Rankin Returns to Ireland Twenty20

Boyd Rankin and Tim Murtagh will lead the attack for Ireland at next month’s World Twenty20 after both were named in an experienced 15-man squad.

The paceman Rankin recently switched his allegiance back to Ireland after representing England since August 2012 and took six wickets in an ICC Intercontinental Cup win over Papua New Guinea last month.

Murtagh has reversed last May’s decision to retire from the shortest format of the game at international level and will be back on the biggest stage after missing last year’s World Cup with a foot injury.

William Porterfield will lead the side and he is one of five players playing in their fifth World Twenty20, alongside Kevin and Niall O’Brien, Paul Stirling and Gary Wilson.

“We are really looking forward to this World Cup, particularly with the return of Boyd Rankin,” said the Ireland chairman of selectors, Alan Lewis. “He gives our attack so much more balance and potency.

“As such a consistent performer, I am also delighted to see Tim Murtagh in the squad for an event like this, particularly as he missed the 2015 World Cup is such disappointing circumstances.

“These are the events that players want to excel in so hopefully with the lead time involved and the energy the team always shows, we can emerge out on top of the group in the first phase.”

Ireland will face Holland, Oman and Bangladesh in the group stage in India, with the winners advancing to the Super 10.

“Everyone has been given a real boost by the return of Boyd Rankin and Tim Murtagh’s rethink on retirement in this format,” said the head coach, John Bracewell.

“Porty [Porterfield] has plenty of options with the ball as so many of the squad are genuine all-rounders.

“It’s another great chance for the squad to showcase Irish cricket to a global audience and the guys are determined to prove they belong at the top level of the sport.”

Ireland squad for World Twenty20: William Porterfield (capt), Andrew Balbirnie, George Dockrell, Andy McBrine, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Andrew Poynter, Stuart Poynter, Boyd Rankin, Max Sorensen, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson, Craig Young.

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Mooney Announces Retirement

Cricket Ireland

John Mooney has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect.

The 33 year-old told Cricket Ireland Head Coach John Bracewell of his decision.

“I’ve decided to call time on what has been a wonderful career in the green of Ireland,” said Mooney.

“At this stage of my career, I’m beginning to think about what comes next, especially commitments to my new gym and personal training business. I’ve always given 100pc to the team, and it wouldn’t be fair on them to keep going if I’m not fully committed.

“I’ve also been playing internationally for 14 years and over the past few seasons have found that the intensity and demands of the modern game have placed a considerable strain on my body. It’s also become increasingly difficult to spend such long periods of time away from my wife and young family."

Mooney is one of only four Irish players to play in three World Cups, along with the O’Brien brothers and Irish skipper William Porterfield. 

He admitted those competitions held a special place in his heart.

“I’ve some fantastic memories having played in three World Cups - the first of which in 2007 included my elder brother Paul. In 2011 I also had what I described as my ‘Ray Houghton moment’ hitting the winning runs against England.”

The North Dubliner paid tribute to those who had helped him in a memorable career in which he won 182 caps.

“I’ve worn the jersey with pride and passion in the last 14 years and would like to thank my family, team mates, support staff and Cricket Ireland who have helped me during what has been an incredible journey.”

Irish skipper William Porterfield paid tribute to Mooney saying: “There are few players who have worn the Irish jersey with as much pride as John Mooney. His passion, fighting qualities and enthusiasm meant he was always someone I was glad was playing for me rather than in the opposition ranks.

“He would always put the team first no matter what you asked him to do, should that be opening the bowling or fourth change he always put the side first. He epitomises what it means to put on the Irish Jersey.

“Of course he’ll always be remembered for the game against England in Bangalore but for me his bowling display in the ICup win over Afghanistan summed up for me what he was all about. He led the attack after Trent went off injured and took 10 for 81 on a batting paradise in difficult conditions. I would personally like to thank him for everything that he has done for Irish cricket.”

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Last Ball Win for Ireland

Zimbabwe were going at almost 10 runs an over before being pegged back and they posted 163-5 from their 20 overs.

Paul Stirling's quick-fire 60 put Ireland in control and they required four runs from the final over to win.

Two wickets fell, and with a run needed from the last ball Stuart Thompson scampered through to take Ireland to 164-7 and a three-wicket win.

Ireland had appeared to be cruising towards their 164 target after opener Paul Stirling's 34-ball 60.

The Middlesex right-hander hit nine boundaries and a six and with captain William Porterfield (31) added 80 runs for the opening wicket but swing bowler Tinashe Panyangara brought Zimbabwe back in the game by taking two wickets in the 15th over.

Panyangara, who was taken for 18 in his first over by Stirling, also dismissed the dangerous Kevin O'Brien (17) in the 18th over and returned to bowl the final over of the innings with Ireland needing just four runs for victory.

In the final over, Ireland lost Ed Joyce (20) to Panyangara and Max Sorensen to a run out off successive balls but managed to scamper for a bye off the last delivery for the winning run with wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor missing a run out.

