BRIDGETOWN, April 16: Ireland coach Adrian Birrell is preparing for an emotional farewell when the team play their last match of the World Cup against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

South African Birrell, 46, has guided Irish cricket from the international wilderness to the heights of the World Cup Super Eights having beaten 1992 champions Pakistan to qualify and then another Test side Bangladesh on Sunday.

“Five years ago we were ranked below Denmark and now we are ranked ahead of all the other associates,” Birrell said. “It's very satisfying to know that I have moved it forward that much.

“I'm very proud of what we've achieved. It's not only me, we have a great squad of players and we are tight and there is a wonderful team spirit.

“I'm very proud of the five years I've spent in Ireland,” he added. “It's been a great experience for me. The people have accepted me as one of their own.

“There have been hard decisions and tough times along the way but the overriding feeling was that we made progress every year and we have certainly moved forward in the last few weeks.”

Birrell has worked with his successor, the former West Indies player Phil Simmons, throughout the campaign.

“We've got a hell of a coach and he has been one of the best motivators I have ever been involved with,” captain Trent Johnston said, attributing the team's response against Bangladesh from a thrashing by Australia to Birrell.—Reuters