Ireland turn down one-day offer

CRICKET NEWS:A MOVE to align resources more with the international game is seen as the key reason behind Cricket Ireland's announcement yesterday that they are to turn down an invitation from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to participate in their new one-day competition next year.

The Netherlands will now take up the vacant place in the new 40-overs competition, ending, for now, an almost 30-year involvement of Ireland sides in English one-day tournaments.

The rise in the number of games from eight to 12 and the fact the new competition would be split over the summer months proved to be big barriers to Ireland’s inclusion. An increased financial outlay and strain on players in what is becoming a hectic international schedule were also key to the decision.

Ireland senior coach Phil Simmons also believes the competition doesn’t fit in with his long-term preparation plans for the 2011 World Cup.

“Our international fixture calendar has become very comprehensive, and, assuming we get what we think we will get fixture-wise and we continue to qualify for events and their latter stages like the last couple of years, we may have between 40-50 international fixtures in 2010,” said Simmons.

“Leading up to the 2011 World Cup in the sub-continent, I want to focus on primarily the 15 or 16 players who will represent us there, and I feel that the 12 additional games would be a step too far for the guys,” he added.

Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom admits the decision was a tough one, although he believes it marks a growing confidence in the game here to loosen the ties with our nearest Full Member country.

“International cricket is our bread and butter and the means by which we are measured on the global stage. Therefore, we felt that we needed to focus our limited financial resources on preparing for our international programme,” said Deutrom.

“We are starting to take the stabilisers off the bike and stand on our own two feet as a country that has an improving record of achievement against some of the best teams in the world.”