Ireland vs Bangladesh - Not every day is Saint Patrick’s Day - Opinion
Ireland’s recent performance against Bangladesh at home, where they stumbled to 119 for 8 in pursuit of 190, is just another example of how this talented group of players has once again capitulated under pressure. Their reputation for being ‘giant killers’
has never really evaded them and one must accept the fact that they have managed to upset some of the best teams in international cricket, often with impunity.
The problem for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ireland-c751 is that beating one odd team on a given day and then disappointing on a consistent basis does not guarantee Test Status, and if one is to analyze the way that they have performed, it is safe to say that consistency was never their
cup of tea.
For those who reiterate the claim that the Irish should be given Test status, need to accept the facts on ground. Ireland’s triumphs in one day international cricket are largely sporadic in nature and do not reflect a side which can capitalize on their previous
achievements. In contrast one can think of Kenya’s rise to the semi finals of the 2003 edition of the World Cup in Africa, which was a feat by an associate member that deserved Test status.
After upsetting Sri Lanka, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045, and crashed out of the semis against India at Durban after pushing the eventual finalists hard. The point here is that Kenya’s performance
almost helped them briefly shelf the minnows tag. The ICC had to consider Kenya’s achievements and put it in line with a Test place. For Ireland however, the case is not quite the same as an odd upset is usually followed by significant lows.
The nature of the Irish cricket team is another point that needs to be taken into consideration. Given that Test cricket is more a game of skill and perseverance and the breathtaking displays by the Irish occasionally makes one believe that they are worthy
of that status; however, the team itself lacks the ability to be resilient as compared to maybe a http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 or a Sri Lanka.
The side consists of mostly amateurs who have undertaken cricket alongside other priorities such as studying or being involved in the labor industry. Such a team is thus, expected to outperform with whizz and wit on a given day (as they did against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013
in the 2011 World Cup) but may not have the ability to sustain their winning streak in the games to come. Much was expected of Ireland for example, after they shocked http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 in the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, but what followed was a disappointing display
of cricket in the Super Eight stage, where a solitary victory against Bangladesh was the only thing that they could wallow about.
Interestingly, Bangladesh, since being reinstated, has achieved the same sort of mixed success and for most part of their initial years, they have been struggling to keep their Test tag afloat. What credits Bangladesh however, and can be contrasted with
Ireland, is that the former has been able to capitalize on good showings by beating some of the very best on occasions when it has mattered. Consistency was never a question for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 in the Asia Cup of 2012 for example, where astonishing performances
helped them over haul the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758. Here is a side which has borne the brunt of defeat and matured into its game and understands that they like would be criticized severely if they win a few games and lose quite more.
It is safe to say that for Ireland, Saint Patrick’s Day is more of a once in a blue moon sort of thing. They are giant killers, but they need a massive feat to attract the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625’s attention. Playing cricket was never a bed of roses.
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