“The historic nature of this Test match will not be lost on anyone, however, the players will not be overawed by the occasion," said Andrew White, Chair of National Selectors

Ireland will not participate at next year’s World Cup after suffering an agonising defeat to Afghanistan in their all-or-nothing encounter in Harare.

Ireland reached their target with four balls to spare.

Twice before, Dublin-born England cricket captain Eoin Morgan has faced the media before a one-day international against Ireland.

15 minutes after the rain came to halt play in the one-day international between Ireland and England, all 9,000 seats at Malahide Cricket Club were empty and the groundstaff had already begun the clean-up.

Ireland secured a fine three-wicket victory over Afghanistan in their World Cup warm-up match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

William Porterfield, one of five in the squad set to take part in a third World Cup for Ireland, will lead the same group of players named last month for the training camp and tri-series in Dubai against fellow qualifiers Scotland and Afghanistan.

Ireland held off a determined Scotland fightback to secure a three-wicket victory in yesterday’s second one-day international at Malahide.

Kevin O’Brien hit an unbeaten 98 to lead Ireland to a six-wicket victory over Scotland as they defended their Division One title in the final of the World Cricket League in Amstelveen.