam bowling is a phrase used for a bowling technique in cricket whereby the ball is deliberately bowled on to its seam, to cause a random deviation. Practitioners are known as seam bowlers or seamers....
Plays for Gloucestershire County Cricket Club Gloucestershire County Cricket ClubGloucestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Gloucestershire. Its limited overs team is called the Gloucestershire Gladiators....Andrew White Andrew White (cricketer)Andrew Roland White is an Irish cricketer, who played in the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies, where Ireland reached the Super 8 stage. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm off-break bowler. He has played with Northamptonshire since 2005, and with Ireland since 2002...
RHB OS Off spinOff spin is a type of bowling in the sport of cricket which is bowled by an off spinner, a right-handed spin bowler who uses his or her fingers and/or wrist to spin the ball from a right-handed batsman's off side to the leg side...
Wicket-keepers Niall O'Brien Niall O'Brien (cricketer)Niall John O'Brien is an Irish cricketer educated at Marian College, Ballsbridge. He is a left-handed batsman and wicket-keeper. O'Brien's brother Kevin plays with him in the Irish team...
LHB Plays for Northamptonshire County Cricket Club Northamptonshire County Cricket ClubNorthamptonshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Northamptonshire. Its limited overs team is called the Northants Steelbacks. The traditional club colour is Maroon. During the...Gary Wilson Gary Wilson (cricketer)Gary Craig Wilson is an Irish cricketer who attended Methodist College Belfast. He is a right-handed batsman and a wicket-keeper. He has played for the Ireland cricket team since 2004, when he participated in the Under 19s World Cup. Two years later, he participated in the competition for the...
RHB Plays for Surrey County Cricket Club Surrey County Cricket ClubSurrey County Cricket Club is one of the 18 professional county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Surrey. Its limited overs team is called the Surrey Lions...Bowlers George Dockrell George DockrellGeorge Henry Dockrell is an Irish cricketer. Dockrell is right-handed batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler who plays international cricket for Ireland after learning his cricket at Leinster Cricket Club, Dublin. He was a member of the class of 2010 in Gonzaga College, DublinDockrell has...
RHB SLA Left-arm orthodox spinLeft-arm orthodox spin is a type of bowling in the sport of cricket.Left-arm orthodox spin is bowled by a left arm bowler using the fingers to spin the ball from right to left of the cricket pitch...
Plays for Somerset County Cricket Club Somerset County Cricket ClubSomerset County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Somerset...Boyd Rankin Boyd RankinWilliam Boyd Rankin is an Irish cricketer, from Derry, Northern Ireland. He is a right-arm medium-fast bowler.William is a tall bowler who stands at 6 ft 8 inches and has a distinctive bouncing action in his bowling...
LHB RMF Fast bowlingFast bowling, sometimes known as pace bowling, is one of the two main approaches to bowling in the sport of cricket. The other is spin bowling...
Plays for Warwickshire County Cricket Club Warwickshire County Cricket ClubWarwickshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Warwickshire. Its limited overs team is called the Warwickshire Bears. Their kit colours are black and gold and the shirt sponsor...Albert van der Merwe Albert van der MerweAlbert van der Merwe is a South African-born Irish cricketer. Van der Merwe is right-handed batsman who bowls right-arm off break and who currently plays international cricket for Ireland and also club cricket with the skerries hills...
RHB OS Off spinOff spin is a type of bowling in the sport of cricket which is bowled by an off spinner, a right-handed spin bowler who uses his or her fingers and/or wrist to spin the ball from a right-handed batsman's off side to the leg side...
One Day Internationals
- Ireland have won 32 of their 70 ODIs (0.94 win/loss ratio) as of 20 Sept 2011.
- W32, L34, T1, NR3
- 7 wins over Scotland & 6 wins over Kenya are the most over any side.
- Ireland have beaten 4 Test nations – England, Pakistan, Bangladesh (twice) and Zimbabwe. The wins against Pakistan and Bangladesh came at the 2007 Cricket World Cup2007 Cricket World CupThe 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup was the ninth edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup tournament that took place in the West Indies from 13 March to 28 April 2007, using the sport's One Day International format...
& the win against England came at the 2011 Cricket World Cup2011 Cricket World CupThe 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup was the tenth Cricket World Cup. It was played in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It was Bangladesh's first time co-hosting a World Cup...
. - Ireland's only tied ODI was against Zimbabwe, also at the 2007 World Cup.
- Home record: 26 games – 13 wins, 9 losses, 2 aband., 2 n/r.
