[Gowza]

they've got some pretty decent players, let's have a look at an XI:

1 Paul Stirling (FC average 29 - 3 centuries in 18 matches, ODI average 39 - 5 centuries 40 matches)
2 Ed Joyce (FC average 46 - 30 tons)
3 Andrew White (FC average 51 - 5 tons 31 matches)
4 Andre Botha (FC average 40 - 5 tons 30 matches, bowling average 25 strike rate 58)
5 Eoin Morgan (Test average 30 - 2 tons 16 matches, FC average 34 - 9 tons)
6 Niall O'brien (FC average 35 - 12 tons)
7 Kevin O'brien/Alex Cusack/John Mooney (FC bat averages 32-36, bowl averages 27-32)
8 Trent Johnston (FC bowling average 20, strike rate 42, batting average 22)
9 Tim Murtagh (FC bowl average is 27 strike rate 49 bat average 22)
10 George Dockrell (FC bowl average 29, strike rate 58, he's an SLA)
11 Boyd Rankin (FC bowl average 27 strike rate 44)

that's a pretty strong team. very very strong with the ball (all averaging under 30 with great strike rates) and quite strong with the bat (2 batsmen averaging 40+ and one averaging 50+).

of course a few of these players have moved on from Ireland and have played for England, but if Ireland was to get test status in the near future then this would be a very solid team for them to put on the park. It's pretty obvious they deserve test status.