England’s cricketing summer comes to a close with a trip to Ireland for a three-match T20 series, starting on Wednesday.
This will mark the first time England‘s men’s cricket team have played a T20 international on the Emerald Isle, adding an historic element to their final summer fixtures.
With Harry Brook and other all-format players rested ahead of November’s Ashes Series, Jacob Bethell is set to become the Three Lions’ youngest captain at the age of 21.
Bethell will be looking to continue England’s good form, after they recently smashed 304 runs in a T20 game against South Africa.
That series ended 1-1 after the final match was washed out, while a number of rising stars will be chomping at the bit to face Ireland.
The upcoming three games represent a chance for the youngsters to shine and stake their claim for a spot in the T20 World Cup squad.
Meanwhile, Ireland have not been in T20 action since losing against West Indies over the same format in June, with two games abandoned due to heavy rain.
Ireland vs England: Date and how to follow
The first T20 of this three-match series takes place on Wednesday, September 17.
It is taking place at The Village in Dublin, and play will begin at 1:30pm.
talkSPORT will have regular updates on the first T20, which will be brought to you by Jon Norman.
To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
The whole T20 series will also be shown live on Sky Sports. Sky Go customers can stream on their laptops and mobile devices.
Alternatively, a NOW TV membership can be purchased. In their sports section, they have two deals available.
One is a day pass £14.99 or there is a monthly pass, granting you access to all of Sky Sports’ channels for the time period specified. More information here.
Ireland vs England T20 Series
All matches to be played at The Village, Dublin
First T20: Wednesday, September 16 – 1:30pm
Second T20: Friday, September 19 – 1:30pm
Third T20: Sunday, September 21 – 1:30pm
Ireland vs England: Team News
As mentioned, Bethell is set to make history by taking on the captaincy for England.
He isn’t the only promising youngster to be given a chance, with Oval Invincibles wicketkeeper-batsman Jordan Cox also rewarded for his outstanding form in The Hundred.
So too is 22-year-old fast bowler Sonny Baker, who has been one of the breakout names of the summer in The Hundred.
As for Ireland, captain Paul Stirling will take charge of their 14-man squad for the series.
They will be without key players Mark Adair, Josh Little, and Fionn Hand, who are all recovering from injuries.
England squad: Jacob Bethell (c), Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jos Buttler, Jordan Cox, Liam Dawson, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Scott Currie, Jamie Overton, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Luke Wood.
Ireland squad: Paul Stirling (c), Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Barry McCarthy, Jordan Neil, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.
GettyJacob Bethell will captain England in Ireland, despite making just 13 T20I appearances in his career[/caption]
Ireland vs England: What has been said?
Despite the visitors selecting a largely weaker squad, Ireland coach Heinrich Malan still expects a strong challenge from England in the T20I series.
Malan said: “We obviously don’t have anything to do with who they select; they have a depth of player that is really competitive.
“They’ve still got lots of good players, lots of quality.
“There’s still some experience within their squad and a sprinkle of some youth who have all shown their worth in The Hundred so we’re under no illusions that it’s going to be a quality side and we have to make sure we do our homework and rock up prepared.
“We look at their squad and we plan accordingly.”
