There was a further blow to youth cricket in the European region with the news that the Under 15 European Championship tournament is set to be scrapped.

The tournament has fallen victim to further cost-cutting measures by ICC Europe who have been conducting a cull of events in recent years.

Ireland are the defending champions, having won the trophy earlier this year at Rugby. CricketEurope also understands that the Regional Challenge Series at Under 17 and 19 levels may well also be under threat as ICC in Dubai puts the pressure on ICC Europe to implement savage cuts.

"We've been fighting to keep the competition going but in the end it wasn't possible to salvage it," said a leading Irish cricket official.

"It's such a blow to youth cricket as another tournament bites the dust. There isn't much left to be honest. The tournament was a real boost to keeping young players interested - the chance to represent your country at international level was a massive incentive.

"We will look at our options now, including playing in tournaments against counties in England, but with money so tight at all levels in Irish cricket, the future is very uncertain."