ICC World T-20 Team Preview - Ireland

Ireland are one of the two Associate Members of the ICC to qualify for this year’s World T-20 that gets underway in 13 days’ time. In the 16-nation ICC World T-20 qualifier held in Dubai in March this year, Ireland beat Afghanistan to win the championship. Both finalists qualified for the 12-nation World T-20 where the two Associate Members join ICC’s ten full members.

The Irish have been part of the last two World T-20s held in England (2009) and the Caribbean (2010). They created the biggest upset in last year’s ICC World Cup when they beat England in a thrilling contest in Bangalore.
Many teams saw what Ireland were capable of that day and no one will take them lightly during the World T-20. On that occasion England were comfortably placed after posting 327 runs batting first and at 111 for five, in the 25th over, Ireland’s looked a lot cause. But then came Kevin O’Brien, who smashed the fastest hundred in World Cups to once again remind everyone of the glorious uncertainties of our beloved game.
O’Brien made 113 on that occasion off 63 balls with 13 fours and six sixes and he remains a key player for the Irish.
This time around Ireland will be banking on their newest sensation Paul Stirling to put up a sterling performance. Stirling who is their opening batsman capable of playing remarkable strokes and scoring at a rapid strike rate could give the spark Ireland needs.His off Spinners also will be handy for Irish.  
Another young player to watch out for is George Dockrell left arm spinner of Ireland. Who recently led the U-19 team in the world cup. Dockrell who is tipped to be a potential England target to play to them in future.Dockrell's left arm spinners were very handy in England county cricket and expected to be the same in the t-20 world cup as well.
Ireland are in Group ‘B’ alongside West Indies and Australia. Their campaign gets underway on the 19th of September at R. Premadasa Stadium against Australia while their second game against the West Indies is on the 24th of September at the same venue.
No doubt it’s a tough group, but in T-20 cricket things change too soon and Ireland are capable of pulling off an upset this time around as well.
Ireland squad:
William Porterfield (Captain), Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Trent Johnston, Nigel Jones, Ed Joyce, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Boyd Rankin, Max Sorensen, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Andrew White and Gary Wilson.

Player to Watch : Paul Stirling 

Prediction : They can easily upset one of the two teams in their group and qualify to the Super Eight