Ministers attend cricket test but bat away Casement questions

Asked about the chances of Euro 2028 matches being held in Belfast, the DUP’s Ms Little-Pengelly said the issue “will have to work itself through”.

She added: “Today is a very positive day, our first ever test match here in Northern Ireland. I think it’s important for us to ensure that there’s positivity around all of that excellence in our sport.”

It was put to Ms Little-Pengelly that she had not given a direct answer and had, in cricketing parlance, tried to knock the question for six.

With a smile, she replied: “These processes are working themselves through – we heard that yesterday in the House of Commons – so I’m going to take that ball and I’m going to hit it… because of course that’s outside of my control.

“We have of course been pushing the Treasury for additional money for public services. We know that’s the challenge that we face.”

Asked the same question about the chances of the Euros being held in Belfast, Ms O’Neill said: “I think it’s a huge opportunity not to be missed. I want to see that delivered here for the people.

“I look forward to getting some confirmation from this new Labour government in terms of next steps and what they intend to put on the table in terms of a financial contribution.”

The first and deputy first minister both said the hosting of a cricket test match in Belfast was an historic moment for the city.

Ms O’Neill said: “Sport is the big unifier in our society across all sports and codes.”

The late Martin McGuinness of Sinn Féin was a cricket fan, as was the late John Hume, the former SDLP leader, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998.

Ms O’Neill said “Martin was an avid supporter. People have all sorts of different interests in life.

“For Martin, cricket was one of those things alongside Gaelic football and hurling and everything else that he followed.”

Ireland first played cricket in 1855 in Dublin but, until now, had never played a test match in Belfast.

Test cricket is the gold standard of the sport, taking place over five days, and is only played by 12 countries.

Ireland began playing test matches in 2018 but have never won on home soil.

Ireland are ranked 11th in the world test rankings, with Zimbabwe one place ahead.

The two sides have never met previously in a test match.