By: Samantha Hewabandula
It was the last weekend that we saw Ireland playing against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Cricket Stadium where Sri Lanka beat Ireland with an innings and a big margin of 280 runs.
Former President of Sri Lanka Cricket Mr Thilanga Sumathipala speaking to thesundayreader.lk after the match stated that It was in 2017 that he represented Sri Lana at the ICC Meeting held in England where a vote was taken on elevating Ireland to Test status. During the conversation Mr Sumathipala went on to say that when a vote was called it was only him that did not vote in favor and in fact said “I spoke during the meeting and said that I don’t have anything personal with anyone and is fully supportive towards the development of cricket but would like to see a more structured system in place with Ireland cricket and would like to see more 4-day cricket being played before they are given Test cricket status. They can play one day and T 20 cricket in the international arena but may not be for test at this time but be considered after a few more years of experience” said the former SLC President. Mr Sumathipala also went on to say that the ICC during the time went with the majority decision and thereby Test status was granted to Ireland. He highlighted this when inquiring about how the match was played in Galle and his take on the new entity to Test status.
Each cricket playing country, when into Test Cricket for the first time have had their own fair share of issues in settling in as a Formidable Test playing nation. Even when Sri Lanka started to play Test cricket in 1982, Sri Lanka too have had their share of difficulties with which Sri Lanka has negotiated the tough times and have now come out of them recognized as a great cricketing nation, produced great international renowned cricketing legends who have shown their class playing at all levels of international cricket.
As such, one may feel it’s a bit too early to come to terms and evaluate a new side on the block, maybe we give them more time and who knows it could be a matter of time and effort to see Ireland tapping at the doors to clinch a championship in International Cricket.
