Top-class International cricket comes to Stormont in July

Cricket Ireland says this will be a chance for sport-lovers and families to see some of the best cricket – in fantastic settings, on home turf.

This July the country plays host to the world’s number one women’s team – Australia – as part of a T20 International Tri-series - and the world’s number two men’s team – New Zealand – in a thrilling three-match T20I series at Stormont.

The T20 International Women’s Tri-series in July will see six sizzling matches played out at the stunning Bready Cricket Club. This series involves women’s teams from Ireland, Pakistan and world cup-winning Australia, who last played here in 2015.

Craig Easdown, media manager for Cricket Ireland, said this was not only a chance to see top-class cricket at home, but an opportunity to build on participation in cricket from kids through to adults across the North.

Women in cricket

“Men’s cricket has been the shop window for many years in Ireland, but women’s cricket is one of, if not the fastest growing segment of our sport – and it has come very far in Northern Ireland,” he said, with the numbers of girls and young women rising at club and grassroots level.

Cricket Ireland has put its money where its mouth is, in committing investing significantly in the women’s game, the organisation announced women’s professional playing contracts earlier this year – eight are full-time and 12 paid part-time as they are still in education.

“It’s a new era for women’s cricket. This is only the second sport to award full time professional contracts to women in this country,” said Craig – the first was in rugby.

“Bringing high class games to Northern Ireland gives people the chance to see top level players up close. It’s a real case of ‘If you can see it, you can be