- Ireland have lost only two ODIs in Dublin (to Australia, Jun '10, to England-Aug' 25 2011): 13 games – 9 wins, 2 loss, 1 aband., 1 n/r;
- Whereas their record in Belfast is: 13 games – 4 wins, 7 losses, 1 aband., 1 n/r.
- Highest team score: 329/7 v England, 2 March 2011 at M. Chinnaswamy StadiumM. Chinnaswamy StadiumThe M. Chinnaswamy Stadium , located in Bangalore, Karnataka, is one of the cricket stadiums of India. Flanked by the picturesque Cubbon Park, Queen's Road, Cubbon and uptown MG Road, this four decade old stadium is situated in the heart of the city of Bangalore. Formerly known as the Karnataka...
, BangaloreBangaloreBengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
, India - Lowest team score: 77 all out v Sri Lanka, 18 April 2007 at St. Georges, Grenada
- Best innings bowling: 5/14, Trent JohnstonTrent JohnstonDavid Trent Johnston usually known as Trent Johnston is an Australian-born Irish cricketer...
v CanadaCanadian cricket teamThe Canada cricket team is the national cricket team representing Canada in men's international competition. It is run by Cricket Canada.While Canada is not sanctioned to play Test matches, the team does take part in One Day International matches and also in first-class games against other...
, 19 April 2009 at SuperSport Park, CenturionCenturion, GautengCenturion is an area with 279,430 inhabitants in Gauteng Province of South Africa, located between Pretoria and Midrand . Formerly an independent municipality, with its own town council, it is now part of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality...
, South AfricaSouth AfricaThe Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans... - Record Partnership Score: 227 by William PorterfieldWilliam PorterfieldWilliam Thomas Stuart Porterfield in Donemana, Northern Ireland, is an Irish cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and the captain of the Ireland cricket team. He has played for the senior Ireland since 2006 and the Under-19s since 2003...
& Kevin O'BrienKevin O'Brien (cricketer)Kevin Joseph O'Brien is an Irish cricketer who plays for Railway Union Cricket Club and Gloucestershire. He holds the world record for the fastest century ever scored at a World Cup, coming from 50 balls against England on 2 March 2011. An all-rounder, O'Brien is an aggressive right-handed...
v Kenya, Nairobi, 2 Feb 2007.
Most ODI runs for Ireland
| Rank | Player | Runs | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William Porterfield William Porterfield William Thomas Stuart Porterfield in Donemana, Northern Ireland, is an Irish cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and the captain of the Ireland cricket team. He has played for the senior Ireland since 2006 and the Under-19s since 2003... |
1,726 | 32.56 |
| 2 | Kevin O'Brien Kevin O'Brien (cricketer) Kevin Joseph O'Brien is an Irish cricketer who plays for Railway Union Cricket Club and Gloucestershire. He holds the world record for the fastest century ever scored at a World Cup, coming from 50 balls against England on 2 March 2011. An all-rounder, O'Brien is an aggressive right-handed... |
1,660 | 33.20 |
| 3 | Paul Stirling Paul Stirling Paul Robert Stirling is an Irish cricketer. He debuted in first-class cricket in March 2008, playing for Ireland in the Intercontinental Cup. The same year Stirling made his debut in One Day Internationals . Having represented Middlesex's youth sides and Second XI, Stirling signed a contract... |
1,349 | 40.87 |
| 4 | Niall O'Brien Niall O'Brien (cricketer) Niall John O'Brien is an Irish cricketer educated at Marian College, Ballsbridge. He is a left-handed batsman and wicket-keeper. O'Brien's brother Kevin plays with him in the Irish team... |
1,198 | 26.62 |
| 5 | Gary Wilson Gary Wilson (cricketer) Gary Craig Wilson is an Irish cricketer who attended Methodist College Belfast. He is a right-handed batsman and a wicket-keeper. He has played for the Ireland cricket team since 2004, when he participated in the Under 19s World Cup. Two years later, he participated in the competition for the... |
908 | 29.29 |
| 6 | Eoin Morgan Eoin Morgan Eoin Joseph Gerard Morgan is an Irish cricketer who plays for the England national cricket team. A left-handed batsman, he plays county cricket for Middlesex and has been selected for England's Test, ODI and Twenty20 squads. He originally represented his native Ireland at international level... |
744 | 35.42 |
| 7 | Andrew White Andrew White (cricketer) Andrew Roland White is an Irish cricketer, who played in the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies, where Ireland reached the Super 8 stage. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm off-break bowler. He has played with Northamptonshire since 2005, and with Ireland since 2002... |
731 | 18.74 |
| 8 | Andre Botha Andre Botha (cricketer) Andre Cornelius Botha is a former South African-born Irish cricketer. He played 55 times in all for Ireland, including the 2005 ICC Trophy and the European Championship in 2004 and 2006... |
