Sponsor boost will push Ireland to the next level

Cricket Ireland’s multi-million euro, 10-year sponsorship deal with Indian company Shapoorji Pallonji has been hailed as a crucial step on the path to achieving Test status for the men’s national team by 2019.

The deal announced yesterday with the multinational conglomerate will award it naming rights of Cricket Ireland’s national academy and the new backers will also become an official partner to the national governing body.

“It is very important,” said Cricket Ireland performance director Richard Holdsworth. “A lot goes into a successful governing body. It’s not just about elite players in the men’s or women’s teams. It is about the whole infrastructure.