Sorensen's Magic Spell Sends UAE Tumbling Out

Ireland's opening bowler Max Sorensen turned in a scintillating performance today in the semi final of the Twenty20 World Cup Qualifying tournament.

Bowling an incredible 20 dot balls in his 4 overs he produced figures of 4 for 15, with 4 of those 15 being overthrows.

The Hills man was delighted with the total that Ireland eventually posted giving much praise to the experienced middle order of Johnston, Mooney & O'Brien who guided Ireland skilfully to their total.

Ably assisted by the other seamers in the team, any UAE thoughts of victory were quickly banished and Ireland ran out easy winners in the end.

Barry Chambers: Max congratulations, we spoke last night about bowling under lights, a semi final and you really came up trumps, 4 wickets today?

Max Sorensen: Yeah very happy. Happy that we're through to another final. Looking forward to the prospect tomorrow, Afghanistan again. We know them pretty well, so let tomorrow roll on.

Barry Chambers: And you seem to be playing with a lot of confidence through the tournament, you've really grown in an Irish Shirt over the last year. is that the full time contract, has that been one of the main factors in it?

Max Sorensen: Definitely. We've got great sponsors in RSA, and great support in the team with all the guys looking after me, and helping me and guiding me. So I'm just happy to be putting on the Irish Green and just want to keep going.

Barry Chambers: How did the wicket play out there? There was the impression that it seemed very slow in the first innings. And their spinners did a lot of damage initially. But it was our seamers today, yourself and Tim Murtagh?

Max Sorensen: Yes, well it just skidded on a bit. And it just seemed that if you hit that back of a length, good length, it was hard to score, just kept maybe a touch lower and hit the bit a bit harder. I don't know if that was the lights or moisture or what, but it was good for me.

Barry Chambers: And what about Trent Johnston and Kevin O'Brien, John Mooney, Johnston, Mooney & O'Brien in the middle overs, really a lot of experience there, pulled us out of a difficult situation?

Max Sorensen: Yeah definitely, TJ (Trent Johnston) played great, I think he just played their spinner very well, just decided I'm going to use my feet and backed his shots. `Mooners' (John Mooney) played beautifully, Kevin, they all just backed their shots, just straight down the ground. I think that's what you've got to do when the wicket is a bit slow, get us up to a target. They didn't really get flustered and lose the head. They showed their experience, as you said.

Barry Chambers: And there was 10,000 here earlier today for Afghanistan v Nepal. I'm sure there'll be a similar crowd tomorrow. It's going to be a fantastic atmosphere, against our old rivals?

Max Sorensen: Yes it is. There was a great atmosphere last year, and there's no doubt that tomorrow is going to be a great atmosphere as well, and I'm really looking forward to it.