Ireland turn down ECB invitation

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The ECB announced a restructuring of the county game earlier this year, with a single 40-over competition taking over from the Pro40 and the Friends Provident Trophy.

Ireland and Scotland, who previously competed in the Friends Provident Trophy, were invited to be part of the new competition, but Cricket Ireland revealed on Monday they had decided against accepting due to increased international commitments.

Cricket Ireland were careful to point out their gratitude to the ECB for their continued support, but chief executive Warren Deutrom insisted it was time for the side to take their international ambitions to the next level - even at the expense of continued competition against the first-class counties.

Deutrom said: "This was not an easy decision for us, and it was only reached after careful consultation with our key stakeholders, including the national coaches, the board, the cricket committee, ICC and our key commercial partners.

"Notwithstanding any possible changes to its format down the line, international cricket is our bread and butter and the means by which we are measured on the global stage.

"Therefore, we felt that we needed to focus our limited financial resources on preparing for our international programme.

"We are very lucky to have England as the Full Member in our region. They have been nothing but incredibly generous with the opportunities they have afforded Ireland at all levels.

"That generosity is now beginning to pay off, and we are starting to take the stabilisers off the bike and stand on our own two feet as a country that has an improving record of achievement against some of the best teams in the world."