666 | 19.58 |
| 9 | John Mooney John Mooney (cricketer) John Francis Mooney is an Irish cricketer. A left-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-pace bowler, Mooney made his first-class debut in 2004. He had previously represented Ireland in the Under-19s World Cup of 2000 and has captained Ireland A. He made his One Day International debut in... |
665 | 24.62 |
| 10 | Alex Cusack Alex Cusack Alex Richard Cusack is an Australian-born Irish cricketer. A club cricketer for Clontarf, Cusack was a carpenter by trade until he was granted a professional contract with the Irish Cricket Union in 2009. He is a middle-order right-handed batsman and bowls right-arm medium-fast. Cusack made his... |
650 | 26.00 |
| 11 | Trent Johnston Trent Johnston David Trent Johnston usually known as Trent Johnston is an Australian-born Irish cricketer... |
645 | 20.15 |
Most ODI wickets for Ireland
| Player | Wickets | Average | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trent Johnston Trent Johnston David Trent Johnston usually known as Trent Johnston is an Australian-born Irish cricketer... |
59 | 30.89 | 5/14 |
| Kevin O'Brien Kevin O'Brien (cricketer) Kevin Joseph O'Brien is an Irish cricketer who plays for Railway Union Cricket Club and Gloucestershire. He holds the world record for the fastest century ever scored at a World Cup, coming from 50 balls against England on 2 March 2011. An all-rounder, O'Brien is an aggressive right-handed... |
49 | 30.42 | 4/71 |
| Andre Botha Andre Botha (cricketer) Andre Cornelius Botha is a former South African-born Irish cricketer. He played 55 times in all for Ireland, including the 2005 ICC Trophy and the European Championship in 2004 and 2006... |
42 | 27.00 | 4/19 |
| Boyd Rankin Boyd Rankin William Boyd Rankin is an Irish cricketer, from Derry, Northern Ireland. He is a right-arm medium-fast bowler.William is a tall bowler who stands at 6 ft 8 inches and has a distinctive bouncing action in his bowling... |
42 | 32.26 | 3/32 |
| Alex Cusack Alex Cusack Alex Richard Cusack is an Australian-born Irish cricketer. A club cricketer for Clontarf, Cusack was a carpenter by trade until he was granted a professional contract with the Irish Cricket Union in 2009. He is a middle-order right-handed batsman and bowls right-arm medium-fast. Cusack made his... |
41 | 23.12 | 5/20 |
| Kyle McCallan Kyle McCallan William Kyle McCallan, MBE , usually known as Kyle McCallan, is an Irish cricketer. A right-handed batsman and off spin bowler, he has played more times for the Ireland cricket team than any other player, more than 40 caps ahead of the next player in the table, the retired Peter Gillespie... |
39 | 30.97 | 4/30 |
| John Mooney John Mooney (cricketer) John Francis Mooney is an Irish cricketer. A left-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-pace bowler, Mooney made his first-class debut in 2004. He had previously represented Ireland in the Under-19s World Cup of 2000 and has captained Ireland A. He made his One Day International debut in... |
33 | 28.09 | 4/27 |
| George Dockrell George Dockrell George Henry Dockrell is an Irish cricketer. Dockrell is right-handed batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler who plays international cricket for Ireland after learning his cricket at Leinster Cricket Club, Dublin. He was a member of the class of 2010 in Gonzaga College, DublinDockrell has... |
32 | 27.46 | 4/35 |
| Andrew White Andrew White (cricketer) Andrew Roland White is an Irish cricketer, who played in the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies, where Ireland reached the Super 8 stage. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm off-break bowler. He has played with Northamptonshire since 2005, and with Ireland since 2002... |
25 | 25.00 | 4/44 |
| Dave Langford-Smith Dave Langford-Smith David "Dave" Langford-Smith is an Australian-born Irish cricketer who, on 13 June 2006, became the first man to take a wicket in a One Day International for Ireland, when he dismissed Ed Joyce at Belfast... |
25 | 31.88 | 3/32 |
Highest ODI score for Ireland
| Player | Runs | Opposition (Date) |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Stirling Paul Stirling Paul Robert Stirling is an Irish cricketer. He debuted in first-class cricket in March 2008, playing for Ireland in the Intercontinental Cup. The same year Stirling made his debut in One Day Internationals . Having represented Middlesex's youth sides and Second XI, Stirling signed a contract... |
177 | Canada, 7 September 2010 |
| Kevin O'Brien Kevin O'Brien (cricketer) Kevin Joseph O'Brien is an Irish cricketer who plays for Railway Union Cricket Club and Gloucestershire. He holds the world record for the fastest century ever scored at a World Cup, coming from 50 balls against England on 2 March 2011. An all-rounder, O'Brien is an aggressive right-handed... |
