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Sports Reporter
IRELAND cricket coach John Bracewell is excited by his team’s tour of Zimbabwe after authorities yesterday confirmed the dates for the scheduled visit early next month. Cricket Ireland yesterday confirmed they will travel to Harare in October to take part in a three-match ODI series against the hosts.

They will also play a four-day game against Zimbabwe A ahead of their ICC InterContinental Cup tie against Namibia. Ireland have played Zimbabwe only five times in ODIs since their first meeting at the 2007 World Cup ended in a dramatic tie.

Zimbabwe beat Ireland convincingly in Nairobi in a one-off ODI in 2008, while they also won the only ever series between the teams, 2-1 back in 2010. But Zimbabwe will not forget the five-run defeat they suffered when the teams last met at this year’s World Cup in Australia.

Bracewell said they were looking forward to competitive series. “It’s great to be playing what should be a really competitive series,” said Bracewell. “Ireland have enjoyed some really hard tussles with Zimbabwe over the years and I expect these games will be equally as tough.

“It’ll be a test for the squad playing in different conditions and it’ll also serve as good preparation for when we travel on to Windhoek for the InterContinental Cup clash with Namibia.” Zimbabwe have a busy schedule as they are also set to welcome Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh A later in the year.