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Ireland and Afghanistan confirmed as Full Members, eligible to play Test cricket

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: <a href="https://twitter.com/ACBofficials">@ACBofficials</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Irelandcricket">@Irelandcricket</a> confirmed as Full Members after a unanimous vote at ICC Full Council meeting.<br><br>More to follow... <a href="https://t.co/HXCw2HwDAW">pic.twitter.com/HXCw2HwDAW</a></p>— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/877894746726952960">June 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Afghanistan and Ireland were today confirmed as Full Members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) after a unanimous vote at the ICC Full Council meeting at the Oval. Both will now be eligible to play Test cricket following a Membership Committee recommendation that the respective Full Member applications from each met the newly approved membership criteria and should be put forward for approval.

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: “I’d like to congratulate Afghanistan and Ireland on their Full Membership status which is the result of their dedication to improving performance both off and on the field resulting in the significant development and growth of cricket in their respective countries. Both have clearly demonstrated they meet the new criteria and as such have made the progression to Full Membership.”

Afghanistan Cricket Board Chief Executive Shafiq Stanikzai said: “For a nation like Afghanistan it is a huge and remarkable achievement, the entire nation will be celebrating across all five regions and different provinces, it is the perfect Eid gift. Everyone has waited for this news and has been so keen to hear this news. Afghanistan Cricket has gone from strength to strength and we dared to dream that this would happen and today it has become a reality.

“I would like to thank the ICC and the Board who have demonstrated today that they are committed to growing the global game and rewarding nations who are performing on and off the field. As an administrator every achievement is huge and it opens the doors to new challenges and we need to work hard to maintain and sustain our development at the top of the cricket world.”

Cricket Ireland Chief Executive Warren Deutrom said: “We are delighted and proud with today’s historic announcement. It is an extraordinary testament to the talent and endeavour of thousands of passionate players, coaches, volunteers, staff, clubs and committee people.

“We would like to thank most sincerely the ICC and its members for bestowing this honour on us today. It is a reflection not just of our past achievements but of our potential to grow our great game. We shall spend the next 24 hours marking the moment and celebrating this great day for Irish cricket and next week the hard work of planning to transition to full membership and Test status begins in earnest.”

The decision followed the unanimous adoption of an extensively revised constitution for the ICC which in addition to transforming the membership process through the adoption of new membership criteria, introduced a female Independent Director and a Deputy Chairman and equalised Board voting.

The Membership Committee which will consider all future requests for membership – full and associate – against an objective set of criteria. In addition Affiliate Membership has now been removed leaving only Full and Associate Members, with all previously categorised Affiliate Members becoming Associate Members.

The voting composition of the ICC Board will also change so that every Board Member – including Full Member and Associate Member Directors, as well as the Independent Chairman and Independent Director – will each have equal votes, with a two-thirds majority necessary for a resolution to be approved. In future, the Chairman of the Associate Members (who comprises one of the three Associate Member Directors) will also be required to be independent of any Member Board.




Exciting times.

Hope you go to the first home test @Donal_Cozzie
 
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Congrats.

Both need to win ODI's and T20's against big teams often to be taken more seriously at Test level. Unfortunately they don't get many chances to play big teams.

Irish do get a couple of games every now and then against teams touring England. But they always fail miserably and show no signs of improvement.
 
Congrats to respective Ireland and Afghanistan fans.

Exciting times, hopefully this move pays off and we have two more competitive teams at the pinnacle of the game!

:messi:amir
 
I don't get what ICC is after. On one hand they are restricting the World Cup to 10 teams which is horrible when it comes to spreading the game globally and gives fewer chances to small teams.

And on the other hand, they are giving Test status to minnows like Ireland and Afghanistan. I'm sorry but they simply aren't good enough and don't deserve it. If anything, they should take Test status away from Zimbabwe and keep Test cricket to 9 teams.
 
Afghanistan owes it to Pakistan for this. They had nothing back in 2004/5 and it was PCB that introduced Afghanistan as a team in Pakistan domestic. That followed by providing them facilities in Pakistan.
Only if Afghanistan board can reciprocate 1% of that, things would've been better.
 
ahmedzee said:
Afghanistan owes it to Pakistan for this. They had nothing back in 2004/5 and it was PCB that introduced Afghanistan as a team in Pakistan domestic. That followed by providing them facilities in Pakistan.
Only if Afghanistan board can reciprocate 1% of that, things would've been better.
Click to expand...

