Ireland have no issues facing Zimbabwe

	Ireland will face Kenya and Zimbabwe during a triangular series during October © Getty Images

Cricket Ireland are comfortable about their decision to play a triangular series in Kenya which also involves Zimbabwe. They consulted with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the ICC before confirming the trip, which starts on October 17, and said that playing Zimbabwe is not seen as the issue.

"No country has actually refused to play Zimbabwe, the issues have been that the UK government made it clear they wouldn't issue visas to the team for a bilateral series or the World Twenty20 and some countries have been told not to visit Zimbabwe," Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom told Cricinfo. "We spoke with the ICC to gauge their position and obviously with the tournament being in Kenya there isn't the problem of entering Zimbabwe. When he played them during the 2007 World Cup the regime in the country was the same."

However, there is always the concern when playing Zimbabwe that it will be seen as justifying what is happening in the country - even if it is at a neutral venue. Deutrom, though, was adamant that there have been on worries raised by the players about the trip.

"We have spoken to the players and the management and it isn't an issue," he said. "Phil Simmons used to coach Zimbabwe and has no problems. They are all speaking the same voice, although it may have been different if the series was in Zimbabwe."

Kenyan officials are believed to be delighted that Zimbabwe have finally agreed to visit after almost three years of trying. As recently as last month Zimbabwe Cricket was claiming that its schedule was too busy to accommodate the series, but with so little cricket planned for the side, that argument simply did not hold water.

From a cricket point of view, the series is another very important event for Ireland. Their home season has finished - following a damp 1-0 series victory against Kenya - and they are now focussing on the next 12 months which includes the ICC World Twenty20 and crucial World Cup qualifiers.

"It's vital we play counties close to us," said Deutrom, "which is why the tri-series is so important. We can experience conditions in other countries which will benefit the players."

Deutrom admitted that from Ireland's view point the World Cup qualifiers are the most important matches on the horizon, despite their place in the World Twenty20 where they are grouped with India and Bangladesh. "Moving into the 2011 World Cup is vital for Ireland," he said. "But the Twenty20 will allow us a huge profile and we feel we can spring a surprise in our group."