sussexpob wrote:Im not so convinced that the selection rules dont actually help associate sides in Ireland's situation, not hinder them.
The reality is, until Irish test cricket is flourishingin both performance and financial capability, regardless of Ireland's status you will find players defect to England if they can. Its not lack of test cricket that turns Joyce and Morgan England's way, its money, esteem and playing in big level series infront of big crowds and TV audiences, not 4 match series against Zimbabwe to empty stands.
A key example here is Graeme Hick.... he was capped by England in 1991, by which time the ICC had all but ratified a move to make Zimbabwe a test side, with a guy like Hick's reputation being part of the argument. He waited for test cricket for a long time due to residency issues, so waiting another 6 months or a year made no difference, it was the simple fact he wanted to play for England. Murray Goodwin waited a few years before he went to Zimbabwe, as a resident of Australia he clearly didnt want to play for Zimbabwe (in fact, he turned his back on Zimbabwe very quickly) and it was only when he averaged over 61 in a Shield year and it was clear to him he wouldnt be selected in an emerging very great team, he did agree to play tests for Zimbabwe.
Would any players chose to go to Ireland to play, knowing that was their international future? Would guys like Trent Johnston going there to put themselves on the Australia map, or Botha for South Africa, or where they playing for Ireland?
I'm not sure that even a flourishing irish test scene would stop Irish players from switching to England. After all everyone seems to forget that unlik most other neighboring cricketing countries it is REALLY easy for any Irishman to become British and qualify for the English team. The reason? The common travel area. This semi-official arrangement means that Irish citizens once they land in the UK are essentially permanent residents (given indefinite leave to remain) and thus well on their way to qualifying for British citizenship in a matter of years if they want. This is separate and apart from the EU rules on freedom of movement (which has a similar but slightly weaker effect on the Netherlands and Denmark with regards to England).
In all other situations NO neighboring cricket countries come with similar such immigration traditions. In Australasia, Aussies and Kiwis can freely move and reside in each other's countries BUT under the current rules of the semi-formal trans-tasman travel arrangement Kiwis do not become automatic permanent residents in Oz upon landing but can become indefinite residents. To become Aussie citizens and qualify for the Aussie team they would have to become permanent residents which due to the intricacies of the laws in place is actually a now a bit more of a tortuous process for Kiwis who landed as indefinite residents from what i understand.
In the Subcontinent for a Bangladeshi to become an Indian citizen or a Pakistani citizen they would first need a work permit and then apply for permanent residency and then citizenship....all of which would take quite a few years (the years when they would be in their prime for cricket).
There is some free movement in the Caribbean as well but since all the countries involved in free movement play under the West Indies banner save for Suriname and Belize this doesn't matter and in fact would help the West Indies as far as player movement is concerned.
- the Sherzai stadium in Jalalabad 
