Dockrell Delivers in the Heat of Battle as Ireland Dig Deep to Beat UAE in Exciting World Cup Group B Clash

Ireland's Spinner George Dockrell found himself in an unusual position today. Striding to the middle in the white heat of battle, pressure on, his team needing 10 from 10 at the end of a pulsating World Cup Group B battle.

As he so often does with the ball, Dockrell delivered with the bat this time, helping to steer his side home to a 2 wicket victory with 4 balls to spare.

George is now looking forward to Ireland's clash with South Africa and knows that huge improvement, especially in the last 15 overs when bowling, will be needed if Ireland are to make it 3 from 3 in their quest to qualify for the last 8 in World Cup.

Barry Chambers: George we just about got over the line, what was the feeling when you were going to the middle there. I think it was 10 needed off 10 balls or something like that?

George Dockrell: Yeah, to be honest I wasn't too nervous. I had a nice plan set up, and I was chatting with `Mottie' you know, about what I was going to do when I got out there.

So I wasn't too bad, and Gary Wilson had a word as he was coming off, he gave me a little reassurance as well, so I think I was just looking forward to getting a bat.

Barry Chambers: And obviously maybe a word about the fans, fantastic support here for the Irish team?

George Dockrell: Yeah it's been unbelievable so far, you know. Initially in Nelson and then here now at the Gabba. There was two pockets of them around the ground and they were absolutely superb, extremely vocal the whole way through the game. Got right behind us and again it felt like it was a massive home game for us. So you know, I think you've got to give a lot of credit to them.

Barry Chambers: And we were in a bit of trouble 97 for 4 chasing 279, but I think it just showed the depth and the experience we've got in our ranks?

George Dockrell: Yeah I think, you know, we know we have that depth in our batting. There are so many match winners throughout the line up. And you know it's great that Wilts and Kev put in the performances they did there to change the game, you know batting lower down in the order. So it's great that we have that depth.

But I suppose we've got to keep, you know the guys at the top and the guys in the middle have got to keep taking their chance when they get it. But I think another solid batting performance, and got over the line just at the key point.

Barry Chambers: The bowling was very similar to the West Indies Game for 30-35 overs we were excellent, but we're letting it slip in the last 15?

George Dockrell: Yeah a little bit, I think it is a hard part of the game to bowl in. And obviously we're all very good when we stick to our lengths, and when guys trying to work us around, and I think we've just got to keep working on those death skills, which is a completely different set of bowling. So yeah I think it's definitely something we will be working on, and we have been working on since the West Indies game. But we've just got to keep going at that.

Barry Chambers: And a big came coming up. We're two wins out of two, but they don't come much more difficult than South Africa?

George Dockrell: No obviously brilliant start with two wins, and you couldn't ask for any more really. But now, you know, go play South Africa, one of the best teams in the Group. And it will be a real tough challenge. But we're looking forward to it, and going and looking for win number three.