The more things change, the more they stay the same

Did we learn anything new about Ireland ahead of a significant year of T20 cricket?

📸: Cricket Ireland

One some level, Irish cricket badly needed the events of the last few weeks.

Such was the negativity surrounding a disappointing ODI World Cup qualifying attempt during the spring, the value of simply winning games of cricket once again cannot be understated.

As captain Gaby Lewis walked off the pitch at Lahore back in April, Ireland losing to Bangladesh by two-wickets in a result that knocked them out of World Cup contention, she would have bitten your hand off had she been offered seven wins from eight in the upcoming home summer. Yes, five of those games came against lowly Zimbabwe. Losing is still an important habit to break, particularly when those defeats in Pakistan looked to be caused by psychological factors, alongside the physical challenge of the heat.

All the criticism of batting collapses and contagious fielding lapses, followed by justifiable relief in watching a side now enjoying its cricket once again, can obscure the analytical view of Ireland’s home summer. In a strict, cold sense, did we really learn anything new about this team in their first games under a new head coach?

Ireland is a good, if not very good T20 team. Either side of the 50-over qualifier disappointment, they went on a nine-match winning run in the shortest format. This included a win over England (albeit not at full strength), three away in Bangladesh, three at home over Zimbabwe and then the most recent pair of victories vs Pakistan.

T20 is such variable game, subject to the whims of individual form and chance. To win nine games on the spin against a handful of good teams - away from home to boot in the case of Bangladesh - is no mean feat. Some of these games were tight, too. In contrast to Ireland capitulating when the pressure came on in the longer format, the T20 run featured a last ball win over England in Clontarf and Laura Delany hitting 15 off a final over to beat Bangladesh. Lest we forget Jane Maguire’s one-ball power cameo to break Pakistan’s hearts.

The names of those contributing to win has also been consistent. Both in its consistency and inconsistency. The bat of Orla Prendergast was critical to beating England. She was named player of the series out in Bangladesh and last week in Clontarf. Gaby Lewis took her turn to score runs against Zimbabwe.

The supporting cast, though, was varied. Unlike during the now over-mentioned 50-over qualifiers, Ireland’s middle and lower order also contributed. Delany was instrumental to a pair of Bangladesh wins. Rebecca Stokell had the best day of her T20 carer against Pakistan. Maguire had her moment in the sun. Spinners Cara Murray and Lara McBride returned from the international wilderness and debuted respectively to take vital wickets this summer.

In a way, Ireland’s T20 form shows the anecdote for their longer-form struggles. A senior player - Lewis, Prendergast or Hunter - leading the way. Valuable contributions from a variety of players depending on who has a day out. The ability to stay composed and hold on to winning positions.

All of which begs the question, is it that difficult to replicate such a blueprint in a longer game? Is it simply a case of mental and physical fitness needing to improve to translate 20-over success into 50-over excellence?

If I had a simple answer, I wouldn’t be in this job. Straightforward solutions point to a lack of 50-over cricket at club level. The Super Series 50-over campaign does not last the full summer. Only two Irish players featured in county cricket’s long-form competition. One of those, Hunter, played a solitary game.

For now, none of this matters. T20 is the only format of real note until June 2026, when a short-form World Cup in England takes place. Ireland have a European qualifier next week, which should be negotiated safely given the Netherlands, Italy and Germany are the opposition. All going well, they head to Nepal in January for another qualifier to then reach England.

All should be rosy in the garden. Ireland are a good T20 team after all. Confident might be a strong word, but surely we will be looking forward to seeing them in the closest thing to a home World Cup any time soon.

The counter to that logic is Ireland failed to reach the most recent T20 World Cup. For all the praise of their ability to win tight games of late, a batting meltdown, albeit a brief one, still cost them against Scotland in the most recent T20 qualifiers. This after Ireland had a poor T20 World Cup in 2023 despite beating Australia in the warm-up games for that tournament.

All of which suggests one critical question remains. Ireland is a good T20 team. They have an excellent record in bilateral short form cricket in recent years. Yet in more high pressure situations, qualifiers and indeed World Cups themselves, they have failed to translate their ability to success.

Meaning nothing has changed. Beating Zimbabwe and Pakistan shows Ireland is still a good T20 team. They should have sights on rising above Pakistan, West Indies and Sri Lanka in the rankings (Bangladesh have already been leapfrogged). Yet they have to find a way of bringing this form into next week’s qualifiers followed by the next showdown in January.

Can Ireland change their narrative of bilateral Tarzans but qualifying Janes? This summer’s home campaign gave us no indication, either positive or negative. It is frustrating that we have to wait until early 2026 for an answer.

But this is the beauty of sport. Questions are always there. We very rarely get answers. The uncertainty is why we keep watching.

It certainly helps to watch a winning outfit, which in T20 cricket at least, Ireland have been for some time.