Dockrell admits England lure

IRELAND spinner George Dockrell admits the lure of Test cricket could one day tempt him to join the England ranks but for now his sights are set on beating Andrew Strauss’ side in Bangalore.

The 18-year-old slow left-armer is considered one of the brightest prospects among the associate nations and did little to dampen those expectations with figures of two for 23 from 10 overs on his World Cup debut against Bangladesh.

While that effort was ultimately in a losing cause, it is unlikely to have escaped the attention of the England selectors — who have previously claimed Ed Joyce and Eoin Morgan from the Ireland camp.

Joyce is now back in a green shirt having failed to earn a Test call-up, but Morgan looks likely to be given an extended chance to replace Paul Collingwood in the five-day game.

It is a route that naturally appeals to Dockrell in principle, but for now he is fully focused on backing up a promising opening match with victory over England on Wednesday.

“Obviously everyone wants to play Test cricket, that’s obviously an aspiration of most cricketers,” he said.

“That would be one of the things that may come if you want to play for England. But at the moment I’m working hard on doing well in this World Cup, for Ireland, and qualifying for the quarter-finals.

“We’d definitely like to get our World Cup going with a win on Wednesday.

“We were disappointed with the game against Bangladesh. Now we’re looking forward to this England match, to get our first win.”