Cricket: Ireland will play a one-day international against Australia when the world champions embark on a tour of British Isles and Ireland over the next two years.
Australia, set to begin next summer's Ashes with the first Test in Cardiff, will take on Scotland in Edinburgh on August 28th — and in June 2010 Ireland will be their hosts for a one-day international.
The fixtures are the result of a successful collaborative approach by Scotland and Ireland to the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Australia.
The ODIs will be the first for Australia against International Cricket Council Associate countries — apart from during World Cup, Twenty20 or Champions Trophy tournaments.
Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom and his Cricket Scotland counterpart Roddy Smith believe this agreement with Australia is telling evidence of what the two countries can help one another achieve.
"Attracting full member countries to play in Scotland and Ireland is one of the key objectives of our respective cricketing and commercial strategies, and for both of us to secure such a high-profile team as Australia in consecutive years is a great coup," said Deutrom.
"It is only by testing ourselves against the very best that we will understand how far we need to progress. We are also indebted to ECB for their support to both Scotland and Ireland in helping to bring about this excellent agreement for Associate Cricket."
Smith concurred: "This is fantastic news for both Ireland and Scotland. To attract the Australians to our countries is a major achievement for us both, and we are very grateful to the ECB and CA for their support.
"Although Scotland and Ireland are fierce competitors on the field, this is a great example of the two countries working together off the field to both our benefit."