Ireland want to bat against the big boys

IRELAND’S captain and top scorer, Jason Molins, hopes their shock five-wicket victory over Surrey in the C&G Trophy second round game at Castle Avenue in Dublin yesterday might persuade the powers-that-be to include his side in the National League.

Molins believes Ireland can follow in the footsteps of the Scottish Saltires and take part more regularly against first-class county opposition .

Victory over Surrey at Clontarf is the latest in a run of impressive performances, which included a 10-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in Belfast last June.

Molins, who top scored with 58, said: "It would be great to compete in the National League.

"I think we are more than capable, as we proved here, and beating Surrey certainly won't harm our credentials.

"This win can only raise our profile and the third round game should attract lots of publicity. There are lots of things we compete against, like football, rugby and Gaelic sports but the interest is there.

"The wins against Zimbabwe and Surrey are great, but they won't get us to the World Cup that is the priority."

Molins insists he was always confident of victory after restricting Surrey to just 261 during a rain-affected first day.

He added: "Obviously to come up against a full-time side of professionals like Surrey and beat them as comprehensively as we did is massive.

"It is hard to compare this win to the one over Zimbabwe because they were under different circumstances.

Both are great achievements considering we are amateur and they are both full-time.

"This isn't necessarily the biggest shock in Irish cricket as I'm sure there have been others. I wouldn't want to describe Surrey as the Manchester United of cricket because I am a fan of United myself maybe Arsenal might be a better comparison.

"There are eight internationals in their team six English and two Pakistani. For us to come up against that level and get a result is amazing."