In a major slap in the face for Dublin-based supporters, Cricket Ireland has announced a pitiful summer schedule of just eight men’s international matches — spread over 11 days — all to be played in Belfast and Co Tyrone.

A third home Test match, against New Zealand in Belfast at the end of May, is to be welcomed while world champions India have agreed to feature in two T20 games at the same Stormont venue, and Afghanistan will play five one-day internationals in August.

And that’s it.

Although even 11 days of cricket on home soil is an improvement on last season when the Boys in Green took to the field only six times.

At a press conference on Friday the new Cricket Ireland hierarchy, under CEO Sarah Keane, were eager to point to a number of future initiatives, starting next winter, including a five-year partnership with Nepal and another agreement with the Emirates Cricket Board.

The latter deal will give Ireland access to warm weather training, matches against the UAE, and guarantee six players a place in the ILT20.

In addition, a multi-format tour of Pakistan has been pencilled in for January, England have provisionally committed to future fixtures and there are advanced plans for a Euro Nations League starting in 2027 — likely featuring Scotland, the Netherlands and Italy.

All are fine initiatives but sadly they smack of jam tomorrow and don’t promise any significant uptick in home matches next year.

“My focus is to develop a sustainable approach to our business,” Keane said. “To seek greater planning certainty year-on-year, to find money for our talent pathways, to enhance our profile within the Irish community and to support clubs to source funding for equipment and facilities upgrades.” 

Just how you enhance your local profile by playing international matches a two-hour drive or more away is anyone’s guess.

SCHEDULE:
Test match:
May 27-30 
Ireland v New Zealand, Belfast

T20 series:
June 26 
Ireland v India, Belfast
June 28
Ireland v India, Belfast

ODI series:
August 5
Ireland v Afghanistan, Bready, Co Tyrone
August 7
Ireland v Afghanistan, Bready, Co Tyrone
August 10
Ireland v Afghanistan, Belfast
August 12
Ireland v Afghanistan, Belfast
August 14
Ireland v Afghanistan, Belfast