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DUBLIN: Ireland will host West Indies and Bangladesh for an ODI tri-series in the first half of May, with a double round-robin phase followed by a final.
The tri-series will begin on May 5, with Ireland facing West Indies, and conclude with the final on May 17. All the matches will take place in Dublin, at Castle Avenue, Clontarf and The Village, Malahide.
The tournament will serve as preparation for West Indies and Bangladesh ahead of the 2019 World Cup that begins in England on May 30. West Indies play their first match on May 31, against Pakistan, while Bangladesh open against South Africa, on June 2.
The tri-series will not prevent some of the premier West Indies players from featuring in the IPL, including Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Andre Russell, Carlos Brathwaite, Shimron Hetmeyer, Nicholas Pooran and Oshane Thomas.
Cricinfo understands that those players will be considered for selection only if their respective franchises fail to make the play-offs for the IPL, which are likely to begin from May 7.
Cricket West Indies is looking at the Ireland tri-series as a means to give some of their fringe players exposure before the World Cup, and have them ready to deal with English conditions should they be required during the World Cup as replacements.
Bangladesh only have Shakib Al Hasan playing in the IPL.
Tri-series schedule: May 5: Ireland v West Indies, Clontarf; May 7: West Indies v Bangladesh, Clontarf; May 9: Ireland v Bangladesh, Malahide; May 11: Ireland v West Indies, Malahide; May 13: West Indies v Bangladesh, Malahide; May 15: Ireland v Bangladesh, Clontarf; May 17: Final, Malahide.
Meanwhile, Australian opener Cameron Bancroft has been named captain of Durham for the upcoming county season as the team sees attributes of ‘mental toughness, skill and attitude’ in him.
The Western Australia batsman has been in remarkable form ever since his return to first-class cricket following the conclusion of a nine-month suspension imposed on him by Cricket Australia over his role in the ball-tampering scandal in Newlands.
In six first-class innings since he returned, he has made one big century and a couple of fifties for his state team in the Sheffield Shield. He also got runs in the handful of Big Bash League games he played before that.
His ability to return to top form despite just having undergone a rough phase might have contributed to Durham’s viewing of him as captaincy material.
He replaces Paul Collingwood, who called curtains on an illustrious county career after the last season.
“We’re confident he has the attributes to lead,” coach James Franklin said. “He has invaluable experience at the top level and has enjoyed a successful spell in England before, during his time with Gloucestershire.
“He’s proven since returning to first-class cricket over the last few months that he has the mental toughness, skill and attitude to excel at the highest level and I’m sure he will relish the challenge we have at Durham this season.”
Bancroft will miss the first Championship match against Derbyshire, starting 5 April, due to commitments with Western Australia but will take over the reins thereafter. Durham could have Bancroft’s services at least until late July as Australia’s next Test assignment starts only in August.