Ireland to host India for three T20Is in August
They will also play three ODIs against Bangladesh in Chelmsford to maximize their chances of qualifying for the ODI World Cup
Cricket PassionEditor
Posted - 2023-03-17T17:38:03+06:00
Updated - 2023-03-17T17:38:03+06:00
Ireland host India for three T20I tournaments in August but have opted to play their final ODI Super League series against Bangladesh in Chelmsford in May to maximize their chances of automatic qualification for the 50-over World Cup.
Ireland has announced a record-breaking international schedule for 2023, which will see white-ball home series against Bangladesh and India.
Ireland begin their busy schedule between March 18th and April 8th with a multi-format tour of Bangladesh consisting of three ODIs, three T20Is and a one-off Test match.
If the other results go to Ireland, a 3-0 series win over Bangladesh could be enough to move up to eighth place in the Super League and qualify for the World Cup in India in October without having to play the qualifier in Zimbabwe in June-July.
Cricket Ireland have argued that there are better chances of good weather in England in the pre-season than in Dublin or Belfast, where they rely on temporary facilities which could further affect their chances of completing three games. As a result, Ireland moved the three games to Chelmsford on May 9th, 12th and 14th.
"We have to play and win the three games to qualify," said Warren Deutrom, Chief Executive of Cricket Ireland. "After careful consideration, it was decided that this approach would give us the best chance of qualifying automatically, especially given that games have to be played before the end of the World Cup Super League in mid-May."
"We need a venue where the weather conditions and playing facilities give us the best chance of mitigating the effects of rain. Unfortunately, unless we have a remarkably dry April, it's probably too early in the Irish season to prepare pitches to ODI standards. This only underscores our determination to accelerate the development of our permanent venue infrastructure, a object that remains among my most pressing."
Ireland will then play a one-off Test match against England at Lord's between 1st and 4th June.
If they do not qualify for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup directly through the Super League, their busy schedules will be stretched even further as they would then have to attend the qualifying tournament to be played in Zimbabwe from 18 June to 9 July.
They will also play the ICC T20 World Cup European Qualifier in Scotland from July 20th to 28th.
Ireland then host India for a three-game T20I series to be played in Malahide from August 18-23, before visiting England for a three-game ODI tour from September 20-26.