The Irish Cricket Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Ireland men return to action after a four month break this week. Their tour of Zimbabwe starts with a Test match in Bulawayo. With Ireland having returned to red ball in 2023, securing a first win both away and on home soil, the novelty effect is starting to wear off. Couple this with the sparse schedule lack of World Test Championship representation, one question remains: why does Ireland play Test cricket? Nathan Johns and Ally McAlmont discuss this while Test captain Andrew Balbirnie also gives us view. We also chat through Ireland's winter results as the women's team toured Bangladesh and India.

Nathan Johns and Ally McAlmont pick through Ireland's victory over Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Who impressed with bat and ball, and where does this victory rank in Ireland's red ball success of the past year? Now that Andrew Balbirnie's side has won three Tests on the spin, what is the future of Ireland's participation in the format? How can Ireland find a way to play more Tests? Plus, what next for Aimee Maguire after she was suspended by the ICC for an illegal bowling action?

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After a rain-interrupted T20 series brings to an end Ireland's tour of Zimbabwe, Ally McAlmont and Nathan Johns look to the future. Tim Tector was the one player to debut across the seven games, who might be next? Did Ireland get their selections right? Who might replace Ed Joyce as women's head coach?

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Ireland have fallen to Zimbabwe in this week's ODI series. Where did it all go wrong? How to explain the negative batting displays? Did the bowlers still come up trumps? What's going on with Josh Little?

Nathan and Ally also react to the surprise news that Ed Joyce will step down as Ireland women head coach after the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Ireland all-rounder Mark Adair joins Ally McCalmont and Nathan Johns on this week's episode. We debrief the Zimbabwe series, get into Adair's recent form, backyard scraps with his brother as well as a few nerdy deep dives.

Nathan and Ally also chat the upcoming Wolves squad and the concerning reliance on overseas imports.

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Former Ireland wicketkeeper Andy Patterson has endured plenty since retiring from county cricket. Originally from Cliftonville, the one-time Surrey and Sussex man was diagnosed with a condition which threatened to leave him paralysed. After raising over £70,000 with the help of a number of people, Patterson had a successful surgery and is slowly building up his ability to walk again. He joins Ally McCalmont and Nathan Johns to talk through his journey while reminiscing on his playing career.

Patterson is doing a 5k walk later this week in aid of Neuroharmony, a charity which advocates on behalf of those with autism, ADHD and anxiety. You can donate here: https://www.givey.com/runfor10000surrey2025

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Last week saw the announcement of Ireland's home summer international schedule. While the cancellation of the Afghanistan series was expected, plenty still pointed to the lack of fixtures not matching increased ICC funding levels. What are Cricket Ireland's priorities, if not hosting matches?

Plus, we hear from Abhishek Bachchan, the new investor in the Euro T20 Premier League. Some are still sceptical that the former Euro Slam will take place this year. Can the Bollywood star turned cricket investor guarantee that the six-year wait for an Irish franchise league is about to end?

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How will the European T20 Premier League actually benefit Irish cricket? Which Irish players will be involved? Who might miss out? Where has Cricket Ireland's club money been spent? What is the best Irish Test XI of all time?

Listener questions answered in this week's mailbag/Q&A episode.

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On Wednesday, Ireland's women's team starts their bid to qualify for the ODI World Cup with a clash against Pakistan. Ally McAlmont and Nathan Johns come to you slightly earlier in the week than normal to preview their chances. We also have an exclusive interview with former captain Laura Delany. Have Ireland's chances been overly depleted by injury? Why is this side more comfortable in T20 rather than 50-over cricket? How has Delany adjusted to being back in the pack once the captaincy was given elsewhere last year?

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Over the next few weeks, Ireland women, Wolves and U19s all play in an important series of fixtures. With the U19s starting first, Nathan Johns and Ally McAlmont pick through which players are worth watching as those most likely to progress through to international level.

We also chat through the upcoming start of the club season and how grounds around the country are getting ready for the summer ahead. Is there a disconnect between cricket people in the north of the country and the national sides?

Get in touch on Twitter @irishcricketpod or email us at theirishcricketpod@gmail.com