Ireland has agreed to add three one-day cricket internationals in Zimbabwe beside their Intercontinental Cup match in October.
Ireland's announcement on Wednesday ends speculation on the venue of the Intercontinental Cup match.
Zimbabwe, which withdrew from tests in 2006, was admitted to the Intercontinental Cup for second-tier nations but only on the understanding that its four home games are played in neutral countries.
However, Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Ozias Bvute told The Associated Press that the Irish have not only agreed to play the Intercontinental match in the troubled Southern African nation, but have added three one-dayers to the itinerary.
These games will be very important given that Ireland are the best associate at the moment. Plus it is a nice change from Bangladesh and Kenya.
Neil Johnson, Alistair Campbell, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), Grant Flower, Dave Houghton, Guy Whittall, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Ray Price, Eddo Brandes
This story is not coming out of Ireland cricket - they've made no official announcement yet and infact the head of Irish cricket is on holiday till Monday... When I contacted them they hadn't even heard that they'd made this announcement. That said, it was always likely that Ireland would make the trip and they'll probably be playing the ODIs too.
I'm treating this with a ? until Cricket Ireland confirm, but it wouldn't surprise me. The original plan for the South Africa trip was for the Intercontinental Cup match and 2 ODIs - the ODIs were later dropped, so getting them back would be good news. With the people demanding Zim's isolation very much in the minority now, I think both Ireland and Scotland were going to be under pressure to play their fixtures in Zim. If this does get confirmed, then the pressure will be on Scotland to follow suit.
What I really want to know is whether the ODIs will be against the senior side or Zimbabwe XI...
Like I said, big ?? until Cricket Ireland say something. If I wasn't laid up at home in a plaster cast, I'd be tempted to nip round to their office and ask. That quote from Cricket Scotland is a few weeks old - nothing we didn't already know.
However, Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Ozias Bvute said the Irish have not only agreed to play the Intercontinental match against a second-string Zimbabwe XI in the troubled Southern African nation, but have added three one-dayers against the full Zimbabwe side to the itinerary, likely in late September.
There's also news that ZC is planning to ditch Faithwear, a local company, for Addidas. Is it something about quality, money or prestige? I rather liked the latest Cocacola sponsored kit.
I know ZC are quoted on both the Scotland and Ireland stories, but I'm enough of a cynic that I want confirmation from CI & CS before I'll believe it.
As for the kit deal: they'll go with whoever offers the most money, and Reebok have much deeper pockets than Faithwear. They'll also be looking for the most possible exposure, though...
