The brilliant sunshine that has bathed the country all week has meant a less fraught than normal build up for the team behind today’s and Friday’s major cricket internationals taking place at Malahide.
Last month’s historic first men’s Test Match to be played in Ireland lost the first day to the weather but there is no danger of that for these games which are all but completely sold out and will be broadcast around the world to an audience likely to be bigger than any for an event taking place on Irish soil.
The audience for Indian cricket often exceeds 100 million and the novelty of their playing in Ireland will ensure a strong viewership today.
The match gets underway at 4 PM and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports with a highlights package tonight on RTÉ.
BBC Sport Northern Ireland will also be providing live online audio coverage throughout with Alan Lewis in the analyst’s seat this afternoon.
The Series is being sponsored by Indian Pharmacy Group Nedmeds, one of nine Indian brands that have signed up for sponsorship packages around the two men’s Internationals and Friday’s Women’s game. The sponsorship and perimeter advertising has been sold to the Indian market by ITW Consulting who are also responsible for the TV broadcasting of the games.
Cricket Ireland will host over 150 members and guests from the International Cricket Council during the coming days.
The scale of the sport in a global context has been revealed this morning with the publication of a new survey showing that there are one billion cricket fans throughout the world and 300 million players.
With Ireland now one of the Top 12 nations the potential for taking a major part in the sport is immense and today and Friday will be a major stepping stone for the team and the sport.
Rob Hartnett from Sport for Business will be MC for the activities in the hospitality zone on both days. If you are dropping by we look forward to seeing you.

Read our Interview with Arun Kumar from ITW Consulting.