BANGALORE, (Reuters) – Ireland captain William Porterfield is taking a leaf out of opposite number Andrew Strauss’s book by concentrating on being “cricket smart” when they play England in Bangalore today in the World Cup.
Strauss has repeatedly said that only “smart cricket” will see his team through to the latter stages — although they nearly came a cropper after forgetting that with the finishing line in sight against India in Sunday’s tied Group B match.
Ireland are determined to bounce back from their 27-run opening defeat to Bangladesh.
“It is no secret that our batting line-up had a few soft dismissals and it is just a matter of being tougher on ourselves,” said Porterfield yesterday at a news conference.
“We cannot afford to give away a few wickets like that. I think it is just being cricket smart. It is not anything dramatic to change.”
He said any sporting meetings between Ireland and England teams held a special importance. The neighbouring countries have a long and often bloody history.
“Any Irish sports team playing an English team is always pretty special for the people back home. They want to see a game won over the English. I am sure there are plenty watching back home and hoping for a positive result in the match.”
Porterfield, who played in the last World Cup in 2007 when the Irish shocked many experts by reaching the Super Eights, said every game from now on would be vital for them to book a quarter-final berth. “We will have to win at least three of the next five games,” he said. “Every game is kind of must-win from here on.”
