Simon Doull Makes Controversial Remark, Says Ireland Getting Test Status Was 'Worst Thing'

Simon Doull, who is a New Zealand radio personality, commentator, and former international cricketer, has made a controversial remark, saying that the worst thing that happened to Ireland cricket was getting Test status.

Team Ireland gained Test status in 2018 and they started off their journey in the purest format of the game with a one-off Test against Pakistan, which they lost. Since then, they have played six Test matches and have not yet earned a victory. The most recent Test appearance of Ireland came against England at the Lord’s, London in June 2023 where the Three Lions won by 10 wickets.

Ireland are currently in England for a three-match ODI series. The first match was abandoned due to rain on September 20 at the Headingley in Leeds. The next two matches are set to be played on September 23 and 26 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham and Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol respectively.

Speaking on Sky Sports during the first ODI, Simon Doull talked about the state of Ireland cricket and said:

“I’m probably going to lose a few fans, but the worst thing that’s happened in Ireland cricket was they got Test status.

“It’s going to sound silly because you want to test yourselves against the best. Playing Test cricket is still the ultimate for some players; it won’t be the ultimate in the future in 15-20 years.”

Ireland cricket was at its best when their players were playing county cricket – Simon Doull

Simon Doull further claimed that Ireland cricket was in a better position when Irish players used to play county cricket in the United Kingdom. According to the cricketer-turned-commentator, Ireland players currently lack the knowledge to win games in difficult situations as they don’t have enough county cricket experience.

“But Ireland cricket was at its best when their players were playing county cricket. And when they were at their best, they had most of their players playing a very high standard of cricket in the UK,” he stated.

“Then they could transfer that to an Ireland team that could play with passion and there were plenty of players in and around that side that had a lot of experience and had been through situations where they knew how to win. That’s not what Ireland have got at the moment,” Doull added.