Ireland cricket team

The Ireland cricket team is the cricket team representing all of Ireland. Because of political difficulties, the Irish Cricket Union (ICU) was not selected to the International Cricket Council (ICC) until 1993, and qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 2007. The Irish Cricket Union is the governing body of Irish cricket. The Irish cricket team is made up of both professional cricketers and those who earn their living outside the sport. Cricket Ireland, which succeeded the Irish Cricket Union as the sport's governing body in the country, introduced contracts for its players in 2009, and as of the 2011 Cricket World Cup 13 players have full-time contracts.

The first match played by an Irish team was in 1855. Since then, Ireland have gained a reputation for giant-killing. Ireland played their first Day International (ODI) in 2006 against England. Since then, they have gone on to play 61 ODIs, leading to 29 victories, 28 defeats, three no results, and one tie. Highlights in Ireland's cricketing history include beating a touring West Indies side in 1928, 1969, and again in 2004, progressing to the second round of the 2007 World Cup in which they beat Pakistan and Bangladesh and tied with Zimbabwe and beating England in the 2011 World Cup.

Ireland participate in the ICC Trophy, the European Cricket Championship (which they have won times and hold the title of European champions), and the ICC Intercontinental Cup, which they have won consecutively times since 2005. Until 2009, the team also competed in the Friends Provident Trophy against English counties. Ireland is an Associate member of the ICC; Associates are the next level of team below those that play Check cricket. Due to their recent successes in the Intercontinental Cup and at the World Cup, they have been labelled the "leading Associate".[6] Ireland is currently of the teams in Division one of Associate Members of International Cricket Council who has Day International and T20 International status. After the tremendous success at International stage , Cricket Ireland has applied for Full Membership from the International Cricket Council. Ireland have recently won the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2008 and 2009 ICC World Cup Qualifier and qualified for 2009 World Twenty20 and 2011 Cricket World Cup. Being a full member will permit Ireland to become a permanent Day International playing nation and finally grant them Test status.