- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 218,128
DUBLIN – Cricket Ireland today confirmed that a three-match men’s One Day International series against England will be held between 30 July and 4 August 2020 at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. The matches represent Ireland’s first fixtures as part of the new World Cup Super League – the qualification process for the 2023 ICC World Cup.
Ireland Men’s cricket team last played internationally when it beat Afghanistan in a dramatic T20I Super Over finish on 10 March. The fixtures against England were originally planned for September, however, at the request of the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Ireland agreed to bring the games forward.
To comply with public health directives in England and satisfy requirements of public health authorities in the Republic and Northern Ireland, the three fixtures will be held within a bio-secure venue, with the squad leaving on 18 July from Dublin airport on a special charter flight. The team will be transferred to a hotel that is within the grounds of the Ageas Bowl and stay until their departure on 5 August. The players and support staff will be tested a week before departure, on arrival and regularly during their stay. This testing complements the current regime already in place since the squad resumed training three weeks ago.
The Irish players, support staff and Irish Cricketers Association received a briefing from the ECB last week on the bio-secure protocols, and all players and coaches have subsequently confirmed that they will make themselves available, if selected.
The tour schedule
18 July: Squad departs from Dublin for ODI Training Camp
22 July: Practice match
26 July: Ireland v England Lions (warm-up match)
30 July: 1st ODI v England (day/night, starts 2pm)
1 August: 2nd ODI v England (day/night, starts 2pm)
4 August: 3rd ODI v England (day/night, starts 2pm)
5 August: Squads returns to Dublin
Andrew Balbirnie, Captain of Ireland Men’s cricket team, said:
“It’s a great relief to the squad and coaching staff that the games are able to proceed, and despite the challenges over the last four months, the lads are in good shape and good spirits. Returning to training was a great first step in the return to cricket, and we have all enjoyed getting back into the nets to brush out the cobwebs.”
“However, playing international cricket is a huge honour - and not only do we have that to look forward to now, but we’ll be taking on the World Champions in their own backyard. That is the ultimate challenge – and we’ll be ready.”
“On behalf of the squad, I would like to thank officials at the ECB for creating a safe, bio-secure environment to play and stay in, and to Cricket Ireland for being flexible and consultative throughout the process. Also, we would like to acknowledge the health professionals and frontline workers in Ireland and the UK whose tireless work has allowed us to be able to return to play.”
Warren Deutrom, Chief Executive of Cricket Ireland, said:
“Go back a few months and we were staring down the potential loss of the entire season – we certainly didn’t expect to be preparing to take on the world champions in July. But here we are and the prospect has certainly given a lift to the Irish cricket community, and I believe will indeed give a lift to the wider Irish public when they see one of their national sides back out on the field of play.”
“It has been a while in the planning, but we are delighted to finally confirm the series and – as always – relish the chance to take on England. While playing our near neighbours will be motivation enough for our players, with these being World Cup Super League matches, there is more than just pride on the line – there is a possible World Cup qualification at stake.”
“Our thanks to Tom Harrison and the whole ECB team who have pulled out all the stops to make this happen. Their collegiate approach has always been appreciated, and fans will soon be able to enjoy international cricket at its best and most competitive. And we hope the spirit of Day One of last year’s Test at Lord’s may inspire similar on-field heroics!”
Ireland Men’s cricket team last played internationally when it beat Afghanistan in a dramatic T20I Super Over finish on 10 March. The fixtures against England were originally planned for September, however, at the request of the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Ireland agreed to bring the games forward.
To comply with public health directives in England and satisfy requirements of public health authorities in the Republic and Northern Ireland, the three fixtures will be held within a bio-secure venue, with the squad leaving on 18 July from Dublin airport on a special charter flight. The team will be transferred to a hotel that is within the grounds of the Ageas Bowl and stay until their departure on 5 August. The players and support staff will be tested a week before departure, on arrival and regularly during their stay. This testing complements the current regime already in place since the squad resumed training three weeks ago.
The Irish players, support staff and Irish Cricketers Association received a briefing from the ECB last week on the bio-secure protocols, and all players and coaches have subsequently confirmed that they will make themselves available, if selected.
The tour schedule
18 July: Squad departs from Dublin for ODI Training Camp
22 July: Practice match
26 July: Ireland v England Lions (warm-up match)
30 July: 1st ODI v England (day/night, starts 2pm)
1 August: 2nd ODI v England (day/night, starts 2pm)
4 August: 3rd ODI v England (day/night, starts 2pm)
5 August: Squads returns to Dublin
Andrew Balbirnie, Captain of Ireland Men’s cricket team, said:
“It’s a great relief to the squad and coaching staff that the games are able to proceed, and despite the challenges over the last four months, the lads are in good shape and good spirits. Returning to training was a great first step in the return to cricket, and we have all enjoyed getting back into the nets to brush out the cobwebs.”
“However, playing international cricket is a huge honour - and not only do we have that to look forward to now, but we’ll be taking on the World Champions in their own backyard. That is the ultimate challenge – and we’ll be ready.”
“On behalf of the squad, I would like to thank officials at the ECB for creating a safe, bio-secure environment to play and stay in, and to Cricket Ireland for being flexible and consultative throughout the process. Also, we would like to acknowledge the health professionals and frontline workers in Ireland and the UK whose tireless work has allowed us to be able to return to play.”
Warren Deutrom, Chief Executive of Cricket Ireland, said:
“Go back a few months and we were staring down the potential loss of the entire season – we certainly didn’t expect to be preparing to take on the world champions in July. But here we are and the prospect has certainly given a lift to the Irish cricket community, and I believe will indeed give a lift to the wider Irish public when they see one of their national sides back out on the field of play.”
“It has been a while in the planning, but we are delighted to finally confirm the series and – as always – relish the chance to take on England. While playing our near neighbours will be motivation enough for our players, with these being World Cup Super League matches, there is more than just pride on the line – there is a possible World Cup qualification at stake.”
“Our thanks to Tom Harrison and the whole ECB team who have pulled out all the stops to make this happen. Their collegiate approach has always been appreciated, and fans will soon be able to enjoy international cricket at its best and most competitive. And we hope the spirit of Day One of last year’s Test at Lord’s may inspire similar on-field heroics!”
