The fitness of strike bowler Ryan Eagleson was the main concern for Ireland yesterday as they prepared for a pivotal World Cup qualifying match against Denmark at the Maple Leaf ground.
Eagleson managed no more than four overs in either of his opening spells against the USA or Hong Kong and was rested from Monday's defeat of Bermuda.
While the big Carrickfergus seamer has made a full recovery from the stress-fracture of the back he incurred at the start of the 2000 season he cannot be expected to be fully match-fit after more than a year of inactivity. But a telling 10 overs from Eagleson could make the difference today as the Danes are not a strong batting side, and there is speculation that he might be employed as the third seamer.
It seems the balls being used in this ICC Trophy are starting to swing more after 12 or 15 overs and that could be to Eagleson's advantage with Paul Mooney and Adrian McCoubrey again being given first use of the new cherry.
With Mark Patterson the obvious candidate to make way for Eagleson's return, the only decision for the selectors is whether Peter Davy retains his place at the top of the order now that Andy White has recovered from a throat infection.
Davy made a competent 44 opening against Bermuda but he was under little pressure chasing a total of 115, and White's secondary role as an off-spinner and his superior fielding could earn him a recall.
Denmark qualified for the second stage of the tournament on Tuesday by defeating Papua New Guinea so like the Bermuda match today's game will count in terms of overall points towards World Cup qualification.
If coach Ken Rutherford knows his best team now is the time to show his hand against one of Ireland's two serious rivals for the final World Cup spot. On the evidence of the first few days, Scotland and Holland are likely to occupy the top two places at the end of next week with Ireland, Denmark and Canada vying for third.
After Monday's encouraging performance against Bermuda the Ireland squad were noticeably in a far more buoyant mood in the nets yesterday afternoon.
