Published: Sep 11, 2015, 04:00 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 11, 2015, 04:00 PM (IST)
Ireland will play three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in Harare against Zimbabwe in a short tour of that country in October, 2015. Following the international games, Ireland will also participate in a four-day fixture against Zimbabwe A as preparation for their ICC Intercontinental Cup tie against Namibia in Widhoek that begins October 24. Ireland and Zimbabwe last met in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in a tight contest that had Ireland pulling off a thrilling win in the final over. Ireland have participated in a single finished ODI since then, against Australia late August; their fixture against England in May was washed out. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, have played five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) and nine ODIs since the World Cup — against Pakistan, India and New Zealand.
John Bracewell, the new coach of Ireland, looked forward to competitive fixtures against a Test opposition. “It’s great to be playing what should be a really competitive series. Ireland have enjoyed some really hard tussles with Zimbabwe over the years and I expect these games will be equally as tough.
“It’ll be a test for the squad playing in different conditions, and it’ll also serve as good preparation for when we travel on to Windhoek for the Intercontinental Cup clash with Namibia.”
The countries have played six matches against each other. Zimbabwe have won three games, and Ireland two. Cricket World Cup 2007 featured a tie between them. This is Ireland’s second limited-overs’ tour of Zimbabwe; the first was held in 2010.