Yet they will never admit it. They are such snakes. All their cricketers learned and played cricket in Pakistan. And they have the audacity to call us terrorists and cancel that friendly series with us. It's us who should have been thinking about arranging that series in the first place considering they are a minnow team and how unsafe their country is.
 
Congrats to both nation.

Is it effective from now or from 2019?
 
about time, cricket desperately needs more teams...

Afg and Ire should start playing test cricket immediately, especially with WI, Zim, maybe even Bangla... should create some competitive test matches
 
Pakistan should arrange a full series with Afghanistan during this long break in UAE.
 
KhalidRafi said:
I don't get what ICC is after. On one hand they are restricting the World Cup to 10 teams which is horrible when it comes to spreading the game globally and gives fewer chances to small teams.

And on the other hand, they are giving Test status to minnows like Ireland and Afghanistan. I'm sorry but they simply aren't good enough and don't deserve it. If anything, they should take Test status away from Zimbabwe and keep Test cricket to 9 teams.
Click to expand...

What a defeatist statement. Cricket is the only world sport that prevents all teams from playing all formats at once, and it's ridiculous. If a team can put up the funds and players, and find a willing opponent, then they should be allowed to play any format they want.
 
But KP says test cricket will be extinct in five years.....

I look forward to the inaugural Anglo-Irish test match.
 
Honestly I wouldn't mind if we could get a short series like 2 tests and 3 ODIs against Ireland in Ireland in August. I wouldn't mind playing Afghanistan but they wont. We can try new bats for the test matches and let our new bowlers like Abbas and Hasan Ali also settle in a bit. Plus there won't be too much of a risk of us losing... I hope:inti
 
Great decision I can see Afghanistan replicating Pakistan's Sudden rise. They have to find their Fazal Mehmood First
 
Wrong decisions. Ireland doesn't have the support for cricket to make it into a strong test nation. Afghanistan has the numbers but it is young, and doesn't have much of a domestic structure yet.

Both should have focused on limited overs. Having said that think this is probably in name anyway, I cant think of many sides who will want to face Afghanistan and Ireland in a test series, as it won't be very profitable at all.

Just making the same mistake as Bangladesh, given tests far too early, when they should have been given it around now. Teams need to become a force in LOI before tests, otherwise the gap is simply too big. Bangladesh should have been given test status about now, rather than 20 years ago or however long it was when they first got it.
 
Congratulations to both Afghanistan and Ireland for getting this status.

To all the people criticising this move and calling them not good enough I can just say that the only way they can improve is by playing more and more and when they are not left to the sun.Sure,they might not be the world beaters at present but by playing more and more they can become much improved players and consequently much improved team.

This was exactly the case with someone like Sri Lanka when they were given thd status in 1982(?) But over the yers theh have improved.We do need many more countries playing cricket.That would be great to see.
 
troodon said:
Congrats.

Both need to win ODI's and T20's against big teams often to be taken more seriously at Test level. Unfortunately they don't get many chances to play big teams.

Irish do get a couple of games every now and then against teams touring England. But they always fail miserably and show no signs of improvement.
Click to expand...

Ireland will never become a strong team so long as cricket is such a minor sport there. They just don't have the numbers or the interest. And quite frankly don't see that changing, since Ireland plays so many different sports. Afghanistan at least may throw their weight behind cricket as there aren't many other sports they do, and some of the neighbouring countries are cricketing countries.

Honestly think the best idea would be to combine England and Ireland, similar to west Indies. Wales and England are already combined (I realise Ireland isn't part of UK but West Indies is a collection of countries). That way the best irish players get to compete on a big international stage. A lot of the best irish players tend to play English county cricket anyway. But of course can't see this happening as don't think the countries will join together like that.

Ireland's problems have never been they can't get test cricket, it is more the lacking interest in their sport and lack of games (even LOI matches would do). I don't think this will stop Irish players going to England either, main reason they left wasn't test cricket, it was to compete on the big stage. Sure Morgan would have left even if there was no test cricket in England (and has happily stayed in England playing LOI), its more to do with the ambition of playing for a bigger team which has a chance to win tournaments, compete at a high level. At Ireland, he was never going to get that recognition, Ireland just aren't a big enough team.
 
I can see Ireland progressing into one of the better Test teams in a decade or so. Afghanistan on the other hand will struggle.
 
