Ireland Prove They Belong On The World Stage

In many ways, Ireland had the most to lose of all the Associate teams at this World Cup. After performing they way they did in 2007, there was the pressure of expectation and with the next tournament set to be reduced to 10 teams, and no clear way for the Associates to qualify yet determined, they also knew it may prove to be their last chance. Once again, though, they played a vital part in bringing the tournament to life and, despite not reaching the quarter-finals, did more than enough to show they deserve to be in the mix for future versions.

It's a sign of their development that not progressing was such a disappointment. Their defeat against Bangladesh always looked a costly slip and so it proved after they managed the major upset by beating England. The anger shown at Gary Wilson's controversial lbw against West Indies stemmed from the belief they could still win that match. Even against a powerful South Africa unit they were competing strongly, until JP Duminy took the game away.

Unlike fellow Associates, they don't rely on one or two key names to carry the rest of the line-up; there is talent throughout the team. They found new heroes in Kevin O'Brien and John Mooney against England, not to mention the unheralded Alex Cusack, and in the run chase against Netherlands, Paul Stirling showed his potential.

William Porterfield is a mature captain, who speaks intelligently about the game, and led the side impressively. There should be plenty to feel positive about regarding the future, but these remain uncertain times for Associate nations. Ireland have done enough to deserve better.

High

The run-chase against England in Bangalore wrote another chapter in Irish sporting history and Kevin O'Brien opened the door to potential personal riches. O'Brien couldn't quite live up to his 63-ball 113 for the rest of the tournament, but that one innings began the talk of IPL and county deals. From Ireland's view there was no better side to turn over in such circumstances than their close neighbours. Both Ireland and O'Brien can't live on that performance forever, but it will never be forgotten by anyone watching.

Low

The failed run-chase against Bangladesh, in Dhaka, left Ireland with a mountain to climb. Most gallingly they should have reached the target - their subsequent batting in the tournament proved that - but their conviction went missing for a three crucial hours.

Strengths

They have the deepest batting in Associate cricket, which was clearly demonstrated by their magical chase against England. Ireland also had as many centuries batting second - two - as the rest of the teams combined. Before the tournament it was suggested Porterfield, Ed Joyce and Niall O'Brien would need to do most of the scoring, but Kevin O'Brien showed he has a touch of Andrew Flintoff about him. Due to the county exposure of most of the top order, Ireland's batsmen have a toughness and technique not displayed regularly by Associates. In George Dockrell, they have an outstanding prospect, while their fielding put some Test nations to shame.

Weaknesses

Boyd Rankin had a disappointing tournament and it left Ireland short on pace bowling. At one time, Rankin was being suggested as another who might gain England's interest, but he went backwards at this event, albeit on some flat pitches. With Trent Johnston's knees on the verge of giving way, his career won't last much longer, so Rankin is a vital part of Ireland's future if they want to consistently compete against top teams.

Prospects

All eyes will be on the decision regarding qualification for the 2015 tournament. If Ireland aren't given a chance to be involved, it will be a travesty but that will require some open-mindedness from the Full Members. On the field they can't really have done much more to make their case; now it's down to the boardrooms and political manoeuvring of the ICC.

Four years, though, is a long wait regardless of what decisions are made. In the shorter-term, Ireland need more exposure to the top sides but this will be difficult in a cramped calendar, although playing the mini tri-series with Sri Lanka and Scotland during July is a start. It would be nice to see England take a lead - beyond their one-off ODI in August - but their current fixture-list is at breaking point. Ireland, too, have a host of Associate-level agreements to keep and need to maintain their standards at that level as well as look for greater challenges.

However, the game has been put on a sound footing by strong management. Central contracts, helped the financial backing of loyal sponsors, have given players who aren't county professionals some security and allowed them to focus on their game. Still, the challenge is keeping hold of the very best of Ireland's talent. Dockrell could be the next to leave - his performances with Somerset once he recovers from a dislocated shoulder will be monitored closely - but at least Associate players can continue to play for the country of birth until qualifying for a Test nation.

The ultimate ambition of Test cricket remains a long way off and is unlikely to ever come to fruition. Ireland has no first-class structure and it's difficult to see how one could be put in place. But they are more than worthy of their place on the international stage.

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Ireland Target Another Upset

Their ability to compete with and challenge top teams apart, Ireland will bank on another factor ahead of a crucial clash against West Indies in Mohali on Friday. One bound to bring back sweet memories for the Irish and bitter ones for their opponents - history. What was expected to be a routine hammering for the minnows in 1969 turned out to be a shocking win as Ireland shot out the travelling West Indians for 25. Thirty-five years later, in another tour game, one that featured five West Indies players and four Irishmen who are part of the current squads, Ireland pulled off an upset again, chasing down 293 against Brian Lara's side.

