You won’t do it on the field if you haven’t got it right off the field. There are so many examples in top sport that highlight the rise and fall of top performers who had the ability to reach the top, but not the resources to sustain it. It is no secret that consistency at the top in any discipline is only possible with the infrastructure to produce the best performers and consequently the best performances. Nowhere is that more evident than in Irish cricket where the shackles of the old Irish Cricket Union and its many limitations were parked in history when Cricket Ireland took us into the modern era.

Perhaps it was inevitable given that professionalism has lifted Irish cricket to another level, but it still had to be done, and without being too complacent we can now reflect with some satisfaction on the excellent resources within youth cricket, cricket development and the administration over the past two decades, that have supported the national team. It’s not perfect and it’s very much “Work in Progress,” but it’s light years away from the old regime and it’s part and parcel of what is needed to sustain consistency on the field at the highest level.

Everyone seems to have an opinion on everything these days but setting aside the usual rants and bias that are prevalent on most issues, and the inconsistencies within ICC strategies towards emerging Associate members, there can be no doubt that the biggest challenge facing Irish cricket in the immediate future is the ability to produce a creditable internal 1st Class cricket tournament.

This is an issue closely aligned with test cricket aspirations and seen by many as a vital component in Ireland’s campaign for more recognition at the highest level. But it is a huge challenge given that Irish cricket has not the resources nor the incentives to keep our best players at home, and while interprovincial matches will always feature top players they will never have them all available because of the county cricket obligations of contracted players. And the numbers are increasing as the counties now see Ireland as a fertile breeding ground to augment their traditional nurseries It is a Catch 22 situation as we produce more and more talented young players only to see them head off to England to ply their trade because that’s where the best opportunities lie.

It is a situation that is unlikely to change given the economies of scale and the lure of test cricket for a small number of our exceptional performers, but our progress must continue irrespective of the challenges. And that means our provincial unions and by extension clubs, must play their part in the evolving Irish cricket story.

In the past week the Northern Cricket Union showed their commitment to the future with an impressive Development Plan, the announcement of several new sponsors to support their interprovincial squads and the introduction of a dynamic new website to promote the Northern Knights brand. Outside the glare of publicity the NCU has also been very active in setting up impressive coaching and youth cricket structures. To some observers these announcements may seem run-of-the-mill, but quite the contrary. Bringing high quality sponsors into cricket in the current economic environment is highly commendable from both sides and building the Northern Knights brand is essential to marketing and promoting the regional team.

The fact that the NCU has upped the ante shows a huge commitment to Cricket Ireland and the depth of support needed off the field to support what happens on the field. It also shows a commitment to the vision of Cricket Ireland and the role each union has to play in taking Irish cricket up another notch in international status. Of course, there are other challenges including the limitations of a three-team format, the logistics within a short and busy season, the remuneration packages to players, grounds, coaches, the marketing of matches and getting people to come and watch games. But we have professional people within Cricket Ireland who are addressing these issues so the NCU’s recent announcements should be seen as a strong statement that the provincial unions are behind the parent body.

It sets another benchmark and shows how far cricket has progressed from the old days, but it remain “Work in Progress.” This is part of the dynamic within Irish cricket these days and although there will always be something to complain about, we should never lose sight of the many positives that are happening all the time.