CRICKET:INDIAN ALL-ROUNDER Yuvraj Singh has offered to come to the aid of Niall O'Brien after six of his bats went missing following Wednesday night's clash between India and Ireland in Bangalore.

O’Brien left five of his Gray-Nicolls bats, as well as one he received as a gift from Indian batsman Suresh Raina, in the dressingroom after the five-wicket loss but they failed to make it back to the team hotel ahead of their flight north to Chandigarh on Monday.

Now fellow left-hander Yuvraj, who was man of the match in the game with five wickets and an undefeated 50, has made an offer of assistance and bats to the Irish wicketkeeper.

Yuvraj, who hails from Chandigarh, made a call to O’Brien yesterday and the Northamptonshire player was chuffed that a fellow cricketer, yet alone one of such high standing, would make such a gesture. “I think it’s a wonderful gesture from Yuvi,” said O’Brien, who is still confident that his bat supplier will be able to sort him out in time for Friday’s game with West Indies.

That game will see Ireland coach Phil Simmons pit his wits against his former side as they redouble their efforts to claim a place in the quarter-finals.

Group B has turned into the proverbial group of death, with just three points separating the first six teams. Except for England, who have played four, all other teams have played three games in the seven-team group.

Simmons, though, remains confident that two victories from the West Indies game and the final two clashes against South Africa and the Netherlands in Calcutta next week will do the trick.

“Yes, definitely. We’ve got three matches, that’s six points in all and as long as we can get four of those six we have a chance to be in the quarter-finals. That’s the way we look at it,” said Simmons.

Despite the stunning win over England last Wednesday, Ireland have still to play to their maximum in this tournament and Simmons knows his players must excel in all three facets of the game if they want to make the knockout stages.

“Everybody is coming in at some point in time and hopefully from now everybody comes together with all three disciplines,” added Simmons.

“We’ve fielded well in every game, bowled well in a couple of games and batted well in one game so we hope that everything comes together now.”

The main bulk of Ireland’s squad enjoyed a day off from training, taking part in a pool session and some gym work.

A decision on Trent Johnston’s fitness will not be taken until tomorrow after he injured his right knee in the five-wicket loss to India. It would be a severe loss for Ireland were he not to make the game at Mohali, with his performances with the ball so far in the tournament (four wickets for 74) seeing him rise to 12th on ODI rankings for bowlers.

The news is better on fellow all-rounder Andre Botha, who is continuing to improve after picking up a groin strain in the warm-up ahead of the victory over England.

Group B

Next up . . . .

Ireland's remaining Group B games

(all times Irish)

Friday, March 11th: v West Indies, Mohali, Chandigarh (day), 4am – live on Sky Sports 1 from 3.45am (on red button from 8.30am).

Tuesday, March 15th: v South Africa, Calcutta (day/night), 9am – live on Sky Sports 1 from 8.30am.

Friday, March 18th: v Netherlands, Calcutta (day), 4am – live on Sky Sports 1 from 3.45am.