World Cup team profile: Ireland
World Cup history
This will be Ireland's third World Cup, having appeared in the last two editions. Their debut in 2007 included upsetting Pakistan, having bowled them out for only 132, and also a hammering of Bangladesh. Four years later, they tipped up England in a remarkable run-chase of 328.
They have left a mark on both tournaments, proved that on their day they can be a serious danger, and have earned the right to be respected.
Best finish: Made the Super 8 stage of the 2007 World Cup.
Squad: William Porterfield (Capt), Andrew Balbirnie, Peter Chase, Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Andrew McBrine, John Mooney, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien (wkt), Paul Stirling, Max Sorensen, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson, Craig Young
Key Batsman: Ed Joyce. In the form of his life after scoring 1398 runs at 66.57 in the 2014 County Championship, with seven centuries. Joyce is a calm, experienced head who has averaged 44.38 in ODIs for Ireland since the start of 2012 – including a century against Pakistan.
Key Bowler: The 22 year-old leaft-arm spinner George Dockrell is already an experienced 22-year-old having played 42 ODIs and three full seasons at Somerset. Dockrell is vital to Ireland's chances with his left-arm spin the main variation in an attack containing right-arm seamers, most of them at medium pace. He has an 51 ODI wickets.
Drinks carrier: The 21 right-arm seamer Peter Chase is probably going with for the experience. He has only played in one previous ODI.
Kit colour: Light Green
Injury concerns: Bowler Tim Murtagh has already pulled out of the squad with injury and was replaced by Max Sorensen. No fresh injury concerns within the camp.
Fixtures: February 16, v West Indies, Nelson, February 25, v UAE, Brisbane, March 3, v South Africa, Canberra, March 7, v Zimbabwe, Hobart, March 10, v India, Hamilton, March 15, v Pakistan, Adelaide
Latest
-
NewsBob Willis Trophy final is English cricket’s battle of the best – Jamie Porter
The prolific Essex seamer believes Somerset are his side’s biggest rivals in red-ball cricket.
-
NewsVirat Kohli lauds RCB game-changer Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal delighted his RCB skipper Virat Kohli with a match-turning display against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
-
NewsSunrisers Hyderabad sweating on Mitchell Marsh fitness
Mitchell Marsh will undergo x-rays on his injured ankle which could rule him out of the rest of the IPL.
-
NewsCaptain Tom says Somerset are Abell to finally get their hands on the big prize
Somerset face Essex this week.
-
NewsTammy Beaumont had eyes opened to her ‘white privilege’ by BLM movement
Beaumont and her England team-mates took a knee before the T20 against the West Indies.
-
NewsTammy Beaumont hails ‘Yorkshire Terrier’ Katherine Brunt after England’s T20 win
Beaumont struck 62 while Brunt conceded eight runs off her full allocation in Derby.
-
NewsTammy Beaumont stars as England Women claim 47-run victory over the West Indies
The match represented a welcome restart to the women’s international calendar more than six months on from the T20 World Cup in Australia.
-
NewsSam Curran impresses CSK coach Stephen Fleming
Sam Curran produced a gem of a batting cameo and claimed the prize scalp of Quinton de Kock in his first match for CSK.
-
News‘This will be special’ – Paul Walter relishing Essex’s Lord’s date with Somerset
After starting the truncated season out of the red-ball side, the 26-year-old has been crucial in Essex’s run to the Bob Willis Trophy final.
-
NewsBishnoi: I just kept sticking to the basics
Kings XI Punjab rookie Ravi Bishnoi showed impressive control on his Indian Premier League debut.