Former Ireland captain Trent Johnston said the committee did the right thing in recommending qualifiers.

The ICC Cricket Committee’s recommendation to have qualifiers for the 2015 cricket World Cup has given fresh hope to the associate nations, who were fuming over the governing body’s earlier decision to scale the event down to just 10 teams.

“It’s excellent news that another group of people have put their support behind the need for a qualifying process,” Cricket Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom said.

Former Ireland captain Trent Johnston, who was the Associate representative on the cricket committee, said the committee did the right thing in recommending qualifiers.

“Unanimous decision by ICC Cricket Committee to recommend to the Chief Exec Committee there be a qualifier for CWC 2015.

A great result!” he tweeted after the two-day meeting here.

The associates were earlier furious when the ICC Executive Board decided to make the World Cup a 10—team affair. The decision went back to drawing board only after ICC President Sharad Pawar asked for a reconsideration.

“It is obviously good for cricket and hopefully the ICC Executive Committee would accept the recommendation,” an official from the Netherlands’ cricket board said.

In other decisions taken at the cricket committee meeting, Cricket Committee recommended that the use of Decision Review System should be extended to ODIs and Twenty20.

“While recognising the need to take account of existing contractual arrangements between Member Boards and their broadcasters, the committee, after a two day meeting, has unanimously recommended that DRS should be used in ODI and T20 internationals, besides all Test matches,” Clive Lloyd, Chairman of the committee, told reporters at the Lord’s here last evening.

“The committee has recommended that the pink ball should be used in the four—day first—class ICC Intercontinental Cup 2011—12, and also that ICC member Boards are asked not only to use the ball in at least one round of first—class matches, but also be encouraged to trial the ball in day—night matches at venues which have adequate artificial lights.”

It also recommended that the DRS should be used in ODI and Twenty20 series with each side allowed one unsuccessful review per innings.

“This recommendation was made following what the committee agreed was a successful application during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.”

Andre Botha announces retirement

Cricket Ireland has announced today that Andre Botha has retired from international cricket.

The 35 year old has played no fewer than 141 times for his country, although injury has restricted his appearances in recent seasons.

In a glittering career which coincided with Ireland’s emergence on the global stage, Andre Botha scored 3606 runs at an average of 27.74, which puts him sixth in the all-time aggregate list. He scored 13 half centuries and six hundreds, with a highest score of 186 against Scotland in 2007.

Botha also holds the record partnership for Ireland – 360 for the third wicket with Eoin Morgan against The UAE in 2007.

He also excelled with the ball for Ireland, taking 176 wickets an average of just 21.99, which sees him occupy eighth place on the all-time rankings. His best bowling figures of 4 for 19 came against Kenya in an ODI in 2008, but it will be his spell of 2 for 5 in the 2007 World Cup win against Pakistan for which he is best remembered.

He explained just why he had decided to retire saying: “I have given this matter serious and long consideration, but ultimately have come to the conclusion that the time is right now. I can assure you it’s a matter I haven’t taken lightly, but sometimes your body makes up your mind for you.

“I’d like to put on record my thanks to Warren Deutrom and all of the Cricket Ireland staff. You have all been a great help and support during my time playing for Ireland. Although I don’t want single out individuals for fear of forgetting somebody, forgive me if I do. There are a few people I would like to give a special mention to. Adi Birrell was there at start of my international career, and I will never have enough words to thank and praise this man for what he did for myself and Irish Cricket.

“I would also like to thank the current coach Phil Simmons for his support and help over the last number of years and assistant coach Pete Johnston for all his hard work behind the scenes. That’s not to forget my two best friends in Irish cricket, physios Knoxy (Iain Knox) and Kieran (O’Reilly). You two certainly earned your money over the years!!! Finally who can forget Roy Torrens - many a problem sorted out over a quiet drink or two (sorry Roy!!)

“To the older heads that have been with me from the start of my journey TJ, JB, Kylie, Whitey, Mooners ,Polish, John Boy, Nobby, Kev, Purdy, Boyd & Lanky(Lanky thanks for getting me in so much trouble over the years!). It’s been a great journey - we achieved dreams that many thought impossible. To the rest of the players who played with me for Ireland -it’s been fantastic - keep it going.

“It’s hard to pick a special memory from my Irish career, as every time I have put on the green jersey has been a personal highlight. I just want to thank some of my very close friends for their support and belief over the years - you know who you are.

“Lastly and most importantly to my lovely wife Yvonne for all the sacrifices she has made on behalf of my cricket career - thank you so much. Love you. I hope I didn’t forget anybody - if I did, I apologise. Keep fighting the fight for 2015.”

Ireland coach Phil Simmons led the tributes to Andre Botha saying: “Andre has been an integral part of this Irish team’s success since his debut way back in 2001. He will be sorely missed, not only for his cleverly disguised slower balls or his trademark square cuts, but for his total dedication to the cause and the team. His courage continuing to represent Ireland with the different injuries he’s endured over the last couple of years has been incredible, and shows just what a big heart he has.

