Ireland cricket team is ICC’s 11th Full Member. Although they may be relatively “young” in international competitions, the Ireland cricket team history is quite long. Due to climate conditions and the scale of facilities, Ireland occasionally plays “home matches” in England or overseas. In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive introduction of the Green and Whites.

Ireland Cricket Team Basic Info

Ireland Cricket Team History

Ireland might be the origins of cricket through an ancient game called Gaelic Game. This game was taken to various parts of the world by Irish soldiers serving in the British Army, and even today, some terms like ‘bail’ or ‘googly’ are still used in modern cricket. Modern cricket was introduced to Ireland around the 19th century, and the notable first match was played by the Ireland cricket team against the Gentlemen of England in 1855.

Until 1999, with interruptions only during the World Wars, Ireland played first-class cricket matches against Scotland every year. Besides these matches, almost all other games for them were against nations with Test Status, as these countries found it convenient to include Ireland in their touring schedules. In these encounters, Ireland occasionally surprised the Test nations such as the 60-run victory over the West Indies cricket team in a three-day match held in Dublin in 1928.

In 2017, after participating in international matches for decades, the Green and Whites achieved a historic milestone by being granted Full Member status by the ICC, allowing them to play Test matches, and the other nation is Afghanistan. Following a string of seven consecutive defeats, Ireland finally achieved their maiden Test victory on 1 March 2024. This historic moment in Ireland cricket team history saw them triumph over Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, securing a win by six wickets.

Match Performance

The Green and Whites may have joined international cricket competitions later than other countries, but their passion for the sport has led to many exciting moments over the years. Let’s take a look at some of these highlights together.

Ireland Test Cricket Team

In 2017, the Ireland Test cricket team achieved a historic milestone by being awarded Full Member status by the ICC. This meant they could now play Test matches, the longest and most prestigious format of the game. The Ireland Test Cricket Team made their debut against Pakistan in 2018, a match that was closely contested and reached a milestone in Ireland cricket team history.

Ireland ODI Cricket Team

On June 13, 2006, at Stormont in Belfast, Ireland ODI cricket team played their first match in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 7,500 spectators. Although they lost this match by 38 runs, they successfully avenged the defeat in the 2011 World Cup – Ireland ODI cricket team pulled off one of the biggest upsets in cricket history by defeating England cricket team in a nail-biting match. Kevin O’Brien’s record-breaking century in that match is still talked about by cricket enthusiasts around the world.

Ireland T20 Cricket Team

One of the standout moments in Ireland T20 cricket team came in 2010 when they participated in the ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies. Although they didn’t advance beyond the group stages, their spirited performances laid the foundation for future successes. Their efforts culminated in a historic win against South Africa cricket team in 2024, which was their first-ever T20I victory against the Proteas. This win not only boosted Ireland T20 cricket team’s morale but also showcased their growing prowess in the shortest format of the game.

Ireland Cricket Team：Pride in Green, Strength in Whites

Over the years, several players have become synonymous with the success of the Green and Whites. Kevin O’Brien, of course, is one of the most famous, thanks to his unforgettable century against England. Other standout players include the likes of Paul Stirling, the aggressive top-order batsman, and William Porterfield, who captained the team for many years with steady leadership. With a rich Ireland cricket team history and plenty of exciting prospects for the future, this team is definitely one to keep an eye on.