Fixtures: Ireland v Bangladesh ODIs in June

Cricket Ireland has announced that Bangladesh will be playing two ODIs against Ireland at Stormont in June. The matches will take place on Thursday June 15th and Friday June 16th. Bangladesh have also lined up matches against England, Scotland and Netherlands during their European trip.

Cricket Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom says that the matches mark the way forward for Ireland: "For the last three years or so, we have targetted matches against the lower-ranked full members as the most important means of measuring our progress and determining our readiness to step up to the elite level. All our players will be aware of the perception that strong results against test-playing countries creates, and will be keen to maximise home advantage to good effect in the year that we are applying to move higher in the international firmament."

Irish coach Phil Simmons added "It’s great that we have a chance to play them on home soil. We lost to them badly in 2008 in Bangladesh but on our home turf I’d be confident of doing well. We have beaten them in both the 2007 World Cup, and in the ICC World Twenty20 last year, so I don’t think there’s much to choose between the two teams. It’s a great opportunity for us to gain valuable ranking points."

Ireland to play Jamaica ahead of World Twenty20

Cricket Ireland yesterday announced that Ireland would be taking on Jamaica in April ahead of the World Twenty20 which begins at the end of that month.

Ireland will be competing in a three-day first class match, a one day international, as well as a Twenty20 game. This will be great experience for the Irish side, especially if they can turn things around to qualify for the World Twenty20. If not, it is still a great chance to play a respected side in a variety of matches.

Cricket Ireland's CEO Warren Deutrom had this to say: "Cricket Ireland is excited to be embarking upon this series of matches in the Caribbean against Jamaica and the West Indies. Whether or not we have qualified for the ICC World Twenty20 Cup in the Caribbean, playing against teams of this calibre is exactly what Ireland needs to do in order to both continue its upward curve on the field, and to gain experience of overseas conditions. We are indebted to the foresight of the Jamaica Cricket Association, whose foresight brought about this opportunity."

Jeremy Bray Retires from International Cricket

Left-handed opening Batsman Jeremy Bray has announced his immediate retirement from the Irish National Cricket Team. No longer will we see JP Bray open the batting order for Ireland, whether it be One Day Internationals or Test Matches.

The Australian born thirty six year old had this to say: "I'm not getting any younger, and it's hard to get up to the levels of fitness now required for international cricket. The team has an incredibly demanding schedule over the next few years, and I couldn't commit myself fully to that programme.

"I have had some wonderful memories and will always be grateul to Ireland for giving me the opportunity. I'd like to thank Adi Birrell for the faith he showed in me, and Phil Simmons for giving me the chance to make a comeback after being out of the side for two years.

"The Irish fans are superb, and I'll never forget the atmosphere of the World Cup in the West Indies."

Bray made his Irish ODI debut on June 13th 2006 and went on to play 83 games in total for his national side. On his debut against England, he hit 22 off 29 balls, which included 3 fours as he opened the batting with Dom Joyce (brother of Ed Joyce, who fielded for the opponents on that day). Joyce was out for a duck, but Bray combined with Andre Botha for a partnership of fifty in just under eleven overs.

He represented New South Wales and the Australian underage sides before moving to Ireland, where he quickly joined the Ireland A Team.

In his fifteen ODIs, he scored 401 runs (a 28.64 batting average), and had highs of 116 and 115 not out. He made the 116 against Scotland in Nairobi at the ICC World Cricket League 2007. The 115 not out was a much more impressive feat, against Zimbabwe in a tied game at the 2007 World Cup.

Bray forged a fantastic opening partnership with William Porterfield, but it was with Niall O'Brien that he forged a 304 against UAE, the second highest partnership in Irish Cricket.

His finest hour came alongside WTS Porterfield in 2007, as the duo made 202 (146 by Bray), as Ireland lifted the Intercontinental Cup with a victory over Canada.