Miracle workers from Belfast

It is a measure of Ireland's success at the last two World Cups that it will no longer count as a stunning shock if they defeat a Test nation in Australia and New Zealand.

Whether it was knocking Pakistan out of the 2007 edition in the Caribbean or seeing Kevin O'Brien produce the fastest-ever World Cup century in a memorable victory over England in Bengaluru four years ago, the game's elite have learnt to respect the men in green.

“The Irish have got a good structure and good facilities,” said former England all-rounder Paul Collingwood, now a member of Scotland's backroom staff.

“They're always a well-drilled unit and a lot of their players have got county experience so you know they're going to cause teams problems.

“The win against England in 2011 was huge. It will be their goal to have an Irish Test team to keep hold of the players that have come over to England to do that,” he added.

And therein lies the problem for Ireland. Their plight is summed-up by the fact the best Irish batsman of his generation, Eoin Morgan, won't be playing for his native country at the World Cup but will, in fact, be captaining England instead.

So long as Ireland don't have Test status, there is always the chance the very best Irish players will follow in Morgan's footsteps.
Ireland have done everything that could reasonably be asked of them in making a case to become a Test nation and former Australia fast bowler turned Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie was in no doubt, saying the ICC “should be making it a priority”.

Unfortunately for Ireland, they lack the political clout that saw Bangladesh become a Test country and the rest of the world game, having seen how the Tigers have struggled since, are in no hurry to make the Irish a permanent member of the elite.

Meanwhile the Irish players soldier on in the hope another World Cup scalp will aid their quest for Test status.

Experienced campaigners William Porterfield and brothers Kevin and Niall O'Brien are at the heart of an experienced squad coached by former West Indies batsman Phil Simmons.

The trio, along with Ed Joyce and John Mooney, will be playing at their third World Cup while the 15-man squad also includes several tournament debutants in Andrew Balbirnie, Peter Chase, Andrew McBrine, Stuart Thompson, and Craig Young, although Middlesex paceman Tim Murtagh has been ruled out through injury

Ireland factfile

Squad: William Porterfield (capt), Andy Balbirnie, Peter Chase, Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Andy McBrine, John Mooney, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien, Max Sorensen, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson, Craig Young.

Coach: Phil Simmons
Fixtures — Pool B:
Feb 16: West Indies, Nelson
Feb 25: UAE, Brisbane
Mar 03: South Africa, Canberra
Mar 07: Zimbabwe, Hobart
Mar 10: India, Hamilton
Mar 15: Pakistan, Adelaide
n World Cup record:
2007: Super Eights
2011: Pool stage

Key player

Craig Young: With Boyd Rankin having opted for a career with England, Young has been given the chance to fill the void created by the giant paceman's absence.

The 24-year-old, who has been coached by former Australia fast bowler Craig McDermott, is capable of generating pace and bounce.

He took three wickets in each of his last two warm-up matches in the UAE earlier this month and is set to shoulder more responsibility in the absence of the injured Tim Murtagh.