IT WAS a strange tale of two press conferences, two injured players and a high degree of farce here yesterday as Ireland prepared for tonight’s showdown with India (5.30pm). The game may have little meaning in the scheme of the tournament, with both sides having already booked their place in the Super Eights stage added to the fact that points from the game do not carry forward.

You wouldn’t have thought as much after India’s press conference ended in acrimony, with the team manager and skipper MS Dhoni taking exception to Indian journalists’ claims that they were being far from transparent over the injury to Virender Sehwag’s shoulder.

Five minutes after announcing that a decision wouldn’t be made until this morning, a press release announced that the explosive opening batsman was out of the tournament and will be replaced by wicketkeeper batsman Dinesh Karthik.

In comparison, Ireland’s media briefing was as calm as a mill pond, with the good news that Niall O’Brien remains hopeful of being fit for tonight’s Group A clash. O’Brien went over badly on an ankle during the Bangladesh game, but still went on to take the man-of-the-match honours, hitting 40 runs off 25 balls despite having to use the services of a runner.

It was feared he may need a scan on the injury, but Ireland media manager Barry Chambers reported the diagnosis was not as bad as first feared. “There is no ligament damage, he has a grade one tear in his tendon but is hoping to play tomorrow,” said Chambers, before pointing out that the player will continue to receive treatment from the medical team.

Although coach Phil Simmons has the option of handing the gloves to Surrey wicketkeeper Gary Wilson, O’Brien will hardly want to miss out on a chance to play against the world champions. After all, another good display with the bat could go a long way to earning him a lucrative Indian Premier League contract.

Ireland skipper William Porterfield believes a number of his side might have one eye on making a big impression, with Niall’s younger brother, Kevin, just the kind of big hitter that would revel in the IPL.

“Maybe that is in the back of our minds. The likes of Kevin, he showed what he can do yesterday and he is one of the lads in our team who can clear the ropes.

“He has been working hard at his game and he showed that yesterday by hitting 39 off 17 balls. If that (the IPL) is in his mind, he did no harm yesterday and hopefully one of them will get signed up.”

Porterfield believes tonight’s encounter will also provide a telling insight into how Ireland have adapted to T20 cricket in what will be just their fifth international match in the format.

“They are the world champions and it will give us a gauge of where we stand, and where we aspire to be. We’ll put on a show because there is no real pressure on us – India are expected to go out and win and no one gives us a chance.”

Meanwhile, Ireland will be the only Associate nation competing in the Super Eights stage after the Netherlands failed to build on their stunning opening day victory over England yesterday as Pakistan trounced them by 82 runs at Lord’s.

It means Ireland will face Pakistan for a second straight World Cup, after knocking them out in the Caribbean two years ago.

That game takes place at The Oval on Monday, but there was bad news for Irish supporters yesterday after tournament organisers confirmed that both that double-header, which also includes England’s match against the West Indies, and the previous day’s matches at Lord’s, that involves Ireland’s clash with Sri Lanka, are a complete sell-out.

Tomorrow’s opening Super Eights clash against New Zealand at Trent Bridge is also a sell-out, with Irish fans’ chances of picking up tickets hindered by the fact all three of their games are double-headers involving England.

** South Africa edged New Zealand by one run in an exciting if ultimately meaningless Group D match at Lord’s last night.

South Africa, defending a meagre total of 128 for seven after reaching 61 for one in 10 overs, fought their way tenaciously back into the match after New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum looked to be winning the contest for the Kiwis.

McCulllum was deputising again for Daniel Vettori who decided to rest his sore left shoulder for a second match in succession.

After McCullum’s dismissal for 57 with the score 93 for four off 17 overs, New Zealand lost momentum.

Fifteen from the final over bowled by left-arm paceman Wayne Parnell proved just too much even though Jacques Kallis spilled a catch at long-off off Jacob Oram.

Pakistan leg-spinner Shahid Afridi destroyed the Netherlands dreams at Lord’s earlier with four for 11 from his four overs.