Test status to unearth talent: Cassell

Ireland's recently-recruited Australian assistant coach Rob Cassell believes the landmark announcement confirming their admission into the Test playing ranks will help unearth – and retain – world-class Irish cricketers.

The International Cricket Council on Thursday unanimously approved Ireland and Afghanistan as full members, taking the number of Test-playing nations from 10 to 12.

Full story: Ireland, Afghanistan award Test status

Appointed to oversee Ireland’s bowling stocks last month, Cassell hopes to depart Adelaide, where he's played a leading hand over the last five years in developing South Australia's highly-rated seam-bowling attack, for Dublin in coming weeks pending the receipt of a work permit.

Cassell, who learnt of the good news on Friday morning (AEST) through social media, says their admission into cricket's most prestigious club will mean the likes of Ireland native turned England captain Eoin Morgan will have no need to depart the Emerald Isle.

"The next Eoin Morgan, who might be a 10-12 year old kid now, I'm sure if he's a good young cricketer, he'll be staying in Ireland," the 34-year-old told cricket.com.au.

"The opportunities and pathway is there now with the first-class and academy systems.

"Over time we'll see some world-class cricketers come out of that.

"It'll be a long term benefit in terms of cricket in Ireland and elevating it as a national sport.

"I think the air-time it'll get media wise will be fantastic and the next generation of young sportsmen will be more likely to choose cricket now they've got the status."

Ireland, who upset Pakistan on St. Patrick's Day at the 2007 World Cup before famously knocking over rivals England in 2011, have produced their fair share of quality international cricketers.

But with no prospect of playing in the sport's pinnacle format, Dublin-born batsman Morgan defected to England in 2009, proceeding to make his Test debut the following year and is presently captain of their one-day and T20 sides.

Ed Joyce and Boyd Rankin – who made his sole Test appearance in the 2013-14 Ashes series – have also played internationally for England but have both since returned to play for their native country.

With strengthened first-class and youth programs, Cassell believes Ireland have the building blocks in place to become a competitive international force.

"The ICC wouldn't have granted it (Test status) if they weren't ready,” the former Victoria fast bowler said.

"They've put a lot of time and effort into building a structure underneath (the national side). They've now got a first-class competition in Ireland, they've got an academy set up similar to the NCC (National Performance Centre) in Brisbane.

"They've certainly invested a lot into cricket in the last few years in order to get this recognition. I think the foundations are set up to see cricket in Ireland grow over the next few years.

"Just playing the longer form of the game against the best nations will help them improve as well. Playing against the best is no doubt going to fast track their development and the skills of the Irish players.

"I think it's great they have the opportunity to play against the best Test nations now."

Details of when and where Ireland will play their inaugural Test are yet to be locked in, but Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom told reporters on Thursday a Lord's Test against England in 2019 was "feasible".

And Cassell, a former Australia Under-19 quick who had a promising first-class career cut short by injury, believes touring teams will find defeating Ireland on their home patch a tricky task.

"Ireland need a point of difference," he explained.

"That's probably one of the best parts of world cricket, you go to India and the subcontinent and the ball spins and reverse swings. In Australia, you get a lot more bounce.

"I would suggest in Ireland, like the UK, there will be more assistance for the quicks due to climate conditions.

"With the lack of sunlight and intense heat, you’re not going to get rock hard bouncy pitches. I'm expecting conditions to be similar to those in the UK."

Cassell is nonetheless realistic about the challenge that awaits Irish cricket, noting it took other new Test nations some time to adjust to the elevated standard.

"Our first step is to compete and compete hard with the best," he said.

"You look at Bangladesh, it took them a few years at the level to be able to now thrive. (But) as we saw in the Champions Trophy, they're now a formidable outfit.

"I guess it does take time, we can't expect to be knocking off Australia in the next Test series.

"It'll be a bit of a process and we'll learn things along the way just from playing Test cricket."

But first, Cassell hopes his new side will celebrate like only the Irish can.

"It's a massive day for Irish cricket and I can't wait to get there. I'm sure they're having a quiet Guinness now."