With 13 professionals in their 15-man squad and a stunning win over England, things have looked up for Ireland this World Cup; a side determined for an encore. West Indies' demolition of a Bangladesh side that was expected to challenge them at home, preceded by a dominating performance against Netherlands, has helped them put behind a dispiriting loss to South Africa. Can their present do the same to some unsavoury recollections with the Irish?

In a keenly-contested Group where the fight for a berth in the quarter-finals is of greater intensity than the other, Friday's fixture will have a significant bearing on who goes through to the knockouts from this half. A win for West Indies will be a consolidation - a preparation for bigger tests that await them against India and England. A win for Ireland will put them in an excellent position to realise their pre-tournament objective of making it to the next stage, with a game against Netherlands, whom they'll expect to beat, in hand.

Ed Joyce: His return to Ireland ahead of the World Cup was a major boost, but the impact is yet to be felt. Forcing the pace has been a problem, two starts have been squandered and there's been one out-and-out failure when batting first. A player reputed for his solidity in the top and middle orders, Joyce is relied on to drop anchor. For that, he needs to spend long enough at the crease.

Kemar Roach: He's been West Indies' most promising pace prospect in years, and weaker teams that have come his way this tournament have been comfortably brushed aside. Ireland may be weaker on paper but their batting line-up is infused with plenty of grit and spunk, and is likely to offer more resistance against his fiery pace and accuracy. But on a track expected to favour seamers more than some others have this tournament, that ability to resist will be tested.

"Being a non-India match, some grass has been left on the pitch, giving it a greenish tinge," Daljit Singh, the curator at the PCA Stadium, has said. "The first hour will help fast bowlers, but the batsmen can prosper with time as South Africa showed (scoring 330 against Netherlands) in the previous match." It was cloudy in Mohali even in the afternoon on Thursday, and if Friday's no different, fast bowlers will be kept interested for much longer than the first hour.

West Indies went in with two spinners in their previous game against Bangladesh. The seemingly favourable conditions for seamers in Mohali may just tempt them to replace a spinner with a seamer. Ravi Rampaul may get a look-in.

West Indies (possible): 1 Devon Smith, 2 Chris Gayle, 3 Darren Bravo, 4 Ramnaresh Sarwan, 5 Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 6 Kieron Pollard, 7 Devon Thomas (wk), 8 Darren Sammy (capt), 9 Sulieman Benn, 10 Ravi Rampaul, 11 Kemar Roach.

Trent Johnston was the best of Ireland's bowlers against India but picked up an injury after five overs and picking up two wickets. It will be a major blow for Ireland if he misses out on Friday, as it'll deprive them an experienced player with all-round abilities. In the event of his absence, Nigel Jones, a medium-pacer and a lower-middle order batsman, could be picked.

Ireland (possible): 1 William Porterfield, 2 Paul Stirling, 3 Ed Joyce, 4 Niall O'Brien (wk), 5 Andrew White, 6 Kevin O'Brien, 7 Alex Cusack, 8 John Mooney, 9 Nigel Jones/Trent Johnston, 10 George Dockrell, 11 Boyd Rankin.

Those two surprise wins in tour games aside, Ireland have faced West Indies thrice in ODIs and lost twice, their latest defeat as recent as April 2010. One game as washed out.

Left-arm spinners Sulieman Benn and George Dockrell have both picked up 25 wickets in ODIs, though the Irishman has done it in fewer games - 19 compared to 22 - at a better average and economy rate. Their opponents for the most part, though, have differed considerably in strength.

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Ireland's Victory

Ireland win by three wickets Kevin O'Brien has made history for Ireland. The dreams of 2007 have been eclipsed by this record chase, powered by a record hundred. England's bowling and fielding was shoddy again, but they were backed into a corner and knocked out by the hulking power of Kevin O'Brien. Group B has been smashed open with this result! They should play all matches in Bangalore, it has treated us to two of the best games of 50-over cricket you could ever wish to see.

It's the bowling that will be highlighted by England's batting finished with a whimper. If any IPL scouts are watching though, there is one man you want after toady, Kevin O'Brien. Not only was he powerful and technical but so smart. All the Irish batsmen were so calm, calculating the necessary under intense pressure. You can see where Eoin Morgan gets it from.

You can see the best photos from this heady, crazed game on our gallery and soon enough, Andrew McGlashan will finish a dramatic rewrite of his bulletin.

Andrew Strauss, unsurprisingly, looks exhausted but is putting a brave face on it. "We thought we had done a reasonable job with the bat and also with the ball initially. We weren't expecting such an innings from Kevin O'Brien. Our WC dreams are not over yet, we need to set things right soon. Kevin O'Brien played really well and made the most of the powerplay. They deserve the victory, we can't do much but to lick our wounds. We have a couple of niggles, KP and Swann got injured today, hopefully they will be fit for the next game."



