In an update from Cricket Ireland, it has been revealed that the first Test match at home since 2018 will be held between 25th and 29th July with Zimbabwe as the opponents, at Stormont. This test match, a component of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) initial agenda, was under scrutiny due to recent economic troubles encountered by the governing body nationally. Despite this, the match will proceed however, the limited-overs segment of the tour has been cancelled.
On the women’s cricket front, home series against England and Sri Lanka have been scheduled. It is also anticipated that proposed games against the Netherlands will only proceed in the event of Ireland achieving victory in the upcoming T20 World Cup qualifiers thus securing a participation fee for the tournament.
In other news, Cricket Ireland has released more information concerning its 2024 grassroots investment plan. The plan has spurred abundant conjecture following recent pledges to reinvest in that sector of the sport following a financial boost from the ICC. An increment of about €2.35 million has been disclosed, with three out of the four regional unions anticipating a 20 per cent increase in funding.
A pledge of an additional €165,000 has been made towards grassroots level “engagement activities”, while a fund for “minor capital projects” for clubs has been reinstated. Following the past forecast of a loss exceeding €4 million in 2023, Cricket Ireland now predicts a surplus of approximately €480,000 for this current year.
In the Ireland home internationals fixture:
The men’s team will play against Pakistan on May 10th, May 12th and May 14th in 1st, 2nd and 3rd T20Is respectively, all in Clontarf. Then, on July 25th-29th, they will face Zimbabwe in a Test match at Stormont. The women’s team will engage with Sri Lanka on August 11th, August 13th and August 16th for 1st and 2nd T20Is and the 1st ODI respectively. The T20Is will be hosted at Pembroke and the ODI at Stormont.
The female Irish cricket team is set to face Sri Lanka in their 2nd ODI on the 18th of August, and again two days later for their 3rd ODI. Both matches will be played at Stormont. Subsequently, the focus shifts to the series against England, starting September 7th with the 1st ODI, followed by the 2nd and 3rd on the 9th and the 11th at the same venue. Later in September, the teams will move to Clontarf for a series of T20Is, starting from the 14th and ending on the 17th.
Meanwhile, the male counterparts are to compete against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates. The first T20I will take place in Abu Dhabi on the 27th of September, with the 2nd to follow on the 29th. The teams will then transition to ODIs, starting their series on October 2nd and concluding on the 7th.