European cricket nations cup could launch in 2027

A cricket tournament for European nations could launch as early as 2027 after Cricket Ireland officials explained plans to develop the concept.

Discussions are under way with key stakeholders to create an annual ‘Euro Nations Cup’ in both the men’s and women’s game.

It could potentially involve England, Ireland, Scotland, the Netherlands and possibly Italy with T20 the favoured format and a slot early in the summer said to be preferable.

Cricket Ireland chair Brian MacNeice told a news conference on Friday that further developments are expected “in the next couple of months” and he was firmly behind the idea.

“The conversations have now developed and evolved to a point that I’m much more confident that it is going to happen,” MacNeice said.

“There’s multiple stakeholders that will be part of that in due course, but I would anticipate that it will kick off in the summer of 2027, and the precise format and detail of it will be announced in due course.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) held talks with Cricket Ireland over the idea during last September’s white-ball series.

England’s presence would add commercial clout to the tournament and make it more appealing to broadcasters in addition to support with venues given the lack of international-standard grounds elsewhere.

ECB officials have largely been lukewarm to the idea when similar ideas have been floated in the past.

However, the performances at the recent T20 World Cup – both Italy and Scotland ran England close – and encouragement from the International Cricket Council has given the ECB food for thought.

With qualification for the 2028 T20 World Cup already secured for England, courtesy of qualifying for the Super 8s, a European tournament would potentially provide an opportunity for emerging players.

When asked if the ECB would be supportive, MacNeice was not definitive: “In principle it’s really easy to do. There are practicalities of logistics and existing broadcasting and all that sort of stuff.

“That’s the complicated kind of piece that has to be pieced together. So that work is ongoing, but what I honestly believe is that it’s much more than a kind of fanciful idea.

“This time last year, it was a fanciful idea. Now it’s something that’s progressing far more. It’s not quite there yet, but it’s heading very much in that direction.

Cricket Ireland also announced their men will play a five-match one-day international series against Afghanistan in Bready and Belfast between 5-14 August as part of their home summer programme.

New Cricket Ireland chief executive Sarah Keane said the decision to host Afghanistan this summer came with some “moral discomfort” given their plight of women in the country.

Female participation in sport has effectively been outlawed since the Tailban returned to power in 2021.

Women have been banned from universities, parks and sports. The Taliban raided the homes of female athletes and many women’s cricketers fled Afghanistan for their safety.

Discussions over whether to proceed with the series was the sole item discussed at a “robust” 90-minute Cricket Ireland board meeting on Wednesday before the series was given the green light, albeit not unanimously.

“I want to acknowledge upfront the moral discomfort that I think we all sit with around this decision, and how the regime treats women in particular,” Keane said.

“I am not going to fob you off and say there is legal and financial reasons. There aren’t.”

In her first media commitment since she replaced Warren Deutrom as Cricket Ireland’s chief exeuctive Keane also said pre-existing plans to support the cause of Afghanistan’s women will be honoured to ensure their “fight” remains visible.

“We didn’t just invite the men’s team to come here, we also invited the women’s team, and we are in discussions around how that might happen,” Keane added.