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."

Boyd Rankin pulls out injured, Nigel Jones called up

Irish opening bowler Boyd Rankin has had to pull out of Ireland's upcoming games in Sri Lanka. He has been replaced in the squad by CSNI's Nigel Jones, who has played two previous games for the senior side.

Rankin had this to say about his injury: "I’ve been diagnosed with a stress reaction in my right foot, and am wearing a protective cast. It’s not broken but it needs to be rested for four or five days. It was picked up by the physios and doctors at an ECB training camp in Loughborough earlier this week. We’ll see where we are then depending on how sore it is. I’ve been told it could take between two or three weeks to fully heal, but we’ll know more when I get it checked out again next week at Warwickshire, where I’ll be doing my rehabilitation."

Coach Phil Simmons said: "Nigel’s a talented player who is a useful bowler and a very talented batsman. He’ll come in for the Sri Lanka leg of the tour. We’ll not make a decision on the Twenty20 World Cup Qualifiers until we get an update on Boyd’s fitness."

Cricket Ireland reward players with full time contracts

In order to help our World Cup 2011 campaign, Cricket Ireland have awarded six full contracts to their players. This will allow them to focus on cricket full-time, as well as stopping England from poaching more of our best stars. Alex Cusack, Andre Botha, John Mooney, Kevin O'Brien, Paul Stirling and Trent Johnston were chosen to get 'A' contract funding.

Four other players were awarded 'B' contracts: William Porterfield, Niall O'Brien, Boyd Rankin, and Andrew White. Cricket Ireland has been supported by government grants and sponsorship.

Head coach Phil Simmons said "We all saw just how much Trent and Alex improved last year with being able to commit all their focus to full-time cricket. It gives the players peace and security, and lets them concentrate their efforts. It is another step forward for Irish cricket, and shows just how serious we are in our intentions. It will stand us in good stead as we prepare for the next intensive 15 months of cricket in the lead up to the World Cup."