142 | Kenya, 2 February 2007 |
| Jeremy Bray Jeremy Bray (cricketer) Jeremy Paul Bray is a former Australian-born Irish cricketer. He is a left-handed top order batsman. Bray was the Player of the Championships at the 1992–93 Australian Under-19 Cricket Championships in Brisbane and was selected for the Australian Under-19 side, playing two Youth Tests and one... |
116 | Scotland, 30 January 2007 |
| Jeremy Bray Jeremy Bray (cricketer) Jeremy Paul Bray is a former Australian-born Irish cricketer. He is a left-handed top order batsman. Bray was the Player of the Championships at the 1992–93 Australian Under-19 Cricket Championships in Brisbane and was selected for the Australian Under-19 side, playing two Youth Tests and one... |
115* | Zimbabwe, 15 March 2007 |
| Eoin Morgan Eoin Morgan Eoin Joseph Gerard Morgan is an Irish cricketer who plays for the England national cricket team. A left-handed batsman, he plays county cricket for Middlesex and has been selected for England's Test, ODI and Twenty20 squads. He originally represented his native Ireland at international level... |
115 | Canada, 4 February 2007 |
| Kevin O'Brien Kevin O'Brien (cricketer) Kevin Joseph O'Brien is an Irish cricketer who plays for Railway Union Cricket Club and Gloucestershire. He holds the world record for the fastest century ever scored at a World Cup, coming from 50 balls against England on 2 March 2011. An all-rounder, O'Brien is an aggressive right-handed... |
113 | England, 2 March 2011 |
| Paul Stirling Paul Stirling Paul Robert Stirling is an Irish cricketer. He debuted in first-class cricket in March 2008, playing for Ireland in the Intercontinental Cup. The same year Stirling made his debut in One Day Internationals . Having represented Middlesex's youth sides and Second XI, Stirling signed a contract... |
113 | Scotland, 12 July 2011 |
| Gary Wilson Gary Wilson (cricketer) Gary Craig Wilson is an Irish cricketer who attended Methodist College Belfast. He is a right-handed batsman and a wicket-keeper. He has played for the Ireland cricket team since 2004, when he participated in the Under 19s World Cup. Two years later, he participated in the competition for the... |
113 | Netherlands, 16 August 2010 |
| William Porterfield William Porterfield William Thomas Stuart Porterfield in Donemana, Northern Ireland, is an Irish cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and the captain of the Ireland cricket team. He has played for the senior Ireland since 2006 and the Under-19s since 2003... |
112* | Bermuda, 31 January 2007 |
| Paul Stirling Paul Stirling Paul Robert Stirling is an Irish cricketer. He debuted in first-class cricket in March 2008, playing for Ireland in the Intercontinental Cup. The same year Stirling made his debut in One Day Internationals . Having represented Middlesex's youth sides and Second XI, Stirling signed a contract... |
109 | Pakistan, 30 May 2011 |
| William Porterfield William Porterfield William Thomas Stuart Porterfield in Donemana, Northern Ireland, is an Irish cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and the captain of the Ireland cricket team. He has played for the senior Ireland since 2006 and the Under-19s since 2003... |
108 | Bangladesh, 15 July 2010 |
- bold – still playing for Ireland
ODI record versus other nations
| vs Test nations | ||||||
| Opponent | M | W | L | T | NR | First win |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| v | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 15 April 2007 |
| v | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 17 March 2007 |
| v | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 30 September 2010 |
| v | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 March 2011 |
| v | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| v | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| v | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| v | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| v | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| v | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| vs other nations | ||||||
| Opponent | M | W | L | T | NR | First win |
| v | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 August 2006 |
| v | 8 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 24 August 2008 |
| v | 8 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 11 July 2007 |
| v | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 April 2009 |
| v | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 July 2010 |
| v | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 January 2007 |
ICC Trophy/ICC World Cup Qualifier
- Highest team total: 315/8 v BermudaBermudian cricket teamThe Bermudian cricket team is the team representing Bermuda in the sport of cricket, governed by the Bermuda Cricket Board. The Bermuda Cricket Board was elected to Associate Membership of the International Cricket Council, the global ruling body for the sport, in 1966...
