ODIs with England for Southampton switch

Ireland’s three summer one-day internationals against England this summer are set to be moved from Manchester to Southampton and played over a six-day period from July 30-August 4.

England chiefs are due to make an announcement on Thursday but they are still awaiting UK government approval for their summer schedule, which also includes Test match series against West Indies and Pakistan.

Cricket Ireland are happy to fit in with the ECB’s planning and senior players and staff, including coach Graham Ford, will be involved in a Zoom call with their hosts in the next few weeks to confirm arrangements.

The switch in venue has been made to give both the Ireland and England ODI squads the best possible preparation at the Ageas Bowl site which includes a hotel and a nursery ground, while the England Test match squad conclude their series against West Indies at Old Trafford.

While Ireland players will not have to quarantine because they are coming from a common travel area, they will be tested on arrival and confined to the biosecure site for the duration of their stay which is likely to begin 12 days before the first match.

As of now, residents here can’t travel more than 5km from their homes and although that is due to be extended to 20km on June 8, only essential travel is permitted and Cricket Ireland will have to make a special request to allow the squad to travel to England “to go back to international competition in the UK”.