Ireland in Pool B for 2015 Cricket World Cup

 The pool stage draw for the 2015 Cricket World Cup, which will be hosted in Australia and New Zealand, saw Ireland placed in Pool B. They will be joined in Pool B by defending champions India, who triumphed over Sri Lanka in the 2011 final, and India’s fierce rivals Pakistan, who won the 1992 World Cup, the last time the competition was hosted in Australia and New Zealand. Also confirmed in the group are South Africa, the West Indies and Zimbabwe. The final spot in the seven team group will be filled by a qualifier.

 Meanwhile Pool A features Ashes rivals England and Australia. They are joined by Australia’s co-hosts New Zealand, as well as Sri Lanka, who lost the 2011 final. There will also be two qualifiers in the group.

 Ireland will begin their campaign against the West Indies on 16^th February at the Saxton Oval in Nelson. Ireland will then travel across the Tasman Sea for a match against the qualifier at the Gabba on 25^th February, before heading to the Canberra for a match against South Africa on 3^rd March. After the match against the Proteas they will return to New Zealand for a match in Hobart against Zimbabwe on 7^th March. Three days later Ireland will face defending champions India in Hamilton. They will then conclude their pool stage with a match against Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval on 15^th March. The top four teams in each pool will advance to the quarter finals which take place between 18^th and 21^st March before the quarter final winners play the semi-finals on 24^th and 26^th March. The two teams who emerge victorious from the semi-finals will travel to Melbourne Cricket Ground for the final where the 2015 Cricket World Cup champions will be crowned.

Ireland’s Pool B Fixtures

Ireland v West Indies – 16^th February 2015 – Saxton Oval, Nelson, New Zealand

Ireland v Qualifier – 25^th February 2015 – The Gabba, Melbourne, Australia

Ireland v South Africa – 3^rd March 2015 – Manuka Oval, Canberra, Australia

Ireland v Zimbabwe – 7^th March 2015 – Bellerive Oval, Hobart, New Zealand

Ireland v India – 10^th March 2015 – Seddon Park, Hamilton, New Zealand

Ireland v Pakistan – 15^th March 2015 – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia