Ireland, Afghanistan likely to be awarded Test Status by 2019

In an attempt to globalise Test cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) are looking to finally induct long time ODI stalwarts Afghanistan and Ireland into their primary setup. They are likely to be granted Test status after fulfilling the basic requirements of being a permanent nation, within a time span of three years. Sportskeeda also learned that a ‘closed door’ meeting between national association representatives, as a possible alternative to the cancelled two division format.

A source close to the ICC said, “There is no confirmation of them getting status yet, there will be a final announcement regarding the matter by the end of the year. A country needs to concentrate on growing its base infrastructure to meet the basic requirements. Hence, until those are fulfilled there will be no confirmation. The basic structure is that the number of Test playing teams will be extended to 12 and the top two associate nations will be given that status.”

According to our source, the ongoing Intercontinental Cup could be used as an end of the year yardstick. However, there is no official confirmation of that either. If things finish as they stand, both Ireland and Afghanistan easily make the cut. If the anecdotes being circulated are true, they will be the first country since Bangladesh in 2000, to achieve this feat.

A Cricket Ireland administrative representative denied of knowing about any such communication with the ICC. He said, “We have not been informed of any such development yet, however, if this does happen it will give the game in Ireland a massive boost. We have been pushing for test status since 2007, so I think we deserve to be there.”

Ireland has had to bare the loss of prodigious youngsters such Ed Joyce and Eoin Morgan to England. This particular move might just restrict a skilled youth talent drain from the region. This particular topic is supposed to be one of the primary discussions to be conducted during the ICC meeting in Dubai. Our source added, “It is absolutely pivotal that we give lower ranked nations an equal bite at the cherry every year. So certain structures that can be inculcated will also be discussed.”

The upcoming Test format is sure bringing a wide range of surprises with it.