The announcement by Cricket Ireland’s Chief Executive Warren Deutrom at the beginning of November that Ireland intend to apply for Test Status throws up a number of interesting questions for the ICC on the future of international cricket.

Deutrom said earlier this year that Ireland were becoming frustrated by the game’s ‘glass ceiling’ and called for the ICC to identify a clear pathway for countries aspiring to reach top level.

’The ICC’s response to that was they hadn’t seen an application,’ said Deutrom. ‘I think this is a response to their response.

’It was, “Put your money where your mouth is” and apply for full membership.

The application process has historically been a long one, however the ICC have indicated that they intend to discuss Ireland’s application at their next board meeting in February.

Whilst Cricket Ireland are confident they can mount a strong case for inclusion among the game’s elite Test-playing nations the final outcome of Ireland’s application is far from certain.

In recent years Ireland have been the strongest associate nation by some distance,  having won the last three ICC intercontinental cups in 2005, 2007 & 2008 (a  competition designed to prepare teams for their eventual elevation to test cricket), the ICC Trophy in 2005, European Championship in 2006 & 2008 as well as the ICC World Twenty 20 Qualifying Tournament in 2008. In deed Ireland have acquitted themselves well in the major one day tournaments famously making the Super 8’s stage of the 2007 World Cup where they tied with Zimbabwe and beat Pakistan and Bangladesh along the way.

However several factors will weigh heavily in the minds of the ICC  when making their decision:  the struggle of  Zimbabwe & Bangladesh to adapt to Test Cricket (the last two countries to be granted test status, many in the game believe that the ICC granted Test Status to these countries to early) , the fact that Ireland does not currently have a first class system in place and that Cricket participation in the country is low, with less than 10,000 playing the game it is still something of a minority sport.

These factors put a serious question mark over Ireland’s ability to produce enough players of international quality to replace the current “Golden Generation” (several of whom are products of overseas systems and have qualified to represent Ireland by virtue of  becoming naturalized).

To Cricket Ireland’s credit they are realistic about their chances of success and have indicated that they are prepared to be flexible.

“We’d love to play Test cricket eventually — but at first, I think we would be satisfied with a form of full membership.” Said Deutrom.

Full membership of the ICC without Test Status would still be a major step forward for Irish Cricket, as it will provide them with an increased share of the ICC’s revenue allowing them to invest in the game in Ireland and at the same time it will stem the flow of star players being lost to England (Ed Joyce & Eoin Morgan have represented England and Boyd Rankin has recently been included in an England Performance Squad).

Whatever happens one thing is guaranteed: The ICC’s associate and affiliate membership will be awaiting the outcome with interest as the verdict will give a clear indication of what the shape of International Cricket will look like for decades to come.