Ireland aim to finish off the season in style against Kenya

CRICKET/ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL SERIES:IRELAND WILL be aiming to finish off a successful summer season with victory in the three-match Carnegie Cup ODI series against Kenya, which gets underway at Stormont in Belfast tomorrow (10.45am).

The two sides last met in the World Twenty20 Qualifier at the same venue three weeks ago, with Ireland winning their semi-final clash by four wickets to book a place in next year's finals in England.

Kenya missed out on a place after Scotland eased to a nine-wicket victory over the Africans in the third place play-off, their participation in next year's finals being confirmed earlier this week when Zimbabwe withdrew from the competition.

Despite bad weather ruining a number of fixtures, Kenya have had some success on their month-long tour of Europe, hammering the Netherlands by and innings and six runs to go top of the Intercontinental Cup table.

Although Middlesex batsman Eoin Morgan is unavailable for the series, Ireland coach Phil Simmons will pick from a strong squad for tomorrow's first game, with a huge boost coming in the return of Boyd Rankin to Ireland colours for the first time since last year's World Cup in the West Indies.

The 6ft 8in opening bowler has had a torrid time since then with injury, having bowled just 166 overs in the last 16 months.

His move to Warwickshire looks to have done him the world of good, with the expertise of bowling coach Allan Donald just the right man to get the most out a player with so much raw talent. The former South African paceman quickly pinpointed Rankin's delivery stride as the source of much of his injury woes and has remodelled his action to prevent further breakdown.

The Bready farmer also had a more chiselled look to him when he practised with the Ireland team during the T20 Qualifier earlier this month, his time off this summer with a shoulder injury obviously having been put to good use.

Rankin (24) is a laid-back individual by nature, and it would be an added bonus if some of Donald's legendary aggression has rubbed off on him as he was at his best in the Caribbean when his back was up.

Rankin will play tomorrow and Monday, before heading back for Warwickshire's County Championship clash against his former side Derbyshire on Wednesday.

Niall O'Brien is only available for tomorrow's game, but skipper William Porterfield and Gary Wilson are both available for the three games, which conclude on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, North County will meet holders Clontarf in next Saturday's Antalis Cup Final at Castle Avenue after they took just 20 minutes to take Railway Union's final wicket and wrap up a 93-run win at Balrothery last night. Chasing 179, Railway had finished on 83 for nine on Thursday night, with James Rogan unbeaten on 35. Play resumed at 6pm last night, with Richie Lawrence combining with Dara Armstrong to run out Rogan after he had added just one more run as Railway were all out for 86.

IRELAND SQUAD (ODI Series v Kenya, Stormont): W Porterfield (Gloucestershire, Capt), A Botha (North County), P Connell (North Down), A Cusack (Clontarf), G Kidd (Waringstown), K McCallan (Waringstown), K O'Brien (Railway Union), N O'Brien (Northamptonshire), A Poynter (Clontarf), B Rankin (Warwickshire), P Stirling (Cliftonville), R Strydom (North County), A White (Instonians), G Wilson (Surrey).

Niall O'Brien will play in tomorrow's ODI, while Boyd Rankin will play Sunday and Monday.