The Intercontinental Cup triumph completed a great year for Ireland

The Irish Cricket Union expects a huge demand for the 6,000 tickets when the Ashes heroes come to Stormont on 13 June.

"The visit of England will be one of the highlights of the entire sporting local calendar this year," said ICU chairman Joe Doherty.

"There has been a big surge in cricket here during the past few years."

Doherty said that in allocating the tickets the ICU want to keep faith with members who have supported the team in less glamorous times.

"Members and new member applicants will be given the option of buying tickets during February after which they will go on sale to the general public," he said.

We all know about the fantastic appeal of the Ashes last summer ICU Chairman Joe Doherty

The match will be the most historic staged in Ireland. It will be the first meeting between the two countries in what will be Ireland's inaugural ICC One Day International.

Ireland achieved that goal following their qualification for the World Cup finals in the West Indies in little over a year's time and reaching the ICC Trophy final.

The match will be included in the international averages and, therefore, England will be expected to field their full strength squad.

"We all know about the fantastic appeal of the Ashes last summer," said Doherty.

"We are also encouraging others to become members of the Irish Cricket Union and, if they do, there are many benefits given Ireland's busy and attractive commitments now that we have ODI status."