One of the most historic days in Irish cricketing history will take in May.
For the first time in the history, Ireland will play England in a One Day International on English soil. The teams will meet in a two-match series, with Bristol hosting the first match on May 5th.
Two days later, Lord's, the home of cricket will host the Irish team for the first time. The match in London will be another milestone in the recent resurgence of Irish cricket.
Ahead of the matches, Irish comedian and London resident Dara Ó Briain tried his hand at cricket commentary, looking back on the 2013 match between the sides in Malahide, and the 2011 World Cup win for Ireland in Bangalore.
"Did you bring me here to show me Ireland losing?", Ó Briain asked, when he was watching highlights from the loss in Malahide.
"I had a whole ‘Theresa May your boys took a hell of a beating’ speech planned, you can’t do that about Ireland. I am not sure ‘Graham Norton, Bono, Jedward, that fat bloke from Robot Wars your boys took a hell of beating’ works as well."
The Wicklow comedian seemed confident of Ireland's chances, when asked how they will do in Lord's.
"Oh we’ll hammer them. We will get 409 and they’ll get 12", he jokingly predicted. "To be fair I think it will be a pretty even series."
"I expect England to win the match at Bristol and then come to the second match at Lord’s slightly cocky. At the Home of Cricket, I think Ireland will post a huge score and then cleverly declare the game over."
Ahead of the Lord's match, Ó Briain took part in a hurling/cricket photo shoot, somehow hitting the photographer on the top of the head.
Tickets to watch England v Ireland at The Brightside Ground, Bristol (5th May 2017) and Lord’s Cricket Ground (7th May 2017) are available to purchase at www.gloscricket.co.uk/tickets/ and www.lords.org/ireland
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