Ireland and Scotland Cricket: Associate Nations Making Their Mark
Ireland and Scotland have punched above their weight in international cricket — with Ireland earning Full ICC membership in 2017. This guide covers their greatest moments, key players, and the growing competitiveness of cricket's associate nations.
Cricket in Ireland and Scotland exists in the shadow of more famous sports — Gaelic football and hurling in Ireland, football in Scotland. Yet both nations have produced competitive cricket teams that have created genuine upsets against Test nations. Ireland's extraordinary journey from Associate status to Full ICC membership in 2017 — and their subsequent Test victories — represents cricket's best story of development from below.
Ireland's Greatest Moment: 2011 World Cup
Ireland's victory over England in the 2011 Cricket World Cup group stage in Bangalore is the most celebrated upset in Irish cricket history. Ireland chased 328 with Kevin O'Brien scoring 113 off 63 balls — the fastest World Cup century ever at the time. England were defending champions and strongly favoured; the Irish victory was cricket's greatest World Cup upset. It announced Irish cricket to a global audience and accelerated their path to Full membership.
Ireland's Test Status
Ireland were granted Full ICC membership and Test status in June 2017. Their first Test — against Pakistan at Malahide in 2018 — was followed by a historic Test win against England at Lord's in 2019. Tim Murtagh, Boyd Rankin, Kevin O'Brien, and Andrew Balbirnie have led their Test development. Ireland have struggled for regular opponents (the ICC schedule limits how often Full members play Associate-level Test nations), but their cricket development continues.
Scotland's Journey
Scotland have been more limited in their ascent but have had notable moments — beating England in an ODI at Edinburgh in 2018 was one of cricket's minor miracles. Richie Berrington has been their most consistent performer across formats. Scotland compete in the ICC Cricket World Cup League and T20 World Cup qualifiers, regularly punching above their weight relative to their cricket infrastructure and resources.
Frequently asked questions
Does Ireland have Test status in cricket?
Yes. Ireland were granted Full ICC membership and Test status in June 2017. They played their first Test in 2018 and have since beaten England at Lord's — a significant milestone in Irish cricket history.
What was Ireland's biggest cricket upset?
Ireland's victory over England in the 2011 Cricket World Cup group stage at Bangalore is their most celebrated result. Chasing 328, Kevin O'Brien hit 113 off 63 balls — then the fastest World Cup century — to lead Ireland to a famous win.
Has Scotland ever beaten a Test nation in cricket?
Yes. Scotland beat England in an ODI at Edinburgh in 2018 — one of cricket's most significant Associate nation upsets. They also defeated Afghanistan in T20I cricket and regularly reach ICC tournaments competitively.