Irish selector Alan Lewis said it was “irritating” to think where Ireland could be without player defections.
Ireland chief selector Alan Lewis has told of his frustration that Dublin-born Eoin Morgan will captain England at the upcoming Cricket World Cup.
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The former Ireland captain told the Slog Sweep podcast that he was pleased to see Morgan reach the top level of cricket, but said it was “irritating” to think where Irish cricket could be if the likes of Morgan stuck with their home country.
“I look at the England set up and over the last 10 years, three people from this little island where cricket is the fourth or fifth sport are playing for a country whose national sport is cricket,” Lewis said.
“It is a wee bit irritating to think where we could be if Eoin and Boyd were available (but) obviously we’ve got Ed back now.
“I wouldn’t want to deprive Eoin Morgan the opportunity with the ability he has, I’d want to play at the top level, and in honesty every Irish supporter would wish him well. It’s a great story, but it’s a great frustration.
“To get our players back, that’s part of the next step.”
Ireland lost another one of its stars to England when Boyd Rankin jumped ship in September 2013.
He made his debut against Ireland, but since then his England career has failed to take off.
Lewis said Ireland Cricket looked at the possibility of bringing Rankin back to Ireland, but attempts have so far been futile.
“We looked at it but certain doors got closed,” Lewis said.
“We watched Boyd’s form but with possibly Ireland sniffing around again, the England Lions were going to come watching and that’s exactly what happened.”
Ireland kicks off its World Cup campaign against the West Indies on Monday.
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