The Irishman George Dockrell is a good bet to play in the next World Cup in 2015. Whether he will be able to do it for his home country, though, or will have to move to its bigger neighbor to the east is the question.

The 18-year-old left-arm spin bowler is scheduled to play for Ireland against West Indies on Friday, a few days after he put on the biggest display yet of his prodigious talent. Last Sunday he dismissed India’s living batting legend, Sachin Tendulkar, and its captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a duo any spinner in the world would be delighted to snare.

Yet it was a performance that had to induce mixed feelings for Irish fans. While Dockrell helped Ireland to a respectable performance against the World Cup co-hosts and favorites, it also increased the likelihood that he would be the next Irishman to change national allegiance so he can play test cricket.

Ireland stands outside the 10 nations — including England, Australia and India — who have test status in cricket. These 10 monopolize power in the sport and receive automatic qualification to the World Cup. Current plans for the 2015 World Cup envision cutting the number of teams to 10, though entry requirements have not been finalized yet.