Ireland will host 30 of 51 matches in July’s World Twenty20 Qualifier

Ireland will host 30 of the 51 matches in July’s World Twenty20 Qualifier where 14 nations will bid for six places at next year’s finals in India.

Ireland open their campaign on Friday, July 10th, at Stormont against Namibia. Stormont will also host the games against the US (July 12th), Nepal (July 13th) and Papau New Guinea (July 15th) before moving to Malahide for their games against Hong Kong (July 17th) and Jersey (July 19th).

Bready CC in Co Tyrone will host four Group A games, while Clontarf will be the venue for four games in the second stage.

The top team in each group will qualify automatically for India and also go directly through to the semi-finals in Malahide on June 26th, while the teams finishing second, third and fourth in each group will play off for the final four spots. The final will take place at Malahide on July 27th.

Meanwhile, the opening Interprovincial Championships match between Leinster Lightning and North West Warriors at Clontarf ended a draw after no play was possible on the third and final day due to rain.

Leinster are in action in the Twenty20 version of the Interpros today when they host the Northern Knights at Claremont Road (5pm).