Monday 15 December 2014 15:09, UK
Former Australia paceman Jason Gillespie thinks the time has come to give Ireland full Test status.
Test match crowds are dwindling at the moment and Gillespie, who currently coaches Yorkshire, thinks the presence of Ireland and their ‘Blarney Army’ fan club could help to reverse that trend.
Gillespie won 71 Test caps himself and told All Out Cricket: “Let's face it, outside of Australia and England and, to a lesser extent, South Africa, people don't turn up to watch Test cricket.
“That's just the way it is, and it's sad.
"One fantastic way to give Test cricket a lift straight away would be to give Ireland full Test status.
"It's something that should happen sooner rather than later from the ICC.
“Imagine if Ireland were given Test status. That would be huge news in world cricket, and it would be a massively positive story for the world game.
"The ICC and all the national boards talk a lot about the importance of protecting the integrity of Test cricket.
“If it is that important, then we should look to improve it, and in my view including Ireland would improve it."
Ireland have produced some good performances in one-day internationals and famously defeated England at the World Cup in 2011.
Ireland left-hander Eoin Morgan has played Test cricket for England and is a key member of their one-day side, and Warwickshire fast bowler Boyd Rankin played in last winter's Ashes series. Sussex batsman Ed Joyce, who now represents Ireland, has also played for England.
Gillespie added: “Think of the list of names who've plied their trade in English domestic cricket and who have even played for England. It would make a decent Test side.
"I don't see why it couldn't happen. Eoin Morgan is obviously with England full-time now but, apart from him, you've got Ed Joyce, William Porterfield, Boyd Rankin, George Dockrell, Peter Chase.
"Ireland are ticking all the boxes. They've punched well above their weight in limited-overs tournaments."
