Legendary West Indies bowler Michael Holding has staunchly supported that Ireland should be granted Test-playing nation status in the wake of team's four-wicket win over Jason Holder's side in their World Cup opener in Nelson.
Reflecting on Ireland's performance, Holding said that Ireland need to be recognized now, adding that otherwise they would keep losing cricketers, the BBC reported.
The ICC has provided a pathway for Ireland to achieve Test status in 2018 when the winners of the 2017 Intercontinental Cup will play four five-days matches against the lowest-ranked Test team with the victors earning or retaining Test status.
Holding further said that if Ireland continued to linger around the lower regions of world cricket they would continue to lose good cricketers.
Holding added that Eoin Morgan left Ireland to play for England because he saw brighter prospects, and England are a Test playing nation and a world-renowned team.
Ireland will next meet the United Arab Emirates in Brisbane on Tuesday.
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