After finishing in second place in the 2005 ICC Trophy Ireland were awarded temporary ODI status and qualification to the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

Chief Executive of the Union, Peter Thompson, said that "A match against England, our nearest Test Nation has long been the desire of everyone associated with cricket in Ireland...".

[2][3] Ed Joyce had been a crucial member of Ireland's 2005 team that secured them World Cup qualification, finishing as their top scorer in the ICC Trophy campaign.

[6] ‡ William Porterfield was called into the squad after both Eoin Morgan and Niall O'Brien were not released by their county teams, Middlesex and Kent respectively.

The loss of 4 wickets in 4 overs to Paul Collingwood and Steve Harmison took the game away from Ireland who, despite some late-order hitting, would fall short of their target.