Irish Cricket 2009

Ireland have (provisionally, though it won't change) been drawn in Group A of next April's World Cup Qualifying tournament in South Africa, along with Scotland, Canada, Oman, Namibia and the runner-up from the World Cricket League Division 3 (likely to be Afghanistan, Hong Kong or Uganda.)

Despite their heroics in 2007, there is absolutely no guarantee that Ireland will qualify for a repeat performance in 2011. Scotland and Namibia are pretty much at the same level as Ireland, with Canada a little bit behind but still capable of finishing in the top two. Only the top two in each group will qualify for the World Cup.

Ireland have already named their preliminary squad, which is as follows:

William Porterfield - captain (Gloucestershire)
Andre Botha (North County)
Peter Connell (North Down)
Alex Cusack (Clontarf)
Phil Eaglestone (Strabane)
Trent Johnston (Railway Union)
Kyle McCallan (Waringstown)
John Mooney (North County)
Eoin Morgan (Middlesex)
Kevin O’Brien (Railway Union)
Niall O’Brien (Northants)
Andrew Poynter (Clontarf)
Boyd Rankin (Warwickshire)
Paul Stirling (Cliftonville)
Reinhardt Strydom (North County)
Regan West (Civil Service North)
Andrew White (Instonians)
Gary Wilson (Surrey)

nice to see eoin morgan in the squad. wonder what the odds on him actually playing are

on another note, glad to see that the minor cup draw has paired us with civil service/bohs and then a chance at getting some revenge on owlsfan in the second round, bring on the new season

I hope this works out for us. it could help keep more players in ireland

from cricket europe
Four Ireland players are set to become full time employees of Cricket Ireland when the central contracts are handed out for the first time.

Player of the Year Andre Botha, former captain Trent Johnston plus all rounders Kevin O’Brien and Alex Cusack will become the first Ireland players to be contracted by Cricket Ireland as the commitment and increased playing schedule of the squad is finally recognised.

There will be three different levels of contracts with the county players, captain William Porterfield (Gloucestershire), Niall O’Brien (Northamptonshire), Boyd Rankin (Warwickshire) and Gary Wilson (Surrey) all being offered significantly enhanced payments whenever they play for Ireland.

Any contract to Eoin Morgan is likely to depend on the progress he makes towards the England squad, for whom he is now qualified.

The full-time employees form the second level and the third tier will encompass the bulk of the rest of the senior sq uad who will be offered a retainer to be available for Ireland matches and Cricket Ireland will also have a say in any future move to county cricket, declaring they must be available for all Ireland matches.

This level is likely to include Paul Stirling, the 17 year old batsman who was the Cricket Writers’ of Ireland Young Player of 2008 and Clontarf’s Andrew Poynter along with opening bowler Peter Connell who has moved to England where he has a part-time teaching post at a sports academy.

Other regulars on the Ireland team, Kyle McCallan, Andrew White and Regan West who have full-time jobs outside cricket are also likely to be offered part-time contracts.

Associate members received a extra $350,000 dollars in grant aid as a High Performance country in the ICC and if Ireland, as expected, finish in the top four in the April tournament, and qualify for the 2011 World Cup finals in Asia, another £1 million dollars will be forthcoming and players at all three levels in the contract system can expect increased financial reward every time they play for their country.

I think this shows the vast progression of Irish Cricket in the last 5 years

The schedule for the World Cup qualifiers in South Africa has been announced. Ireland's games are as follows:

1 April: Ireland v Scotland (ODI, Willowmoore Park)

2 April: Ireland v Oman (Krugersdorp)

4 April: Ireland v Uganda (Krugersdorp)

6 April: Ireland v Canada (ODI, Willowmoore Park)

8 April: Ireland v Namibia (Wanderers Oval 2)

Top four in the group progress to the Super 8 stage from April 11-17. Final and play-offs on the 19th. Ireland should beat Oman, Uganda and Canada to make the second phase, but might well lose to Scotland and Namibia. I wouldn't be staking too much on their qualifying outright.

I think in IC matches, they are equal enough but in ODI, I think Ireland have an advantage over them, Ireland have some more attacking players than they do. So I would be confident of qualification.

namibia will always be dangerous with gerrie snyman in the side

Anyone know if this will be on TV?

Nothing to do with Irish cricket, just cricket, but I see Sir Allen Stanford has been charged with securities fraud in the US, in what appears to be a smaller version of Bernie Madoff only $8 billion!). FT ran a piece recently saying he was under suspicion.

I thought that series was OTT vulgar and the ECB was shameful to allow the England brand to be associated with it. That said, it seems to have given cricket in the WI a shot in the arm.

Is there a "world cricket" thread?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Nothing to do with Irish cricket, just cricket, but I see Sir Allen Stanford has been charged with securities fraud in the US, in what appears to be a smaller version of Bernie Madoff only $8 billion!). FT ran a piece recently saying he was under suspicion.

I thought that series was OTT vulgar and the ECB was shameful to allow the England brand to be associated with it. That said, it seems to have given cricket in the WI a shot in the arm.

Is there a "world cricket" thread?

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Would agree with all said above. England's decision to play in the competition with this idiot cheated the mainstream test followers, nevermind accept the schedule set out by the BCII for the previous series in India

Do we need a World Cricket thread? It's not THAT popular a sport on here

Ireland lost a close warm-up match against an Eastern Province XI in South Africa on Sunday. Ireland set 309 in their 50 overs. Openers Porterfield (97) and Poynter (62) were the top scorer.

Eastern Province chased their target down with two balls to spare. John Mooney took 3-72 on his return to the national team.

Eoin Morgan was absent due to "missing a connecting flight..."

Anyone know if Ireland's first match against Scotland tomorrow is on TV or online?

It does not look like it unfortunately.

Scotland have made an imposing 232-7, thanks to a century from McCallum. Ireland sent down a shocking 18 wides.

Ireland won easily in the end, reaching their target in 37.4 overs for the loss of just three wickets. Porterfield made 101, Morgan 64.

Good win...should set them up nicely for the rest of the tournament. Cricinfo says 14 wides, either way it's poor...

Good win alright. There was text commentary on http://www.cricketeurope4.net. It should be running again for the Oman game tomorrow.

Uganda beat Namibia by 6 runs and Canada beat Oman by 103 runs.

In the other group Afghanistan beat Denmark by 5 wickets, the UAE beat Bermuda by 4 wickets, and Holland beat Kenya by 7 wickets

Ireland won the toss and opted to bat first. We are currently 133-4 after 30.0 overs. Updates available here.