Ireland hoping for another shock

Ireland are comfortable with their role in England's production line as they attempt to pull off another shock on the international stage.

Having lost Ed Joyce on the eve of the 2007 World Cup, where they knocked out Pakistan at the group stage and later defeated Bangladesh, Ireland had expected to include Eoin Morgan among their ranks for the forthcoming World Twenty20, only for England to come calling again.

So they will have to plot their way out of Group A without the talented 22-year-old.

'It is obviously a massive loss,' said captain William Porterfield.

'He is our best player, our best batter, but I am delighted for him.

'It is great he has the chance to play for England and I hope he has a long, successful career. Everyone in Ireland wishes him all the best.'

Competing at the highest level is hard enough without giving up your best players to the opposition, but the Irish camp are resigned to the process as they attempt to improve their own stock.

'It is not easy but it is all credit to Ireland that we are starting to produce cricketers like that,' Porterfield added.

'The more we produce like that, the better players, the more helpful it's going to be to us progressing up the ladder towards Test cricket. So it's a good thing from that perspective.

'We are realistic that over the next few years, over the next five certainly, that we're going to struggle to get Test status, and anyone that is good enough to make that step up has a natural progression to play for England.

'As for our team goals, it's the dream of any associate nation to make it to Test level.

'If we keep winning associate tournaments and stay on top of our game there we can keep pushing for a place at that level.

'But we also have to compete against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh first before we make the step up.'

Ireland, who face fellow minnows Holland at Lord's tomorrow in a warm-up contest, are pinpointing their clash with Bangladesh as a chance to secure passage to the latter stages of the competition.

'We are looking at it that way,' said Porterfield, whose team also face holders India.

'We have a realistic chance of qualifying and we will be ready for it.

'Bangladesh is going to be our biggest game because that is the game we are realistically looking at to win and go through.'

Progressing to the Super Eight stage in the Caribbean just over two years ago brought previously unrivalled coverage of the Irish team, and such has been the development with regards to funding that then captain Trent Johnston and Alex Cusack are now on full-time national contracts.

'That's the way we have to go,' Porterfield said.

'Playing full-time is the way we are going to go.

'That is the only way we will improve and make it to Test level.

'After the last World Cup, speaking to a few people, there weren't too many who were aware we played cricket back home.

'It has progressed from then and this is a chance to showcase what we can do.

'If we can pull off another victory, another upset and make it to the Super Eights, that can only help the game in Ireland.'