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Kevin O'Brien Blazes Ireland To Victory

After a spirited start to their huge run chase Ireland began to fall away as Graeme Swann three wickets during a teasing spell to put England on track for a comfortable victory. James Anderson gained a confidence-boosting wicket with the first ball of the innings, but Paul Stirling play some meaty shots in an entertaining innings until Tim Bresnan struck then Swann made his mark as the asking rate climbed.

After two poor matches Anderson made the perfect start when William Porterfield, the Ireland captain, dragged the opening delivery into his stumps. However, the batsmen knew there was no point prodding around and Stirling hooked his fifth ball from Stuart Broad for six. Broad was taken for three more boundaries by Stirling, as his open three-over spell cost 24, and he also talked Andrew Strauss into wasting a review when an lbw shout against Ed Joyce clear pitched outside leg stump.

Strauss rung the changes in the first 10 overs, including an early over for Michael Yardy, but it was the reliable Bresnan who broke a threatening stand of 62 when Stirling tried to launch another shot over the leg side and picked out Kevin Pietersen. Bresnan should have had a second when Joyce, on 21, top edged a pull but Matt Prior spilled a simple chance one ball after another chance had brushed Anderson's finger tips as he dived forward at midwicket.

Bresnan's first four overs cost 15 but he strayed in his fifth as Niall O'Brien collected two boundaries to keep Ireland in touch with the run rate. However, at the other end they were finding it tougher to score off Swann and the pressure could have told with a wicket but Anderson allowed O'Brien's lofted drive to burst through his hands for six.

Paul Collingwood was introduced as England's other pace-off option and his cutters were tricky to force away with O'Brien resorting to a variety of sweeps and paddles to try and score. He was clearly conscious of the rising run rate and heaved across the line at Swann without making contact. Collingwood grassed a tough return chance offered by Gary Wilson, but it wasn't long before the next wicket as Swann spun a beauty past the advancing Joyce to end Ireland's slim chance and Wilson became Swann's third when he missed a sweep.

50 overs England 327 for 8 (Trott 92, Bell 81, Pietersen 59, Mooney 4-63) v Ireland

Led by Jonathan Trott's 92, England's top order continued its productive form as they posted a hefty 327 for 8 against Ireland in Bangalore. Trott, who equalled the record for reaching 1000 ODI runs in fewest innings by matching the 21 taken by Viv Richards and Kevin Pietersen, added 167 for the third wicket with Ian Bell as the Irish attack struggled to stem the scoring rate on a flat surface although late wickets restricted the onslaught.

Andrew Strauss and Pietersen laid a strong platform by adding 91 for the first wicket although both played poor shots when much bigger scores were on offer. Pietersen's reverse sweep off Paul Stirling was especially disappointing after a brisk 59 but Trott isn't a man to forgo such run-scoring opportunities so wastefully. The third-wicket stand finished as England's third best in World Cups, nestled behind the Strauss-Bell alliance from three days ago, and Trott was set for his fourth ODI hundred until missing a booming drive against John Mooney who ended with four wickets.

For the first time in the tournament England needed to set a target after Strauss decided to bat first and Pietersen made his intent clear with three early boundaries off Boyd Rankin. Strauss had a nervous moment as a top edge looped over George Dockrell at fine leg for six, but having hit such heights against India with his 158 it wasn't surprising that his early strokeplay lacked the clarity of that innings. However, with Pietersen in such commanding touch it was the captain's turn to let someone else lead the way.

Ireland were hampered by the absence of the steady Andre Botha who took 3 for 32 against Bangladesh and struggled to maintain control. In the build-up to the match William Porterfield, the Ireland captain, hinted he may open the bowling with Dockrell's left-arm spin but it wasn't until the 12th over that the 18-year-old appeared. Pietersen was quickly down the pitch and flicked him through midwicket to bring up fifty from 40 balls and it was all very easy for England.

Perhaps it was too easy, because both openers played needless shots when there was a chance of copious boot-filling. Strauss walked across his stumps to try and manufacture a shot through fine leg and Pietersen, having crunched another six over midwicket off Mooney, top-edged a reverse sweep in Stirling's first over who became an unexpected weapon with his offspin.

Pietersen has never been a batsman to shine when opposition or conditions haven't tested him but he'd thrown away the ideal chance for his first ODI century since 2008. England, though, continued to move along at a healthy rate as Trott started brightly. He slotted consecutive boundaries off Mooney then started to work the ball around neatly as he settled alongside Bell.

