Ireland to play two Tests in Sri Lanka after schedule tweak

Sri Lanka: Ireland’s tour of Sri Lanka next month will now include two Test matches — the visitors’ fifth and sixth ever — after a scheduling rejig, officials said Tuesday. The tour initially comprised one Test match and two ODIs, but both teams agreed to play a second Test and skip the 50-over games. Both Test matches will be played in Galle, the first starting on 16 April and the second on 24 April.

👉 SCHEDULE CHANGE

Cricket Ireland and Sri Lanka Cricket have agreed to a schedule change for the April tour. The tour will now consist of a two-match Test series: https://t.co/ko4BKqfTWX#BackingGreen ☘️🏏 pic.twitter.com/z8vqW196nY

— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) March 14, 2023

Richard Holdsworth, of Cricket Ireland, said they agreed to the late change in schedule because the Test series is preceded by six white-ball matches in Bangladesh and followed by three further ODIs after they return home. “Exposing our playing group to an extended period in Asian conditions will be beneficial to their development and given the World Cup this year is in India, the more exposure to these conditions the better, despite it being a different format,” he said in a statement. Ireland have played just three Test matches, losing all of them, since being given Test status in 2017. They are due to play their fourth, in Bangladesh, in early April. In June they are set to take on England in a one-off Test at Lord’s. Ireland squad: Andrew Balbirnie (capt), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Murray Commins, George Dockrell, Fionn Hand, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Tom Mayes, Andrew McBrine, James McCollum, PJ Moor, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White. Read all the Latest News , Trending News ,  Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.