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| March 14, 2007 | Wednesday | Safar 24, 1428 |
Pen-sketches of Ireland squad
BRIDGETOWN, March 13: Pen-pix of Ireland's World Cup squad:
Trent Johnston (RHB/RFM/ captain). Age: 32. ODI appearances: 7. Debut: v England, Belfast, June 13, 2006. The strapping fast bowler learnt his cricket the hard way in Australia where he turned out for New South Wales in 1998-99 before being dumped due to poor form. He chose to play for Ireland in 2004.
Career: 114 runs (ave 28.50), HS 45*, 4 catches, 2 wkts (ave 140.00), BB 1-43.
Kyle McCallan (RHB/OB). Age: 31. ODI appearances: 8. Debut: v England, Belfast, June 13, 2006. The all-rounder made an amazing start for Ireland with a wicket off his first ball and the scored a half-century in his second match. One of the key players for the minnows.
Career: 176 runs (ave 44.00), HS 50*, 1 50, 1 catch, 10 wkts (ave 28.00), BB 4-36, 4w 1.
Andre Botha (LHB/RM). Age: 31. ODI appearances: 8. Debut: v England, Belfast, June 13 2006. The Johannesburg-born all-rounder learnt his cricket in South Africa before opting to play for Ireland.
Career: 132 runs (ave 26.40), HS 56, 2 50s, 2 catches, 14 wkts (ave 20.42), BB 4-42, 4w 1.
Jeremy Bray (LHB). Age: 33. ODI appearances: 6. Debut: v England, Belfast, June 13, 2006. Like his captain, also grew up in New South Wales. The left-hander will be the key batsman for his team.
Career: 189 runs (31.50), HS 116, 1 100, 4 catches.
Kenneth Carroll (RHB/LB). Age: 23. ODI appearances: 2. Debut: v Bermuda, Nairobi, Jan 31, 2007. The Irishman earned a World Cup call despite just two one-dayers where his highest score was 28. Has yet to show his wares as a leg-spinner in the shorter version of the game.
Career: 30 runs (ave 15.00), HS 28, 1 catch.
Peter Gillespie (RHB/RM). Age: 32. ODI appearances: 4. Debut: v England, Belfast, June 13, 2006. A part of the well-known North West cricket family where a number of Gillespies have played for his home town of Strabane. Has yet to score a run or bowl after four One-day Internationals.
Career: 0 (ave 0.00).
Dave Langford-Smith (RHB/ RFM). Age: 30. ODI appearances: 7. Debut: v England, Belfast, June 13, 2006. Another Aussie in the Irish ranks who will be leading the pace attack.
Career: 15 runs (ave 3.75), HS 12, 1 catch, 10 wkts (ave 31.40), BB 3-32.
John Mooney (LHB/RM). Age: 25. ODI appearances: 6. Debut: v England, Belfast, June 13, 2006. An all-rounder of promise who bats low in the order.
Career: 60 runs (ave 60.00), HS 30*, 5 wkts (ave 50.20), BB 3-79.
Paul Mooney (RHB/RM). Age: 30. ODI appearances: 3. Debut: v England, Belfast, June 13, 2006. Hopes to contribute to the Irish cause after three lacklustre matches.
Career: 12 runs, HS 11*, 2 catches.
Eoin Morgan (LHB/RM). Age: 20. ODI appearances: 6. Debut: v Scotland, Ayr, Aug 5, 2006. Has played for English county Middlesex, which makes him a player with promise. Recently smashed 209 not out in a match against the UAE, the highest score in Irish cricket history.
Career: 360 runs (ave 60.00), HS 115, 1 100, 2 50s, 1 catch.
Kevin O'Brien (RHB/RMF). Age: 22. ODI appearances: 7. Debut: v England, Belfast, June 13, 2006. The all-rounder has been chosen for the MCC Young Cricketers team. Has a best of 142 in One-day Internationals, a feat not many batsmen in established teams can boast of.
Career: 323 runs (ave 46.14), HS 142, 1 100, 2 50s, 5 catches, 6 wkts (ave 42.33), BB 2-38.
Niall O'Brien (LHB/WK). Age: 25. ODI appearances: 7. Debut: v Scotland, Ayr, Aug 5, 2006. Brother of Kevin and the team's wicket-keeper. Also a useful lower order batsman.
Career: 130 runs (ave 18.57), HS 53, 1 50, 7 dismissals (5 catches and 2 stumpings).
William Porterfield (LHB). Age: 22. ODI appearances: 7. Debut: v Scotland, Ayr, Aug 5, 2006. A top order batsman whose average of 78.20 in seven matches shows he will not be a pushover at the World Cup.
Career: 391 runs (ave 78.20), HS 112*, 2 100s, 1 50, 1 catch.
Boyd Rankin (RHB/RMF). Age: 22. ODI appearances: 1. Debut: v Bermuda, Nairobi, Jan 31, 2007. Played for Ireland in the under-19 World Cup in 2004 and was considered good enough to be offered a contract by Derbyshire for the next English county season.
Career: 1 catch.
Andrew White (RHB/OB). Age: 26. ODI appearances: 8. Debut: v England, Belfast, June 13, 2006. His all-round abilities helped Ireland qualify for the World Cup. Scored 152 on his first-class debut for Ireland against the Netherlands.
Career: 78 runs (ave 19.50), HS 40, 3 catches, 4 wkts (ave 49.00), BB 2-31.—AFP
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