Ireland set for Lord’s clash with England

BIRMINGHAM: Ireland will face England on English soil for the first time when the teams meet in two One-day Internationals next year, officials announced Thursday.

The first match will take place in Bristol on May 5, with the second One-day International two days later at Lord’s on May 7.

“It’s absolutely massive for us to have the opportunity to play against England in a series,” said Ireland captain William Porterfield in a Cricket Ireland statement.

“What makes it extra special is the fact that one of the games is at Lord’s — where every cricketer dreams of playing.”

Ireland are pushing for Test recognition and opening batsman Porterfield said: “Teams travelling to play England are also coming over here now to play series too so hopefully that trend will continue.

“We are getting more and more international fixtures with games against Pakistan, Afghanistan, Australia and South Africa still to come this year, and England, Bangladesh and New Zealand confirmed already for next year.”

Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom added: “We have set out our stall to make cricket a mainstream sport in Ireland and perhaps one measure of that is for the Blarney Army, whether living in Ireland or England, to arrive in their thousands to paint the Lord’s green in front of a worldwide TV audience.

“It’s a real chance for Irish cricket to prove itself a worthy addition to the sport’s economy as well as its competitive elite.”