Ireland to Host Sri Lanka in One-day Series

Dublin: Sri Lanka will play in Ireland for the first time in 35 years after it was announced they would meet in a two-match one-day international series in May.

Ireland will use the matches, to be played on May 6 and 8 at Clontarf in Dublin, as part of their preparations for the World Cup.

"It's great news for both the team and supporters," Ireland coach Phil Simmons said on Friday.

"We'll be gearing our preparation towards the 2015 World Cup, and this series is ideal."

The Sri Lanka fixtures further underline the associate nation's growing status, although they are yet to beat a full-member nation in the 50-over format in Dublin.

"We'll be looking to take our cricket to the next level in 2014 by winning from these type of situations, pressing home our advantage when we're on top," Simmons said.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for our squad to face players of the calibre of Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Matthews, Tillakaratne Dilshan and of course Lasith Malinga.

"They're going to be tough opposition but Irish conditions in May will be to our advantage."

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