Ireland ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Tournament Preview & Guide

Quotes:

“It is likely to be its bowling that will come under the most scrutiny as none of its new ball bowlers have the benefit of 50-over World Cup experience... However, if it can take early wickets and build pressure their powerful batting line up, which is as good as many Full Members, has the potential to take it to the next stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup.” - Trent Johnston.

“Ireland have got a good structure and good facilities. They’re a well-drilled unit, and a lot of their players have county experience, so you know they are going to cause teams problems. They have always got the whole country behind them, they’re tough to beat, and the win against England in 2011 was huge for them. It will be their goal to have an Irish Test team to keep hold of the players that have come over to England to do that.” - Paul Collingwood, coach of Scotland

World Cup Legend’s Prediction:
***Scott Styris Prediction –***Ireland: Group Stage
Ireland have shown before that they are capable of producing an upset. They have many quality county cricketers who have scored runs and taken wickets against the worlds best. I don't think they have the world class quality to make the knock out stages but if they do, it should be considered a successful campaign.

**Squad:**William Porterfield (capt), Andrew Balbirnie, Peter Chase, Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Andrew McBrine, John Mooney, Max Sorensen, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson, Craig Young.

Fixtures:
Feb 16: v West Indies, Saxton Oval, Nelson
Feb 25: v UAE, the Gabba, Brisbane
Mar 3: v South Africa, Manuka Oval, Canberra
Mar 7: v Zimbabwe, Bellerive Oval, Hobart
Mar 10: v India, Seddon Park, Hamilton
Mar 15: v Pakistan, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide