Ireland’s return to international cricket confirmed with ODI series against England

The fixtures in Southampton’s Ageas Bowl mark a first for Ireland within the new World Cup Super League, a qualification process ahead of the 2023 tournament.

A T20I Super Over finish in dramatic circumstances against Afghanistan on March 10 stands as Ireland men’s previous international outing.

Fixtures with England were originally planned for September and have now been rescheduled at the request of the England & Wales Cricket Board.

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 July 18 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 August 5.

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.

“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,” said Andrew Balbirnie, the Ireland men’s captain. “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.”