The last that anyone saw Ireland playing international cricket this season was down in March. In fact, that was during the early days of March. At Greater Noida, hosted by Afghanistan, Ireland went down fighting a rising force of International cricket. But it wasn’t before turning the final (of the 3 T20Is) contest into a nerve-wracking thriller, which they’d win all thanks to Kevin O’Brien’s heroics during the super-over.
Before that, Ireland cricket participated in an intricate series back in the Caribbean, where thanks to the exploits of Paul Stirling, Kevin O’Brien, captain Andy Balbernie, and others like Simi Singh and Adair there was some fine memories in an otherwise one-sided drubbing at the hands of the West Indians.
The Caribbean force was perhaps at its mighty best under the inspired leadership of white-ball captain Kieron Pollard. Since then, there’s been absolutely no cricket whatever for a team that has given the game some amazing names and forces in the likes of – Paul Stirling, George Dockrell, the O’Brien brothers and not to mention, past heroes like Ed Joyce, William Porterfield and Tim Murtagh.
That being said, there’s not been much cricket at all for any other cricketing outfit- isn’t it? So in that sense, Ireland Cricket isn’t any different whatsoever.
But while it’s one thing to be worried about the COVID-19 epidemic, it takes some other effort, on the other hand, to make cricket happen and resume. And now, where it stands, then Ireland Cricket seems to be waking up from the exile much of which had made cricket succumb to a standstill.
That being said, what’s the exact development in Ireland? Where it stands at the moment, then Ireland cricket has given a provisional green signal to club cricket to get back into shape.
Club cricket is, therefore, very likely to get underway anytime soon all thanks to Cricket Ireland.
Here’s what a local online media based in Ireland had to report about the developing story which puts forth some positivity in the space of cricket because at the end of the day, it’s cricket we all want, right?
A 20-kilometre travel limit will be part of phase two of easing Covid-19 restrictions in the Republic of Ireland from Monday but the governing bodies of Irish sport want a waiver to ensure that their elite athletes can train at designated hubs.
In a statement, Cricket Ireland said that “limited cricket training will be able to resume once two key requirements are fulfilled: the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive formally notify that their respective jurisdiction is moving to Phase 2 / Step 2, and that cricket clubs undertake pre-opening protocol compliance measures and undertake training.”
Cricket Ireland made its submission to the two Governments on 22 May seeking approval to restart activity.
In fact, the months that lay ahead promise a lot of excitement for Ireland cricket. In the month of July, Ireland are slated to take on Pakistan for what promises to be an exciting white-ball series.
One simply can’t wait for the bright greens to take to the lush green fields!