Cricket Ireland doesn’t need to think long or hard when it comes to New Year’s resolutions for 2026.
The main aim over the next 12 months will be to play more cricket in 2025 after white-ball captain Paul Stirling described his side as “ill-prepared” for the big home summer series.
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While there is no confirmation yet on whether Test cricket will return to Stormont against New Zealand, nor a white-ball series against India in Dublin, the upcoming T20 World Cup has ensured that the early months of 2026 will be even busier than the year just past.
This summer, Ireland’s women’s football team are set to have a big year on and off the pitch as they attempt to qualify for their own global tournament and with a new chief executive appointed for the first time in almost two decades.
World Cup ensures meaningful cricket in early months
Josh Little is one of Ireland’s players keen to find form in 2026 after injury [Getty Images]
While Ireland appeared to be running out of steam against Bangladesh at the end of 2025, the year will be best remembered as one in which the men’s team performed far too easily.
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The team has played only three Test matches, beating Zimbabwe in February and losing twice to Bangladesh in November, all three games away from home.
Furthermore, any attempt to build momentum for the 2026 T20 World Cup has been hampered as only seven of the 12 scheduled T20 internationals have made their mark.
Three of the matches, two against West Indies and one against England, were abandoned without a bowler being bowled.
Assessing the team’s form from such a small sample size – especially given the apparent status of the inter-provincial schedule – will be a challenge for Heinrich Malan’s side, and bowling injuries will only exacerbate the problem when England visit Malahide in September.
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Five World Cup warm-up matches will be held in Dubai over eight days, with Ireland facing Italy three and the United Arab Emirates two at the end of January. It will be hoped that the likes of Mark Adair and Josh Little can return to their best form to provide Ireland’s seaming attack against hosts Sri Lanka on February 8.
Can Tim Turcotte stick around and join Sterling as opener? What about Ben Calitz cementing his midfield status? Where will Ross Adair be when he returns from injury? There is a feeling that, after playing so little cricket in 2025, Ireland are playing catch-up in terms of deciding the best team.
Barring 2022, this has never been Ireland’s most popular tournament and reaching the Super Eights this time will be seen as a strong showing when grouped with Australia, Zimbabwe and Oman, as well as hosts Sri Lanka.
Including these warm-up games, there will be at least nine games in 25 days, providing an opportunity to build some much-needed momentum with bat, ball and the news cycle, but there will be disappointment due to the lack of clarity on what happens next.
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It has been stressed that there will be more cricket in Ireland’s home summer this year, although time is running out to confirm dates, venues and opponents in time to capitalize on the increased visibility during the World Cup.
Tennant’s side showed the world stage that Ireland belonged
Captain Gabby Lewis will lead Ireland in January’s T20 global qualifiers [Getty Images]
The Ireland women’s team will already face a series of key games of their own ahead of the Malans trip to Sri Lanka.
In Nepal in January, Lloyd Tennant’s side will be one of nine teams vying for four spots in next summer’s T20 World Cup in England.
Ireland will embark on the trip after winning 16 of 18 matches and losing the series 3-0 to South Africa in December.
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Still, even against the Proteas, the performance from the Irish batsmen was enough to prove that they belong on the world stage, with the trio of Amy Hunt, captain Gabby Lewis and Orla Prendergast again providing real quality at the top of the table.
While the recent return of Amy Maguire has significantly strengthened the squad, the depth of talent in the bowling attack is not the same.
Ireland are in a group with Papua New Guinea, the United States, Bangladesh and Namibia as they look to prove they are worthy of a place in the biggest tournament ever.
Having failed to qualify for 2024, and with organizers saying they believe women’s cricket is “firmly entering the mainstream”, missing out again would mean a considerable missed opportunity.
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New CEO Keane will have a lot on her to-do list
Sarah Keane will start her new role at Cricket Ireland on March 1 [Getty Images]
If it is hoped that two World Cups will bring enough traction on the field, there will be huge interest in Irish Cricket 2026 off the field as well.
Warren Deutrom resigned last year after 19 years at the helm of the organization and his successor, Sarah Keane, will officially take over the role on March 1 following the conclusion of Swim Ireland.
With Dortrom’s breakthrough appearances at the 2007 and 2011 ODI World Cups, as well as being awarded full membership in 2017, it may be difficult to see similar landmark moments in Keane’s tenure.
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However, the opening of a permanent stadium in Blanchardstown, expected in 2028, appears inevitable, with hopes that both Dublin and Belfast will be able to host matches at the 2030 World Cup.
Negotiating the next broadcast deal is also a considerable responsibility, while the establishment of the European T20 League remains on the agenda after being postponed to 2025.
In short, as the lack of action last year showed, the bigger picture in 2026 will include taking the necessary steps to ensure that hosting international cricket in Ireland remains a financially viable enterprise.
