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Evening Twenty20 International Cricket is coming to Ireland for the first time as Ireland take on will take on Bangladesh in a 3 match T20I series at the Stormont grounds in Belfast.
Irish supporters will get their first taste of international Twenty20 cricket against a Test nation on home soil when Ireland take on Bangladesh in a three match series at Stormont on July 18, 20 and 21. It will also bring early evening International Cricket to Ireland for the first time, with the start times being perfectly suited to the work crowd on Wednesday and Friday night at 5pm and a Saturday late afternoon start of 4pm.

For Ireland coach Phil Simmons it’s a chance to get some game preparation ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka in September: “We as a country need to play more international matches in this format, although our county contracted players do in England. We’ve a number of players ideally suited to the short form of the game, and it should be a great spectacle for the fans who come along. There are still a few slots up for grabs and it’s an ideal opportunity for the players to make a case for themselves to be included in the World T20 squad.”

Ireland vice-captain Kevin O’Brien is one player who relishes Twenty20 competition and played a starring role the only time the two teams previously met in this form of the game: “I’ve happy memories of our World T20 win against them at Trent Bridge in 2009. I hit the winning boundary when myself and Niall (O’Brien) got runs. We’re currently ninth in the world rankings and a series win would help us in our quest to get extra points to get up the ICC Rankings. We’ve just beaten Afghanistan and we’ll be looking to keep that winning momentum going. I’m sure the Irish public will flock to what is always a great evening out. I’ve been experiencing the big crowds down at Taunton during the T20 season there in England and I’m hoping we can replicate some of that fun atmosphere in Belfast this month’

Cricket Ireland have promised to lay on an extravaganza of entertainment, with all age groups being catered for in what is sure to be a great party atmosphere. With guaranteed excitement on the field of play, music and Barbeques and refreshments available, it’ll be a great occasion for all the family. See www.cricketireland.ie for all the latest details about the games in the lead up to T20 Cricket here in Belfast.

The tickets have been competitively priced with children just £5, senior citizens £12 and adults £15. Full details can be found on www.ticketmaster.ie

Fans who purchased a ticket for the recently abandoned RSA Challenge ODI versus Australia will be entitled to free entry to one of the three matches of their choice- they should make contact with Cricket Ireland immediately by emailing ticketsales@irishcricket.org


Cricket Ireland
[351] Paul Stirling – stirling-paul
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