Cricket Ireland’s ambition to replace outgoing sponsor RSA with a similarly high value partnership have been boosted by the announcement that both England and Auatralia will play high profile One Day International matches in Ireland in 2015.
Australia will travel over after their ‘Ashes’ tour of England and play here on Thursday, August 27th. That is the slot on the calendar that worked so well last year for Irish Cricket when 10,000 fans and curious sports fans flocked to Malahide to see Ireland take on England.
The exact date of the England clash has still to be confirmed, but will fit in between the Australia date at the end of the season and the ICC cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand which takes place next February and March.
World Qualifiers
As if that was not a busy enough schedule Ireland will also co host the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers with Scotland in July and August 2015. That will see 14 associate countries stepping out at Stormont, Clontarf and other venues.
“We are thrilled to welcome both England and Australia to Ireland once again,” said Cricket Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom.
“Cricket Australia and the England Cricket Board are committed to ensuring that the top Associates, like Ireland, have a chance to test themselves against the best and to help us to improve.”
“Off the field, the visit of such teams gives a massive boost to the profile of the sport, gives a terrific injection to the local economy and provides a wonderful day out for our fans.
Landmark
“2015 promises to be a landmark year for Irish cricket with the World Cup, home ODI’s against two of the world’s top teams, and co-hosting the World Twenty20 Qualifiers. All these events represent a wonderful business opportunity for a potential sponsor as our highly successful seven year association with RSA draws to an end. These high profile events will deliver a terrific return on investment to sponsorship partners.”
Cricket Ireland recently announced Newstalk as sponsor of the Inter Provincial tournament while the appeal of the sport within the financial services sector was evidenced by the appearance on the shirts of the three competing regions of RSA, Danske Bank and PwC.
