CRICKET/IRELAND V WARWICKSHIRE: IT IS two years since Ireland last recorded a victory in the Friends Provident Trophy but the visit of Warwickshire to Stormont this afternoon (12.0) may offer Phil Simmons's side their best chance of a win against the counties this season. Warwickshire have had a poor start to their season, losing all three of their games in this competition to date.
"Maybe on scores and form this is our best chance of getting a win," remarked Ireland captain William Porterfield after his side's practice session yesterday.
Without England players Ian Bell and Tim Ambrose, Warwickshire are short on star names, although England Twenty20 international Jonathan Trott has been in fine form in recent weeks, scoring back-to-back centuries. The Bears include Monde Zondeki in their squad.
Overseas player Ravi Rampaul makes his home debut for Ireland, with Porterfield confident he can make a big contribution today and in Sunday's clash against Leicestershire. "I feel he has been very unlucky in the two games he's played. He beat the bat on numerous occasions, got a couple of nicks just wide of slip and there's been a couple of dropped catches off him. I think he has bowled very well."
Although Ireland bowler Boyd Rankin will be missing from the Warwickshire line-up after damaging his shoulder, 17-year-old Paul Stirling is set to make his first international appearance in Belfast. The Cliftonville player hit a fine 70 against Northamptonshire last time out.
Simmons will name his side this morning, picking from a fully-fit squad after Strabane bowler Phil Eaglestone came through yesterday's practice session.
IRELAND (Squad): W Porterfield (Gloucestershire, Capt), A Cusack (Clontarf), P Eaglestone (Strabane), T Fourie (Railway Union), J Hall (Waringstown), G Kidd (Waringstown), K McCallan (Waringstown), K O'Brien (Railway Union), R Rampaul (Overseas), P Stirling (Cliftonville), R Strydom (North County), A White (Instonians), G Wilson (Surrey).
WARWICKSHIRE (Squad): D Maddy (Capt), J Anyon, A Botha, N Carter, L Daggett, T Frost, L Parker, M Powell, I Salisbury, J Trott, C Woakes, I Westwood, M Zondeki.
