Ireland unbeaten for one year, but ignored by top Test nations

It may come as a surprise that Ireland have emerged as the only team to remain unbeaten in Test cricket over the last one year.

If data from July 1, 2023, to July 30, 2024 is considered, they are the only team without a single loss in Test match cricket.

Their good record may have been helped by the fact that they have played only two Tests in the last one year, both against weaker Test nations.

Their recent four-wicket win at Belfast, against Zimbabwe, was built on an all-round show by Andy McBrine, who scored an unbeaten 55 (82 balls) and shared a 96-run partnership with Lorcan Tucker (56) for the sixth wicket. McBrine also took seven wickets with his off-spin in the match (3/37 & 4/38) to walk away with the Player of the Match award.

Opener Peter Moor, with 79 in first innings, was the other player to impress for Ireland.

Earlier in February-March, Ireland had defeated Afghanistan by six wickets at Tolerance Oval in Abu Dhabi, for their first-ever win in Test history.

However, the record over the last one year shows the apathy of the Test nations in giving opportunity to other young and weak Test nations in the longest format.

While Ireland have played only two Tests in the said period — of last 13 months, the Belfast game was Zimbabwe’s first.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, have played only two Test matches in the period like Ireland. Apart from the game against Ireland, they played a one-off Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo in February this year which they lost.

None of Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe are part of the World Test Championship table.

Bangladesh and South Africa too have played only a few, four Test matches.

Compare that to the Big Three, that is England, Australia and India, who have played 11, 10 and nine Tests respectively in the period despite their being a 50-over World Cup and a T20 World Cup. West Indies have played seven while New Zealand have featured in six Tests. Pakistan and Sri Lanka have played five Test matches each.

One may argue that it is not financially viable for top teams to play against weaker teams. But this is wrong assumption for the simple reason that sponsors are willing to pay money for top stars in top sides in whatever format, against whatever team and at whatever venue it is played.

The recent T20I series between second-string India and Zimbabwe was not a failure and attracted crowd and eyeballs.

Somewhere, the ICC may have to force top Test nations to take time off and play against newer and weaker Test teams, even if it is through fielding second-string or ‘A’ sides.

Test Cricket, Ireland, Zimbabwe, ICC, World Test Championship