Security Concerns Put Ireland's Tour of Kenya in Doubt

Ireland news

ESPNcricinfo staff

January 13, 2012

Ireland's tour to Kenya in February is in doubt because of the ongoing security situation in the country.

Both British and Irish governments have warned of the increased risk of terrorist attack within 150 miles of the Somali border. While Mombasa is well away from that zone, Cricket Ireland is liaising with the ICC and the matches may be relocated if the safety of Ireland's players cannot be guaranteed.

Ireland are due to play an Intercontinental Cup match, two one-day World Cup qualifiers and three T20s in Mombasa.

Tom Sears, Cricket Kenya's CEO, told ESPNcricinfo that the foreign offices' advice was being taken very seriously. "The security arrangements for both sides is something of paramount importance," he said. "We are reviewing the security plans and are liaising with Cricket Ireland and the ICC. I remain confident the games can be staged without problems."

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Kevin O'Brien Named New Vice-Captain of Irish Team

Ireland news

ESPNcricinfo staff

January 11, 2012

Kevin O'Brien, the all-rounder who scored the fastest hundred in world cup history in March, has been named Ireland vice-captain. He takes over from quick bowler Trent Johnston.

Having led Ireland to a famous win over England at the 2011 World Cup with his 50-ball century, O'Brien earned a contract with Gloucestershire, where he scored a 44-ball hundred in helping his side to the highest domestic T20 score against Middlesex in June.

Ireland coach Phil Simmons said Johnston needed to focus on prolonging his career. "I still believe Trent has much to contribute both in terms of playing and coaching input - you simply can't replace that quality and experience he has," said Simmons. "I'd like for him to concentrate now on getting back to full fitness, playing and enjoying his cricket for as long as he can. He's been a colossus for Irish cricket."

O'Brien is keen to continue in a senior role for Ireland. "I enjoy the extra responsibility and it takes your involvement to a new dimension as you're always thinking of the next move," said O'Brien, who has scored 1,660 ODI runs at 33.20. "I've been fortunate to play under both Trent and William's captaincy during my six years in the squad. It's been a golden age for Irish cricket with some memorable wins. I'm close friends with William and I'm confident we'll forge an excellent partnership."

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Porterfield To Lead ICC Side Against England

Pakistan v England 2011-12

ESPNcricinfo staff

December 16, 2011

A selection of the leading Associate and Affiliate players, led by Ireland captain William Porterfield, will get their chance to compete against England, the No. 1 Test team in the world, next month after it was confirmed they will form part of England's preparations for the Test series against Pakistan in the UAE.

The team, which will be under the banner of an ICC Combined Associate and Affiliate (AM) XI, will face England from January 7-9 at the Global Cricket Academy in Dubai where players from countries below Test level regularly make use of the facilities for training. The team includes three Afghanistan players - pace bowler Hamid Hassan, allrounder Mohammad Nabi and batsman Mohammad Shahzad - while Porterfield is joined by Ireland team-mates Boyd Rankin and George Dockrell.

Rankin has been part of the England Lions set up, and is currently at a fast-bowling camp in Potchefstroom, while Dockrell, the left-arm spinner who plays for Somerset, is also on the England radar after making an impressive start to his Ireland career. Porterfield, Rankin and Dockrell were all involved in the famous World Cup match in Bangalore when Ireland beat England.

"It will be a great honour for me to lead out the Associate and Affiliate team against the No. 1 team in the longer format of the game," Porterfield said. "If you look through their squad they are full of world-class cricketers and it will be a great test for us against whatever XI they put out.

"Another challenge we face is coming together as a group ourselves; we have played against each other a few times but we will have to gel pretty quickly in the few days preparation we have in order to put in a good performance. As this is such a great chance for all the individuals to showcase their talent against the No. 1 Test team in the world, I do not see this being an issue at all."

Staging the series in the UAE, which is Pakistan's 'home' venue while they can't play in their own country, has created the issue of finding suitable warm-up opposition for England. The second game ahead of the Test series will see England face a Pakistan Board XI from January 11-13.

Pakistan, meanwhile, will prepare for the one-day series in February with a one-day international against Afghanistan. England will face their own Lions squad as they did on their previous visit to the UAE in 2010 when they played two Twenty20s against Pakistan. On that occasion the Lions beat the full team and the match saw the emergence of Michael Lumb and Craig Kieswetter as the opening partnership that played in the World Twenty20 in West Indies.

The first of three Tests starts in Dubai on January 17 and the tour also includes four one-day internationals and three Twenty20s.

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Ireland U-19s To Meet England Next Year

Ireland news

ESPNcricinfo staff

November 30, 2011

Ireland Under-19s will attempt to emulate the senior team in two ODIs against England next year. The games will be part of both teams' preparation for the U-19 World Cup next August in Australia.

Ireland produced the shock of the 2011 World Cup with a three-wicket win in Bangalore, largely thanks to Kevin O'Brien who struck the fastest-ever World Cup hundred.

The U-19 ODIs will both be played at Grace Road on July 18 and 20 and will see the Ireland youngsters returning to Leicester for the first time since 2007 when the senior side beat Canada in an Intercontinental Cup match.

The fixtures will act as a warm-up ahead of the teams' meeting at the U-19 World Cup in Brisbane. Ireland and England have been drawn in the same group, alongside the hosts and Nepal.

The teams last met in 2008 in Malaysia when an England side, including Steven Finn, Chris Woakes and James Taylor, comfortably won by 10 wickets. England also won their 2006 U-19 World Cup meeting when Ireland were captained by Eoin Morgan.

Ireland U-19s are also scheduled to play Scotland U-19s in three ODIs in July.

