CRICKET/World Cup countdown:Ireland enhanced their reputation when they inflicted a seven-wicket defeat on Canada in their World Cup warm-up match at St Augustine's Sir Frank Worrell ground.

Set 116 runs for victory, Ireland got to their target with seven wickets and more than 23 overs to spare, with opener Jeremy Bray hitting an unbeaten 41.

The Irish, making their debut in this year's World Cup, looked more professional and focused than their more experienced opponents, who are appearing in the tournament for a third time.

After winning the toss and opting to field, Ireland were indebted to some fine bowling from Dave Langford-Smith, who took four wickets for 41 runs from his 10 overs.

Langford-Smith, whose controlled swing of the ball accounted for three wickets against South Africa on Monday, continued his impressive tour.

He removed both openers in his first spell, before returning later to grab two more victims.

Canada's innings got off to a flying start with 11 runs coming off Langford-Smith's first over with openers Abdool Samad and Geoff Barnett hitting boundaries.

But Langford-Smith and his opening partner Boyd Rankin soon settled into a rhythm to take control of the situation.

Langford-Smith had Samad (eight) edging an outswinger in the fifth over to give Niall O'Brien a straightforward catch behind the wicket to leave Canada 25 for one.

One run later, Rankin produced a sharp off-cutter to trap Ashish Bagai lbw for one, and with the score on 47, Barnett (27) drove Langford-Smith into the welcoming hands of Paul Mooney at mid-off.

Ireland lost the wickets of Kenneth Carroll (one), Eoin Morgan (18) and Niall O'Brien (10) but Bray and Andre Botha (22 not out) took their team to victory, adding an unbeaten 45 for the fourth wicket.

Bray struck five fours and faced 73 balls in his 114 minutes at the crease while Botha's first four scoring shots were all boundaries.