England will be hosting Ireland for a historic one-off Test match next year, the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed on Thursday (July 19). The board has also announced their schedule for the next summer, which includes a limited-overs series against Pakistan, the ICC Cricket World Cup, and the Ashes.
England will play five ODIs and one T20I against Pakistan in May. Following the World Cup final on July 15, the England national team will start their Test cricket assignments with the four-day Test against Ireland from July 24-27. The Ashes will then kickstart the Test Championship on August 1.
ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said: “We would love to see fans from all over the world getting to experience the unique atmosphere of an Ashes Test Match after the ICC Cricket World Cup.
“We fully supported the ICC's decision to award Full Membership to Cricket Ireland and we expect next summer's inaugural Test Match at Lord's against our neighbors to be a historic celebration for all Irish cricket fans.
“It will also provide excellent Ashes preparation for England against an Irish team whose impressive performance against Pakistan earlier this year showed they can compete strongly in this form of the game.”
England's summer 2019 schedule
Pakistan
Sunday 5 May: England v Pakistan One-off T20I 5pm, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Wednesday 8 May: England v Pakistan 1st ODI, Kia Oval
Saturday 11 May: England v Pakistan 2nd ODI, Ageas Bowl
Tuesday 14 May: England v Pakistan 3rd ODI, Brightside Ground, Bristol
Friday 17 May: England v Pakistan 4th ODI, Trent Bridge
Sunday 19 May: England v Pakistan 5th ODI, Emerald Headingley
Ireland
Wednesday 24 - Saturday 27 July: England v Ireland four-day Test, Lord’s
Australia (Ashes Series)
Thursday 1 - Monday 5 Aug: England v Australia 1st Test, Edgbaston
Wednesday 14 - Sunday 18 Aug: England v Australia 2nd Test, Lord’s
Thursday 22 - Monday 26 Aug: England v Australia 3rd Test, Emerald Headingley
Wednesday 4 - Sunday 8 Sept: England v Australia 4th Test, Emirates Old Trafford
Thursday 12 - Monday 16 Sept: England v Australia 5th Test, Kia Oval
