IRELAND will have a tricky semi-final on Saturday in Malahide. They take on Netherlands who beat Namibia on Tuesday and can look back on an epic run chase win over Ireland in Sylhet last year.
For once fortune looked kindly on the Irish, with two long-shot wins allowing them to take top place in the group which William Porterfield admitted they were lucky to achieve. “If you lose two games in the group you don’t deserve to win the group.”
Qualifying for India next March means coach John Bracewell will have to concentrate on this format, and the evidence of this tournament is there is much work to be done.
The batting order has already been tinkered with, with Porterfield dropping to No.3 to allow Niall O’Brien open. When the Leicestershire man was injured – and he looks doubtful for the weekend games too – the captain went back to the top of the order.
The middle order needs to be flexible however, taking heed of who is still at the wicket. What needs to be avoided is having two run-a-ball players such as Porterfield and Gary Wilson together, as led to disaster against Hong Kong.
Ireland have players who can clear the ropes in Paul Stirling, Kevin O’Brien, John Mooney and Andy Balbirnie and they need to face the maximum number of balls.
There are selection issues too, and promising youngsters such as Tyrone Kane, Gary McClintock and Adam Dennison must be given the chance to show if they have the right stuff.
And while Max Sorensen had a poor World Cup, he is a genuine all-rounder at this format and more economical than all the seamers in the current squad.
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NO such luck for the Ireland Under-19s however, who crashed out to Scotland on run-rate after winning the first five of their six World Cup qualifiers.
Jack Tector’s team paid the price for some lacklustre chasing earlier in the event, but may still have a chance to qualify for the finals in Bangladesh.
There is one place on offer in a global qualifier where they will have to overcome Nepal, Uganda, PNG and USA.
The event was due to be held in Nepal, but UAE and Malaysia have been mooted in recent days - however, Cricket Ireland’s budget may not stretch to a second chance for the side coached by Ted Williamson and Ryan Eagleson.
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SINCE the Malahide square was relocated there has been a problem with the name of the end in the Village. Sky commentators this week have been talking about the Dublin Road end and the Castle end, although both are now parallel to the pitches.
Perhaps it is time to name the ends after some great servants of the game in Malahide and Ireland.
It would be a good call to introduce the John Wright End after the late ICU supremo and the Joe Caprani End after the popular player and coach who passed away just last week.
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JOHN MOONEY made a high-profile hat-trick on TV at Sunday lunchtime, only the fourth in 875 Ireland games since 1855. The others were TH Hanna (1877) and Trent Johnston and Peter Connell over the last decade.
Rory Anders also did the trick against Holland U19 last week, while Saibh Young took a memorable trio against England Women in 2001.
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FIXTURES
Friday: Women’s Senior Cup final: Pembroke v Merrion, Sydney Parade 6pm
Saturday: World T20 qualifier semi-finals, Malahide; Scotland v Hong Kong 10am; Ireland v Holland 2.15pm
Sunday: World T20 qualifiers, Malahide; 3rd place game 10am, Final 2.15pm; Women’s Super 3s: Dragons v Scorchers, Kilcock 1pm; Leinster Div1: Pembroke v Clontarf, Merrion v Malahide, North Co v YMCA, Cork Co v Railway; DIv2: Leinster v Hills, YM2 v Phoenix, Terenure v Rush
Tuesday: AMC: Clontarf v Malahide 6pm