Ireland gear up for 'vital' games!

Trent Johnston captains Ireland in both weekend contests

Ireland captain Trent Johnston has said this weekend's one-day internationals against India and South Africa are of "vital importance to Irish cricket".

The Irish face India at Stormont on Saturday before taking on South Africa at the Belfast venue on Sunday in games which will get worldwide TV exposure.

"It's a marvellous boost to the players to know that hundreds of millions of fans will be watching us play.

"It's another motivation for us," added the Ireland captain.

Irish Cricket Union chief executive Warren Deutrom says that his organisation is eagerly looking forward to the games.

"The Irish Cricket Union is delighted to be hosting these important matches on behalf of the Board of Control for Cricket in India," added Deutrom.

"To have two great Test Nations such as India and South Africa playing against each other and against Ireland on Irish soil is a terrific boost for the sport on these shores.

"I understand that these matches cumulatively may constitute the largest ever televised audience for any sporting event on Irish soil, which is a massive source of pride for Irish Cricket, and Irish people in general."

We are well over the time when Irish players were looking at the badge on the front of the helmet or the name on the shirt Andrew White

The weekend games will only be Ireland's second and third one-day internationals on home territory after their debut contest against England last year.

Andrew White played in that game and the all-rounder believes that the Irish can help to ensure good contests over the weekend despite their recent struggles in the Friends Provident Trophy, when they lost all six of the games that they played.

White is one of only six of Ireland's World Cup heroes in this weekend's 13-man squad.

"The team is unrecognisable from World Cup but I hope the boys who have been in the West Indies can lead from the front and put in strong performances," White told the Irish Cricket Union website.

"Having said that, I don't see (South African) Thinus Fourie or (Australian) Alex Cusack being phased with their background."

White says Ireland's World Cup exploits mean that the players will not be intimidated by this weekend's opposition.

"We are well over the time when Irish players were looking at the badge on the front of the helmet or the name on the shirt.

"We are now bowling at the stumps and looking at the ball. Having faced the best, and beaten them, we don't fear anyone and we know that we can compete if we play well on the day."

It should be a closed Saturday throughout Ireland Andrew White

White says that he is looking forward to meeting up again with his former Northants team-mate and Indian star Sourav Ganguly.

"I spent a lot of time with him at Northants and got on well with him. But it will be a great experience, if I get the chance, to bowl at Sachin Tendulkar and bat against the likes of Zaheer Khan.

"And having played South Africa twice in the West Indies we have played a lot against Andre Nel, Andrew Hall - he's an awkward customer - and Charl Langeveldt.

"But both teams have big names all the way down the order and it's one thing playing against them in the West Indies, but up the road at Stormont is really special."

White's only quibble about the weekend games is the fact that club games are continuing throughout Ireland which could affect the attendances.

"I think the unions have got it wrong on this occasion. It should be a closed Saturday throughout Ireland because it will probably be the only time cricketers here will get the chance to see Tendulkar batting against Ireland.

"Certainly I've been talking to a number of players and that's their feeling. It's a missed opportunity."

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Thanx for sharing

It will b good to see Ireland playing again, I enjoyed watching them in the WC