The United States of America (USA) will be hosting a full-member team at home for the time when they welcome Ireland to their shores for a white-ball series in December. The Ireland team will play an ODI and T20I series during their tour which will begin on December 22 and will be played at Lauderhill, Florida.
“USA Cricket is absolutely elated to confirm next month’s series with Cricket Ireland that we have been working on over the past few months as we continue to try and expand the playing opportunities for our national teams. To be able to bring an ICC Full Member to the United States to play a series of five international matches is an historic and hugely significant step forward for cricket here in America,” USA Cricket chief executive Iain Higgins said in a USA Cricket press release.
“We hope that this series helps to showcase the potential in American cricket with it being the first ever home series of international matches against a Full Member,” he added.
The timing of the Ireland T20I and ODI series announcement may raise some questions in the US cricket community which is experiencing some financial struggles. The tour has been scheduled for the peak holiday season due to Christmas time when travel and accommodation prices traditionally peak in Florida.
USA To Play Ireland In Two ODIs And Three T20Is In December In Florida
The Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida will host Ireland who will play two T20Is and three ODIs in December. The tour will begin with the first T20I on December 22 followed by another the following day. The ODIs will be played on December 26, 28, and 30.
These matches will be used by the Ireland team as preparation for the three one-day games against the West Indies which will count towards the Cricket World Cup Super League.
USA has played Ireland four times in the last decade in T20 cricket at the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier events in the UAE and Ireland and Ireland won on all four occasions, with the closest margin coming in 2015 at Stormont where they defended a total of 146 to win by 46 runs.
“We are delighted to confirm the tour of the USA as part of our preparations for the crucial ICC Cricket World Cup Super League series against the West Indies. The chance to play five competitive white-ball fixtures – including three matches under lights – will be important as our players return to the field after a few weeks off,” Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom said.
Ireland had first visited the USA for cricket matches in 1973, with a team captained by Alec O’Riordan and featuring illustrious names from Irish cricket like Roy Torrens and Brendan O’Brien, the father of Kevin and Niall.