However, I think that this fixture could be re-used, and re-used much more usefully. I think that this fixture provided essential experience for those who played, because the closest most Associate players get to red ball cricket against Test players is playing against them for a domestic side. Therefore, playing against a full Test side, for what is effectively a full Test side, is the best cricketing experience that many of these players will have.
I would also like to see this fixture televised. Perhaps proceeds from televising it, and from ticket sales, could be fed straight back into the TAPP, the program which gives funding to Associates who need it. And this fixture, I think, should be a four-day affair, rather than only three, against every tourist who visits the UAE to play Pakistan, and perhaps also an annual match against the number one side? It would also mean that if the Irish do gain Test status, then their players should know what to expect.
18 matches 842 runs @ 29.03 | Paul STIRLING Despite modest first-class stats, Paul Stirling has shown that he can rise to his opposition. Two ODI centuries against Pakistan, and a recent red-ball ton against an Australian side that featured four Test bowlers and Fawad Ahmed simply go to show that he will be vital if Ireland play Tests, and fully deserves a spot in this eleven. |
74 matches 3833 runs @ 33.92 | Kyle COETZER After moving on from Durham to Northants, Kyle Coetzer's first class batting has followed a steady upward curve, averaging almost forty this season with two centuries, taking the total number for his career up to eight. He is also an excellent fielder, and his catch in the World Twenty20 made him a household name, for a while at least. |
196 matches 13618 runs @ 46.16 | Ed JOYCE (captain) By far the most experienced man in this squad, Ed Joyce has enjoyed a long and fruitful county career at Middlesex and Sussex, the latter of which he is now captain of, which is why he would also be the captain of this side. A classy left-handed batsman, and excellent number three for the country of his birth. |
29 matches 1607 runs @ 33.47 | Tom COOPER With Alexei Kervezee and Ryan ten Doeschate both having distanced themselves from Dutch cricket recently, Tom Cooper has a massive role in his national side, and he has risen to it very well. He hit his second first-class century early this season, and has a Sheffield Shield double century to his name for South Australia, and even represented Australia A. |
4882 runs @ 39.69 89 wickets @ 36.02 | Craig WILLIAMS The Namibian batting all-rounder is completely worth his place in this side. He averages a shade under forty across over seventy first-class games, and has no less than thirteen hundreds. As well as his excellent batting, he can also send down nippy seamers that will add to a very spin-heavy attack which is designed to suit the UAE conditions. |
14 matches 1134 runs @ 54.00 | Mohammad SHAHZAD Afghan 'keeper Mohammad Shahzad is a versatile batsman who has been instrumental in his nation's success across all three formats. His average of over fifty in first class cricket is very impressive, and that, alongside his three ODI centuries, show his domination of Associate bowling. What he needs is a sterner test. |
957 runs @ 25.86 57 wickets @ 25.35 | Mohammad NABI One of the star men from the Afghan squad, Mohammad Nabi is an exciting all-rounder, Against Namibia this month, he took six for 33, his first five wicket haul in the format. He also has two centuries to his name, has represented the MCC against the champion county, and all-in-all is an excellent addition to the side as a number seven and third spinner. |
597 runs @ 25.95 56 wickets @ 22.78 | Majid HAQ Scottish spinner Majid Haq has made himself a fixture in his national side, and he particularly excels in the longest format. His first-class bowling average is a full fifteen runs per wicket less than his List A figure, and his accurate and flighted spin is best suited to a dusty deck and a ring of close catchers. |
6 matches 21 wickets @ 17.71 | Max SORENSEN This opening bowler probably wasn't my first choice to open the bowling for this side. That would have been Boyd Rankin, who has recently gone and played for England since. I also considered Dawlat Zadran and Tim Murtagh, but in the end I chose Sorensen for his fielding, as well as his bowling, and the fact that he has kept the latter out of the Irish side on occasion. |
12 matches 66 wickets @ 21.27 | Hamid HASSAN This Afghan is the best bowler outside the Test world, and he has been quite unfortunate to have to battle so many injuries in the last 18 months. He has taken a five wicket haul every 3.7 times he has bowled in first-class cricket, and a ten wicket match haul every four matches. Those are the stats of a Test class bowler. |
28 matches 86 wickets @ 28.47 | George DOCKRELL An impressive young spinner who is already on England's radar, George Dockrell made his ODI debut aged just seventeen. First-class cricket came a few months later, and it was soon followed by a contract at Somerset. He flights the ball maturely and has an understanding of his game that is well beyond his years. He will play Tests for someone, hopefully Ireland. |