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ICC European Development Manager, Richard Holdsworth commented on the news: “This is fantastic news for Irish Cricket and a huge step in the further development of cricket in their two countries. Ireland have just returned from Namibia where they won the second ICC Intercontinental Cup defeating Kenya in the final, and this news is surely the greatest opportunity the Irish team have ever had. In recent year they have defeated South Africa, Zimbabwe and West Indies in unofficial one day matches, and now after their performance in the ICC Trophy this year, this match will be classed as an official ODI. This will not only help to promote the game to wider audiences in Ireland and enthuse the many thousands of youngsters playing the game, it will give Ireland good preparation for the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007”.

Scotland and Ireland join the 18 first-class counties to make up the north and south divisions respectively of the reformatted Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy. The ECB’s domestic one-day action takes place in the first part of the season. All the group matches are played before the end of June but the final is retained in a more traditional slot at Lord’s on August 29. Holdsworth commented “Both these European countries now have a minimum of nine 50 over one day matches against first class opportunity, and although Scotland have benefitted from the Totesport League in recent years, the format of the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy is in line with the ODI format. After both having such a successful year on the international scene this will test them both and provide them with quality opposition to improve their game in the run up to the West Indies”.