Irish still fancy another shock

Irish still fancy another shock

Ireland remain convinced they are capable of pulling off another ICC World Twenty20 upset, despite their 83-run against New Zealand.

Ireland have two more chances, starting against Sri Lanka at Lord's on Sunday, to pull off their second shock victory of the tournament.

Porterfield saw enough in a match which went to form from the start - the Kiwis piling up 198 for five - to keep the faith.

"We know what's required at this level. We had an off-day against New Zealand," the captain conceded.

"It was a game we thought we could win, and we are disappointed. But we will bounce back."

Porterfield believes Ireland are paying for their high-profile successes in the 2007 World Cup and in this tournament - with opponents steeling themselves against them from now on.

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"None of these teams are going to take us lightly - India came at us the same the other night," he recalled.

"Teams are taking us more seriously and giving us that respect.

Neil O'Brien would be the key 

"But we are still capable of upsets, if we play to our potential."

He knows too, however, it will not be easy.

"We want to win in the Super Eights. We're not just here to make up the numbers," he vowed.

"In these two games coming up, we'll be coming hard at the opposition.

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"We've got Sri Lanka and Pakistan coming up - two world-class sides. But that's what we've got to do, play against world-class sides.

"We've got to be up for every game, and try to forget about what's happened."

He has no doubt Ireland have the players to do some damage.

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"Some guys got off to good starts with the bat, showed glimpses of what we can do," he said after his team had been bowled out for 115 yesterday.

"If we can turn those 20s into 50s, 60s, 70s it will win you these types of games," he predicted.

One of those capable of doing so is Niall O'Brien, and Porterfield reports the wicketkeeper-batsman is close to full fitness again after the ankle injury he suffered in the group victory over Bangladesh.

New Zealand, meanwhile, had to leave both captain Daniel Vettori (shoulder) and destructive batsman Ross Taylor (hamstring) out of yesterday's match - in which Aaron Redmond came in for the ill Jesse Ryder and hit a punishing 63 at the top of the order.

Brendon McCullum is hoping Vettori and Taylor will be back soon - although that may not necessarily be in time for tomorrow's match against Pakistan at The Oval.

"We hope they'll both be fit, if not for the next game, the one after that," he said.

"But we're still unsure of it. It's a day-by-day thing, hoping they'll continue to improve."

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Stand-in leader McCullum had no concerns, however, about the players who were fit against Ireland - and put a narrow group defeat at the hands of South Africa behind them.

"We didn't play it right the other night against South Africa - it was far too conservative for the team we want to be," he said.

"Fortunately, we've been able to turn it round within 48 hours - and come out and play with the aggression we want for the remainder of the tournament."

With crucial players like Chris Gayle, Virender Sehwag, Daniel Vettori and Kevin Pietersen nursing injuries, is the slam-bang version of cricket starting to take its toll on the players? You know where to write in with your thoughts. Write in to us at: fanspeak@espnstar.co.in  

 


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