Ireland World Cup pen pics

WILLIAM PORTERFIELD (Warwickshire) LH bat Age: 30. Caps: 193 (ODI: 73) Runs: 6038 runs @ 31.95 (ODI: 2,137 @ 30.97)

Captain for a second time at a World Cup and one of five players taking part in a third tournament. Leads by example at the top of the order and as the team's outstanding fielder.

ANDREW BALBIRNIE (Middlesex) RH bat; Off-spin Age: 24. Caps: 20 (ODI: 11) Runs: 450 @ 25 (ODI: 157 @ 17.44). Wkts: 4 @ 31.25 (ODI: 2 @ 34 )

A rich vein of winter form including a century against New Zealand ‘A’ won the young Middlesex batsman a place in the squad and maybe even the starting XI.

ALEX CUSACK (Clontarf) RH bat; RA medium Age: 34. Caps: 159 (ODI: 54 ) Runs: 2,315 runs @ 22.70 (ODI: 726 @ 22.69). Wkts: 161 @ 22.24 (ODI: 56 @ 23.89)

A favourite of coach Phil Simmons due to his coolness under pressure with bat and ball, the Queensland-born player has come back from serious back surgery. Key powerplay and death bowler.

PETER CHASE (Durham) RH bat; RA fast-medium Age: 21. Caps: 3 (ODI: 1 ) Runs: 22. Wkts: 1 wkt @ 131

Another player who took advantage of a late run to make the World Cup squad after making his breakthrough at Durham last summer. His height and pace will be an asset on bouncy pitches.

GEORGE DOCKRELL (Somerset) RH bat; Left-arm spin Age: 22. Caps: 113 (ODI: 42) Runs: 311 @ 14.14 (ODI: 109 @ 12.11). Wkts: 171 @ 21.44 (ODI: 51 @ 27.78)

Capped at 17 and already a 100-plus cap veteran of the side, 22-year-old Dockrell is an ever-present in the side. The tall left-arm spinner has 51 ODI wickets at a very healthy average of under 28.

ED JOYCE (Sussex) LH bat Age: 36. Caps: 110 (ODI: 28 for Ireland) Runs: 3,505 runs @ 36.89 (ODI: 883 @ 36.79). Wkts: 7 @ 51.43

A second World Cup with Ireland after playing for England in 2007, Joyce will he hoping to continue his form from last summer with Sussex. Cool, composed and pure class.

ANDREW McBRINE (Donemana) LH bat; Offspin Age: 21. Caps: 12 (ODI: 3) Runs: 71 @ 11.83. Wkts: 7 @ 53 (ODI: 2 @ 42)

From a rich north-west cricketing heritage the son of former Ireland international Junior McBrine made it to the Ireland squad thanks to his performances at Interprovincial level. Will provide a back-up spin option.

JOHN MOONEY (North County) LH bat; RA medium-fast Age: 33. Caps: 161 (ODI: 54) Runs: 2,347 @ 23.47 (ODI: 900 @ 25.71). Wkts: 111 @ 27.88 (ODI: 41 @ 30.34)

A fiercely competitive sportsman and the beating heart of the team, Mooney’s all-round talents spread to all aspects of the game. If Superstars was still around, he’d be cricket’s entry.

KEVIN O'BRIEN (Railway Union) RH bat; RA medium-fast Age: 30. Caps: 229 (ODI: 84 ) Runs: 5,268 @ 28.95 (ODI: 2,178 @ 33.51). Wkts: 180 @ 27.59 (ODI: 68 @ 28.34)

His record 50-ball century against England in Bangalore was one of the stories of the 2011 World Cup. The subsequent T20 contracts have helped improve his bowling and he will be key with both bat and ball.

NIALL O'BRIEN (Leicestershire) Left-hand bat, wicketkeeper Age: 33. Caps: 155 (ODI: 64 ) Runs: 4,744 @ 35.40 (ODI: 1,649 @ 29.45); 146 catches, 26 stumpings; 25 run-outs

Has played some key innings for Ireland over the years, none more so than against Pakistan on St Patrick's Day 2007 at Sabina Park. Lost the wicketkeeping duties to Gary Wilson but still vital part of top order.

MAX SORENSEN (The Hills) RH bat; RA fast-medium Age: 29. Caps: 54 (ODI: 9) Runs: 255 @ 15 (ODI: 97 @ 24.25 ). Wkts: 81 @ 18.84 (ODI: 12 @ 22.58)

Unlucky to miss out on original selection, Sorensen was drafted in after Tim Murtagh was forced out with injury. Has impressed bowling coach Brett Lee in nets with his pace and control.

PAUL STIRLING (Middlesex) RH bat; Off-spin Age: 24. Caps: 147 (ODI: 51) Runs: 4,383 @ 29.42 (ODI: 1,726 @ 35.22). Wkts: 70 @ 30.90 (ODI: 27 @ 37.22)

Ireland’s gun batsman along with Kevin O’Brien, Stirling is given free rein to attack the new ball during the initial powerplay overs. The Middlesex man is also a fine off-spinner and slip fielder.

STUART THOMPSON (Eglinton) LH bat; RA medium-fast Age: 23. Caps: 26 (ODI: 7) Runs: 347 @ 23.13 (ODI: 130 @ 32.5); Wkts: 24 @ 24.54 (ODI: 6 @ 14.5)

A real challenger to John Mooney’s all-rounder role in the side, Thompson is another destructive batsman, quality bowler and fielder. Struggled up the batting order during pre-Christmas acclimatisation tour and will likely act as back-up.

GARY WILSON (Surrey) RH bat; wicketkeeper Age: 29. Caps: 174 (ODI: 52) Runs: 3,689 @ 25.98 (ODI: 1,129 @ 25.09); 141 catches; 26 stumpings; 18 run-outs

The Surrey wicketkeeper has also become Ireland’s gloveman and the base around which Ireland’s middle order functions. Not shy of a word or two behind the stumps to encourage team-mates and keep opponents on their toes.

CRAIG YOUNG (Bready) RH bat; RA fast-medium Age: 24. Caps: 11 (ODI: 6) Runs: 48 runs @ 9.60 (ODI: 16 @ 16); Wkts: 30 @ 17.13 (ODI: 16 @ 14.06)

Nobody has worked harder to make it to this level, Young has helped fill a void in Ireland’s new-ball armoury with 16 wickets in first six ODIs. World Cup will be a big step-up for the Bready player.

THE BACKROOM TEAM

Former West Indies all-rounder Phil Simmons will be involved with Ireland for a third World Cup having been in the dressingroom back in 2007 as he prepared to take over from Adi Birrell. Discipline on and off pitch is key to Simmons but he gives players time to enjoy themselves on tour. Also not afraid to throw in a talented player, regardless of age or experience.

Simmons is assisted by Peter Johnson who is also Ireland's video analyst. Former Queensland and Victoria player Matthew Mott has acted as batting coach since the acclimitisation tour while Aussie legend Brett Lee has been working with the bowlers while in Sydney and former Sussex player Carl Hopkinson is the fielding coach.

Physio Kieran O' Reilly, who also works with the Dublin senior footballers, is an integral part of the squad, as is strength and conditioning coach Brendan Connor. Sports psychologist Michael Caulfield and media officer Barry Chambers are also with the official party, with former Ireland opening bowler Roy Torrens managing everything in his inimitable style for the last time before retiring from the role.