Cricket Ireland pulls CI Women team from Division 8

Cricket Ireland have informed the LCU that they will not be entering the CI Women's team that was due to compete in Division 8. This unfortunately means that there will only be seven teams in Division 8, and seven grounds will be left empty during the summer, as fixtures have already been made.

The CI statement is as follows.

"Cricket Ireland has decided to withdraw the women’s team from the LCU men’s league this coming season.

There are many reason for this:

• There are double the amount of County Championship fixtures
• Cricket Ireland have been invited to take part in the ECB T20 competition.
• We must fulfil 3xODI and 3xT20 International fixtures per year (versus ranked teams.)
• T20 fixtures have been secured versus England Academy, England and India this summer.
• Cricket Ireland are in talks with Bangladesh and Pakistan regarding hosting a series of international fixtures later this summer.

 All of this, along with the women playing their own club fixtures and training with the Irish squad has made this decision (unavoidable)"