ExpressPacer said:
I can see Ireland progressing into one of the better Test teams in a decade or so. Afghanistan on the other hand will struggle.
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Disagree. Afghanistan have been superior to Ireland since 2015. Afghanistan also have a larger population therefore a larger pool of players. I reckon Afghanistan could definitely become a force in international cricket, will definitely beat a few more big teams in the years to come, maybe not in tests yet but definitely in ODI's and T20s. Overall, happy that both countries have been awarded test status
 
Great! especially for Afghanistan, ACB will be keen on the PCB's good will aiding their progression at the Test level via some friendly Tests........oh wait :yk2
 
I feel this is an excellent move.

Ireland will find many good players now from the English counties. Players who have Irish links and can't get into the England team will now look to play for Ireland. Morgan should jump ship back to Ireland, skipper the team in all formats. Yes there is the world cup soon but he could help Ireland cricket move ahead instantly.

Afghanistan won't be playing at home and may use the UAE but will struggle against the better teams early on. They have a good leggie and some decent paceman, so taking 20 wickets is more than possible.

Ireland, Afghanistan, West Indies and Sri Lanka could be good contests.
 
zn426 said:
What a defeatist statement. Cricket is the only world sport that prevents all teams from playing all formats at once, and it's ridiculous. If a team can put up the funds and players, and find a willing opponent, then they should be allowed to play any format they want.
Click to expand...

No. Test cricket isn't just about two teams showing up to play. If the match is going on for 5 days then the cricket better be up to the highest standards. Limited-overs cricket is specifically designed for all teams, because the playing field is comparatively more leveled and even the smaller teams have a chance to upset the bigger teams if they have a good day. They cannot have 5 good days in Test cricket which is why that format is rightfully reserved for the best and most competitive teams.

If you want 'world sports' go watch football.
 
I'm actually so freaking happy.

Bet your *** I'll be at the first home test, whenever it is
 
Donal Cozzie said:
I'm actually so freaking happy.

Bet your *** I'll be at the first home test, whenever it is
Click to expand...

Congratulations my friend, really happy for your country; I've been one of Ireland's biggest supporters for a long time so happy to see their hard work pay off, they fully deserve this and have earned Test status. Hopefully this goes a long way in scouting world class talent and developing them adequately, domestic structure and quality should also improve.

It may be a while before Ireland become a force in the world but very few will ever be able to say that I was there at my country's first Test match :akhtar
 
To any of the people reacting negatively to this, have a read through these tweets

https://twitter.com/Irelandcricket

An absolute landmark day. Tough times ahead of course but this has assured us of funding and games which we can now use to kick on and become better than we ever were.
 
15 years ago playing vs Dukes of Northumberland XI's.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Had to pull the car over. Can't see through the tears. Today the dream has come true. Congrats to everyone involved with <a href="https://twitter.com/Irelandcricket">@Irelandcricket</a>.</p>— Kyle McCallan (@KMcOffie) <a href="https://twitter.com/KMcOffie/status/877902115011612673">22 June 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
hadi123 said:
Disagree. Afghanistan have been superior to Ireland since 2015. Afghanistan also have a larger population therefore a larger pool of players. I reckon Afghanistan could definitely become a force in international cricket, will definitely beat a few more big teams in the years to come, maybe not in tests yet but definitely in ODI's and T20s. Overall, happy that both countries have been awarded test status
Click to expand...

I was primarily talking about Tests. And I still think that Ireland is going to be ten times the Test team Afghanistan will ever be.
 
Ooh the President and Prime Minister?

Bit like Bangladesh there.
 
KhalidRafi said:
No. Test cricket isn't just about two teams showing up to play. If the match is going on for 5 days then the cricket better be up to the highest standards. Limited-overs cricket is specifically designed for all teams, because the playing field is comparatively more leveled and even the smaller teams have a chance to upset the bigger teams if they have a good day. They cannot have 5 good days in Test cricket which is why that format is rightfully reserved for the best and most competitive teams.

If you want 'world sports' go watch football.
Click to expand...

No it's not, Not every affiliate gets to play ODIs, so your argument is null and void. Teams shouldn't be restricted from playing certain formats.

Besides, competitive cricket is a factor of who you're playing. If the USA played Canada in a test match, it would be five days of very competitive cricket. If the USA played Pakistan, it would be over inside a day.

There's another factor you're not considering and that's the idea of "Pay-day games". In American college football, many schools make their athletics budgets using "pay-day" games that pay them between $500k to $1M. The associates and affiliates are cash strapped, so this could be a good way for them to make some quick cash and expose their players to high level international cricket. That money would go to building facilities, academies, and promoting the game.

The best teams will continue to survive, the fan base is there. Cricket at the lower levels need a cash infusion to survive and short-sighted approaches by restricting formats prevents lower teams from moving up in the ranks and gaining experience.
 
Congratulations to both countries.

KhalidRafi said:
I don't get what ICC is after. On one hand they are restricting the World Cup to 10 teams which is horrible when it comes to spreading the game globally and gives fewer chances to small teams.

And on the other hand, they are giving Test status to minnows like Ireland and Afghanistan. I'm sorry but they simply aren't good enough and don't deserve it. If anything, they should take Test status away from Zimbabwe and keep Test cricket to 9 teams.
Click to expand...

Every team has to start somewhere.

Pakistan won only one Test series in the 1960s. New Zealand didn't win their first series until 1969 - nearly 40 years after their first Test. Sri Lanka had only one series win the decade that followed their entry into Test status.

Ireland and Afghanistan have set up first class competitions and have dominated the Intercontinental Cup for years. This doesn't mean both teams will suddenly start playing Test series away to India or Australia - they're more likely to start off playing teams around their level like Zimbabwe. But the odd one-off Test against a big team will be a valuable exposure for them.
 
Varun said:
Ooh the President and Prime Minister?

Bit like Bangladesh there.
Click to expand...

60 years ago a Taoiseach (PM) was casually holding a cricket bat and having a bit of fun on the ground. A photographer approached and he immediately tossed the bat as far away as he could and strolled away.

Had the picture been taken his entire political career would've been ruined arguably. Thats how far we've come. Remember, the sport was banned for 70 years here until the late 70's.
 
Donal Cozzie said:
I'm actually so freaking happy.

Bet your *** I'll be at the first home test, whenever it is
Click to expand...

One for the record books -
Who was the first man from Ireland team (not Irishman!) to take strike in test cricket?
Who took the first test wicket for Ireland?
Who took the first fife-for in test cricket for Ireland?
Against whom did Ireland record their first win and where?

Give it a shot!
 
ads101 said:
Ireland will never become a strong team so long as cricket is such a minor sport there. They just don't have the numbers or the interest. And quite frankly don't see that changing, since Ireland plays so many different sports.
Click to expand...
The population in Ireland (North + South) is greater than New Zealand who also face the same challenges in the form of other competing national sports but still have a competitive cricket team.

With sound administration New Zealand have managed to ensure a 50% uplift in cricket participation across genders in the last 15 years. Infact, Ireland's board have said their model is to become the "European New Zealand" given the similarities of the two markets.

As for the numbers, participation has quintupled in Ireland from 10,000 to 50,000 since the 2007 World Cup.

You need to remember that there was a 70 year ban by the Gaelic Athletic Association which sought to organise Irish sports, on the playing and even watching of "foreign sports" like cricket, which was loathed by the Nationalist community given it's the embodiment of Englishness. Anyone who did not comply would be barred from playing in games organised by the GAA.

That ban lasted until as recent as 1971 so cricket hasn't had a chance to grow in the national consciousness of Ireland as it has in other countries.
 
And to clear the record this wasnt "granted"

ICC in April set 21 criteria for both boards to meet. Both did so. All future applications must also do so
 
This is pretty big. Came out of nowhere for me. Congrats to both nations. It is goood we are expanding the elite club. These two nations deserve it although I feel so did Kenya years ago but were given a hard deal by ICC. These days their cricket is kind of in ruins now.

I hope ICC can keep a fair way of dealing and managing this growing club from here on out.

Canada, Netherlands, Scotland and Nepal are next by 2030!
 
Congratulations to both the nations.Ireland basically deserved it more than Afghanistan at this moment.

Bangladesh should invite both teams soon to play full series.
 
This news is an absolute good. Looking forward to some new faces in Test cricket and to the first appearances of Ireland and Afghanistan. Hopefully they can both win a Test against a "Big Beast" in the next 5-10 years and go rapidly on the up, like Bangladesh have since they won their series in the West Indies.
 
One thing to note is there will be lack of test cricket for both nations. Both Nations will struggle to play most test team except occasional test here and there. Most likely the 9 team test league will become a reality and there will be hardly room for the 9 teams to play tests outside the test league.

So most likely IReland and Afghanistan will be left to playing each other and Zimbabwe.
 
thelandofthebravepeople said:
One thing to note is there will be lack of test cricket for both nations. Both Nations will struggle to play most test team except occasional test here and there. Most likely the 9 team test league will become a reality and there will be hardly room for the 9 teams to play tests outside the test league.

So most likely IReland and Afghanistan will be left to playing each other and Zimbabwe.
Click to expand...

