Ireland Domestic Cricket - First Class and List A

Ireland Domestic Cricket - First Class Status:

First class domestic cricket is a link between part time cricket and playing international matches. ICC gave Ireland domestic cricket a first-class cricket game status. Hanley Energy Inter Provincial Championship which is four day cricket game has been awarded a first class cricket status. While any T20 competition or 50 over competition are awarded List A status. So, far cricket was played as friendly games in Ireland but since the introduction of First class and List A game status, it will become highly competitive. All players stats would be recorded and matched up against players from other countries. It will also push for higher recognition of players and cricket in Ireland.

Importance of First-Class Status for Ireland:

Cricket Ireland CEO, Warren Deutrom was pleased with ICC decision to promote domestic cricket in Ireland to First-Class. Such decision will increase competitiveness of domestic cricket and players will be worried about their statistics. All such information in First Class cricket is recorded in stats and give players opportunity to impress selectors, sponsors for domestic T20 and county cricket exposure. Warren said, "It's important as firstly, it elevates the perception of the competition, and places the inter-pros statistically and status-wise at the same level of all first-class cricket around the world in established Test nations. He also added, "At the moment, the matches, while hard-fought, are no more than friendlies, so even monumental performances such as Nick Larkin's 247 not out and Adam Dennison's 206 [both for the Northern Knights] count for nothing in the game's statistical records. Warren emphasized on importance of First class status and said, "Bestowing first-class status places these achievements in the game's official records and allows players to start accumulating career statistics, and puts them in the shop-window for opportunities overseas. These same opportunities can also now apply to the officials standing in these matches." 

Ireland First Class to Test Status:

If Ireland wants to qualify for Test status then they have already taken the first step. Playing first class cricket is mandatory for getting a test status. Ireland will have to impress ICC by displaying some challenging matches in first class cricket at domestic level.  David Richardson, the ICC chief executive, said: "Cricket Ireland's Inter-Provincial Championship is well structured and provides a clear pathway for players from under-age through to inter-provincial to the national team. He also added, "The Championship is professionally run, played mainly in international standard venues and some games are live streamed and I'd like to commend Cricket Ireland on the work they have done to achieve first class domestic status." - sourced from espncricinfo. First class cricket would be a shop window for players to showcase their skills and make way to international team. Playing four days cricket matches on regular basis will help Ireland to push for test status.

Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial Championship:

Ireland 4 days domestic cricket game is played in Inter-Provincial championship. Competition has been played for 4 years. Northern Knights, North-West Warriors and Leinster Lightning are the three teams that play against each other in all three formats of cricket in Inter-Provincial Championship. Players performing well in this championship are usually selected in international team. Inter-Provincial Championship is sponsored by Hanley Energy. This competition has become bigger and more competitive since it started few years ago. Importance of Hanley Championship has boosted up since getting First Class status for four day cricket game and List A status for 20 overs and 50 overs game.

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