By John Kenny in Hobart
The Irish squad have been put through their paces at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Tasmania as they prepared for their fourth and possibly decisive World Cup pool B game against Zimbabwe.
Ireland coach Phil Simmons is boosted by a clean bill of health among his squad ahead of the game that could well decide their destiny in this year's tournament.
Following the heavy defeat to South Africa, Ireland take on Zimbabwe who themselves have to win to keep their quarter-final hopes alive, but they will have to do it without their influential captain Elton Chigumbura who is out injured.
Ireland's run rate suffered a major a blow from the South African defeat and they will hope to improve that against the Zimbabweans, but captain William Porterfield says that first and foremost they must win and worry about any run rates later.
Ireland and Zimbabwe have met five times in One Day Internationals,
The first was the memorably tied match at Sabina Park in Kingston Jamaica at the 2007 World Cup.
When the sides next met, in Nairobi in 2008, the Zimbabweans handed out a thumping: having conceded 303-8, the Irish dismissed for 147.
Ireland then travelled to Zimbabwe in 2010 for a three-match series, which Zimbabwe won 2-1 and the test playing side are the favourites to beat Ireland in Hobart.
The weather in Hobart is a lot cooler than the likes of Brisbane where Ireland beat the UAE and there will be a swirling wind around the stadium come match day which has a 3.30am start Irish time on Saturday morning.
Follow the entire match on rte.ie/sport where Ed Leahy will provide over by over analysis and updates.
