Ireland, Scotland set to return to international action

Ireland and Scotland will return to international cricket later this month when the two teams meet in Belfast for a WT20I series. Both sides will be making their first return to action since before the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The two sides will meet for four WT20Is between the 23^rd and 27^th of May. Civil Service Northern Ireland CC, at Stormont, Belfast, will host all four fixtures.

Neither side has played any international cricket since August 2019, when the two sides played in the T20 World Cup Qualifier in Scotland. In that tournament, Ireland finished third whilst the hosts finished fifth, both missing out on the final tournament. The two sides had previously scheduled a bilateral series in Spain in November 2020. However, the series, and an attempt to reschedule for March, were both cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The return to international cricket will be much welcomed by both parties, as the two nations gear up for ICC events later in the year. Both Scotland and Ireland will compete in the European T20 World Cup qualifier in Scotland in August. Ireland are also preparing for the ODI World Cup qualifier, set for Sri Lanka in December. Scotland are expected to play at Commonwealth Games qualifier, though dates and venues are not yet confirmed.

Scotland have announced a 14-player squad for the trip to Belfast. The squad will be led by ICC Women’s associate player of the Decade winner Kathryn Bryce, with younger sister Sarah her vice-captain. Mark Coles will take charge of the squad for the first time following his appointment as Scotland coach earlier this year. Ireland have not yet announced their squad, but have begun their domestic Super Series, from which they will pick their squad.

Cricket Ireland will provide a livestream for all four fixtures.

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