Ireland put faith in their big-hitters by AFP

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Event:

ICC World Cup 2006/07

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DateLine: 3rd March 2007

 

World Cup debutants Ireland will rely on their big-hitting batsmen to steer them to respectability in the Caribbean after their bowlers came under fire at the recent World Cricket League in Kenya.

 

At that tournament, they were on course for a famous victory over the experienced hosts when, after scoring 284-4, they had the Kenyans on the rack at 231-9 with six overs left. But the home side put on 55 for the final wicket to claim an unlikely win.

 

A tournament record in the WCL of just one win in five games was a mediocre return although the Irish recovered some pride by then heading to the Middle East where they crushed the UAE by an innings and 170 runs to reach the Intercontinental Cup final.

 

The stars of the match for Ireland were Eoin Morgan (209 not out, the highest score in Irish cricket history) and Andre Botha (157).

 

The two left-handers put on 360 for the third wicket as Ireland amassed a huge first-innings total of 531-5 declared. It is a joint record ICC Intercontinental Cup partnership for any wicket.

 

Ireland's Australian-born skipper Trent Johnston believes that kind of performance will stand the team in good stead in the World Cup where they have been grouped with the West Indies, Pakistan and Zimbabwe in the opening round.

 

"In Kenya, we weren't disciplined enough," he said. "But Eoin thoroughly deserves to be the record holder. The World Cup should be a great stage for him".

 

Morgan is one of three players who make their living in the English county championship. He's at Middlesex while fiery wicket-keeper Niall O'Brien is on Kent's books but is likely to feature for Northants next season alongside right-hand batsman Andrew White.

 

Ireland can also boast experience in its senior ranks.

 

As well as 33-year-old former New South Wales seamer Johnston, Ireland have two other other Australians in left-hand batsman Jeremy Bray as well as fast bowler Dave Langford-Smith, both also from NSW.

 

For good measure, there is a South African in the shape of Botha.

 

Ireland also have a South African coach Adrien Birrell, formerly handler of Eastern Province.

 

Despite losing Ed Joyce, who was instrumental in them getting to the World Cup, to England, Ireland have great hope for another homegrown talent in the shape of William Porterfield.

 

The 22-year-old found his feet in Kenya, making two hundreds and an eighty to finish with an average of 110.00

 

"I was delighted with how the players responded after Kenya," said Birrell, looking back on the win over the UAE.

 

"The tournament in Kenya wasn't all bad. We lost by the narrowest of margins and in cruel circumstances."

 

Ireland play two warm up games in Trinidad versus South Africa and Canada, before moving on to Jamaica, where they will play Zimbabwe on March 15, Pakistan on March 17, and the hosts West Indies on March 23.

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)