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.

Facing genuine world stars like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid can only help to improve Ireland's cricketers, according to captain Trent Johnston.

Captain Trent Johnston has challenged Ireland’s new generation to finally come of age when they step out against international heavyweights India tomorrow.

Ireland have named a squad of 13 for their forthcoming Friends Provident Trophy games against Middlesex and Glamorgan.

Ireland opening bowler Dave Langford-Smith will miss the two games against Surrey and Sussex in the Friends Provident Trophy.

Ireland strolled to victory by an innings and 115 runs against Canada to retain the Intercontinental Cup within two days of the scheduled four-day final at Grace Road today.

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.

THE quality of Kevin Pietersen shone through the gloom of Southampton yesterday to ease Hampshire to an eight-wicket victory over Ireland.

THE World Cup hangover continued for Ireland yesterday with a second heavy defeat in the Friends Provident Trophy, at Taunton, and the loss of Andre Botha for at least two weeks with a dislocated finger.

IRELAND coach Adrian Birrell will look to his Australian-born captain Trent Johnston to fight fire with fire when the World Cup debutants clash with Ricky Ponting’s defending champions here today.

Jacques Kallis survived two chances to score his 61st one-day international half-century and steer South Africa to a seven-wicket win over Ireland in their World Cup Super Eight match at Providence Stadium in Guyana.

IRELAND’S cricketers fought bravely but they were soundly beaten by South Africa in their World Cup Super Eight match at Providence Stadium, Guyana yesterday.

Ireland posted 152 for eight in today’s rain-affected World Cup Super Eight match against South Africa in Guyana.

South Africa coach Micky Arthur insists his side will not under-estimate Ireland after suffering a scare against the World Cup minnows in a warm-up match last month.

IRELAND coach Adrian Birrell believes his side have not been given the credit they deserve for their World Cup exploits and is plotting a Super-Eight upset against South Africa today.

Long-serving Kyle McCallan has been angered by suggestions Ireland’s World Cup success is down to imported players.

Despite a number of injury worries during the week, the Ireland camp are hopeful of having a full squad to select from, ahead of their opening World Cup fixture with England tomorrow.

SHIV CHANDERPAUL hit a superb century as West Indies sealed an eight-wicket win over Ireland in a rain-hit Group D decider in Kingston, Jamaica.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul smashed his sixth one-day international century as the West Indies marched to an eight-wicket victory over Ireland in Jamaica.

Ireland’s cricketers celebrated St Patrick’s day in style with a superb performance in the field to dismiss Pakistan for 132 and raise hopes of a major World Cup shock.

Debutants Ireland grabbed the third tie in World Cup history in a thrilling clash with Zimbabwe at Sabina Park.

IRELAND coach Adrian Birrell will be looking to put the lessons of his side’s warm-up matches to good use during the next few weeks of the World Cup in the Caribbean.

Ireland enhanced their reputation as a cricketing country of note when they inflicted a seven-wicket victory over Canada in their World Cup warm-up match at St Augustine’s Sir Frank Worrell ground.

Dave Langford-Smith continued his impressive tour of the West Indies, grabbing four for 41 as Ireland dismissed Canada for 115 off 32.5 overs in their World Cup warm-up match at the Sir Frank Worrell ground in Trinidad.

Andrew Hall grabbed two wickets to continue his fine all round form as South Africa appeared to take control of their World Cup warm-up game against Ireland in Trinidad.

South Africa’s World Cup preparations were in disarray midway through their innings in the warm-up clash with Ireland in St Augustine.

23-year-old Dubliner Kenny Carroll has given Irish coach Adrian Birrell a selection headache, after the Railway Union opening bat scored a marvellous century in a 60 run win over Eastern Province yesterday.

Ireland and Surrey shared the points at Stormont after rain forced their C&G Trophy tie to be abandoned with just 15 overs on the board.