Kyle McCallan is delighted with the progress of Irish cricket

The encounter, in Stormont on the outskirts of Belfast, confirms Ireland's ascent in the sport and also provides big-game preparation for their World Cup debut in the West Indies.

It is the toughest challenge to date for an emerging side and should provide a guide on just how far they can climb on the world ladder.

England will be without the injured Andrew Flintoff but Dublin-born Ed Joyce is set to make his debut against his native country.

Ireland all-rounder Kyle McCallan is relishing the prospect of taking on some of the giants of world cricket.

"This is the fulfilment of a schoolboy dream. We are going out to play against the best players on the planet," he told BBC Sport.

"Kevin Pietersen, Michael Vaughan, Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Strauss - we watch them on TV and admire them.

"But we want to prove to them that we need to be taken seriously and that we can compete at that level."

To play the mighty England in an official one-day international would have been unimaginable just five years ago.

The appointment of full-time coaches to the national team has been key to Ireland's success which has included victories over the West Indies, Zimbabwe, Surrey and Gloucestershire.

The ICC Intercontinental Cup was won last year and a first appearance in the World Cup next March was secured when they reached the final of last summer's ICC Trophy.

This year, Ireland are playing regular matches against English county sides for the first time, rather than one-off games in the revamped C&G Trophy.

We will be giving our all to make it a real spectacle Kyle McCallan

Grosvenor Grammar School teacher McCallan has been there during the bad and good times for Irish cricket since making his debut in 1996.

"When I came on the scene it was a very amateur set-up and in C&G games we used to just enjoy the experience," added the Waringstown club player.

"But now we go in thinking we can win games and we have proved that - there are no weak links now and there is expectation in the camp.

"This has been brought about by three full-time coaches (Mike Hendrick, Ken Rutherford and currently Adrian Birrell) drumming that philosophy into the team."

England's sensational Ashes triumph last summer has helped create a renewed interest in the sport in Ireland.

The Stormont showdown is a virtual sell-out and the game will be televised live on BBC2 Northern Ireland, available on digital TV across the UK and on the BBC Sport website.

"Since England won the Ashes the buzz about the game of cricket has been fantastic," said McCallan, 30.

"It is up to us to cash in on that and give children role models in their own country.

"To be playing England in Belfast is very exciting - I hope for a nice day, a big crowd and we will be giving our all to make it a real spectacle."