Ireland to Host Australia for a Test Match Before the 2019 Ashes

With teams like Ireland and Afghanistan gaining Test status early this year, the ICC’s Future Tour Program has had some adjustments to be done.

Ireland and Afghanistan are both set to play their first Test matches in 2018. Ireland will play Pakistan in their maiden Test, while on the other hand, India will host Afghanistan for their first-ever Test match later next year.

The ICC announced a proposed Future Tour Program for the four-year cycle from 2019 to 2023 which was apparently leaked by India.

Also Read: Team India To Tour Ireland In 2018 For A Short Limited-Overs Series

( MUST READ – BCCI Headquarter )

According to the proposed FTP, Ireland will host Australia before the Aussies go to England for the 2019 Ashes. The Irish last hosted the Australians in 2015 for a one-off ODI.

Ireland will play their first Test against Pakistan in May in Dublin. According to the FTP, Ireland will play 16 Tests, 42 ODI’s and 44 T20I’s in a four year period starting in 2019 to 2023.

Ireland will play a majority of their of their Test with teams like Zimbabwe and Afghanistan. They might play Zimbabwe four times and Afghanistan five times in the longest format. The Irish will host four of these Tests.

Also Read: Ireland And Afghanistan Awarded Test Status By ICC

Ireland will also play a Test at the home of cricket, Lord’s but only after playing a Test against Sri Lanka in 2020 after which they will have enough experience of playing the longer format to ply their trade against England in Lord’s.

Apart from the Test against Pakistan next year, Ireland is to free to plan their bilateral series before the FTP gets underway. However, Ireland is yet to finalise the FTP which will be approved at the Chief Executives’ Meeting in February, before receiving final approval at the ICC Annual Conference next June.

Also Read: Ashes 2017/18: Joe Root Backs Seniors After Perth Mauling.

( MUST READ – Dhoni House Photo )