Ireland and England agree on ODI schedule

The Irish Cricket Union (ICU) and the ECB have agreed that Ireland will host England for ODIs in 2009, 2011 and 2013, while also confirming that Ireland will continue to participate in the English domestic structure "for the foreseeable future".

The two governing bodies have also agreed to finalise television contracts for the two countries in order to provide income to support the development of the game and to avoid any scheduling clashes.

"We are absolutely delighted that we have reached an agreement with the ECB moving forward . The ECB have been strong supporters of ours for a number of years and it was a logical step to enter into a more formal agreement," Warren Deutrom, the ICU's chief executive, said. "Having England play in Ireland in 2009, 2011 and 2013 will give the game a huge boost and I am sure our cricketing public will be looking forward to welcoming the English team."

England played Ireland for the first time in 2006, a match England won, in front of a sell-out crowd, rather unconvincingly by 38 runs in Stormont.

"We have a strong relationship with the ICU and we are delighted to have reached this agreement," David Collier, the ECB's chief executive, said. "The ODIs with Ireland will create a lot of interest and the participation in our domestic competitions by the Ireland team will help build on the outstanding achievements of the Ireland team in last year's World Cup."