Ireland aiming to join ICC elite

Ireland have revealed plans to apply to become full members of the International Cricket Council.

If successful, they would be the 11th full member nation and the first to step up from associate status since Bangladesh in 2000.

It could eventually pave the way for Ireland to play at Test match level.

However, Irish chief executive Warren Deutrom admitted they faced a lot of work to meet the criteria and that the process would take several years.

Ireland are keen to reap the financial benefits which come through ICC full member status and getting on the future tours programme. However, their application is seen by many as something of a long shot.

Ireland recently opted out of playing in the English domestic 40-over competition in 2010. But they will be aiming to secure a place in the ICC World Twenty20 finals through the qualifiers in February.

"There is a long way to go," Deutrom told the Cricinfo website.

"Traditionally, applications have taken two, three or more years. Clearly, there are many hoops we will have to jump through.

"In terms of challenges that are facing us, yes, there is clearly an awful lot of work we need to do just to fulfil the compliance and existing criteria.

"It perhaps sets in motion a process that allows others to see the levels they need to reach in order to fulfil the same ambitions.

"Test cricket is the pinnacle of the game and it's quite right that those trying to ascend to Test cricket, or just Full Membership without necessarily involving Test cricket, have to ensure that they are coming up to some pretty rigorous criteria."

Among Ireland's impressive list of achievements this year has been their progress to the last eight of the World Twenty20, in which they knocked out Bangladesh.

In recent seasons they have lost their two best batsmen, Ed Joyce and Eoin Morgan, to England - something they would be able to avert by becoming a Test-playing nation.

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