One Day International cricket will make it’s eagerly-anticipated comeback on Thursday as England face Ireland in the first of a three-match one-day series, with all three matches to be held at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

This will mark the start of the newly formed Cricket World Cup Super League and the England v Ireland ODI series will be the host’s first ODI series at home following their successful 2019 Cricket World Cup-winning campaign.

Delayed, like almost everything else, due to the pandemic, the Super League is essentially the qualifying campaign for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup to be played in India.

The 12 full ICC members, plus affiliate nation the Netherlands, will play in three-match ODI series. The top seven sides in the table, excluding India who qualify automatically as hosts, will earn automatic qualification to the 2023 World Cup.

The one-day series will run almost in direct conjunction with the Test calendar, therefore the likes of Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, and Jofra Archer are not considered for selection for Eoin Morgan’s side.

The absence of big names allows opportunities for some rarely seen young talents at the international level. Somerset star Tom Banton and Lancashire bowler Saqib Mahmood retain their places in the squad having made their debuts in South Africa at the start of the year.

Dissapointgly, Lancashire leg-spinner Mathew Parkinson who had been expected to feature, will now miss the entire series after picking up an ankle injury in an intra-squad practice match.

Ireland will go into the series as outsiders against the current World Champions. Having missed out on qualification for the 2019 Cricket World Cup, the Irish, who have recently acquired Test status, will be keen to show that they can compete against the best sides in the world.

Kevin O’Brien was the demolition man in Ireland’s only victory against England in the 10 ODI’s played between the two nations on a memorable night Bangalore during an ill-fated 2011 World Cup for England.

O’Brien remains a key member of the Irish team to this day, alongside Middlesex batsman Paul Stirling and one time England representative Boyd Rankin, who has since switched his allegiances back to his country of birth. All players capable of causing the hosts numerous problems throughout the series.

England captain Eoin Morgan will be hopeful that his side will be able to pick up where they left off in the white-ball formats. Preparation for both the re-organised T20 World World Cup and the ICC World Cup 2023 begins here.

England v Ireland Schedule

Thursday 30th July – 1st ODI – Southampton 2.00pm.

Saturday 1st August 2nd ODI – Southampton 2.00pm.

Tuesday 4th August 3rd ODI – Southampton 2.00pm