Ireland to host England in one-day international

IRELAND’S cricketers will make history next June when they play England in the first one-day international between the two nations in this country.

The match has been provisionally set for Tuesday, June 13. The Irish Cricket Union have not yet finalised a venue.

ICU chief Peter Thompson commented: “This is a major boost for Irish Cricket both in the context of the team and our supporters. It shows how much the Irish team has progressed over the last three years and reward for reaching the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007 and winning the Intercontinental Cup in Namibia, last month.

“A match against England has long been the desire of everyone associated with cricket in Ireland and with the success of the current English team the match on June 13 will certainly be an occasion not too be missed.

“What also is pleasing is that Ireland’s first full ODI will be played at home and provide our numerous members, supporters and commercial partners with a major sporting event to attend and long may this continue.”

More details on the fixture will be announced over the forthcoming months on conclusion of discussions on the venue.

Meanwhile, the fixtures for the new C&G Trophy have also been released and Ireland have been allocated four matches at home and five in England, including a trip to the home of cricket, Lord’s.

Ireland will play Hampshire on April 23 at Clontarf, Gloucestershire in Bristol on Sunday, April 30, Glamorgan at Sophia Gardens, on Monday May 1, Essex at Chelmsford on Sunday May 7, Surrey at Stormont on Sunday May 14, Middlesex at Lords on Sunday May 28, Kent at Tunbridge Wells on Monday, May 29, Sussex at Clontarf on Sunday June 11 and Somerset at Stormont on Sunday, June 25.

According to Thompson, the 2006 season will be full of top cricket and an “ideal preparation for the National team before the ICC Cricket World Cup in the West Indies in 2007.”