Aussies set for GB tour

Ireland and Scotland to host world No.1

Last updated: 12th May 2008

Aussies set for GB tour

Australia will tour GB in the next two years

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Australia will complete a full tour of the British Isles and Ireland over the next two years after an agreement has been reached between the relevant governing bodies.

After beginning next summer's Ashes with the first Test at Cardiff, Australia will then play one-day internationals against Scotland in Edinburgh on August 28 before travelling to Ireland in June 2010.

The fixtures are the result of a successful collaborative approach by Scotland and Ireland to the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Australia.

Aside from World Cup, Twenty20 and Champions Trophy tournaments, the ODIs will be the first for Australia against International Cricket Council Associate countries.

Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom and his Cricket Scotland counterpart Roddy Smith are delighted with the agreement and believe it to be telling evidence of what the two countries can achieve whilst working in tandem.

Excellent agreement

"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 was equally delighted: "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."