, 1 July 2005 at Civil Service Cricket ClubCivil Service Cricket ClubCivil Service Cricket Club is one of Ireland's oldest cricket clubs. Formed in 1863 in Dublin's Phoenix Park, the club currently has over 40 members and competes in league and cup competitions arranged by The Leinster Cricket Union....
, BelfastBelfastBelfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern IrelandNorthern IrelandNorthern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west... - Highest individual innings: 127 not out, Alan LewisAlan LewisDavid Alan Lewis is an Irish former cricketer and current Rugby Union referee. His father Ian also played cricket for Ireland...
v GibraltarGibraltar cricket teamThe Gibraltar national cricket team is the team that represents the British overseas territory of Gibraltar in international cricket. They have been an associate member of the International Cricket Council since 1969. They are currently ranked sixth amongst European non-Test teams.-Early...
, 24 March 1997 at Kuala LumpurKuala LumpurKuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, Malaysia - Best innings bowling: 5/14, Trent JohnstonTrent JohnstonDavid Trent Johnston usually known as Trent Johnston is an Australian-born Irish cricketer...
v CanadaCanadian cricket teamThe Canada cricket team is the national cricket team representing Canada in men's international competition. It is run by Cricket Canada.While Canada is not sanctioned to play Test matches, the team does take part in One Day International matches and also in first-class games against other...
, 19 April 2009 at SuperSport Park, CenturionCenturion, GautengCenturion is an area with 279,430 inhabitants in Gauteng Province of South Africa, located between Pretoria and Midrand . Formerly an independent municipality, with its own town council, it is now part of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality...
, South AfricaSouth AfricaThe Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
First-class
- Highest team total: 578/4 declared v Kenya, 11 October 2008, ICC Intercontinental Cup match at Gymkhana, Nairobi
- Highest individual innings:
Rank Player Score Opponents Competition Date and Venue 1 Eoin Morgan Eoin MorganEoin Joseph Gerard Morgan is an Irish cricketer who plays for the England national cricket team. A left-handed batsman, he plays county cricket for Middlesex and has been selected for England's Test, ODI and Twenty20 squads. He originally represented his native Ireland at international level...209* UAE United Arab Emirates cricket teamThe United Arab Emirates national cricket team is the team that represents the country of the United Arab Emirates in international cricket matches...
ICC Intercontinental Cup 11 February 2007, Abu Dhabi 2 Jeremy Bray Jeremy Bray (cricketer)Jeremy Paul Bray is a former Australian-born Irish cricketer. He is a left-handed top order batsman. Bray was the Player of the Championships at the 1992–93 Australian Under-19 Cricket Championships in Brisbane and was selected for the Australian Under-19 side, playing two Youth Tests and one...190 UAE ICC Intercontinental Cup 25 February 2005, Windhoek 3 Andre Botha Andre Botha (cricketer)Andre Cornelius Botha is a former South African-born Irish cricketer. He played 55 times in all for Ireland, including the 2005 ICC Trophy and the European Championship in 2004 and 2006...
186 Scotland ICC Intercontinental Cup 9 August 2007, Belfast 4 Niall O'Brien Niall O'Brien (cricketer)Niall John O'Brien is an Irish cricketer educated at Marian College, Ballsbridge. He is a left-handed batsman and wicket-keeper. O'Brien's brother Kevin plays with him in the Irish team...
176 UAE ICC Intercontinental Cup ICC Intercontinental CupThe ICC Intercontinental Cup is a cricket tournament organised by the International Cricket Council as part of its cricket development programme...
23 October 2005, Windhoek 5 Niall O'Brien Niall O'Brien (cricketer)Niall John O'Brien is an Irish cricketer educated at Marian College, Ballsbridge. He is a left-handed batsman and wicket-keeper. O'Brien's brother Kevin plays with him in the Irish team...
174 UAE ICC Intercontinental Cup 6 March 2008, Abu Dhabi 6 Andre Botha Andre Botha (cricketer)Andre Cornelius Botha is a former South African-born Irish cricketer. He played 55 times in all for Ireland, including the 2005 ICC Trophy and the European Championship in 2004 and 2006...
