Tuesday 1 August 2017 18:40, UK
Irish cricketers in the County Championship may have to choose between their club and their country, now that Ireland has been granted Test status, Sky sources understand.
From September 2019, any Irishman who still wants play for his country will be considered an overseas player in English domestic cricket.
The ECB Board approved the registration changes last week in response to Ireland gaining full Test status.
Counties are only allowed to play one overseas player in a Championship match (two in T20 Blast matches), so it will be harder for an Irish cricketer to get a contract.
Cricket Ireland are understood to be considering the issue and could try to introduce a central contract system similar to the one employed by the ECB in order to protect the quality of the national team.
