Ireland captain William Porterfield hopes the grand surroundings of Kolkata’s Eden Gardens can inspire his side to another famous World Cup victory against South Africa tomorrow.

Devon Smith’s patient century and Kieron Pollard’s quickfire 94 guided the West Indies to a 44-run victory in their World Cup Group B match against Ireland in Mohali today.

Ireland made an encouraging start to their World Cup campaign as they bowled out co-hosts Bangladesh for 205 in their Group B clash in Mirpur today.

ANDRE BOTHA’S half-century ensured a four-wicket win for Ireland against Zimbabwe in their World Cup warm-up game at Nagpur.

Elton Chigumbura was the thorn in Ireland’s side as he struck an unbeaten century to lead Zimbabwe to 244 for eight in their World Cup warm-up game in Nagpur.

Martin Guptill’s century helped New Zealand post a mammoth 311 for the loss of six wickets against Ireland in the first of two warm-up games for both sides prior to the World Cup, which starts on February 19.

Cricket Ireland today announced their preliminary squad for the 2011 World Cup which is being held in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka from February 19 to April 2.

Alex Cusack has been ruled out of Cricket Ireland's squad for their Intercontinental Cup and two ODIs against Canada.

IRELAND captain William Porterfield has admitted his team-mates are dreaming of doing “something special” and beating world champions Australia in their one-day international in Dublin today.

Teenage left-arm spinner George Dockrell has been omitted from Ireland’s 13-man squad for this month’s one-day international against Australia because he will be taking school exams.

Niall O’Brien top-scored with 46 off 43 balls as Ireland improved their hopes of reaching the ICC World Twenty20 today with a win over United Arab Emirates in Dubai.

Ireland survived a mid-innings wobble to record a comfortable five-wicket win over Afghanistan in the first game of their quadrangular series in Sri Lanka.

Ireland have awarded six full-time contracts to home-based players, while giving assistance for county stars.

Ireland have named four county players in their 13-man squad for next week’s one-day international against England in Belfast.

Cricket Ireland have this morning announced the squads for the forthcoming Intercontinental Cup and RSA Challenge Series clashes with Kenya.

Ireland missed the opportunity to register another giantkilling by slipping to an emphatic 83-run defeat against injury-hit New Zealand in the second stage of the World Twenty20 tournament.

IRELAND captain William Porterfield has targeted a famous victory over New Zealand later today despite watching his side slip to an eight-wicket defeat against reigning World Twenty20 champions India at Trent Bridge.

Ireland left injured pair Niall O’Brien and Trent Johnston out of their team to face India in their final ICC World Twenty20 Group A match at Trent Bridge tonight.

CRICKET Ireland has hired former coach Adrian Birrell in a consultancy role.

IRELAND take a step into the unknown today with a first match against Afghanistan as the Super Eight phase of the 2011 World Cup qualifiers commences in Gauteng.

THE strength in depth of Ireland cricket will be tested over the coming weeks after the announcement yesterday that stalwart all-rounder Andre Botha may have to undergo a second operation on his right ankle.

AN attacking century from William Porterfield helped Ireland coast to a seven-wicket win over Scotland in their opening match of the World Cup qualifying tournament today.

A century from Niall O’Brien sealed a third successive victory for Ireland against Namibia on day four of the ICC Intercontinental Cup final at St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth in South Africa today.

IRELAND will have one eye on the Nairobi skies over the next four days as they seek to beat Kenya and secure a place in the InterContinental Cup final for a third successive time.

IRELAND returned to the scene of their greatest InterContinental Cup triumph in Windhoek yesterday and suffered a huge embarrassment in being bowled out for only 69 by Namibia.

ANDREW WHITE stroked an unbeaten century of pure class at Malahide yesterday to give Ireland more than a sniff of victory in their four-day InterContinental Cup match against Canada.

IRELAND became the first team to qualify for the ICC World Twenty20 2009 in England when they laboured to a four-wicket victory against Kenya in the first semi-final of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier at Stormont yesterday.

All-rounder Kevin O’Brien steered Ireland to another victory as they booked their place at next year’s World Twenty20 in England with a four-wicket win over Kenya.

CONFUSION reigned at the T20 World Cup qualifiers last night before Ireland battled to a wonderful victory over Bermuda, the rain and the ICC organisers to earn a semi-final against Kenya this morning.

Andre Botha starred with bat and ball as Ireland overcame a spirited Scotland fightback to take a giant stride towards next year’s ICC World Twenty20 in England.

NEITHER Scotland nor the rain could prevent Ireland winning the European Championship and retaining their crown at Clontarf yesterday after Kyle McCallan had produced one of the great spells of one-day bowling.

IT WAS a tale of two county players at Clontarf yesterday as Eoin Morgan failed to show for Ireland while fellow professional Niall O’Brien eased his side to a seven-wicket victory over Holland in the European Championship.

IRELAND’S cricketers signalled their intention to make a strong defence of the European Championship yesterday with a crushing opening victory over Norway at The Hills.

Cricket Ireland have this morning announced their squads for the European Championships which get under way in the Dublin area from July 25-31.

IRELAND gave notice that they may be more competitive than expected in this season’s Friends Provident Trophy despite losing to Nottinghamshire by 56 runs at Clontarf in the first match of the campaign.

Ireland have announced a squad of 13 for their opening fixture in the Friends Provident Trophy versus Nottinghamshire. The fixture takes place at Clontarf on Sunday at 12pm.

John Blain hit a career-best 93 as Scotland and Ireland continued to struggle for supremacy on the second day of their Intercontinental Cup clash in Belfast.

The Irish Cricket Union have announced a squad of 12 for their opening game against Scotland in the InterContinental Cup. Ireland, the holders, begin the defence of their trophy with a home tie with Scotland at Stormont in Belfast from August 9-12.

Ireland coach Phil Simmons insists the return of key all-rounder Andre Botha has given his side a new lease of life.

West Indies were denied a 100% record in the Quadrangular Series after rain brought an abrupt end to their clash with Ireland in Dublin.

Andre Botha and Dave Langford-Smith return to the Ireland squad for the forthcoming quadrangular one-day international series featuring West Indies, Scotland and Holland.

Wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien has called on the Irish Cricket Union to be patient with newly-appointed coach Phil Simmons after Ireland’s latest loss.

Ireland vice-captain Kyle McCallan has urged his team to put aside their poor start to the Friends Provident Trophy and retain the Intercontinental Cup for former coach Adrian Birrell.

The Irish Cricket Union has announced a squad of 13 for the InterContinental Cup final with Canada, which gets under way at Grace Road, Leicester, England.