CRICKET/InterContinental Cup: Ireland take a break from their hectic one-day schedule with a four-day InterContinental Cup match against Namibia starting today in Castle Avenue (11am).
With overseas players Saqlain Mushtaq and Shahid Afridi ineligible for this competition, it gives an opportunity for a couple of youngsters to make a name for themselves at this level. Wicket-keeper/batsman Gary Wilson has been included in the team following impressive performances in the Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka last February and the subsequent EurAsia series in Abu Dhabi last month.
The Civil Service player is also one of the best outfielders in the country, but it is likely he will take over the gloves from Jeremy Bray, who keeps wicket in the one-day team, in order to give the Eglinton opening batsman a chance to focus purely on giving Ireland a solid start with the bat.
North-westerner William Porterfield, who now plays his club cricket in Rush, will probably open the batting with Bray, while Dominick Joyce will drop down the order to five or six. Joyce has been out of touch so far this year at the top of the order, and although he seems to prefer that position, he has probably played more vital roles for Ireland in the middle order. His vital and hugely impressive half-century in a low-scoring game against Scotland in this competition last year was made at four.
The wicket in Clontarf is likely to be a green-top, which may mean coach Adrian Birrell goes for the extra seam bowling of Paul Mooney rather than a second spinner in the shape of young Waringstown left-armer Gary Kidd. Mooney comes back into the side in place of his younger brother John, who cannot play due to study commitments, while Andy White and Niall O'Brien are also unavailable as they are needed at their respective English county clubs.
Nothing short of a win will suffice for defending champions Ireland against what is an unfancied Namibia team. Scotland dispatched the south-west Africans with ease last week by an innings and 65 runs in Aberdeen, and the Irish will be expected to inflict similar damage. Only Sarel Burger managed to pass 50 for Namibia, in either innings.
In fact, the only element that could scupper Ireland's plans is, well, the elements. Met Éireann predict rain and more rain over the next few days. On what should be a low-scoring wicket Ireland shouldn't need four full days to do the job, provided they play with the sort of intensity and commitment that won them this tournament last year.
IRELAND (probable): Jeremy Bray, William Porterfield, Eoin Morgan, Andre Botha, Peter Gillespie, Dominick Joyce, Trent Johnston (captain), Kyle McCallan, Gary Wilson, Paul Mooney, David Langford-Smith. 12 man: Gary Kidd.
NAMIBIA (from): Deon Kotze (captain), Dawid Botha, Kola Burger, Sarel Burger, Gareth Cloete, Bjorn Kotze, Hugo Ludik, Henno Prinsloo, Nicholaas Scholtz, Stefan Swanepoel, Louis van der Westhuizen, Ian van Zyl, Tobie Verwey.
