Australia’s tour of Ireland in doubt due to scheduling issues

Australia were set for their first ever men’s bilateral series against Ireland later this year, but now the tour is in doubt. DANIEL CHERNY has the details.

Australia’s first ever men’s bilateral series against Ireland is in doubt.

Under the ICC’s future tours program, the Aussies are scheduled to tour the Emerald Isle for three one-day internationals and a one-off Twenty20 international across August and September, which would precede five ODIs and three T20s away to England.

However sources have indicated that the Ireland leg may not proceed as planned and could be postponed.

Ireland is also due to host South Africa, Zimbabwe and Pakistan at various stages through its 2024 home season, and it’s understood hosting such a load of matches may not be viable for Cricket Ireland during a year in which the Irish men are also featuring in June’s Twenty20 World Cup across the US and Caribbean.

A Cricket Ireland spokesman declined to comment other than to say that Ireland’s home fixture list was due to be released in early March.

Ireland fans may not get to see the Aussies come to town later this year. Picture: Getty Images

Cricket Australia also chose not to comment on the matter ahead of the schedule release.

Australia has played a handful of one-off one-dayers against Ireland as addendums to other tours as well as clashes during ICC tournaments, but the teams have never faced off in more than one game at a time.

Australia’s scheduled series of three T20s against Afghanistan, scheduled for August under the FTP, is separately in doubt as CA decides whether to resume bilateral relations with Afghanistan against the backdrop of Taliban rule.

Australia has since 2021 canned its bilateral cricket against Afghanistan on humanitarian grounds, although the teams have continued to meet at ICC events.

Should that series go ahead, it is likely to be held in the United Arab Emirates.

Ireland and Afghanistan were in 2017 awarded Test status after being upgraded to full members of the ICC, however neither has played Australia in a Test.

Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe are the three Test nations who aren’t involved in the World Test Championship.

Zimbabwe cricket chair Tavengwa Mukuhlani earlier this year renewed calls for promotion and relegation to be incorporated into the WTC.

Australia’s women played in Ireland last year at the tail end of the Ashes tour.

Originally published as Australia’s tour of Ireland in doubt due to scheduling issues