Ireland Cricket: Big year looms on and off pitch
While Ireland finished 2025 appearing to run out of steam in Bangladesh, the year will be best remembered as one when the men's side were too lightly ran.The side played just three Test matches, beating Zimbabwe in February while losing twice to Bangladesh in November, with all three played away from home.Furthermore, any attempt to build momentum for the 2026 T20 World Cup was hampered by just seven of 12 scheduled T20 internationals producing a result.Three of that number, two against West Indies and one against England, were abandoned without a ball bowled. Assessing form from such a small sample size - especially given the apparent standing of interprovincial fixtures - has proven a challenge for Heinrich Malan's side, an issue only exacerbated by bowling injuries when England visited Malahide in September.Five World Cup warm-up games in Dubai in the space of eight days will see Ireland take on Italy three times and UAE twice at the end of January. It will be hoped players such as Mark Adair and Josh Little get back in the groove there to bolster the seam attack for the tournament that Ireland begin by facing hosts Sri Lanka on 8 February.Can Tim Tector continue to press his claim to join Stirling as an opener? What of the case of Ben Calitz to solidify his spot in the middle order? Where does Ross Adair fit in when he returns from injury?There is a sense that, after such little cricket in 2025, Ireland are playing catch-up somewhat when it comes to deciding upon their best team.With the exception of 2022, this has never been Ireland's favourite tournament while, when placed in a group with Australia, Zimbabwe and Oman as well as hosts Sri Lanka, reaching the super eights would be viewed as a strong showing this time around.Including those warm-ups, that there will be at least nine games in the space of 25 days offers the opportunity to build some much needed momentum with bat, ball and within the news cycle, but there will be disappointment regarding the lack of clarity over what will follow.It has already been stressed that Ireland's home summer will contain more cricket this year, although time is running out to confirm dates, venues and opponents in time to take advantage of the increased visibility during the World Cup.