Which I think is good. What's the point in getting smashed every match? If they can face the 3 of themselves and produce close matches, they'll actually learn something.
 
Sad day for cricket, particularly test cricket. Test cricket has become so cheap now, with nations with no first class domestic structure will play "test" cricket. Its just that some countries, probably our neighbor want more test playing country's vote in their favor, Ridiculous .
 
amax said:
Great decision I can see Afghanistan replicating Pakistan's Sudden rise. They have to find their Fazal Mehmood First
Click to expand...

what lol? Afghanistan doesn't have a cricketing heritage unlike Pakistan, they don't have any cricket infrastructure, something Pakistan has developed over the last 70 years and even before that cause of what the British left behind. Pakistan still hosts tests in the UAE, I don't think Afghanistan will able to afford hosting an overseas test series, neither do they have the TV market or consumer base to support test cricket.
 
I think Ireland has the most potential in test cricket out of all the associate teams, cause they have many cultural similarities with England and they also have the temperament and the money to support a test team. They also have great weather and playing conditions for test cricket (apart from the excessive rain).
 
moghul said:
Sad day for cricket, particularly test cricket. Test cricket has become so cheap now, with nations with no first class domestic structure will play "test" cricket. Its just that some countries, probably our neighbor want more test playing country's vote in their favor, Ridiculous .
Click to expand...

They do both have FC structures. So your comment is codswallop. Even if it didnt what difference does it make lol. SL have like 20 FC teams, labels mean nothing.

Pakistanian said:
what lol? Afghanistan doesn't have a cricketing heritage unlike Pakistan, they don't have any cricket infrastructure, something Pakistan has developed over the last 70 years and even before that cause of what the British left behind. Pakistan still hosts tests in the UAE, I don't think Afghanistan will able to afford hosting an overseas test series, neither do they have the TV market or consumer base to support test cricket.
Click to expand...

This comment is so ignorant on so many levels its staggering.

Afghanistan have several stadiums, several, and 200 thats right 200 full time cricketers not to mention a well run domestic structure.

Afghanistan have a huge fanbase too, for the Desert t20 final against Ireland in January they filled the stands in the UAE. They also have a huge TV base lol, the country is nuts for cricket.

Seriously like, do some research before crapping all over a team.
 
No team will tour Afghanistan due to safety reason despite them being good enough. Ireland on the other side has not impressed anyone since the 2011 WC but they are safe to tour. I say Ireland and Afghanistan must play their first inaugural Test match with each other in Ireland.
 
Donal Cozzie said:
They do both have FC structures. So your comment is codswallop. Even if it didnt what difference does it make lol. SL have like 20 FC teams, labels mean nothing.



This comment is so ignorant on so many levels its staggering.

Afghanistan have several stadiums, several, and 200 thats right 200 full time cricketers not to mention a well run domestic structure.

Afghanistan have a huge fanbase too, for the Desert t20 final against Ireland in January they filled the stands in the UAE. They also have a huge TV base lol, the country is nuts for cricket.

Seriously like, do some research before crapping all over a team.
Click to expand...
What qualifies for a stadium? lol. I'm not crapping on Afghanistan, I just don't see test cricket working out for them for as long the war goes on. Unlike Pakistan, cricket is new to Afghanistan. Also there fans may be nuts for limited overs cricket but not every nation finds test cricket appealing, in fact test cricket is the least popular format in the south asia let alone Afghanistan.
 
Ireland okay as they can be competitive. Afghanistan!! You're having a damn laugh here! Even most county sides would give them a spanking. No one should play them at least for the next ten years.
 
I'd be more than glad if Pakistan hosted Afghanistan's first test series. It'd be a learning curve for them and we could score some easy wins. :afridi
 
PakLFC said:
Ireland okay as they can be competitive. Afghanistan!! You're having a damn laugh here! Even most county sides would give them a spanking. No one should play them at least for the next ten years.
Click to expand...

They nearly beat England Lions a few months back.

Mark my words, in Asia they can beat a lot of teams in a couple years.
 
Donal Cozzie said:
They nearly beat England Lions a few months back.

Mark my words, in Asia they can beat a lot of teams in a couple years.
Click to expand...

I don't think so. They are a long way behind others even though they do have a few good days every now and again.
 
Even BD was given test status 10 years too soon, although they had all the ingredients to make a good test nation. They had a stable developing country , big and passionate cricket supporting population and a decent FC structure. Ireland and Afghanistan has nothing, not sure if too many people know about a game called cricket in Ireland. Who is next , Uganda ? test status for sale.
 
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