172 Netherlands ICC Intercontinental Cup 9 July 2008, Rotterham 7 Kevin O'Brien Kevin O'Brien (cricketer)Kevin Joseph O'Brien is an Irish cricketer who plays for Railway Union Cricket Club and Gloucestershire. He holds the world record for the fastest century ever scored at a World Cup, coming from 50 balls against England on 2 March 2011. An all-rounder, O'Brien is an aggressive right-handed...
171* Kenya ICC Intercontinental Cup 11 October 2008, Nairobi 8 Sir Tim O'Brien Sir Tim O'Brien, 3rd BaronetSir Timothy "Tim" Carew O'Brien, 3rd Baronet was born at Dublin on 5 November 1861 and died at Ramsey, Isle of Man on 9 December 1948. He was an Irish baronet who played cricket for England in five Test matches....
167 Oxford University University match 26 May 1902, Oxford 9 William Porterfield William PorterfieldWilliam Thomas Stuart Porterfield in Donemana, Northern Ireland, is an Irish cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and the captain of the Ireland cricket team. He has played for the senior Ireland since 2006 and the Under-19s since 2003...
166 Bermuda ICC Intercontinental Cup 23 August 2007, Dublin 10 Andre Botha Andre Botha (cricketer)Andre Cornelius Botha is a former South African-born Irish cricketer. He played 55 times in all for Ireland, including the 2005 ICC Trophy and the European Championship in 2004 and 2006...
157 UAE ICC Intercontinental Cup 10 February 2007, Abu Dhabi
Note: Ivan Anderson's
Ivan Anderson
Ivan John Anderson is a former Irish cricketer. He was a right-handed batsman and a right-arm off-break bowler....
198* v Canada was in a non first-class match
Most first-class runs
| Rank | | Player | Total Runs | Matches | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanley Bergin Stanley Bergin Stanley Francis Bergin was an Irish cricketer.A left-handed batsman, he made his debut for Ireland against Yorkshire in July 1949. He went onto play for Ireland on 53 occasions, his last match coming against Hampshire in September 1965... |
1,610 | 27 | 34.26 |
| 2 | Andre Botha Andre Botha (cricketer) Andre Cornelius Botha is a former South African-born Irish cricketer. He played 55 times in all for Ireland, including the 2005 ICC Trophy and the European Championship in 2004 and 2006... |
1,367 | 22 | 45.57 |
| 3 | Andrew White Andrew White (cricketer) Andrew Roland White is an Irish cricketer, who played in the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies, where Ireland reached the Super 8 stage. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm off-break bowler. He has played with Northamptonshire since 2005, and with Ireland since 2002... |
1,105 | 19 | 61.39 |
| 4 | Niall O'Brien Niall O'Brien (cricketer) Niall John O'Brien is an Irish cricketer educated at Marian College, Ballsbridge. He is a left-handed batsman and wicket-keeper. O'Brien's brother Kevin plays with him in the Irish team... |
1,091 | 12 | 68.19 |
| 5 | Bob Lambert Bob Lambert Robert James Hamilton "Bob" Lambert was an Irish cricketer. A right-handed batsman and a right-arm off spin bowler, he played 51 times for the Ireland cricket team between 1893 and 1930, including 23 first-class matches, captaining them on thirteen occasions... |
1,018 | 23 | 27.51 |
| 6 | Jeremy Bray Jeremy Bray (cricketer) Jeremy Paul Bray is a former Australian-born Irish cricketer. He is a left-handed top order batsman. Bray was the Player of the Championships at the 1992–93 Australian Under-19 Cricket Championships in Brisbane and was selected for the Australian Under-19 side, playing two Youth Tests and one... |
998 | 12 | 52.53 |
Most first-class wickets
| Rank | | Player | Total Wickets | Caps | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | James Boucher James Boucher James Chrysostom "Jimmy" Boucher James Chrysostom "Jimmy" Boucher James Chrysostom "Jimmy" Boucher (born 22 December 1910 in Dublin, died 25 December 1995 in Spain was an Irish cricketer. He was a right-handed batsman and off-break bowler.... |
168 | 28 | 14.04 |
| 2 | Trent Johnston Trent Johnston David Trent Johnston usually known as Trent Johnston is an Australian-born Irish cricketer... |
82 | 22 | 16.54 |
| 3 | Alec O'Riordan | 75 | 25 | 21.39 |
| 4 | Dermott Monteith Dermott monteith James Dermott Monteith was an Irish international cricketer. Monteith was a right-handed batsman who bowled Slow left-arm orthodox... |
70 | 19 | 18.96 |
| 5 | Bob Lambert Bob Lambert Robert James Hamilton "Bob" Lambert was an Irish cricketer. A right-handed batsman and a right-arm off spin bowler, he played 51 times for the Ireland cricket team between 1893 and 1930, including 23 first-class matches, captaining them on thirteen occasions... |
67 | 23 | 23.03 |
| 6 | Scott Huey Scott Huey Samuel Scott Johnston Huey, usually known as Scott Huey is an Irish former cricketer. A right-handed batsman and left-arm orthodox spin bowler, he played 36 times for the Ireland cricket team between 1951 and 1966 including twenty first-class matches... |
66 | 20 | 18.23 |
Twenty20 Internationals
- Ireland have won 7 of their 17 T20Is (0.87 win/loss ratio) as off 4 July 2010.
