Ireland's World Cup victory over West Indies has convinced Michael Holding they deserve to be granted immediate Test status.
The International Cricket Council constitution, updated last year, provides a pathway for Ireland and other aspiring nations to play Tests in the foreseeable future.
Even so, there remain those who fear a glass ceiling, not least for a country like Ireland who - without Test status - continue to run the risk of losing their best players to neighbouring England.
They nonetheless began their World Cup campaign with a four-wicket win over the Windies in Nelson on Sunday, a performance former pace-bowling great Holding believes is stronger evidence than ever that Ireland should be fast-tracked.
Holding, part of the Windies' much-feared seam attack in their glory days during the 1970s and 80s, told Wisden India: "Ireland need to be recognised now.
"It's about time ... if they continue to linger around the lower regions of world cricket they'll continue to lose good cricketers.
"[Eoin] Morgan left Ireland to play for England because he saw brighter prospects."
