Ireland has been confirmed as host for the 2005 ICC Trophy. The International Cricket Council unanimously supported the decision, and the Irish Cricket Union will now decide whether the tournament will be staged north or south of the border. "It's a terrific feather in the cap for Irish cricket", ICU Chairman, John Caldwell, said today. "We are already staging the European Championships throughout Northern Ireland later this week and the news that the world tournament is now coming Ireland's way makes it a wonderful double".

ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said the Council had every confidence that the ICU would stage the tournament in a "highly professional manner". He said, "Three years ago Dublin hosted a World Cup tie in exemplary fashion and last year the organisation of the Australians' visit to Belfast attracted great praise."

The ICC Trophy, held every 4 years, will attract 12 non-Test playing countries from all over the world, with the top three teams qualifying for the World Cup finals in the West Indies two years later.