Worcestershire CCC's Academy side are to take on Ireland Under-19s in two one-day fixtures as part of their 2017 schedule.
Ireland will use the two games in mid July as part of their preparations for the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand.
It is one of the highlights of a varied and challenging schedule put together by Academy coach Elliot Wilson.
Last summer the Academy took on an Ireland Under-17s in a week of cricket, winning two 50 overs matches and being beaten in three T20s.
Wilson recognises the importance of competitive cricket as part of the Academy squads development and this summer they will face Northamptonshire and Leicestershire in a Tri Series of three day, one-day and T20 matches.
The Academy are also participating in the Birmingham League knockout competition for the Graham Williamson Trophy.
Wilson said: "The fixture list has evolved nicely over the past couple of years and we've got some lovely cricket and challenging cricket and competitive cricket for the lads for the first time in terms of various competitions.
"That will be a different environment for the lads in terms of playing for Worcestershire.
"We start with the first and second rounds of the Graham Williamson Birmingham League Trophy, a nice pre-season competition.
"We go to Walmley and depending on the result of that we will play the winners or losers of the Leamington and Dorridge game.
"We've got Ireland coming over again. It is great to have them back. Last year their visit was one of the highlights of the season for the Academy.
"They brought over a good side and this time they are bringing over a similar side to last year but they will be a year older because it is one of their weeks of preparation for Under-19 World Cup qualification.
"They will be bringing over their Under-19 World Cup squad and we are going to play two games of cricket.
"Given the nature of how the Irish play their cricket, they will be good, competitive games.
"We did well against them in the 50 over games last season but later in the week they beat us in a trio of T20 matches.
"We are also playing against Leicestershire and Northamptonshire in a Tri Series over the summer when we will play each other in a three-day game, a one-day game plus all coming together for a T20 day in the middle of the summer."
WORCS CCC ACADEMY 2017 FIXTURES
Under-16 Development Squad
HOME
5th July vs NSW Greater Public Schools @ Barnt Green
2nd/3rd August vs Somerset @ TBC
14th/15th August vs Staffordshire @ Stourbridge CC
AWAY
4th July vs Shropshire @TBC
27th/28th August vs Leicestershire @ TBC
—–
Under 17s
HOME
30th April vs Warwickshire @ TBC
4th June vs Somerset @ RGS, Worcester
11th June vs Devon @ Stourport CC
25th/26th/27th July vs Devon @ Stourport CC
7th/8th/9th August vs Somerset @ Stourbridge CC
AWAY
21st May vs Hampshire @ Basingstoke CC (TBC)
18th June vs Gloucestershire @ Great Rissington CC (TBC)
18th/19th/20th July vs Gloucestershire @ Great Rissington CC (TBC)
31st July 1st/2nd August vs Hampshire @ Basingstoke CC (TBC)
—–
Academy (DoE)
HOME
20th June vs S&SW U15s @ Dumbleton CC
5th July vs NSW Blue Barbarians U15s @ Dumbleton CC
12th July vs Midlands U15s @ RGS, Worcester
AWAY
23rd April vs Shrewsbury School
16th May vs Cheshire U14
*2 Day Game vs Oxfordshire EPP H or A TBC
—–
Academy (Full)
HOME 9th April vs Worcestershire CCC 2nd XI @ Kidderminster CC
29th May vs CCC @ Stourbridge CC
10th/11th July vs Ireland U19s @ Stourbridge CC (TBC)
13th July vs Leicestershire @ RGS, Worcester
16th July vs Gloucestershire @ TBC
23rd July vs Warwickshire @ Barnt Green CC
AWAY
11th/12th/13th vs Shrewsbury School
15th April vs Walmley CC in Birmingham League GW Trophy
22nd April vs Dorridge or Leamington in Rd 2 Birminham League GW Trophy/Plate
3rd May vs Malvern College
2nd July vs Leicestershire & Northamptonshire T20 day
14th August vs Northamptonshire @ TBC
15th/16th/17th August vs Leicestershire @ TBC
*1 Day Game vs Staffordshire 2nd XI (TBC)
