Irish cricketers eye England scalp

Ireland will attempt to overturn the odds and bring Ashes winners England crashing down to earth today in Belfast.

England are without injured stars Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen, as well as captain Andrew Strauss but that will only act to even things up a bit for the hosts.

Irish cricket has lost Ed Joyce and Eoin Morgan in recent years – the latter is in England’s 14-man squad for this contest – which has arguably reduced their threat against major nations.

There is undoubtedly a certain animosity from cricket followers here that the national side, undoubtedly the most competitive associate country, have been hamstrung in their progress.

But stand-in England captain Paul Collingwood said: “It is up to the individuals, the choices they make, in terms of their futures in international cricket.

“They are two exceptionally good players and they have made the choice to play for England.”