Mett The Mighty Minnows

Ireland alerted people to their upset potential in their warm-up match withSouth Africa. Although they ultimately lost the match, by bowling South Africa out for under 200 and making over 150 in response they serve notice of their intentions.

It prompted me to look a little closer at the minnowsin green (and what a ghastly green it is, looks much better on shamrocksthan cricket flannels) and even to back them to beat Zimbabwe and Pakistanin our office World Cup prediction competition (sadly I had Pakistan tobeat West Indies and India to beat Bangladesh in that same competition,undoing my good work). So I thought we'd take a look at the team more used to being bashed by ourcounty sides than gunning down the International elite.

What do the Irish say about themselves ?
"Our fielding is excellent, we have a long batting line-up and the bowling's very good when we get it right. But if you ask me what our greatest strength is, it's the team spirit." - Adrian Birrell talks about his side, and no, he wasn't referring to Guinness or Bushmills. At least, we think not.
(Quote from www.cricinfo.com)

Irish cricket has developed through the increased amount of cricket beingput on for the Associate nations to compete in. Last year they won theIntercontinental Trophy, the ICCs first-class competition for non-testplaying nations. The competition was first staged in 2004/5. Ireland wonthe competition in 2005/6, defeating Kenya in the final, and face Canada inthe final of the 2006/7 competition (date tba). In the run-up to the WorldCup the Irish honed their skills at the World Cricket League (a competitionbetween the six leading Associate nations in Nairobi.

In qualifying for the World Cup, Ed Joyce was their top scorer with 399runs in 5 games. Yes, that's the Ed Joyce who now opens for England(flippin' shame he didn't stay playing for Ireland !!). How he could playfor one nation in qualifying and another in the finals only the ICC canknow. The ICC's qualification criteria for players has come under furtherscruntiny with the numbers of Australian and South Africans pros in theIrish ranks. Ireland are lead by Trent Johnson, born in New South Wales, Australia andlearnt his cricket playing for New South Wales. Johnson's passion inplaying for "his country" cannot, though, be questioned. His dogged beliefthat Ireland are more than just cannon-fodder for the big boys and hisnever-say-die attitude on the pitch have been a major factor in forging aside full of self-belief and cast-iron determination.

Trent Johnson's Cricinfo player profile

One of their real heroes in their win over Pakistan IS a home-grown lad.From Dublin, Niall O'Brien was previously understudy to Geraint Jones atKent, but stepped out of any shadows with a back to the wall, dogged,determined 72 to keep out the Pakistan seamers and take Ireland to withinsight of the finishing line before an uncharacteristic rush of blood meantthat his brother, Kevin O'Brien, Irelan's bustling all-rounder who remindsme of a young Freddie Flintoff (though I have no reports on his pedaloeabilities) was left to finish the job.

Niall O'Brien's Player Profile
Kevin O'Brien's Player Profile

Ireland's team spirit is really the stand-out factor in why the fulltest-playing nations should be weary of this Guiness swilling bull-dog witha quiet growl but a nasty bite. They play for each other and will fightdown to the last ball.

Ultimately they have already achieved all that they will at this World Cupas qualification past the super eights is one fairy-tale too far. However,there are 6 super eight games before the tournament ends for them. Timefor one more major upset and another chance for Irish eyes to smile ?