'I think we're in a position where we can push for Test cricket,' said captain William Porterfield. 'It might be a while off but I'm sure we could be included in the tours programme and play more Twenty20 matches and one-dayers against touring sides or even getting involved in tours ourselves.

'That would be great and we're at that level now where we can go and play in a tournament or a tri-series like that. That's the sort of exposure we need now to keep progressing.'

'From the players' perspective, we just want to keep putting the performances in on the pitch,' said Porterfield.

'I know Warren (Deutrom) is working day in and day out and doing his utmost for Irish cricket and I think he's done a lot since he took over the role as chief executive.

'We've just got to focus on what we're doing on the pitch and keep putting performances in against the big nations and keep competing against them.

'If we keep doing that then sooner or later we have to make progression within the ICC and play more bigger games more often.'

"We've shown and reinforced that we can compete with these sides and hold them to respectable totals and really put pressure on them.

"I think with the bat we've learnt a lot of things and looking at these teams and playing against them, that we've got to make a step up in class," said Porterfield.

"We've got a lot of things to work on from that perspective for when the T20 qualifiers come back around and hopefully we'll improve for next year's tournament.

"The lads have seen what level we have to be at and hopefully we'll be better prepared for the next Twenty20."