- W7, L8, NR2
- 2 wins over Scotland are the most over any side.
- Ireland have beaten only one Test nation, Bangledash, in T20Is, 8 June 2009.
- Home record: 4 games – 3 wins, 0 losses, 0 aband., 1 n/r.
- Ireland are unbeaten at home in T20Is
- All 4 home T20Is were played in Belfast
- Highest team score: 172/8 (20 ov.) v Canada, 3 February 2010 at Colombo (SSC), Sri Lanka
- Lowest team score: 14/1 (3.3 ov.) v England, 4 May 2010 at Providence, Guyana
- Best innings bowling: 4/18, Alex CusackAlex CusackAlex Richard Cusack is an Australian-born Irish cricketer. A club cricketer for Clontarf, Cusack was a carpenter by trade until he was granted a professional contract with the Irish Cricket Union in 2009. He is a middle-order right-handed batsman and bowls right-arm medium-fast. Cusack made his...
v Sri Lanka, 14 June 2009 at Lords, England - Record Partnership Score: 59 by William PorterfieldWilliam PorterfieldWilliam Thomas Stuart Porterfield in Donemana, Northern Ireland, is an Irish cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and the captain of the Ireland cricket team. He has played for the senior Ireland since 2006 and the Under-19s since 2003...
& Niall O'BrienNiall O'Brien (cricketer)Niall John O'Brien is an Irish cricketer educated at Marian College, Ballsbridge. He is a left-handed batsman and wicket-keeper. O'Brien's brother Kevin plays with him in the Irish team...
v Sri Lanka at Lords, England on 14 June 2009.
Most Twenty20 runs for Ireland
| Player | Runs | Average |
|---|---|---|
| William Porterfield William Porterfield William Thomas Stuart Porterfield in Donemana, Northern Ireland, is an Irish cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and the captain of the Ireland cricket team. He has played for the senior Ireland since 2006 and the Under-19s since 2003... |
263 | 17.53 |
| Niall O'Brien Niall O'Brien (cricketer) Niall John O'Brien is an Irish cricketer educated at Marian College, Ballsbridge. He is a left-handed batsman and wicket-keeper. O'Brien's brother Kevin plays with him in the Irish team... |
260 | 18.57 |
| Gary Wilson Gary Wilson (cricketer) Gary Craig Wilson is an Irish cricketer who attended Methodist College Belfast. He is a right-handed batsman and a wicket-keeper. He has played for the Ireland cricket team since 2004, when he participated in the Under 19s World Cup. Two years later, he participated in the competition for the... |
193 | 16.08 |
| Alex Cusack Alex Cusack Alex Richard Cusack is an Australian-born Irish cricketer. A club cricketer for Clontarf, Cusack was a carpenter by trade until he was granted a professional contract with the Irish Cricket Union in 2009. He is a middle-order right-handed batsman and bowls right-arm medium-fast. Cusack made his... |
155 | 15.50 |
| John Mooney John Mooney (cricketer) John Francis Mooney is an Irish cricketer. A left-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-pace bowler, Mooney made his first-class debut in 2004. He had previously represented Ireland in the Under-19s World Cup of 2000 and has captained Ireland A. He made his One Day International debut in... |
140 | 17.50 |
| Andrew White Andrew White (cricketer) Andrew Roland White is an Irish cricketer, who played in the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies, where Ireland reached the Super 8 stage. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm off-break bowler. He has played with Northamptonshire since 2005, and with Ireland since 2002... |
131 | 26.20 |
Most Twenty20 wickets for Ireland
| Player | Wickets | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Andre Botha Andre Botha (cricketer) Andre Cornelius Botha is a former South African-born Irish cricketer. He played 55 times in all for Ireland, including the 2005 ICC Trophy and the European Championship in 2004 and 2006... |
21 | 8.76 |
| Trent Johnston Trent Johnston David Trent Johnston usually known as Trent Johnston is an Australian-born Irish cricketer... |
20 | 16.75 |
| Alex Cusack Alex Cusack Alex Richard Cusack is an Australian-born Irish cricketer. A club cricketer for Clontarf, Cusack was a carpenter by trade until he was granted a professional contract with the Irish Cricket Union in 2009. He is a middle-order right-handed batsman and bowls right-arm medium-fast. Cusack made his... |
