Ireland and Sri Lanka join tri-series in Scotland
Ireland will have another chance to showcase their international credentials after being invited along with Sri Lanka to join hosts Scotland for a short triangular series in Edinburgh during July
ESPNcricinfo staff
14-Mar-2011
Kevin O'Brien will have a chance to showcase his skills during the summer • Getty Images
Ireland will have another chance to showcase their international credentials after being invited along with Sri Lanka to join hosts Scotland for a short triangular series in Edinburgh during July.
The three matches will be staged on July 11, 12 and 13 at the Grange following Sri Lanka's Test and one-day tour of England which concludes with the final ODI at Old Trafford on July 9.
Ireland caught the imagination of the cricket world when they chased down 329 to beat England in Bangalore at the World Cup and have put in other hard-fought displays against India and West Indies. The two matches against Sri Lanka and fellow Associates Scotland will give them another opportunity to show how they are developing at the top level.
"This is a great boost to us to face a side of the quality of Sri Lanka," Phil Simmons, the Ireland coach, said. "They have proved already that they are one of the best sides in the world and they are just the sort of opponent we need.
"Ireland need to play more one-day internationals between World Cups to give us the experience we need to perform and excel at these tournaments. A game against Sri Lanka, who are ranked third in the ICC rankings, is just the sort of fixture we are crying out for."
The fixtures are also important for Scotland who have slipped down the Associate pecking order in recent times after playing in the 1999 and 2007 World Cups. They failed to reach the current tournament on the subcontinent having finished fifth in the qualifiers although that meant they retained ODI status.
"These games against Full Members are always vital, and will give the Scottish team another opportunity to compete against one of the best sides in the world," Roddy Smith, the Cricket Scotland chief executive, said. "Following on from the recent visits of England, Australia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, it will also enable the Scottish cricketing public to see the Sri Lankan team in Scotland for the first time in an official one-day international."