Ireland to host Australia after 17 years, announces a power-packed summer schedule

Ireland‘s upcoming summer schedule promises to be a busy and exciting one, featuring a range of white-ball series against top-tier opponents. The team will host Australia in an ODI series for the first time since 2005, with three matches set to be played in July as part of the ICC Women’s Championship. This will be a significant challenge for Ireland, as Australia are currently the no. 1 ranked Women’s ODI team and have won 43 of their last 45 matches in the format.

Ahead of the series against Australia, Ireland will tour the West Indies in June for a three-match ODI series, followed by as many T20Is between the two teams. This will provide another opportunity to the Ireland to test themselves against high-quality opposition. Later in August, the team will travel to the Netherlands for a three-match T20I series at VRA Amstelveen, rounding out a packed summer schedule.

The reigning ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup champions Australia will offer particularly stern opposition for Ireland, providing an excellent opportunity for the team to build invaluable experience. The Aussie side’s dominant performance in recent years is reflected in their No.1 ranking in the 50-over format and their 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup triumph. However, Ireland have previously shown that they can match it with the best, having secured a three-wicket victory over Australia in a warm-up match ahead of the T20 World Cup event earlier this year.

The Irish team’s schedule promises to be challenging and presents an opportunity to the team to build experience, test themselves against high-quality opposition, as well as to showcase their skills on the international stage. Fans and supporters of Ireland cricket will no doubt be eagerly anticipating the team’s performances throughout the summer.

“It can’t be underestimated how important participation in the ICC Women’s Championship has been for Ireland – both in attracting top sides to Ireland and playing away in some great, but challenging venues,” said Warren Deutrom, chief executive of Cricket Ireland.

“Combined with their participation in the recently completed T20 World Cup, 2023 is a big year for the squad and they have already demonstrated their potential over the last six months or more. We recently showed in the warm-up win over Australia at the past T20 World Cup, and the nail-biting Group Stage match against the West Indies, that we can compete with the best,” he added.

Ireland summer schedule

West Indies vs Ireland fixtures

• 1st ODI: 26 June
• 2nd ODI: 29 June
• 3rd ODI: 2 July
• 1st T20I: 5 July
• 2nd T20I: 7 July
• 3rd T20I: 9 July

Ireland vs Australia fixtures

• 1st ODI: 23 July
• 2nd ODI: 25 July
• 3rd ODI: 28 July

Netherlands vs Ireland fixtures

• 1st T20I: 14 August
• 2nd T20I: 16 August
• 3rd T20I: 17 August

Source: WomenCricket.com