Following a collaborative approach by the two countries to the ECB and Cricket Australia , agreement has been reached for Australia to play a game in 2009 and a further one in 2010.
Australiawill visit Scotland on the 28th of August 2009 between the conclusion of the Ashes test series and the start of their ODI series with England . They will then play Ireland in June 2010 before they play England in an ODI series. These will be the first official ODIs against Associates that Australia will have played outside of ICC Events.
Cricket Ireland and Cricket Scotland have worked closely together to achieve this outcome and are obviously delighted that both national sides will have an opportunity to play the visiting Australians. Both matches are sure to be the highlight of the respective seasons for the teams and will further support the countries aspirations to compete frequently against the world’s elite.
Commenting on the announcement, Warren Deutrom Cricket Ireland’s Chief Executive added ‘’Attracting Full Member countries to play in Scotland and Ireland is one of the key objectives of our respective cricketing and commercial strategies, and for both of us to secure such a high-profile team as Australia in consecutive years is a great coup. It is only by testing ourselves against the very best that we will understand how far we need to progress. We are also indebted to ECB for their support to both Scotland and Ireland in helping to bring about this excellent agreement for Associate Cricket."
Roddy Smith, Cricket Scotland CEO, shared the sentiments of Mr Deutrom, stating ‘This is fantastic news for both Ireland and Scotland . To attract the Australians to our countries is a major achievement for us both and we are very grateful to the ECB and CA for their support. Although Scotland and Ireland are fierce competitors on the field, this is a great example of the two countries working together off the field to both our benefit.
