Marginalised and messy

Dec 29, 2012: Associate nations slid further away from the spotlight this year, and several look unlikely to make their way back

Cricket's top eight need to be challenged more

Sep 28, 2012: And for all the resources and chances they have got, Bangladesh haven't done it yet

Ireland v West Indies, World T20 2012, Group B, Colombo

Maturing Narine stays one step ahead

Sep 24, 2012: Sunil Narine didn't rely on mystery to defeat Ed Joyce, nor even on big turn. He cornered the batsman into surrendering his wicket - a hallmark of a maturing spinner.

Australia v Ireland, World T20 2012, Group B, Colombo

Teams now wise to Ireland - Watson

Sep 19, 2012: Having previously gone under the radar, there is no longer any underestimation of Ireland

Australia v Ireland, World T20 2012, Group B, Colombo

Johnston shelves the chicken

Sep 19, 2012:

Australia v Ireland, World T20 2012, Group B, Colombo

Ireland game is no joke for Australia

Sep 18, 2012: Twenty20 rankings change very quickly, but for a few days Ireland were above Australia which did not go down well for the men in green and gold

Look, ma

Sep 17, 2012: Famous cricketing mothers (and others who ought to be)

'T20 is about liking bowling under pressure'

Sep 12, 2012: The former Australia bowling coach looks at his time with the side, adapting between formats, and injury management

World Twenty20 players to watch - 5

Men with points to prove

Sep 11, 2012: Part five of our look at players in focus at the World Twenty20 features a number of cricketers with plenty to play for

World Twenty20 players to watch - 2

A wicket off his first ball, and 13 sixes in a T20

Aug 24, 2012: Plenty of record-holders in part two of our series on players who we expect will grab your attention in next month's World Twenty20

Ireland v Australia, ODI, Stormont

Lee remains an irresistible force

Jun 23, 2012: Brett Lee retains all the characteristics that made him a most fearsome operator and still provides an inspiring sight in the autumn of his career

ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2011-12

Best XI of the World T20 qualifiers

Mar 25, 2012: Ireland and Afghanistan dominate the list, but a couple of Nepal players caught the eye as well

Afghanistan v Ireland, World T20 Qualifier final, Dubai

Shahzad steps up again on the big stage

Mar 24, 2012: The next step in Afghanistan's journey is closing the gap between them and the second-tier Full Members. With players like Mohammad Shahzad forging an identity that commands attention, that day may come soon

ODI batting winner

The night of the possible

Feb 20, 2012: No one expected Ireland to pull off the biggest chase in World Cup history, against England. But they had one Kevin O'Brien in their midst to do just that

The Ireland story and others

Dec 31, 2011: The lack of support from the ICC towards the Associates and Affiliates did not deter one team. For the rest, it wasn't a great year

Pakistan in Ireland, 2011

What lies ahead for Ireland?

May 31, 2011: While Ireland may be the most promising of all the Associate nations, they still have many problems to confront in their bid to develop as a strong cricketing force

It's an Irish question and a global one

Apr 29, 2011: Ireland deserve to participate in the 2015 World Cup. That the ICC executive board wishes to freeze them out reflects a new phase in the game's global evolution

An Indian-origin XI and other proposals

Apr 13, 2011: How about getting players of Indian origin from across the world together into a team to play India?

The best World Cup of all time

Apr 5, 2011: But the ICC's decision to chop out the Associates - especially Ireland, who were integral to the excitement - is both baffling and tragic

World Cup 2011

Ireland prove they belong on the world stage

Mar 22, 2011: Ireland were the best of the Associates by far and their performances more than justified their presence in the tournament