Warren Deutrom hopes to build on the World Cup success

Ireland beat Pakistan and Bangladesh in the West Indies to become the 12th nation in the one-day world rankings.

"I won't be backward in asking the ICC how it might assist in ensuring that Ireland's performance curve improves over the next few years," said Deutrom.

"The ICC pumped in significant funding to the USA and Kenya to move forward."

The ICU received 200,000 euros ($271,800) from cricket's ruling body in 2006 through a World Cup preparation fee and ICC High Performance Programme funding.

To build their infrastructure and improve further, more money is needed.

Englishman Deutrom joined the ICU in December after living in London, Monaco and then Dubai in previous roles as an events manager, first with the England and Wales Cricket Board and then the ICC.

He added: "My goal is to create a small team of professionals focused on the commercial and administrative side that can ensure we have a firm foundation for all areas of the game in Ireland."

I feel I have the right sort of skills to take Irish cricket to the next level commercially and administratively ICU chief executive Warren Deutrom

The fact India and South Africa play a three-match series in Ireland from late June, with the host playing both in one-off games, indicates business is on the up, though a television broadcast partner remains the main target.

Ultimately, Deutrom is confident enough in his business acumen to believe Ireland can be even stronger come the 2011 World Cup in Asia.

"After nearly 10 years in cricket administration at the heart of cricket first in England, and then in the global game, I feel I have the right sort of skills to take Irish cricket to the next level commercially and administratively," he said.

"I have to say, though, our achievements in the 2007 World Cup have somewhat accelerated the timetable."

Ireland have been boosted by a five-figure sponsorship deal for their five home matches in the Friends Provident Trophy. The sponsorship, from the Grafton Group plc, will cover the games against Kent (29 April), Gloucestershire (10 May), Essex (13 May), Middlesex (10 June) and finally Glamorgan (13 June).

Warren Deutrom said that he was sure that "both the ICU and Grafton Group will benefit greatly from this association at such an exciting time for Irish Cricket".