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Originally Posted by al Furqaan
Yeah Ireland get shafted compared to AFG. It will be interesting to see of AFG will continue to get support once they kick the Associates out of the world cup. I really hope they change their minds and the world cup goes to 12 teams.
As far as income, I think our income was similar to Ireland's preg test status. We get more money now due to being a test nation.
Afghanistan are proving they are BD lite. Drew 2-2 with Zim in ZIM and now down 2-0 to the UAE who have whopped them in both matches.
Ireland, I'm not sure would fare much better than us had they played 14 years of tests. Only test class bowler is Rankin and I'm not sure he'd have single handedly won Tests.
Regardless the ICC's neglect of Ireland is criminal. Ireland have potential if they were to be given test status now.
What is the upcoming talent like, Donal? Is Ireland going strong or will they fade like Kenya?
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Only way the ICC will reverse the decision is if one of the associates reaches the quarters or the Associates successfully appeal to the CAS. However the "qualification" system, which really only has 1 spot for grabs, might ensure the ICC get their way.
Afghanistan are an inconsistent if not overrated team IMO. Batting wise they've improved a bit with the likes of Ghani and Shenwari being good bats, but they seem to have 2 modes. Block everything and pray something happens which leads normally to them being 80/5 after 30 overs or slog everything which leads to them being 70 all out. A freak partnership won them the game against you in the Asia cup.
Bowling wise Nabi is a decent spinner and Shapoor a good pacer, thats about it IMO. Sadly Hamid Hassan looks to be finished. Once a lethal pacer now hes going for 8 an over vs UAE. I have been MIGHTILY impressed by the UAE lately though. Did reasonably well down under and now comfortably beating Afghanistan are excellent signs for them.
Agree with bowling. Murtagh is a fantastic county bowler so IMO would be decent enough in tests. Dockrell isnt a good limited overs spinner but tests would be ideal for him. Other than that Kevin O Brien is always in the wickets but medium pace is all we really have sadly.
Upcoming talent seems to be promising as of now. Andy Poynter was good in the world twenty 20 this year although hes in his mid 20s, McBrine may be good for us jury is still out on him, Stuart Poynter has a 100 vs SL A and a 50 vs an Aus A side that featured several Ashes players so has potential. Craig Young has been in outstanding form for us, took a five fer on ODI debut and done well down under.
Andy Balbirnie is our biggest talent so far. Prolific in county second XI and just yesterday smashed 123 off 97 balls as we comfortably downed NZ A. Have high hopes for him. Some u19 players like McCollum and Allen have done excellent versus European associate u19 teams but they're too young to judge. The Interpros will mould them into top class players hopefully.
We had an absolute nightmare of an acclimatization tour where about 9 players got injured. Good thing was the youngsters got regular cricket, even if performances where at times awful, although they were played wildly out of position. They'll learn from it I'm sure.
Good thing is some of our youngsters will develop in either county or Interpro level, ensuring they get regular chances. We need more underage and A tours though.
Also we like sending our young guys to play grade level in Australia which keeps them improving.
Last year we sent Peter Chase, Young and McCarter (who was impressive in LO's for Gloucesterhire) to work with Craig McDermott the Aussie bowling coach and it worked wonders. Young, who was released from Sussex and on the verge of quitting will almost definitely play the WC, Chase took a 5 fer for Durham on his debut and McCarter as I mentioned improved a lot as well.
Hopefully the aforementioned will progress and keep us improving.