In other news

[Lar d'Arse]

England (Ok England B) set 270 to win by Ireland in the ODI in Dublin.

Could have been a lot worse for England if they hadn't got Ireland's best bowler playing for them.

[Luis Anaconda]

[Lar d'Arse]

[Lar d'Arse]

the playing pitch hardly seems that level.

No wonder the ICC don't want us to have full test status.

[Luis Anaconda]

even if the likes of Morgan and Rankin were still playing. And anyway then most successful bowler from the averages this season on either side is Tim Murtagh - born Lambeth, South London. I would happily swap him for Rankin

[Mack]

http://www.awimb.com/fudforum/index.php?t=tree&goto=3754 590&rid=6252&S=1bf5d2c6079a28bdd0bdafa053a04ac1 (http://www.awimb.com/fudforum/index.php?t=tree&goto=3754590&rid=6252&S=1bf5d2c6079a28bdd0bdafa053a04ac1)

The article linked to by H. is a tad embarrassing tbh!

[Lar d'Arse]

at Test level (if we ever would be in a country where the population is small and Cricket is already a minority sport).

And I am well aware that we have our fair share of players from South Africa and Australia who converted to play for us as well as Tim Murtagh.

If we are however to be treated in any way seriously as a cricketing nation (and I think being top of a second tier is about all we could realistically aspire to, with a fighting chance against top tier nations on any given day) then it grates that players who have shown their talent whilst playing for Ireland are then picked by County sides and eventually qualify to play for England and do so primarily because it gives them a better chance of playing more consistently at the highest level.

I don't begrudge the players at all by the way.

[Luis Anaconda]

[Lar d'Arse]

amongst the embarrassing rubbish.

[Lar d'Arse]

had been the end of it, but Rankin's recent conversion suggests otherwise.

Also it seems unfair that our players can convert to playing for England immediately (without any hiatus following representing us) but if they get dropped by England they have to wait a number of years before representing us again. I accept that might be seen as a discouragement to make the change in the first place but it isn't working.

[Luis Anaconda]

for a qualification period of four years - this has now been increased to 7. It was actually a rule change in favour of Ireland that allowed them to continue to represent your lot while they qualified as opposed to just playing county cricket

[Lar d'Arse]

but residency in England is hardly an issue when the only first class cricket in Europe is played there.

A seven year rule will help alright.

[Lar d'Arse]

[Luis Anaconda]

different rules for your lot