World Cup 2015: Irish ready for the next step

Chennai: The giant-killing acts of minnows in the World Cup are well documented. Ireland, who had beaten Pakistan, Bangladesh and England in the last two editions of the World Cup, aren’t just hoping to be party poopers this time but are also keen on moving to the “next level.”

Led by their ebullient skipper William Porterfield, Ireland have a fine squad with players who are armed with the experience of playing county cricket in England and Australia. Porterfield discussed his team’s plans for the upcoming World Cup.

Q. With the ‘minnows’ tag around your neck, what exactly do the Irish play for in a World Cup? What’s your message to other teams?
Calling us the underdogs or minnows is just a matter of opinion. We have always believed that we can beat any opposition. We are quite happy with the way we have prepared for the WC. We are out there to win against every team. We are certainly ready for the next level. We are improving with every World Cup. We had fewer matches prior to this event and we feel the more we play against top cricketing nations the better we will become.

Q. What will be the impact of the absence of Trent Johnston (who led Ireland in 2007) and senior pacer Boyd Rankin (moved to England)?
They have been vital players for us but that’s in the past and now we have a young pace talent Craig Young (who has been trained by Australia’s bowling coach Craig McDermott) who can fill in Rankin’s shoes.

Q. Who is a player with the X-factor in your team?
Kevin O’ Brien. If he can replicate the innings he played in the 2011 WC against England, he can win us games.

Q. Against whom among India, Pakistan, SA and the West Indies do you fancy your chances?
Though all the teams in our group are difficult to beat, India’s destructive batting line-up and favourable conditions to South Africa make them even more tougher opponents. Our bowlers have the ability to pick up wickets with the new ball and we have a very talented left-arm spinner in George Dockrell, who has a lot of experience in county cricket. And, there is depth in our batting line-up.

Q. What are your thoughts on India?
If we get a couple of wins in our initial matches you never know what will happen when we take on the reigning champions. They have been in Australia for a while and are well prepared. Kohli has amassed runs in recent times and Rohit has a double hundred to his name. It’s a long batting line-up. Even if you claim three early wickets, they have the batsmen to post a big total. You cannot slacken against this Indian team. We play India at Hamilton which has short boundaries, so we have to play some smart cricket to beat them.

Q. This will be your second term as skipper in the World Cup. What is your take on the new rules?
I think we have got used to these rules in the last couple of years. Rotating the strike in the middle-overs and maintaining a healthy run-rate in that phase will be critical. Though the general perception is that the spinners will struggle in ODIs, I feel having fielders in the circle will allow them to attack all the time.