Porterfield: We came prepared to win

2015 World Cup

Cricket365
February 17, 2015

Ireland captain William Porterfield said his side's victory over the West Indies, in their first match of the World Cup in Nelson on Monday, was not seen as an upset by his team.

West Indies, batting first, posted a competitive score of 304 for seven in their 50 overs. Ireland however made light work of the run-chase, knocking off the runs with more than four overs to spare.

Ireland are now playing in their third consecutive World Cup, and while they are still not a Full Member Test nation, most of their players are professionals playing in England.

Portefield, who plays for Warwickshire, said: "I don't see it as an upset. We prepared to come into this game to win, we're going to prepare to go into the UAE (United Arab Emirates) game to win, South Africa after that and so on.

"The term an upset, anything from minnows to associate, I don't see why a team has to be an associate or a team has to be a full member. Sure you're ranked one to whatever but It's not like that in any other sport and I don't see why it has to be like that in ours."

The Irish skipper said his side came into the game with the intention of winning, not just being competitive and staying in the contest.

He explained: "It was the intent we played with when we took the attack back to the West Indies (that was pleasing). They came at us pretty aggressively as well, and the way the lads came out and kept continuing the scoring was great and we knew there was more in the tank."