Will wants redemption in Eden

IRELAND captain William Porterfield has been reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after publicly criticising umpire Asoka de Silva’s handling of a video review during his side’s 44-run defeat against the West Indies.

Porterfield pleaded guilty to a charge of contravening the ICC Code of Conduct after he claimed the decision to give right-hander Gary Wilson out lbw had cost his side a chance of victory in Mohali.

Ireland had been within chasing distance of West Indies’ 275 when Wilson reviewed an lbw decision, which TV replays suggested had hit him outside the line of off stump.

After consultation with the third umpire De Silva decided, however, that Wilson had failed to play a shot.

After pleading guilty Porterfield was handed the minimum sanction for the Level One offence, which relates to public criticism of a match official.

With that out of the way, Porterfield says he hopes the grand surroundings of Eden Gardens will inspire his side to victory against South Africa today (Sky Sports 1, 9am).

The elation of Ireland’s historic defeat of England in their second Group B match has been tempered somewhat by defeats to India and the West Indies – results which mean they must win both of their remaining games to qualify for the last eight.

As the most impressive of the associate nations by a distance they will go in as favourites against Holland in the final qualifying fixture, but before that must take on the Proteas.

Graeme Smith’s men are on a high having defeated India last time out, but lost to England in a low-scoring encounter earlier in the competition to show some vulnerability.

Porterfield knows South Africa are one of the best sides around, but with qualification still a burning ambition for the Irish, he is hoping to take something from the historic venue, which is the second biggest cricket arena in the world after the MCG.

“When you come to India you always hear about Eden Gardens, a bit like when you are in England and people talk about Lord’s,” Porterfield said.

“There’s a lot of history here and, of course, it’s a massive place. The lads are looking forward to getting out there and to have both of our last two games there is something pretty special.

“(South Africa) have just beaten India and they’ve had a good tournament so far, but if we play with the freedom and the attacking intent that we have done in every game, who knows?”

All-rounder Andre Botha has been laid low with a sickness bug but is desperate to face the country of his birth, while Trent Johnston is expected to beat a knee injury to play.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will take on Scotland and Ireland in a short one-day international tri-series this summer, following their tour of England.

All three matches will take place at the Grange in Edinburgh, with Ireland playing Sri Lanka first on July 11. Scotland face Ireland the next day, before playing Sri Lanka on July 13.