Fri, 11 Mar 2011 - West Indies vs Ireland, World Cup 2011, 27th match Group B - Preview

Ireland cricket team has certainly turned out to be flag bearer of Associate Cricket Nations. While most of the Associate Nations  have succumbed to the might of top teams meekly, Ireland have put up fighting performances in the tournament so far getting applauds from the cricket pundits and fans world over.

Stunning win against England following that up with decent show against India is testimony to their growing reputation in the world cricket. What fascinates the most about this side is their never say die attitude and they seem not to be hassled by the big boys of world cricket.

They make best use of the resources available to them and the team is far ahead of other Associate Nat ions in all three departments of the game-batting, bowling and fielding.

Despite losing two games out of three they have played, Ireland still boasts of a knock-out berth and for that to happen, Ireland need to win West Indies challenge.

West Indies is on the rise and seem to have forgotten a telling defeat at the hands of South Africa in the first match. In their two games following the defeat, they have been all over their opponents, winning comprehensively against Netherlands and folding Bangladesh for paltry 58 in their own den.

Thoughts of their under pressure captain, Darren Sammy not leading from the front were assuaged with Sammy raking three wickets against Bangladesh and that should lift side and his captaincy to another level.

What is heartening to see from West Indies point of view is how senior players like Chris Gayle are mentoring youngsters. Team unity is palpable and is showing in their performances as senior players are backing relatively inexperienced Sammy that has helped him to become a better captain.

The pitch at Mohali has traditionally favoured fast bowlers offering bounce and some movement that should please fast bowler Kemar Roach and his colleagues.

Having a batting line-up with Chris Gayle, Kieran Pollard and Shiv Chanderpaul in the ranks and fully loaded with experience, West Indies start as favorites but, then, Ireland know how to prove predictions wrong.

West Indies

West Indies bowlers should have their tails up after thrashing Bangladesh in what in the end turned out to be no contest.

Kemar Roach has been in a hot form throughout the tournament getting good support from tall left arm spinner Suleiman Benn who has looked very threatening bowling with the new ball. With their skipper returning back to bowling form, West Indies will be a confident bunch of cricketers ahead of Ireland game.

West Indies posses one of the world’s dangerous limited overs batsman in Chris Gayle and have a bunch of talented young batsmen like Darren Bravo in their ranks to help their side to post big score.

Senior pros-Shiv Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan-have been kept quiet in this tournament so far and Friday’s encounter might be good opportunity for the duo to make amends.

To provide the late charge, Caribbean side has a big hitter in Pollard, who has an ability to tear apart any bowling unit in the world.

Squad: Andre Russell, Chris Gayle Darren Bravo Darren Sammy (c) Devendra Bishoo Devon Smith Devon Thomas (wk), Kemar Roach Kieran Pollard Kirk Edwards Nikita Miller Ramnaresh Sarwan Ravi Rampaul S Chanderpaul Suleiman Benn

Coach: Ottis Gibson

Ireland

They have impressed one and all and in this tournament and their fan base is only increasing after every outing, deservedly so. To translate their dream of playing in knockout stages into a reality, they need to win against West Indies.

With most of their batsmen having experience of playing in English county circuit, side has a formidable batting line up. Skipper William Porterfield’s return of form is a welcome sign and team management would want runs from top order-Paul Stirling, ED Joyce and Nail O’brein- who have struggled in the competition to put a decent score.

Kevin O’brein would be keen to tell the world that his blistering match winning century against England wasn’t a flash in the pan.

Bowling is thin on pace bowlers but good enough to contain opposition batsmen. Team isn’t sure about the availability of Ireland’s highest wicket-taker in ODI’s who injured his knee during the India game while bowling.

All eyes will be on promising left arm young spinner George Dockrell who has added up to the list of his followers by his control, guile and variations. He did his reputation no harm by claiming wicket of batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and would be keen to repeat the good show against West Indies.

Squad : William Porterfield (Capt), Albert Vander Merwe, Alex Cusack, Ed Joyce, George Dockrell, Kevin O’ Brien, Boyd Rankin, John Mooney, Paul Stirling, Trent Johnston, Andre Botha, Andrew White, Nigel Jones, Gary Wilson, Niall O’Brien

Coach: Phil Simmons