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| April 04, 2007 | Wednesday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 15, 1428 |
We deserve credit for our achievements, says Irish coach
GEORGETOWN, April 3: Ireland coach Adrian Birrell believes that Pakistan and India's shock World Cup elimination has grabbed the spotlight from his team's achievements.
“It does irritate me a little bit. We deserve a little bit of credit,” said the coach whose side face a huge test on Tuesday against South Africa in the Super Eights.
“The media has set on us as being party poopers.
“If you look at the bigger schemes of things, the achievements of Bangladesh and Ireland are very good for the game and it's the policy of the ICC to drive the game globally.”
Ireland, making their World Cup debut after qualifying from the ICC Trophy in 2005, dumped Pakistan out of the World Cup with a three-wicket upset in the first round last month.
India, champions in 1983, then followed Pakistan when they lost to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, also in the first round.
The South-African born Birrell hoped Ireland's qualification for the Super Eights, combined with Bangladesh's rise, will help cricket move forward.
“Bangladesh are now a major team and like (Ricky) Ponting said the tag of minnows should be dropped as they are a team that have done well over a number of years. We are minnows but moving well and the ICC deserve some credit for it.”
The 46-year-old Birrell, who played and coached Eastern Province in South Africa, said Ireland have set tasks for future.
“The goal for Ireland was to be the best associate team. We missed an opportunity at being in the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa later this year.
The next possibility was to vie for ODI status,” said Birrell who steps down after the World Cup.
“I am sure our cricket will attain greater heights and Phil Simmons, (former West Indian player) who will take over from me, will help Ireland cricket.”
Birrell said his team will not rely on their recent past performances in the Super Eights.
“Confidence has risen as we have had a lot of success, but we are not going into Tuesday's game looking at anything in the past. We will try to do our disciplines just as we try to do all along.”
South African born all-rounder Andre Botha said playing against his compatriots will not feel any different for him.
“I have been away from home for several years now, so it will be no different playing against South Africa,” said Botha.—AFP
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