England agree to extra Ireland date

England will face Ireland in a one-day international in Dublin next August.

The two sides, who met in Belfast last year with England three-run victors, will meet in Clontarf on 25 August.

David Collier, the England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive, said: "I am sure that Ireland will provide tough opposition for our one-day squad ahead of the NatWest Series against India later in the summer." The sides will also meet in March in the World Cup.

Ravi Bopara managed a middling 34 in his first innings for South African franchise Dolphins yesterday. Bopara followed Kevin Pietersen's lead by signing up for a temporary stint with the Natal-based side at the end of the domestic season.

Pietersen failed to take his opportunity, mustering 36 and nought, and Bopara, who had earlier bowled 12 wicketless overs fared similarly on his first outing, hitting six fours before being caught behind.