Former Australian Cricket Player Gillespie Says Ireland Would Boost Test Cricket

Former Australian cricket player Jason Gillespie said that Ireland "should be given full test-playing status to help put some excitement back into cricket's traditional format," according to Martyn Herman of REUTERS. With test match crowds dwindling, Gillespie believes that "the time is right" for the Int'l Cricket Council to get Ireland and its fan club, the "Blarney Army" on board. Gillespie said, "Let's face it, outside of Australia and England -- and to a lesser extent South Africa -- people don't turn up to watch test cricket. That's just the way it is. And it's sad. One fantastic way to give test cricket a lift straight away would be to give Ireland full test status" (REUTERS, 12/15).