Irish to paint Jamaica green during Cricket World Cup

IRISH sports fans are putting together a new version of the Green Army to bowl over the opposition at the Cricket World Cup in Jamaica this March.

More than 500 fans are ready to rival England’s Barmy Army and have already booked into a resort on the Caribbean island.

Several hundred more are expected to travel over for the competition — the world’s third largest sporting event — and celebrate St Patrick’s Day with a clash against Pakistan.

And although complete underdogs for the match, the Jamaicans are planning to keep the atmosphere alive for the Irish, marking March 17 with street parties and special events.

The strength of the euro against the American dollar is also a massive incentive for fans combining the World Cup with a holiday.

The ICC Cricket World Cup will be held in nine Caribbean countries between March and April.

Despite the daunting task of facing the West Indies, Pakistan and Zimbabwe in Jamaica, Ireland have something to build on. In June 2004 in Belfast they beat the West Indies in a one-day match and the previous year Zimbabwe tasted defeat at their hands.

Jamaica will host four warm-up matches, the opening ceremony, six group stage matches and a semi-final.

Two warm-up matches against South Africa and Canada in Trinidad and Tobago are also scheduled.

Elizabeth Fox, of the Jamaican Tourist Board said: “Jamaica offers many wonderful experiences alongside the cricket.”