Emerald Isle must build for its future...

THIS month brought Ireland the most exciting few weeks of bilateral cricket in their history. Yet Ireland were well-beaten in all five of their completed ODIs against England, Bangladesh and New Zealand; only against New Zealand in one game were Ireland well-placed for victory, before falling away.

Since the start of March, Ireland have played 12 ODIs, after years of pleading for more fixtures.Yet their team does not look any stronger at the end of this run than the start. The generation that sustained Irish cricket for so long looks exhausted. Kevin O’Brien was dropped for their last game; the first time he has been omitted when fit for 11 years. Tim Murtagh was left out too. Gary Wilson, averaging under 20 since the start of 2016, was fortunate to keep his place. Boyd Rankin is injured – again. Even Ed Joyce is floundering and is now retired from First-Class cricket.

Ireland have simply failed to regenerate. The core of players in their mid-20s now, who should be the heart of the side, have stagnated. Paul Stirling, one of the fastest starters in world cricket, ended the Tri-Series with consecutive ducks, and remains essentially the same infuriating player he was five years ago. Andy Balbirnie has contributed little since the 2015 World Cup; George Dockrell and Andy McBrine have not stepped up as spinners; and fast bowler Craig Young has stuttered too. All of this poses uncomfortable questions for Irish cricket. Admirable stability has descended into stagnation.

Ireland have a small playing pool and still get about $5 million a year less from the ICC than Zimbabwe. But that should not be used as an excuse.Who is to blame for the struggles of the group of players in their mid-20s, and what needs to change for their talent to be realised? Why is money being spent on warm weather facilities in La Manga when those in Ireland themselves aren’t up to scratch? Why was cash splurged on ODIs against Australia in South Africa last year when it would have been better spent on A team fixtures? Why is there no full-time batting coach?

All the while, their Associate rivals have improved: just look at Scotland themselves, who thumped a full-strength Sri Lanka by seven wickets on the same day as Ireland lost to New Zealand by 190 runs.