Ireland’s lack of bowling options ruthlessly exposed by India

‘Best Team in Europe’ proudly proclaimed Irish banners at Hamilton, revelling in England’s first-round exit from the World Cup. 

But even as they mocked England, Ireland had further reason to resent them.

As much as Eoin Morgan, England’s beleaguered ODI skipper, would be a wonderful addition to Ireland’s XI, the pace and bounce of Boyd Rankin — especially with Tim Murtagh ruled out of the World Cup through injury — is even more greatly missed.