Luck of the Irish Favours English Cricket

Ireland are to meet Kenya in the final of the ICC Intercontinental Cup but are in danger of being victims of their own success. The better their performances the more likely it is that the Irish players will be offered places on English tours, thus disqualifying them from playing for Ireland.

Ireland boasts a number of players who play County Cricket. The Irish batsmen Ed Joyce and Eoin Morgan both play for Middlesex and the Irish wicket-keeper Niall O'Brien plays for Kent, while their all-rounder Andrew White plays for Northants. Playing for Ireland does not classify them as overseas players.

Perversely Irish players will be barred from playing for Ireland if they are selected to play for England, even if it's just an English A tour. Surely playing for Ireland should exclude a cricketer for playing for England? Matters are likely to come to a head, as a new funding system will pressurise Counties into selecting more England qualified players. There is a danger that County cricketers will be forced to declare themselves as eligible for England at the expense of Ireland (and Scotland) and to very limited benefit to the England cricket team.

In true Benthamite fashion the administrators of cricket should take action to ensure the greatest benefit to the greatest number. I am a committed England fan, but I would prefer us to miss out on a few talented Irish players if it ensured the establishment of a side from the emerald isle.