17 | 18.88 |
| George Dockrell George Dockrell George Henry Dockrell is an Irish cricketer. Dockrell is right-handed batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler who plays international cricket for Ireland after learning his cricket at Leinster Cricket Club, Dublin. He was a member of the class of 2010 in Gonzaga College, DublinDockrell has... |
12 | 11.00 |
| Peter Connell Peter Connell Peter Connell is a New Zealander-born Irish cricketer. An opening bowler, he made his debut for Ireland in 2008, aged 26. He took part in Ireland's successful campaign in the 2007–08 ICC Intercontinental Cup... |
10 | 15.60 |
| Kyle McCallan Kyle McCallan William Kyle McCallan, MBE , usually known as Kyle McCallan, is an Irish cricketer. A right-handed batsman and off spin bowler, he has played more times for the Ireland cricket team than any other player, more than 40 caps ahead of the next player in the table, the retired Peter Gillespie... |
8 | 19.00 |
Highest Twenty20 score for Ireland
| Player | Runs | Opposition, Date |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Cusack Alex Cusack Alex Richard Cusack is an Australian-born Irish cricketer. A club cricketer for Clontarf, Cusack was a carpenter by trade until he was granted a professional contract with the Irish Cricket Union in 2009. He is a middle-order right-handed batsman and bowls right-arm medium-fast. Cusack made his... |
65 | Netherlands, 13 Feb 2010 |
| Niall O'Brien Niall O'Brien (cricketer) Niall John O'Brien is an Irish cricketer educated at Marian College, Ballsbridge. He is a left-handed batsman and wicket-keeper. O'Brien's brother Kevin plays with him in the Irish team... |
50 | Canada, 3 Feb 2010 |
| William Porterfield William Porterfield William Thomas Stuart Porterfield in Donemana, Northern Ireland, is an Irish cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and the captain of the Ireland cricket team. He has played for the senior Ireland since 2006 and the Under-19s since 2003... |
46 | Afghanistan, 1 Feb 2010 |
| Niall O'Brien Niall O'Brien (cricketer) Niall John O'Brien is an Irish cricketer educated at Marian College, Ballsbridge. He is a left-handed batsman and wicket-keeper. O'Brien's brother Kevin plays with him in the Irish team... |
40 | Bangladesh, 8 June 2009 |
| William Porterfield William Porterfield William Thomas Stuart Porterfield in Donemana, Northern Ireland, is an Irish cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and the captain of the Ireland cricket team. He has played for the senior Ireland since 2006 and the Under-19s since 2003... |
40 | Pakistan, 15 June 2009 |
| Kevin O'Brien Kevin O'Brien (cricketer) Kevin Joseph O'Brien is an Irish cricketer who plays for Railway Union Cricket Club and Gloucestershire. He holds the world record for the fastest century ever scored at a World Cup, coming from 50 balls against England on 2 March 2011. An all-rounder, O'Brien is an aggressive right-handed... |
39* | Bangladesh, 8 June 2009 |
- bold – still playing for Ireland
See also
- Cricket in IrelandCricket in IrelandCricket is a long established sport in Ireland. Cricket is governed by Cricket Ireland, which maintains the Ireland Cricket team and Ireland women's cricket team. Following the team's success in 2007 Cricket World Cup, the sport increased its fanbase in Ireland...
- Irish national cricket captainsIrish national cricket captainsThis is a list of all cricketers who have captained Ireland in an official international match. This includes the ICC Trophy, Under-19 games and One Day Internationals. The table is correct as of the 2007 Cricket World Cup.- One Day Internationals :...
- Irish U-19 cricket teamIrish U-19 cricket teamThe Ireland Under-19 cricket team represents All-Ireland in Under-19 international cricket.Ireland recently won the 2009 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier which was held in Canada. The team gained victories over the U-19 teams of Hong Kong, Canada, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Vanuatu, the...
- Irish women's cricket teamIrish women's cricket teamThe Irish women's cricket team is the team that represents Ireland in international women's cricket matches. Unlike their male counterparts, they currently have both Test and ODI status...
- List of Irish ODI cricketers