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Australia to play Ireland in ODI in 2012

Ireland News

Personal ESPNcricinfo

September 28, 2011

Ireland and Australia will play in an international day of next year, said Ireland cricket. The two sides will face each other on the ground civil Stormont in Belfast June 23, 2012.

"We are delighted to welcome Australia in Belfast in 2012 after his exciting ODI RSA challenge against Ireland in Dublin in 2010," said Warren Deutrom, chief executive of Ireland cricket. "Although chances of finding a space on the agenda of future visits are rare against the best teams in the world, it is clear that Cricket Australia is committed to ensuring that key partners such as Scotland and Ireland have the opportunity to test themselves against the best and help them improve.

"Off the field, visit these groups to give a huge boost to the profile of sport offers a great return on our partners and estimated a wonderful day, our fans."

Ireland lost to Australia in 39 runs in Dublin in 2010 and Phil Simmons, the Ireland coach, said the game was a good opportunity for his players to try to get one back. "We had a great chance to beat them in Dublin last year, but pass game," said Simmons. "I know how much the defeat hurts the players, so it's nice to have another chance to play. As a coach and a player, these are the kind of furniture you prosper with the support of the crowd in Belfast, we have a real chance to succeed another famous victory. "

A spokesman for Cricket Australia also welcomed the chance to play in Ireland, Ireland again. "We had an excellent visit last year and eventually won a very competitive match. Home we had was first class and we look forward to bring high quality cricket for Northern Ireland next year. "

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Ireland Spinners Stars In Victory

Ireland v. Canada, Intercontinental Cup ODI, Dublin

Personal ESPNcricinfo

September 20, 2011

Ireland 249 for 7 (53 Porterfield, Kevin O'Brien 43) beat Canada 193 (Dockrell 2-27) by 56 runs

Ireland back-to-back one-day victories against Canada with a 56-run victory in Clontarf, despite an improved showing in the area of ​​visitors. After piling up 328 in the first ODI, Ireland had to work hard to post 249 for 7, but it was still enough to come out on top.

William Field Porter, Ireland captain, top scored with 53 but needed Kevin O'Brien, a lively 43 to ensure the home half to give themselves some breathing space. Canada was in response to a lively start, but soon began to lose wickets regularly for three of their first four are out of stock.

Trent Johnston made the first breakthrough when Hiral Patel pull top edge flew to third man, and the excellence of Ireland in the area began to show through. Johnston, despite his questionable knee, broke out in mid to eliminate Gunasekera Ruvindu Porterfield then jumped to the top with a good return on Nitish Kumar strains found beneath its soil.

Canada has not learned from their mistakes and Usman Limbara third was to be executed, falling to 99 by 4. Rizwan Cheema, who has a reputation as a big puncher, he immediately tried to live up to billing, but could not find much about George Dockrell. And start-up, the spinners of Ireland - Dockrell, who gave less than three to one, again, and Albert van der Merwe - strangled the score as Canada continues to lag behind the rate.

Canada had at least shown more fight on the ground. They trimmed it to Ireland, which did not run away with the scoring rate. When Niall O'Brien was executed hosts were 118 for 4 and threaten to lose their way, but the experienced chefs Gary Wilson and Kevin O'Brien set the sleeves.

O'Brien was the aggressor, while Wilson provided an anchor and made sure I was there for the closing surplus after O'Brien had been captured along a. Johnston has provided a useful unbeaten 22, and although the order was not to impose total was more than enough.

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Ireland trounce Canada by 133 runs

Ireland v. Canada, Intercontinental Cup ODI, Dublin

Personal ESPNcricinfo

September 19, 2011

6 328 Ireland (Joyce 88, 67 Porter Field, Wilson 56) to win in Canada 195 (50 Limbadi, Mooney 27/04) 133 runs

Ireland has built the innings to win a four-day Intercontinental Cup against Canada, the dominant view of the second ODI at Clontarf Cricket Club in Dublin. The hosts 328 cruise sixth before firing over a mere 195 Canada 49. Ireland has won the total was built around Ed Joyce 88, Captain William Field Porter and Gary Wilson, 67, 56 from 35 balls, was the answer to all the batsmen, with Kevin O'Brien, hitting two sixes and three in four of his 15-ball 35 Ireland bowlers also worked as a unit, in which John Mooney to collect after 4, 27

Canada had found dull and distracted in their two days last week's drubbing, but it was hoped they would be more inspired by the limited-overs games. While there was little more energy in the field, Canada once again proved no match for the team well drilled in Ireland.

After being put in to bat, Paul Stirling opened handles brilliantly typical Irish, broke into the 20s with three fours and a six before he rises back up to Harvir Baidwan. Joyce, who deflected the ball the first day to the fine leg boundary, initially seemed Stirling took the attack to the bowlers, but open when it ruled against the side leg. Porterfield quickly caught up with him and the two men brought their half century from consecutive deliveries in the 24th above.

They have seen it grow from there, but both fell trying to force the score and appeared briefly in Canada may be able to return to the game. To the center of Ireland undermined this hope, however, with Gary Wilson for a 56-race unbeaten in just 36 balls and Kevin O'Brien break his 100th six in the Ireland of his vortex sleeves.

In response to Canada's openers began rather fluid, but was always behind the rate required. Mooney and Trent Johnston was reduced to 63-3 before Usman Limbada installed to stabilize the innings. He left his aggression for survival and the rate required pumping was soon out of reach.

Limbara managed only 50 before being caught by a hook on the top of depth. Things unravel from there, with the Irish gardeners stick to their capture as Canada sought to success. The last six windows fell by 55 points and Canada was made in 48.4 overs. Canada will have an opportunity to improve their reputation, when the teams meet for another ODI on 20 September.

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