TRENT JOHNSTON: Introducing the four qualifiers

On Ireland's recent acclimatisation tour to Australia and New Zealand, it only managed to win two from seven, and failed to gain any real momentum in an injury riddled campaign. 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.

Ireland has always taken great pride in its fielding standards and I expect this tournament to be no different.

I believe Ireland captain William Porterfield, wicketkeeper/batsman Niall O'Brien and fast bowler Craig Young are likely to be key to its success.

Scotland - The Scots have been in rebuild mode for a few years after the new qualification rule appeared to derail them for a while. However, they are back and deserve their spot in this ICC Cricket World Cup.

With Associate Player of the Year and player of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2014, Preston Mommsen, at the helm, I believe it has have the potential to upset a Full Member in this tournament. Its opening partnership of Coetzer and MacLeod has the ability to score quickly up front. Its bowling attack has height and pace, and with the quality of Sharif’s death bowling it is well represented. Like all the Scottish teams I've played over the years, they will fight to the bitter end and never give in.

Without knowing their final squad Kyle Coetzer, Majid Haq and Richie Berrington will be the ones to watch.

UAE – This team was the real surprise package of the qualifying period and remains something of an unknown quantity which will benefit it. It is coached and captained very well by Aqib Javed and Mohammad Tauqueer respectively, both very experienced campaigners.

My biggest concern for the UAE would be that its success in the qualifying tournament (they won four from five and were only defeated by Ireland) came at Sharjah in familiar low and slow conditions. It also defeated Afghanistan 3-1 in its recent series in Dubai, showing great form but also in familiar surroundings.

It will need to prepare thoroughly for a barrage of short-pitched bowling and its fielding will need to come up three or four notches if it is to be competitive. One bonus is it play South Africa in New Zealand and not at Brisbane or Perth which will help its cause.

I predict Khurram Khan and Swapnil Patel will make significant contributions for their team.

The future for these four promising cricketing nations will not be defined by their journey Down Under but it will certainly provide them with a platform to present their case for future promotion.

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