The Irish Cricket Podcast

Ireland have fallen to Zimbabwe in this week's ODI series. Where did it all go wrong? How to explain the negative batting displays? Did the bowlers still come up trumps? What's going on with Josh Little?Nathan and Ally also react to the surprise news that Ed Joyce will step down as Ireland women head coach after the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Nathan Johns and Ally McAlmont pick through Ireland's victory over Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Who impressed with bat and ball, and where does this victory rank in Ireland's red ball success of the past year? Now that Andrew Balbirnie's side has won three Tests on the spin, what is the future of Ireland's participation in the format? How can Ireland find a way to play more Tests? Plus, what next for Aimee Maguire after she was suspended by the ICC for an illegal bowling

Ireland men return to action after a four month break this week. Their tour of Zimbabwe starts with a Test match in Bulawayo. With Ireland having returned to red ball in 2023, securing a first win both away and on home soil, the novelty effect is starting to wear off. Couple this with the sparse schedule lack of World Test Championship representation, one question remains: why does Ireland play Test cricket? Nathan Johns and Ally McAlmont discuss this while Test captain Andrew Balbirnie also gives