Jon Long, ICC
Ireland will be without the tournament's top-scoring batsman Ed Joyce for its ICC Trophy 2005 semi-final against Canada on Saturday.
Joyce scored 318 runs in Ireland's four completed group matches, helping the host side progress to the semi-finals as one of only two unbeaten teams. The left-hander returned to England on Thursday night to turn out for Middlesex in a County Championship game but is hoping to be back in Ireland for the final on Wednesday if his teammates can overcome Canada at Clontarf.
Joyce was the first batsman to reach a thousand runs in the Championship this season and will soon be eligible for England selection. The final could be his farewell match for Ireland.
Before this prospect can be entertained, Ireland must overcome a Canada side that has proved adept at fighting its way out of tight situations.
On three occasions in this event Canada has emerged victorious in tense finishes. It began its campaign with a contentious two-run victory over Namibia. This was followed by a two-wicket triumph over Oman when a fast chase intended to boost net-run-rate ended very edgily. The most crucial win came in the rain-affected match against Holland in which victory was secured in the final over with just one batsman left in the pavilion.
Pivotal to Canada's success has been the hard hitting of their top-order batsmen. John Davison forged his reputation in blasting the fastest ever ICC Cricket World Cup century against the West Indies in 2003. He is Canada's leading run scorer in this event with 274 runs. Davison has been ably supported by fellow opener Desmond Chumney, 145 runs, and Ian Billcliff with 271.
Joyce's supreme form has compensated for an Ireland top-order that has failed to produce runs and there will be pressure on captain Jason Mollins to lead by example in the semi-final with a first big score of the event.
Ireland's pace attack has proved adept at exploiting the local conditions with Trent Johnston and Paul Mooney leading the way with 15 wickets between them.
The other unbeaten side in the competition is Scotland. The Group B winners will play Bermuda in the second semi-final at The Hills.
Scotland's experienced side boasts two former England internationals and four players currently contracted to English counties.
The Scots rarely looked troubled in their group matches. The depth of their batting order and the penetration of their quick bowlers have both been important factors to their success. Paul Hoffman, Dougie Brown and John Blain have proved to be an imposing triumvirate, taking 30 wickets in the five group games. The entire Scottish team has been exceptional in the field.
Bermuda is the surprise semi-finalist after coming into the event as the third-ranked team from the Americas region. Under the experienced eye of former West Indies batsman Gus Logie that have batted sensibly and bowled with discipline to earn a place in the final four.
Bermuda lost its captain Clay Smith with a hamstring injury during its opening day defeat to Ireland. But his teammates have coped well in his absence, picking up important wins over the top Asian side, United Arab Emirates, and regional rival USA.
Bermuda's heavyweight bowler Dwayne Leverock has proved popular with Irish spectators and his left arm spin has brought him nine wickets.
Bermuda will be looking to Janeiro Tucker to repeat the form he showed in scoring 132 runs in the qualification-sealing victory over USA.