Porterfield frustrated by Morgan, Rankin opposition

Cricket365
September 4, 2013

Skipper William Porterfield conceded the performances of seamer Boyd Rankin and Eoin Morgan proved the difference, after Ireland fell to a six-wicket defeat at the hands of England in Tuesday's one-off ODI in Dublin.

The Irish-born Rankin and Morgan secured four key wickets and a telling century respectively, while all-rounder Ravi Bopara's unbeaten ton capped victory with all of seven overs to spare in front of a capacity Malahide crowd.

"Yes it is frustrating when a couple of Irish lads are playing against you, but there is nothing you can do. If you offered me those two lads in my side I would take them every day of the week," said Porterfield.

"But they are trying to play as much international cricket as they can. They want to play Test cricket as well and unfortunately Ireland can't offer them that at the minute. It is water under the bridge as far as we are concerned, it was past us before the game even began.

"It just so happened they were two of the main performers for them. We were slightly disappointed ourselves given the position we were in at half-time. We felt our near 270 was a very competitive total."

Porterfield equalled his highest ODI score en route to 112, which spanned 174 minutes and 142 balls – and featured 14 boundaries and a solitary six. The authoritative vigil, however, ultimately proved vain.

"It is obviously nice to lead from the front at get a few runs. And I think one of the most pleasing things for ourselves is in the three games we have played against full members this year – the two Pakistan games and this game, we've had lads get hundreds and the top six have scored runs. It is important they do that consistently and that is pleasing," he concluded.