Porterfield insists Ireland ready for Test cricket

Ian Callender (Sunday Life)



CAPTAIN William Porterfield insists Ireland are ready for Test match cricket, despite losing their position at the top of the Intercontinental Cup table after last weeks record defeat by Afghanistan.



Conditions  temperatures in the middle were in the high 40s in Greater Noida - and injuries were mitigating circumstances but the size of the Afghans victory, by an innings and 172 runs, does not look good as Ireland aim to join the elite of the world game.



Porterfield was undoubtedly handicapped by the absence Boyd Rankin and Kevin OBrien  both had to leave the tour early because of injury  and Paul Stirlings broken finger sustained on the first day prevented him batting higher than No 7 and denied the skipper an extra slow bowling option.



We are striving for Test cricket and this tour was an invaluable experience, said Porterfield. We have a National Academy in place, two international grounds at Malahide and Stormont, our inter-pro competition has first class status from this season, and while it all takes time we have the building blocks in place.



Tours like this will help, playing the same team game after game and if you are coming up against a bowler like Rashid Khan who is bowling as well as he is, you have to find a way to cope and on the flip side for players like Stirlo, for example, who had a great one-day series to go on and cash in when you are in nick.



Its a big learning curve because only Ed Joyce has had that experience of touring before, when he was with England, so its been good.



Despite the results, he might have added, and Ireland must hope that both Ireland and Afghanistan are fast-tracked to Test status at Junes ICC Council meeting. For now they are playing catch-up with Afghanistan.