Kiwis always in control but Porterfield enjoying learning curve

IRELAND captain William Porterfield insisted his players were still benefiting from the World Twenty20 experience after they suffered their second heavy defeat in two days yesterday, this time at the hands of New Zealand in the Super Eights.

Despite a number of injuries, the Kiwis stormed to an 83-run victory at Trent Bridge just 24 hours after the Irish had been thumped by India at the same venue. Aaron Redmond, drafted in to replace Jesse Ryder, did the greatest damage for New Zealand after they were inserted to bat, hitting seven boundaries off the first 10 deliveries on the way to a top score 63.

Porterfield admitted his side had made some elementary mistakes early on, but remained upbeat about his team’s performance at this elite level.

“Was the first five overs with the ball a crucial period? Yeah it obviously was and it got away from us in that first period,” Porterfield said.

“It wasn’t easy to claw back from there, they kept coming at us. The manner of a couple of them (the run-outs) didn’t help, but they did really well, the Kiwis, they are a really good team and they bowled pretty well and didn’t make it easy.

“We haven’t played a lot, but we are learning all the time. We’re only going to learn from this experience and we’ll take a lot out of today’s game and the things we can improve on.”

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said Redmond – whose knock came off only 30 balls – had been just one of several replacements in the side that had done well.

“He (Redmond) played out of his skin, its unbelievable for him to come in and play with that kind of freedom and confidence” said McCullum. He really set the tone for what was a pretty good display in the end.

“Today we saw the sort of talent we do have waiting in the wings. I thought it’s great to see guys, who probably otherwise wouldn’t get a go barring injuries, manage to come in and perform so well for us.”

Player-of-the-match Redmond said that his sudden call-up to the starting XI may have worked in his favour. He said: “Sometimes it’s better not to think about it, put off your doubts and just go straight into the action and know you’ve got nothing to lose. It’s been a good day.”