Both Ireland and Scotland have announced in the past few months details of inter-provincial series. Both cricket boards have secured $1.5 million (US) funding over the next three years which will go towards setting up domestic cricket.
For Ireland establishing a first class structure is key to succeed in their goal of playing test cricket by 2020. Implementing an inter-provincial structure this year is a good start. Ireland have established three teams for 2013 - the Leinster Lightning, Northern Knights and the North West Warriors. Although three teams may seem small, with the still limited funds available it is a good start. The teams will play each other in three-day, 50-over, and 20-over matches across the Irish summer. In future years the number of team, and number of matches can be expanded.
Cricket Scotland have established two teams - the Highlanders and the Reivers to play each other in a mix of three day, 50-over and 20-over matches. Cricket Scotland Performance Director Andy Tennant believes that the possibility for a "cross-border competition" in future.
I think this is how European associate cricket can really improve significantly. For Ireland to become a test nation, a competitive first class competition is required. However having any more than four teams would probably stretch the playing pool and funds too thin. Ideally a Euro-League consisting of teams from Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands should be implemented. For instance the league could feature 4 Irish teams, 3 Scottish teams, 2 Dutch teams, and perhaps a national team such as Italy, which would help their development. The ten teams could play across the season, with perhaps a T20 tournament played exclusively over a 9-10 day period. This could hopefully attract sponsorship and some international players.
I think there is no doubt that the heads of the Irish and Scottish Cricket Boards are definitely thinking about this, and the fixtures for 2013 are a step in the right direction.
Ireland Inter-provincial Series 2013
(Fixtures from CricketEurope - http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CEIRELAND/ZONEMATCHES/IRELAND/2013/DOMESTIC/INTERPRO/about.shtml)
Three - Day
14th - 16th May: Leinster Lightning VS North West Warriors, College Park, Dublin
4th - 6th June: North West Warriors VS Northern Knights, Eglinton
25th - 27th June: Leinster Lightning VS Northern Knights, College Park, Dublin
30th July - 1st August: Northern Knights VS North West Warriors, NCU (TBC)
13th August - 15th August: North West Warriors VS Leinster Lightning, Bready
27th - 29th August: Northern Knights VS Leinster Lightning, NCU (TBC)
50 Overs
6th May: Leinster Lightning VS Northern Knights, The Hills
19th May: North West Warriors VS Northern Knights, Coleraine
1st June: Leinster Lightning VS North West Warriors, Malahide
15th July: Northern Knights VS North West Warriors, Comber
10th August: Northern Knights VS Leinster Lightning, NCU (TBC)
21st September: North West Warriors VS Leinster Lightning, Strabane
Twenty 20
21st June: Leinster Lightning VS Northern Knights, TBA21st June: Leinster Lightning VS North West Warriors, TBA
21st July: North West Warriors VS Northern Knights, Bready
21st July: North West Warriors VS Leinster Lightning, Bready
22nd September: Northern Knights VS North West Warriors, Comber
22nd September: Northern Knights VS Leinster Lightning, Comber
Scotland Pro Series 2013
(Fixtures from Cricket Scotland website - http://www.cricketscotland.com/news/article/cricket-scotland-pro-series-2013/)
Three – Day
28th
July – 30th July: Highlanders VS Reivers, Goldenacre
20th
August – 22nd August: Reivers VS Highlanders, New Williamfield
50-over
28th
April: Highlanders VS Reivers, Myreside
8th
May: Reivers VS Highlanders, Titwood
22nd
May: Reivers VS Highlanders, New Williamfield
23rd
June: Highlanders VS Reivers, Forthill
18th
August: Highlanders VS Reivers, Mannofield
20-over
27th
June: Reivers VS Highlanders, Titwood
1st
September: Reivers VS Higlanders VS Cavaliers XI (3 match round-robin),
Arbroath
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