Ireland nearly separated them by a run out when Trott was late to react to Bell's call for a second to deep square and if the throw had gone straight to the bowler's end, rather than the keeper first, Trott would have been found short. But it was their only alarm as they milked an unthreatening attack where batsman error was the main form of dismissal.

Stirling did a good job in controlling the run rate but Bell cut loose when he skipped down the pitch and lofted Dockrell over long off. Trott, meanwhile, moved along in typically unobtrusive style and went to his fifty off 55 balls. When he reached 64 he notched 1000 ODI runs and joined the exclusive club alongside Richards and Pietersen.

Bell's was a lovely, easy, innings as he built with smart placement and deft touches to tick off his fifty from 61 balls. The batting Powerplay, which derailed England's chase against India, was taken at the start of the 38th over and this time it proved more profitable with 45 runs coming, but were also aided by some loose deliveries with both Alex Cusack and Dockrell spearing five wides down the leg side.

Dockrell didn't quite live up to the hype with his 10 overs costing 68 and coupled with another expensive display from Rankin it made for a tough day, while some fumbling ground fielding didn't help Ireland's cause. Bell fell to the final ball of the fielding restrictions when he was well caught at midwicket off Mooney, who continued to do a valuable job for his team by removing Trott.

The innings didn't quite finish in the convincing manner that England would have wanted as Matt Prior was bowled by Johnston's slower ball and Paul Collingwood picked out long-on three balls after clearing the same man. Johnston became the first Ireland bowler to take 50 ODI wickets when another slower delivery did for Michael Yardy and the final five overs only brought 33 runs. But while 338 wasn't enough for India three days ago England will expect to defend this with room to spare.

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Ireland Look To Make Statement

Has everyone caught their breath after Bangalore's last match? It was an epic tie and the remaining games in the tournament will struggle to match it. Still, this group looks set to provide most of the intrigue over who will make the quarter-finals because Ireland are good enough to upset one of the big teams.

They had a great chance against Bangladesh until the batting failed to chase down 206 but now have England in their sights. While the cricket rivalry between the two countries has yet to reach the level seen in rugby, for Ireland this is a massive contest where they'll be desperate to make a statement and cause a shock.

England will need to be on their guard and will want an improvement in the bowling department which, apart from Graeme Swann against Netherlands and the immense Tim Bresnan against India, has been below par. Lifting themselves after the events on Sunday won't be easy. Ireland have come close to claiming their scalp before. In the hangover of the 2009 Ashes, England hung on for two-run victory in Belfast and at the World Twenty20 last year, Ireland believed they had a good chance of chasing down 120 before the rain game in Guyana.

Ireland are a leading light among the Associates, showing what is possible with a well-structured game and a core of experienced players. A number of mini-battles will be worth watching, including Ed Joyce against the England attack, the Warwickshire duel of Boyd Rankin bowling against Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott and the vastly talented left-arm spinner George Dockrell.

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Ireland Aim To Shock Bangladesh

 

Ireland want to put in a display against Bangladesh that will make people "sit up and take notice" in their opening game at the World Cup.

 

The hosts are favourite to win Friday's Group B contest although they were beaten by Ireland at the 2007 World Cup and at the 2009 World Twenty20.

"They're playing at home, so it's to be expected they'll be favourites," said Ireland captain William Porterfield.

"We want a performance that will make people sit up and take notice again."

The Irish beat the Tigers at the Super Eights stage in 2007 but then lost 3-0 in a series in Dhaka in 2008.
"The 2007 World Cup was a while ago, where conditions were different," Porterfield added. "The last time we played in Bangladesh, we were taken by surprise by the heat, the humidity and the spinners.
"But this time we will not be found wanting. There has been a lot more preparation done and we have spent a week in Dhaka getting used to the conditions."

The Ireland squad includes nine players from 2007 and contains batsman Ed Joyce, who played 17 one-dayers for England before opting to compete for the land of his birth.

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan warned the leading non-Test playing nation that they will struggle on the Sher-e-Bangla stadium pitch.

"I don't think Ireland like to play in these conditions," Shakib said.

"This is not to say we will take them lightly. Ireland have been playing good cricket. But in our conditions, which suit slow bowlers, we are a good bowling side."

Bangladesh, who lost their opening Group B match to India by 87 runs, will decide the XI on Friday to give seamer Shafiul Islam time to recover from a minor shoulder injury sustained during training.


Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Shahriar Nafees, Raqibul Hasan, Mohammad Ashraful, Mushfiqur Rahim, Naeem Islam, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Nazmul Hossain, Suhrawadi Shuvo.

Ireland: William Porterfield (capt), Andre Botha, Alex Cusack, Niall O'Brien, Kevin O'Brien, George Dockrell, Trent Johnston, Nigel Jones, John Mooney, Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling, Albert van der Merwe, Gary Wilson, Andrew White, Ed Joyce.

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