Published: Aug 14, 2015, 05:29 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 14, 2015, 05:29 PM (IST)
Ireland, who recently qualified for the next cricket World Cup, will play against Australia in the capital city of their homeland, Belfast. Ireland are currently ranked 10th in the ODI rankings. William Porterfield, captain of Ireland has warned the Australians that his team has an “unfinished business with Australia.” Ireland and Australia will face each other on August 27 at Belfast’s Civil Service Cricket Club; this is after three years when they had played against each other at the same venue. It was in an ODI that was played in 2012. That was a rain-interrupted match and ended in a draw. Ireland’s present squad doesn’t shows many changes when compared to their squad which played three years ago. They have retained nine players who played against the Australians in 2012. READ: Ireland announce squad for one-off ODI against Australia
In a conversation with cricket.com.au and RTE, Porterfield said, “We missed out on a really good chance at beating Australia a couple of years ago in Clontarf, and unfortunately no result was possible last time out at Stormont.” Before 2012 the Australians had defeated the European nation in an ODI played in 2010 by 39 runs. This match took place in Clontarf. Porterfield further added, “We are hopeful they could pull off a major upset in Belfast, in what will be Australia’s first one-day international outing since their successful World Cup campaign in March.” It needs to be asserted here that Ireland had not qualified to play this year’s World Cup and had lost it to West Indies on the basis of net run rate.
“We know we are a much improved side since then, and we’ve shown it on the world stage over the last few years. The younger lads who have come into the squad have really fitted in well and shown they’re more than capable of mixing it with the best.” Ireland has performed exceedingly well in the previous World Cups and had defeated the likes of big teams like England and Pakistan in 2011 and 2007 respectively. The Irish team have played good cricket in the last few months and has got a berth for the next World Cup. John Bracewell had replaced Phil Simmons as the new coach of the team after the World Cup. Ireland are hoping they win against the top rated side in the upcoming match.
“It doesn’t get much bigger than a match against the Aussies, and I know the boys are all raring to go. They’ve named a quality side – and with a new [Australia] captain taking over the reins, it’s going to be extremely difficult, particularly with players looking to book their spot in the starting line-up for their series against England; but we know we’ve the quality to challenge the best in the world,” Bracewell phonated.
Earlier in the day, Ireland all-rounder Alex Cusack announced his retirement from international cricket. Ireland have submitted their ODI squad: William Porterfield (capt), Andrew Balbirnie, George Dockrell, Ed Joyce, John Mooney, Tim Murtagh, Andy McBrine, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson, Craig Young. ALSO READ: Ireland’s all-rounder Alex Cusack announces his retirement
