'We're very fortunate and privileged to be able to play there' - Andrew Balbirnie ahead of historic England-Ireland Test at Lord's

Ireland are currently in England playing the ODI series against Bangladesh and gearing up for the third and final match of the series, that is a part of their ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League campaign. The match commenced at the County Cricket Ground, Chelmsford on Sunday, May 14.

Ireland will play a test match against England at The Lord's Cricket Ground on June 1. Andy Balbirine, Ireland skipper, stated that the team is looking forward to playing a Test match at Lord's Cricket Ground against one of the greatest teams in the world, England.

"It's very exciting for a number of us who haven't played at Lord's, but it's a special event in the English cricket calendar, never mind our own calendar. So we're very fortunate and privileged to be able to play there," Balbirine was quoted as saying by ICC.

Balbirine went on to say that Ireland are aware of the sort of cricket England are playing, stating that it is amazing to watch. He is hoping that his side can play good cricket and come as close to England as possible.

"We know the type of cricket England are playing is amazing to watch, so it'll be nice to come up against it and try to find our own way of competing against it. Hopefully, we can play good cricket and try to match them as best we can," he added.

50-over qualifier and T20 qualifier post-Zimbabwe are the two most important schedules in our calendar: Balbirnie

Balbirnie also stated that the team's primary focus is on the forthcoming ICC Men's Cricket World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe as well as the T20 qualifier. If Ireland wins the Europe Regional Final in Scotland later this year, they will get a direct entry for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. Ireland has one more chance to secure a straight entry to both World Cups (T20 and ODI), as they need to finish in the top two at both ICC competitions (T20 and ODI Qualifiers).

"I don't want to look too far ahead but, naturally, that 50-over qualifier and T20 qualifier post-Zimbabwe are the two most important schedules in our calendar at the moment," he further said.