Inter-Provincial Trophy

History

Background

The Ireland cricket team have had huge success recently on the international level which has boosted the popularity of the game in the country. They had earned the reputation of a giant killer after upsetting teams like Pakistan and Bangladesh (2007 Cricket World Cup), and England (2011 Cricket World Cup). Their good performances in major international tournaments meant that Cricket Ireland openly started bidding for Test match status to the International Cricket Council. Nevertheless, one of the main stumbling road blocks for Ireland from getting to play the pinnacle of the game was a lack of a first-class cricket infrastructure at home, among other things. As early as August 2011, Cricket Ireland announced plans of a domestic first-class tournament.

In January 2012, Cricket Ireland announced the ambitious 'Vision 2020' plan which announced the establishment of a first-class structure by 2015 and achievement of Test status by 2020. It also began work on a cricket academy to find talented players across the country and improving grass-roots cricket in the country. For the first time professional contacts, with central, A, B, and C were established. Plans for Test status were established partly to stem the flow of their star cricketers moving away to England in hope of playing Test cricket such as Ed Joyce, Eoin Morgan and Boyd Rankin.

According to Richard Holdsworth in an interview with Setanta Sports, CI were pleased with the strategic progress that had been made as of November 2012. In December 2012, Ireland got a $1.5m boost as increased funding from the ICC to establish elite domestic competitions in the country.

Initially the tournament did not hold List-A T20 status, however this was granted by the ICC starting for the 2017 season.

A fourth province, Munster Reds was added in 2017.

Format

The tournament is held as a double round-robin format with each team playing each other twice, once at its home ground and the other leg away.

Teams

According to Richard Holsworth's interview to Setanta Sports, three teams would initially participate in the tournament, Leinster, Northern and North West, representing the three historically strongest provincial unions in Irish cricket, as Munster and Connacht Unions were considered still quite far away from fielding a competitive team for provincial tournaments.

They were also given a separate limited overs brands or names familiar to supporters of the systems in England and Australia, Leinster Lightning, Northern Knights and North West Warriors. Munster were added for the 2017 season, choosing to play under the name Munster Reds.

Competition placings

2013 to present

Results of each season are here:

All-time records

(Correct to 6 March 2024)

Team records

Highest innings totals

Lowest completed innings totals

Individual records – batting

Most career runs

Highest individual scores

Individual records – bowling

Most career wickets

Best bowling in an innings

Partnership records

Highest partnerships

Highest partnerships for each wicket

References and notes

References

1. [http://www.espn.co.uk/cricket/sport/story/5900.html ICC to consider Ireland's bid for Test status]{{Dead link. (September 2024)
2. "Ireland plan first-class structure". ESPNcricinfo.
3. [http://www.cricketeurope4.net/DATABASE/ARTICLES5/articles/000002/000275.shtml Ireland unveil Test cricket vision] {{Webarchive. link. (17 February 2012 CricketEurope4.net. Retrieved 9 March 2013)
4. [http://www1.skysports.com/cricket/news/12342/7452036/Ireland-s-2020-vision CI reveals ambitious plans aimed at receiving Test status] Sky Sports. Retrieved 9 March 2013
5. "Ireland map out path to Tests". ESPNcricinfo.
6. [http://www.cricketcountry.com/cricket-articles/Ireland-s-Boyd-Rankin-retires-to-play-Test-cricket-for-England/16801 Ireland's Boyd Rankin retires to play Test cricket for England] {{Webarchive. link. (10 April 2013 Cricket Country. Retrieved 9 March 2013)
7. "Ireland calls for Test status to 'halt exodus'". ESPNcricinfo.
8. [http://irelandcricket.weebly.com/1/post/2012/08/rankin-retires-holdsworth-calls-for-test-status.html Rankin retires, Holdsworth calls for Test status] {{Webarchive. link. (12 April 2013 irelandcricketwebbly.com. Retrieved 9 March 2013)
9. [http://www.setanta.com/ie/cricket-ireland-happy-with-progress-of-strategic-plan/ Cricket Ireland happy with progress of strategic plan] {{Webarchive. link. (9 January 2013 Setanta Sports. Retrieved 9 March 2013)
10. "Ireland set for $1.5m boost". ESPNcricinfo.
11. "First-class boost for Irish cricket".
12. [http://www.cricketireland.ie/news/article/north-west-announce-shortlist-for-name North-West announce shortlist for name] {{Webarchive. link. (8 January 2017 Cricket Ireland. Retrieved 9 March 2013)
13. [http://www.cricketireland.ie/news/article/ncu-confirm-team-name-for-2013-interpros NCU confirm team name for 2013 Interpros] {{Webarchive. link. (8 January 2017 Cricket Ireland. Retrieved 9 March 2013)
14. "Munster boost for inter-pro series?". CricketEurope.