Ireland could make their Test cricket debut as early as next year, after the International Cricket Council approved a new constitution that outlines a Test pathway for associate teams.

Major winners Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy are both recognised in the New Year Honours List in the UK.

LEICESTERSHIRE chairman Neil Davidson has called for England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke to resign over the body’s close links with Allen Stanford.

ZIMBABWE will not tour England next year after cricket chiefs in London officially severed ties with the African country with full support from the British government.

BILLIONAIRE investor and philanthropist George Soros stood to land stg£10 million yesterday from his stake in self-storage firm Safestore, which is being taken over in a management buyout.