2007 Cricket World Cup Squad Preview - Ireland

by user Alex Holowczak

Ireland have announced their squad for the 2007 Cricket World Cup, starting on March 13.

They have been drawn in Group D, along with three other Test nations, Pakistan, hosts West Indies, and Zimbabwe.

They announced their squad before anybody else.

Trent Johnson

Type: All Rounder, Captain
Johnson has led Ireland to the 2005 ICC Trophy. Personally, the Australian native has been a good performer in ODIs with bat and ball. His ODI average of 140 is an unfair representation of his ability with bat and ball, his batting average is a fair reflection however.

Andre Botha

Type: All Rounder
Botha is a South African native, but he is Ireland’s best batsman. He has played first-class cricket, and his averages are a bit under what would be expected of him in the World Cup. His bowling average is a bit too generous too.

Jeremy Bray

Type: Batsman (opener), Wicketkeeper
Bray is Ireland’s top opening batsman, and as an occasional wicketkeeper, his value to Ireland is supreme. He will likely don the gloves in the World Cup, to allow Ireland to select another batsman or bowler.

Kenneth Carroll

Type: Batsman
Carroll is a batsman that is unlikely to feature, but is going to be a key player in future competitions for Ireland.

Peter Gillespie

Type: All Rounder
Gillespie is a strong batsman, who hasn’t scored a run in his previous ODI experience. A more than useful bowler at the ICC Trophy in 2005, expect Gillespie to start the tournament in the Irish team.

Dave Langford-Smith

Type: Bowler
A strong opening bowler for the Irish, Langford-Smith hasn’t set the ODI world alight, but he could be key to them doing well in this tournament.

Kyle McCallan

Type: All Rounder
Statistically Ireland’s most potent all-rounder, McCallan has done well against bad opposition. He could be a key lower order player for the Irish however.

John Mooney

Type: Bowler
Profited from many not outs, his average is distinctly over estimative. Mooney is unlikely to start many of Ireland’s games.

Paul Mooney

Type: Bowler
Paul Mooney is a useful bowler, and a useful late order hitter in ODI cricket, and may make a surprise feature in the World Cup.

Eion Morgan

Type: Batsman
At 20, Morgan became the first Irishman to score a double-century in a first-class match against the United Arab Emirates recently. In form, Morgan will need to continue a promising start to his career if Ireland are to do well.

Kevin O’Brien

Type: All Rounder
Another all-rounder that has started his career excellently. Looks set to not only start in the World Cup, but play well too, he could be a revelation for the Irish.

Niall O’Brien

Type: Batsman, Wicketkeeper
Ireland’s specialist wicketkeeper may take a back seat as Bray takes the gloves due to his superior batting. But O’Brien is a more than adequate backup if needs be.

William Porterfield

Type: Batsman (opener)
Another player benefiting from weaker opposition, Porterfield has nevertheless dominated, and is Ireland’s rock a top the innings.

Boyd Rankin

Type: Bowler
A bowler of future promise, Rankin could be in with a chance of starting at the World Cup. Could feature in County Cricket for Derbyshire in 2007.

Andrew White

Type: All Rounder
A potentially explosive all rounder, White is the one of only two spinners in the squad (Botha is the other). He has scored a first-class century for Ireland against the Dutch, but he could struggle against better opposition.

Strengths

• Eion Morgan could be a revelation
• Botha will always be solid
• The opening partnership is strong on paper
• Not expected to win – no pressure
• Freedom of youth

Weaknesses

• Bray is not a full-time ‘keeper
• Lack of depth to both bowling and batting
• Lack of experience against Test playing nations
• Bowling could be suspect – expect a few big scores against them

Verdict

Ireland could realistically beat Zimbabwe, but the West Indies and Pakistan are a bit beyond them in terms of class. As such, expect them to push for third in the group. If they do, the Irish will consider this World Cup a success.