CRICKET TWENTY20 WORLD CUP:IRELAND COACH Phil Simmons called in a favour from his old team last night to give his new one every chance of making it to the Super Eights, with a shoot-out against England in Georgetown this evening (6.30pm, Sky Sports 1) set to decide the second qualifier from Group D.
The West Indies’ eight-wicket victory against England last night – reduced to only six wickets on the Duckworth Lewis method – sets up the an intriguing battle, a winner-takes-all encounter that also sees Eoin Morgan come up against his former team-mates.
If Ireland are to take advantage of their second chance, Simmons knows they have to banish any thoughts of their 70-run defeat to the West Indies last Friday.
The coach and players have talked about competing throughout the full 40 overs in the build-up to the World Twenty20. Sadly, the tally was only 16 against the West Indies, before the hosts added 45 runs in the last four overs to post 138 for nine.
Ireland followed up with a shocking batting display as they were bowled out for just 68.
“For me it was more disappointment than frustration because I know what the guys are capable of doing, and if we do it and the big teams beat us then you’re not too worried,” Simmons said.
“But when they don’t do it, it’s the disappointing part. And last time was particularly disappointing with the batting and the way that we got out.
“It’s not like we haven’t faced bowling like this before. We have done and we’ve done well and that was the disappointing part.”
Simmons hopes the knock-out nature of today’s clash mixed with an opposition that is sure to stoke up his players’ motivation will prevent a repeat of Friday’s display.
Simmons has also spelt out to his batsmen the need for patience, something that was marked absent against the West Indies as the first four wickets fell in just 21 deliveries and with just 16 runs on the board.
“Up front we want to score too quickly and we’re losing wickets because we want to score too quickly in the first six.
“This is different to England last year (at the 2009 World Twenty20) and Dubai this year in the qualifiers.
“This is not a 160 wicket, this is a 130-140 wicket and so we have to make sure that we tighten up and don’t lose wickets at the beginning. You can still score 90 runs in the last 10 overs but when you’ve lost four wickets it’s twice as difficult.”
One player who has more reason than most to come up with the goods against England is Niall O’Brien, who will earn his 100th cap at Providence Stadium tonight.
The 28-year-old knows all about upsetting the odds, with his stunning innings of 72 helping Ireland knock out Pakistan at the World Cup here three years ago.
“A hundredth cap is going to be a very proud moment, leading the team out against England is obviously a very happy thought for me,” said O’Brien.
“Hopefully I can put in a really special performance and create a bit of history and get a win against England, which would be fantastic.
“Playing England in any sport is massive with all the history. We’ve watched the rugby lads beat England now quite regularly and now we want to emulate that and get a win for the cricket team.”
