Simmons: Irish have ability to shock England

IRISH coach Phil Simmons believes his side can beat England in the RSA Challenge One Day International at Stormont next Thursday.

Simmons said: “I’ve everyone available and I always maintain that with a full strength squad, we are a match for any country on our day. We’ve shown that with our results in the past, and we’ll continue to do so in the future.

“I don’t know if this is the best Ireland team ever, but we have a great bunch of talented cricketers who are playing with great confidence at the moment.

“If we play well, then certainly we can beat England. They will be favourites for sure, but cricket has a nice habit of throwing up surprises.”

IRELAND SQUAD: W Porterfield (capt) (Gloucestershire), A Botha (North County), A Cusack (Clontarf), T Johnston (Railway Union), J Mooney (North County), K McCallan (Waringstown), K O’Brien (Railway Union), N O’Brien (Northamptonshire), B Rankin (Warwickshire), P Stirling (Carrickfergus), R West (Civil Service North), A White (Instonians), G Wilson (Surrey).