Joyce: Sri Lanka won't like Dublin conditions

Ireland have named a no-surprises squad for the two one-dayers against Sri Lanka in Clontarf next month, with batsman Ed Joyce confident his side can do well against the World Twenty20 champions.
Ireland have named a no-surprises squad for the two one-dayers against Sri Lanka in Clontarf next month, with batsman Ed Joyce confident his side can do well against the World Twenty20 champions.
All of the players in the Ireland 13-man squad were part of the WT20 in Bangladesh last month, and while it did not go well for them at the time, Joyce is sure they'll be able to pull off a good showing against the recent Asia Cup champs.
The former England batsman said: "I'm convinced we have a real chance of beating Sri Lanka as they won't relish the conditions we're likely to face in early May in Dublin.
"As a player you want to test yourself against the best and Sri Lanka certainly come into that category.
"We tied with Pakistan at the same venue last year, and lost the second match by a narrow margin when we looked like winning it.
"It was a very special occasion for me to score that hundred in front of a sell-out crowd but it was a bitter-sweet experience as we eventually lost that game. Hopefully this time we can go one better and record our first Dublin victory against one of the big teams.
"I've only played one international match against Sri Lanka during the 2007 World Cup, so I'm really looking forward to the challenge of facing some of the world's best bowlers."
Ireland coach Phil Simmons explained the selections: "We've resisted the temptation to make any changes, as the guys have been magnificent over the past few years.
"We've turned in some fantastic performances against Full Members in recent times, but it's a reality that we still haven't recorded a major victory here in Dublin – although we seem to be getting closer every year.
"What better way to break that duck than with a win over reigning world champions? That would be a great thank-you present to the Irish fans who have made our last two fixtures sell-outs."
Ireland's confidence will be boosted by the fact that Sri Lanka are now without a head coach, after Paul Farbrace quit the job three months in so he could take up an job as England's assistant coach.
Squad: William Porterfield (captain), Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Tim Murtagh, Andrew McBrine, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien, Andrew Poynter, Max Sorensen, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson.
Latest
-
News
Darren Stevens ‘looking forward to the ‘next chapter’ as his Kent innings ends
The all-rounder will leave Kent after 17 years at the end of the season.
-
News
Darren Stevens announces his retirement at the age of 46
The all-rounder’s 17-year stint at Kent will end later this year.
-
The Hundred
Hundred history-maker Will Smeed: ‘I very much still want to play everything’
The rising star of the white-ball game could be on England’s radar.
-
The Hundred
Lauren Winfield-Hill stars as Oval Invincibles begin title defence with big win
The home side defeated the Northern Superchargers by nine wickets.
-
News
Sam Curran the main man as Oval Invincibles beat Northern Superchargers
Curran scored 60 in his side’s three-wicket win at the Kia Oval.
-
England
England opener Alex Lees keen to see aggressive approach adopted in county game
The Durham batter has used the break in Test cricket to spread the word.
-
The Hundred
‘It was awesome’ – Will Smeed ends his 90s curse to hit Hundred’s first century
The youngster had fallen short of a maiden century on multiple occasions during the first half of 2022.
-
The Hundred
Will Smeed becomes first batter to hit ton in Hundred during Birmingham win
The opener cracked an unbeaten 101 off 50 balls.
-
England
Women’s game on upward trend and schools an important target – Anya Shrubsole
The 30-year-old pace bowler was restricted to competing against boys during childhood.