Heinrich Malan Advocates Two-Tier Test Championship for Ireland

Heinrich Malan, head coach of the Ireland cricket team, has publicly supported the introduction of a two-tier Test championship. This proposal comes as Ireland prepares to face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series later this month, marking only their second such series in this format.

Malan’s endorsement of a two-tier system aligns with the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) proposal to expand the current nine-team Test championship to twelve teams, organized into two divisions of six. Such a change would enable Ireland to engage more frequently with teams like Pakistan, the West Indies, and Bangladesh, in addition to Afghanistan and Zimbabwe.

“The fact that there could be promotion and relegation will really give it some context,” Malan stated. “I’d be very much in favour, in general, and it would mean more Test cricket.”

The current financial constraints of hosting Test matches have limited Ireland, known as the Boys in Green, to only two home Tests and a total of ten Tests played since their elevation to full member status in 2017. Malan expressed concerns about the high costs associated with Test cricket, noting, “We put a high price on Test cricket. The fact that we don’t play it that often heightens that a little bit as well.”

Malan also emphasized the importance of increasing the frequency of Test matches. “We’ve played a fair few one-off Test matches and hopefully, as we move forward, we can keep seeing two Tests taking place as a minimum. I know it’s not always viable, but that’s definitely something that we would be pushing for,” he said.

In their brief history in Test cricket, Ireland has only competed in one two-match series, where they faced Sri Lanka in Galle in 2023, suffering defeat in both matches. This year also saw them lose their only encounter against Bangladesh in Dhaka.

With the retirement of PJ Moor, Malan hinted at the potential for Cade Carmichael to take on the opening batting role in the upcoming Test against Bangladesh at Sylhet. “He has shown that real appetite to score runs and done that consistently throughout the year,” Malan commented, praising Carmichael’s performances in domestic and club cricket, as well as his contributions with the Wolves.

As Ireland looks to carve out a more substantial presence in Test cricket, Malan’s call for a two-tier championship could be pivotal in providing the team with the opportunities and competitive environment necessary for growth.