The Irish squad for the World Cup
WILLIAM PORTERFIELD (captain)
Club: Warwickshire. Age: 26. Caps: 113.
Leads from the front, opening the batting and setting the benchmark in the field with his athletic approach. Has moved to Warwickshire from Gloucestershire to join Irish team-mate Boyd Rankin.
GARY WILSON
Club: Surrey. Age: 25. Caps: 94.
Reserve wicketkeeper who has earned his place on the strength of his batting alone. He’s also an outstanding fielder without the gloves and has worked hard to cement a place in the Surrey first team.
ED JOYCE
Club: Sussex. Age: 32. Caps: 50.
Back in Ireland colours after representing England at the 2007 World Cup, Joyce brings real class to the top order. A classic, stylish left-hander, he can also be destructive in one-day cricket.
JOHN MOONEY
Club: North County. Age: 29. Caps: 99.
Another player who has blossomed as a professional, Mooney is acknowledged as the hardest worker on his game amongst the squad. Set to make his 100th appearance if picked against Bangladesh.
TRENT JOHNSTON
Club: Railway Union. Age: 36. Caps: 138.
The big all-rounder led the Caribbean adventure in 2007 and has been a revelation as a pro. He set an Irish record of 58 wickets last year with top-quality bowling, especially with the new ball.
ANDRE BOTHA
Club: North County. Age: 35. Caps: 138.
Has struggled with injury in recent years but the all-rounder’s ability to take pace off the ball and bowl economically in the middle overs was vital in the West Indies and should be again here.
NIGEL JONES
Club: Civil Service N. Age: 28. Caps: 21.
The New Zealand-born player has yet to cement a place in a side with plenty of all-rounders. Will struggle to break into the first XI this time, but has proved in domestic cricket he’s a quality cricketer.
ALBERT VAN DER MERWE
Club: The Hills. Age: 31. Caps: 12.
The South African-born off-spinner could prove vital as a partner to Dockrell on the slow turners in Indian and Bangladesh. Accomplished batsman in domestic cricket, he is also a fine fielder.
ANDREW WHITE
Club: North Down. Age: 30. Caps: 186.
One of only two non full-timers in the squad, the Belfast teacher has been one of Ireland’s most consistent performers since his debut in 2000. Scored over 1,000 runs last year, with two centuries.
BOYD RANKIN
Club: Warwickshire. Age: 26. Caps: 47.
Top Irish wicket-taker back in 2007 with 12, the 6ft 8in Warwickshire paceman has been beset by injury. Can trouble even the best batsmen with the bounce he generates.
PAUL STIRLING
Club: Middlesex. Age: 20. Caps: 69.
Could prove a sensation at the top of the order with his explosive batting style. If it’s there to be hit, Ireland’s answer to Virender Sehwag will go after it. Has also become a very useful spin option.
KEVIN O’BRIEN
Club: Railway Union. Age: 26. Caps: 136.
Younger of the two brothers, Kevin has amassed over 130 caps. Has come on leaps and bounds with his bowling and offers a destructive presence in the middle order. Has hit 85 sixes for Ireland.
NIALL O’BRIEN
Club: Northamptonshire. Age: 29. Caps: 107.
One of the heroes in the World Cup victory over Pakistan with his innings of 72. Has improved his wicket-keeping and his ability to stand up to the medium pacers can be a huge tactical advantage.
GEORGE DOCKRELL
Club: Age: 18. Caps: 36.
The teenage left-arm spinner has enjoyed a meteoric rise, and should revel in the conditions. Has proved a godsend to Phil Simmons after the retirement of Kyle McCallan and injury to Regan West.
ALEX CUSACK
Club: Clontarf. Age: 30. Caps: 95.
He might be the quiet man of the squad but has proved to a big-game player for Ireland. A cool head, he can make a difference across all three disciplines and can break up partnerships.