“On behalf of the Irish team I want to wish Andre all the best for the future, and I hope his invaluable experience will not be lost to Irish cricket.”

Former coach Adrian Birrell praised Botha’s role in Irish cricket reaching tenth place in the world rankings saying: ''There comes a time for every player and sadly Andre has decided this is the right time to retire. He has been a colossal player for Ireland in the past decade.

“I had the great good fortune that Andre had completed his qualification terms when I arrived and he became one of the major players around whom I built the team during my tenure as National Coach. His all round ability was invaluable and he made many match winning contributions. His ability to take care of the back end of the power plays and the partnership with Kyle McCallan in building pressure in the middle overs was crucial to our success.

“I remember vividly his runs securing our future in defeating Denmark in 2002, the great victory winning the ICC Intercontinental Cup against Kenya in 2005 and his record partnership with Eoin Morgan against UAE in 2007 which paved the way for the successful 2007 World Cup campaign, and who can forget his spell in the famous Pakistan victory.

“I value Andre as a cricketer and more importantly as a friend. I have no doubt he will continue to make a contribution to Cricket Ireland. Congratulations Andre on a great career - your contribution to Irish Cricket will be remembered and appreciated for a very long time.'

Cricket Ireland launches its Inter Regional tournament

Cricket Ireland today announced the launch of a new Inter Regional Challenge Series. In 2011 the series will feature two games and the Series will be extended in 2012 to include three 50 over matches and a four team Twenty 20 competition.

The first game in the Series will take place on Sunday 15th May, 2011 at Bready Cricket Club. The game will feature a North XI versus South XI with the best cricketers available in the country playing under full ODI rules and conditions.

A second match will take place between the two sides later in the season and the winner of the Series will be decided on the basis of the results in the two games – in the event of both teams winning one game each in the series the winner will be determined on the basis of net run rate across the two games.

Mark Garaway, Cricket Operations Director at Cricket Ireland, will act as Tournament Director and he commented “the launch of the Inter Regional Series is an important step identified in the recent Domestic Review and has been built into Cricket Ireland’s new strategic plan. It is a great opportunity for players to showcase their ability in a competitive Series and provides a critical bridge between the club game and our International sides.”

The North XI will be coached by Ryan Eagleson with Brian Walsh as team manager and the side will be selected this week by the Northern based International Selectors (Ross McCollum and Peter Gillespie).

The Southern XI will be coached by Stephen Moreton and Jeremy Bray with Alan Lewis acting as team manager and the side will be selected by the Southern based International Selector, Brian MacNeice and Irish international Trent Johnston. Assistant coach to the Irish team, Peter Johnston, will provide video analysis support to both teams during the Series.

National team head coach, Phil Simmons said “I am really looking forward to the Inter Regional Series as it will give myself and the National Selectors a chance to see our best players compete against each other. We expect the Series to be highly competitive and it is a genuine chance for all involved to stake a claim for selection in the Senior squad.”

The extension of the Series in 2012 will see a three game 50 Over Series combined with a four team Twenty 20 event with details to be announced later in the year of the format and dates for these games in 2012.

All available players that are eligible to play for Ireland or are within one year of eligibility will be considered for selection

Ireland may play 15 ODIs against full-members over five years

LONDON: With their 2015 World Cup hopes shattered, fast improving Ireland can now look forward to play 15 one-day internationals against the full-member nations in the next five years. 

Ireland and other associate members were denied a chance to play in the next World Cup in Australia and New Zealand as the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided to conduct the tournament with 10 full-member nations. 

But Cricket Ireland chairman David Williamsrecently met Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Shashank Manohar and said he has received good support from the full members on playing them on a regular basis. 

"One of our ambitions is to increase our ODI exposure against full members to between 10 to 15 per annum, and we received some support from full members to accommodate us," Williams said. 

Ireland earned the reputation of giant-killers in the 2011 World Cup where they shocked England in the league stages and got praise from the top teams for their impressive performance in the tournament. 

William travelled to India with the agenda of securing a qualifying tournament for the next World Cup, ensuring a promotion and relegation system in ODI leagues, and for collecting support for more ODIs for Ireland. 

"I didn't get the first, but the second was delivered and I am hopeful that the last will happen," he said. 

"Mr Manohar was charming, as expected, but he said he felt the full members did not have time to adjust to a qualifying tournament for the 2015 World Cup and it would disrupt the Future Tours Programme. But I don't think they are arguments which could not be overcome." 

"There will be qualifying for the 2019 tournament but that is six years away, but the promotion and relegation between ODI leagues is a very significant step for us as well," he said. 

Ireland's next international assignment is at home where they play two ODIs against World Cup semifinalist Pakistan.