Cricket:Ireland captain Trent Johnston was confident he would be fit to play against England in their World Cup Super Eights match on Friday.
The Australian-born Johnston, the team's most influential player
as seam bowler and hard-hitting lower-order batsman, has been
struggling with a shoulder injury and missed the group match
against hosts West Indies last Friday.
He only started bowling again today after having a cortisone
injection in his left, non-bowling shoulder four days ago.
"I'm hundred per cent sure that I'm going to play, though the
physio is 70 per cent sure," Johnston said. "I don't want to sit
out any more games unless I definitely have to because this is
going to be my last World Cup and I want to be a part of this.
"I bowled about a dozen balls today and it went okay and I'll
have a bit more of a bowl tomorrow. I have been doing some fitness
work and some therapy work on the shoulder just to strengthen it
up.
"It's not going to be a problem for Friday. I'll have another
fitness test on Thursday but I'm definitely looking to be part of
the game."
The 32-year-old said diving in the field remained his
greatest concern as he could snap a tendon.
Johnston played in the thrilling tie against Zimbabwe and
belted a six to clinch victory against 1992 champions Pakistan
before having to sit out the final group match.
"I was down that I couldn't play because I had a lot of
family and friends there who have now gone back and my parents were
over from Australia," he said.
"I was mainly disappointed for them as they watched me twice
and paid a lot of money."