Confident Carmichael makes positive start on test debut

Cricket Ireland welcomes announcement final planning permission granted for development of first phase of National Cricket Centre

Cricket, November 11, 2025: Cade Carmichael batting during the first day of Ireland's test against Bangladesh at Sylhet. Picture: BCB

Cade Carmichael hit a confident 59 on debut, as Ireland battled hard to the end of day one of the Test match against Bangladesh.

Ireland finished on 270-8 after winning the toss and choosing to bat first at Sylhet.

Carmichael, 23, made his international debut against the West Indies in an ODI in May, and was handed his first Test cap before play by Gary Wilson. Carmichael played a steady hand, coming in at number three, and along with Paul Stirling (60) put on 96 for the second-wicket, a Test record for Ireland. 

The diminutive right-hander was patient at first, looking to turn the strike over regularly while punishing the loose ball. He brought up his half-century off 110 balls but fell shortly after for 59 in unfortunate circumstances. Playing a sweep shot to a ball outside off-stump, Carmichael top-edged the ball and was caught by a diving Najmul Shanto. The umpire gave it not out, but a referral to the third umpire overturned the decision and Carmichael was dismissed.

From 96-1, Ireland was soon 97-3 after Striling and Harry Tector (1) were removed. Curtis Campher offered stubborn resistance, making a patient 44, and Lorcan Tucker made a sprightly 41 to push Ireland over the 200-mark, but several important middle order wickets fell in the second session with Ireland collapsing from 203-4 to 222-7.

Under the pump, Jordan Neill - on debut - entered the fray and compiled a neat 30 from 60 balls, and together with Barry McCarthy (21*) put on 48 for the 8th wicket. The pair ground out 17 overs of defensive play to lift Ireland to 270, however, on the last ball of the day, the brave resistance of Neill came to an end – caught LBW by Taijul Islam.

Concept CGI vision of National Cricket Centre at the Sport Ireland campus at Blanchardstown.

Meanwhile, Cricket Ireland has welcomed the announcement that final planning permission has been granted for the development of the first phase of the National Cricket Centre on the Sport Ireland Campus.

The approval is a major next step in the project and will allow work to commence on the development of the main field of play, 4,240 spectator seats, the high performance cricket centre and player and match official building plus additional supporting infrastructure and parking facilities.

Brian MacNeice, chair of Cricket Ireland, said: “We are delighted that planning permission has been granted. The stadium and training facility is crucial to the long-term success and sustainability of Irish cricket and is a key element of our strategy for the future. This project, along with other investment in our sporting infrastructure, will represent a game changer for cricket in Ireland."

The site is approximately 30 hectares, located in the eastern part of the Sport Ireland campus at Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. The broader project will be split over two phases with this initial phase delivering the field of play and associated infrastructure.