Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath says Ireland has earned respect as a cricketing nation with its performances at the World Cup.
The two countries go face to face on Friday in the Super Eight game, and McGrath insists that Ireland have every right to be there.
‘They're here playing the World Cup, they beat Pakistan to get through. So you know you've got to respect them,’ McGrath said.
‘I think they're here enjoying it and making the most of it but the Australian plan, I guess, will be to go out there and really dominate from ball one and walk off with another win.’
Ireland coach Adrian Birrell will look to his Australian-born captain Trent Johnston to fight fire with fire in the match.
Johnston is one of three Australian-born players in the Ireland team which has dumbfounded the tournament by reaching the second round Super Eight after knocking out Pakistan.
'What I look for most in a player is attitude. Obviously talent is important but I need to know that if we get into a scrap they're there for you. Trent brought that,' said South African Birrell.
Johnston, opening batsman Jeremy Bray and bowler Dave Langford-Smith are all Austalians who settled in Ireland after marrying Irish girls.
Birrell, who hands the reins over to former West Indies Test player Phil Simmons after the World Cup, is adamant that his coaching career will end on 18 April when Ireland play their last Super Eight match against Sri Lanka in Grenada.
‘I know my time in Ireland has been successful but somehow the judging of a coach at a top level is all about winning and losing and I sometimes feel disillusioned with that,’ said Birrell.
‘I've probably taken it (the Ireland job) as far as I can take it. I think they're capable of better and bigger things. With Phil's experience he's better placed than me to take them forward.'
