Ireland Cricket Team Guide
The Ireland cricket team represents the whole of Ireland, it is a full ICC member and is governed by Cricket Ireland. Due to its ICC status, they participate in some of the largest cricket tournaments such as the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup, the ICC T20 World Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy.
History of Ireland Cricket Team
The Ireland cricket team first became associate members of the ICC in 1993 but it wasn’t until 2006 that they played a full ODI against England. That match was in the build up to the 2007 ICC ODI Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean the first time they had qualified for a world event. They performed well at that tournament and have picked up many notable results at other ICC events since. In 2018, the Ireland cricket team made its debut in Test cricket at home to the Pakistan national cricket team.
Where Does The Ireland Cricket Team Play?
The main base for the Ireland cricket team is in the picturesque Malahide ground close to Dublin, they also play matches at Stormont in Northern Ireland.
Former Captains Of The Ireland Cricket Team
William Poterfield holds the distinction of leading out the Ireland cricket team for its first test match in May 2018 against Pakistan. He played over 300 international matches for the Ireland cricket team before retirement in 2022.
Australian born Trent Johnson was the first captain of the Ireland cricket team in an official ICC One Day International. Having played first class cricket in Australia, he qualified for an Irish passport after meeting his wife playing club cricket in Ireland. His greatest moment was in 2007 when he led the Ireland cricket team to memorable victories over Pakistan and the Bangladesh national cricket team, with Ireland finishing a creditable 8th in their first World Cup.
Top Run Scorers In Ireland Cricket Team History
Burly opening batsman Paul Stirling has hit 9111 international runs for the Ireland cricket team to date.
Top Wicket Takers In Ireland Cricket Team History
Left arm spinner George Dockrell has 187 international wickets for the Ireland cricket team.
Memorable Games For The Ireland Cricket Team
Bangalore March 2011 is a moment that will go down in Irish cricketering folklore. In just their second World Cup not many would have given them much of a chance of overhauling England’s 327/8. Especially when their reply started with captain William Poterfield being bowled first ball by James Anderson. Defeat looked fairly routine when Gary Wilson was out in the 25th over leaving the Ireland cricket team 111/5. Enter Kevin O’Brien. The all rounder smashed the ball to all parts scoring a remarkable 113 off just 63 balls, aided by Alex Cusack (47) he turned the game on its head leading the Ireland cricket team to the brink of a famous victory. He was out at the start of the 49th over but John Mooney held his nerves to hit the winning runs with 5 balls to spare, sparking joyous scenes.
Stunning a major nation wasn’t a new thing at a World Cup for the Ireland cricket team. Pakistan were also on the wrong side of this in 2007 in Jamaica. The Irish bowled out Pakistan for just 132, the chase wasn’t a formality on a tricky pitch but the other of the O’Brien brothers Niall was the hero on this occasion scoring 72 leaving skipper Trent Johnson to smash the winning runs to see the Ireland cricket team home by 3 wickets causing a major upset.
Rivals Of The Ireland Cricket Team
Ireland would regard the England cricket team as their biggest rivals. Although matchups against their neighbouring nation haven’t been frequent, matchups in other sports between these two nations always prove to be fierce.
