There are sporting grounds around the world that make you tingle at the thought of being there. It may be Croke Park. It may be further afield at the San Siro or the Nou Camp. It could be on centre court at Wimbledon or the winners enclosure at Cheltenham.
In cricket it is Lords Cricket Ground in a suburb not far from the centre of London.
On Sunday a group of Irish players will walk out in that venue to represent their country on this most prestigious stage for the first time ever.
It will be a special day in a special year for Irish cricket. In June the promise of full test status is likely to come true, opening up many more days like these.
Last week Turkish Airlines came on board as main sponsors of the national team. In terms of global reach this is as big as it gets for an Irish sporting team and Sunday will be broadcast around the world to millions of fans and players of the sport.
There will be big names from sport and business watching from the stands and in the hospitality areas. They will be part of a sell out 28,000 crowd there to witness history.
On Saturday night the Irish Aviation Authority will host a special dinner to mark the occasion at London’s prestigious Langham Hotel.
Sport for Business is privileged to be part of this weekend and will report back on Monday on what it has meant for a sport which is closer than ever before to its ambition of making cricket mainstream.
