World champion Oz to play Ireland and Scotland in next 2 yrs

Sydney, May 12 (UNI) World Champion Australia will play in both Ireland and Scotland during the next two years, Cricket Australia (CA) said today.

Following a collaborative approach by the two countries to the ECB and Cricket Australia, agreement has been reached for Australia to play a game next year and a further one in 2010, CA said in a statement issued on behalf of Cricket Ireland and Cricket Scotland.

Australia will visit Scotland on 28 August next year between the conclusion of the Ashes test series and the start of their ODI series with England. They will then play Ireland in June, 2010 before they play England in an ODI series.

These will be the first official ODIs against Associates that Australia will have played outside of International Cricket Council (ICC) Events.

Cricket Ireland and Cricket Scotland have worked closely together to achieve this outcome and are obviously delighted that both national sides will have an opportunity to play the visiting Australians.

Commenting on the announcement, Cricket Ireland's Chief Executive, Warren Deutrom said, ''Attracting Full Member countries to play in Scotland and Ireland is one of the key objectives of our respective cricketing and commercial strategies, and for both of us to secure such a high-profile team as Australia in consecutive years is a great coup.'' Cricket Scotland CEO, Roddy Smith said, ''This is fantastic news for both Ireland and Scotland.'' UNI XC CS SZ HT1414