‘We deserve Cup place’, blasts Irish cricket chief
Two extra teams have been added to the roster for the event, bringing the total competing to 16. Six of those are ‘Associate members’ and none will be expected to advance beyond the initial group stages.
Former England captain Michael Atherton has voiced doubts over the expansion, while ex-West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding has questioned the benefits of weaker nations “getting absolutely hammered”.
Irish Cricket Union president Warren Deutrom feels differently.
He said: “We in Ireland feel that we deserve our place at the top table.
“If you look at the last World Cup in 2003, Kenya made it all the way through to the semi-finals.” Ireland have also beaten the West Indies as recently as 2004.
“Sri Lanka were only an Associate nation until 20 or so years ago. They did particularly well at the 1996 World Cup, by winning it. The ICC is making great strides in reducing the gap between Test and Associate nations through its High Performance programme.”
Concerns have also been raised about the extended length of the tournament which begins with the March 13th opener between hosts West Indies and Pakistan at Kingston’s Sabina Park and ends with the final on April 28th at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.
There will be 51 matches with the top two teams from each of the four groups proceeding to a ‘Super 8’ stage. From there the four semi-finalists will eventually emerge.
“The time frame is a matter for the ICC to determine,” said Deutrom. “As an Associate nation, the longer we get the opportunity to play the top teams the better as it exposes us to the best players in the world.”
Ireland’s campaign begins on March 15th against Zimbabwe after which the big guns await in the shape of Pakistan (on St Patrick’s Day) and the West Indies (March 23rd).
Two wins will be required to reach the ‘Super 8’ stage and the Africans are undoubtedly Ireland’s best shot at posting a victory. Manage that and they will be hoping a notoriously hot-and-cold Pakistan outfit has one of it’s off days.
“The key to the whole tournament is the match against Zimbabwe,” agreed coach Adrian Birrell.
“If we can start well in that game and win it, then it sets us up quite nicely for the tournament where we would have two chances to create an upset and have a chance of getting through.”
Ireland enter the tournament after a disappointing experience at the World Cricket League in Kenya where they recorded four defeats and a solitary win against Bermuda.
They did turn that form on its head by thrashing the UAE by a wicket and 170 runs in the semi-final of the Intercontinental Cup in Abu Dhabi and face Canada in the final in May.
The World Cup will be Birrell’s swansong as Ireland coach after five hugely successful years in the post and the South African may get the chance to pick the brains of his recently appointed successor Phil Simmons. The former West Indies international is from Jamaica where Ireland will play their three pool games and has an intimate knowledge of Zimbabwe having coached them during the 2004-05 season.
“I have made contact with Phil and I will draw on his experience and knowledge of local conditions. We’re not sure yet what his situation is during the competition.
“It was only very recently that his appointment was announced. I’m not sure whether he will be there or not but, if he is, he will be a great asset to us.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
