Ireland is arguably the best of the Associate nations. So, the natural progression would be the chance to play more international matches. In that context, the 2015 World Cup is its biggest chance to stake claim more forcefully.
Its bid to make a significant impression on the world stage will be led by captain William Porterfield, who will be participating in his third World Cup. His experience will be supplemented by Ed Joyce, both of whom have had good county seasons.
In fact, close to 10 of the 15 members have decent county experience, which should stand them in good stead, for the conditions in Australia and New Zealand will present ample assistance to bowlers.
In addition to Porterfield and Joyce, the O’Brien brothers, Kevin and Niall, and all-rounder John Mooney are also appearing in their third World Cup. Kevin, the maker of a famous, belligerent century against England in 2011, and Niall, who is Ireland’s leading run scorer in
World Cups with 421 runs at 30.07, will need to come good.
In the bowling department, the retirement of Trent Johnston towards the end of 2013 and the loss of Boyd Rankin to England will hurt. So will right-arm seamer Tim Murtagh’s withdrawal due to a foot injury. The 33-year-old has been one of the most reliable of new-ball bowlers in county cricket and an important member of the Middlesex attack.
“It’s fantastic to be leading Ireland in another global tournament,” Porterfield said recently. “We’ve produced some wonderful performances over the years in World Cups, and there’s no reason why we can't claim further successes in Australia and New Zealand.”
These performances over the years have been giant-killing acts – the victory over Pakistan in 2007 and England in 2011. But for a successful tournament here it certainly needs a third successive giant-killing act and a bit more.
SQUAD LIST:
| William Porterfield (Capt); Style: Left-hand bat Age: 30 Matches: 73 Runs: 2137 Average: 30.97 Wickets: 0 Average: NA Win-loss: 24-21 |
| Andy Balbirnie Style: Right-hand bat Age: 24 Matches: 11 Runs: 157 Average: 17.44 Wickets: 2 Average: 34.00 |
| Peter Chase Style: Right-arm seamer Age: 21 Matches: 1 Runs: 0 Average: NA Wickets: 0 Average: NA |
| Alex Cusack Style: Right-arm medium fast Age: 34 Matches: 54 Runs: 726 Average: 22.68 Wickets: 56 Average: 23.89 |
| George Dockrell Style: Slow left-arm bowler Age: 22 Matches: 42 Runs: 109 Average: 12.11 Wickets: 51 Average: 27.78 |
| Ed Joyce Style: Left-hand bat Age: 36 Matches: 45 Runs: 1354 Average: 33.02 Wickets: 0 Average: NA |
| Andy McBrine Style: Right-arm off-break Age: 21 Matches: 3 Runs: 0 Average: NA Wickets: 2 Average: 42.00 |
| John Mooney Style: Left-hand bat Age: 32 Matches: 54 Runs: 900 Average: 25.71 Wickets: 41 Average: 30.36 |
| Kevin O’ Brien Style: Right-hand bat Age: 30 Matches: 84 Runs: 2178 Average: 33.50 Wickets: 68 Average: 28.30 |
| Niall John O’Brien Style: Left-hand bat, wicketkeeper Age: 33 Matches: 64 Runs: 1649 Average: 29.44 Catches: 41 Stumpings: 7 |
| Max Sorensen Style: Right-arm fast medium Age: 29 Matches: 9 Runs: 97 Average: 24.25 Wickets: 12 Average: 22.58 |
| Paul Stirling Style: Right-hand bat Age: 24 Matches: 51 Runs: 1726 Average: 35.22 Wickets: 27 Average: 37.22 |
| Stuart Thompson Style: Left-hand bat Age: 23 Matches: 7 Runs: 130 Average: 32.50 Wickets: 6 Average: 14.50 |
| Gary Wilson Style: Right-hand bat, wicketkeeper Age: 28 Matches: 52 Runs: 1129 Average: 25.08 Catches: 42 Stumpings: 9 |
| Craig Young Style: Right-arm medium Age: 24 Matches: 6 Runs: 16 Average: 16.00 Wickets: 16 Average: 14.06 |
COACH: West Indian all-rounder Phil Simmons has been in charge since after the 2007 World Cup. He has guided the Irish to qualification for six successive global tournaments including the upcoming World Cup.
STARWATCH: Ed Joyce: In 2007, he became the first Irishman in the modern game to play for England. But his has been a career of unfulfilled promise and he duly returned to Ireland before the 2011 World Cup.
Ahead of the 2015 edition, he is in a rich vein of form, having scored 1398 runs at 66.57 in the 2014 County Championship, including seven centuries. Much will depend on how this calm and experienced 36-year-old holds up.
PREDICTION: Ireland can fancy its chances against the UAE and Zimbabwe. Even the depleted West Indies side is a potential upset target. But to beat South Africa, India and Pakistan it will need more than what Kevin O’Brien did against England in 2011.
FIXTURES:
February 16, vs. West Indies, Nelson
February 25, vs. UAE, Brisbane
March 3, vs. South Africa, Canberra
March 7, vs. Zimbabwe, Hobart
March 10, vs. India, Hamilton
March 15, vs. Pakistan, Adelaide
BEST PERFORMANCE:
Super Eight (2007)