Earlier, captain Taylor hit six fours and two sixes in scoring 59 off 46 balls after Zimbabwe had been put in.

Elton Chigumbura hit 22 off 13 balls with two sixes in the last over to take Zimbabwe to a competitive total after Irish spinners George Dockrell (2-18) and Andy McBrine (2-26) restricted them in the middle overs.

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ICC Praise Cricket Ireland

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The International Cricket Council says the success of Tuesday's one-day international at Malahide was a "big step" for Irish cricket.

ICC global development manager Tim Anderson said he was impressed by Tuesday's occasion with over 10,000 watching the defeat by England.

"10,000 people in Dublin on a Tuesday afternoon suggests this is becoming a very serious cricket market," he said.

Despite Ireland's six-wicket defeat after earlier appearing to have England in trouble, Cricket Ireland chief Warren Deutrom felt that there were many positives that could be taken from the country's biggest ever home game.

Deutrom acknowledged that the country was not yet in a position where it could "even ask the question" about Test status but added that he was pleased with continuing progress.

As he watched the contest in glorious sunshine at the redeveloped Malahide ground, ICC official Anderson described Ireland as "probably the most important associate nation".

"Having an event like today when we can get this number of people into a game of cricket in Ireland is a big step in saying to the ICC: 'There is a growing culture of cricket in this country'," he said.

"Continuing to perform well on the pitch when you have opportunities like this and opportunities to perform in World Cups and World Twenty20s (is important) as is having a very strong governance and administration.

"They are the best (associate nation) on the field and the only one we could see producing what they are producing today."

Anderson added that Ireland can hold out hope of having more opportunities to play against full member countries in the coming years.

"Full members struggle to play everyone (of the other full members) so moving that concept ahead is not easy but we are considering those options with our full members.

"Hopefully in the future, the regular structured opportunities could be available."

The ICC official said that Irish cricket's governance "is one of the best in world cricket and not just in the affiliate and associate countries".

"Cricket Ireland have a fantastic CEO in Warren Deutrom and a very good board and management team," he said.

Deutrom pointed out the presence of Irish President Michael D Higgins among the dignitaries at Tuesday's game as evidence of the increasing profile of the sport in the country.

"It's also about having that dream to be as good as we can be," added Deutrom.

"If our players are leaving us to go to England and chasing their Test dream then we always stand to lose our best players.

"We are not asking the (Test) question yet. We've set out by 2019 or 2020 that's where we're going to be.

"Two of the boxes that we hadn't ticked up until the last 18 months was about having a domestic three-day structure and having some form of tier between club and country, which is the Inter-Provincial structure we have introduced this year.

"And in terms of having a culture of cricket which is another of the criteria, what does that mean?

"I would suggest (it is) having 10,000 fans - at least half of whom are totally new to the sport - coming in to consume the game today and media from all over the UK and Ireland.

"We have 650 hospitality guests. We sold all our perimeter advertising. Corporate Ireland has bought into it. I'd say we're ticking the box to really embed or develop a culture of cricket in Ireland."

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Weather Delays England Edgbaston ODI

England's third one-day international against Australia will be a 28 overs match starting at 18:00 BST - if there is no more rain before then.

Persistent rain at Edgbaston delayed the scheduled 14:00 start.

England lead the five-match series 2-0 after wins at Lord's and The Oval.

The hosts are missing seamers Jade Dernbach and Stuart Meaker, who are both attending the funeral of Surrey team-mate Tom Maynard,although Dernbach also has a side strain.

He was ruled out of the rest of the ODI series on Monday.

Laura Tobin from the BBC Met Office said more showers were forecast - although the rain would not be persistent.

If England win the series 5-0, they will become the number one team in the International Cricket Council's ODI rankings.

Wet weather also put paid to Ireland's ICC World Cricket League match against Afghanistan, and washed out the first day of Scotland's ICC Intercontinental Cup match aganist Canada.

Bonanza for Irish Cricket

Ireland and Scotland have been handed a mandate to conduct large-scale expansion of their cricket infrastructure after being handed a new cash windfall from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The ICC executive board announced following their meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday that the two associate members would be receiving $500,000 in additional funding per annum.

The funding comes from the governing body's targeted assistance and performance programme (TAPP), which is aimed at developing greater competition beneath the full member nations. Ireland's new deal lasts until 2015, with chief executive Warren Deutrom keen to investigate the best way to put it to use.

"We are delighted and grateful to ICC for this award which will help Cricket Ireland achieve their stated objectives," he said. "We shall be exploring in greater detail the award and terms of the grant with ICC management in order to ascertain how to prioritise the funding towards the proposals that we outlined in our applications."

Scotland, whose funding also lasts for the next three seasons, intend to use the money to help line up more high-profile matches against the top international sides at both home and abroad.

Their chief executive Roddy Smith said: "We are obviously delighted by today's ICC board decisions. The additional support will enable us to enhance our national team programme over the next three years and support our young developing side in continuing their recent progress.

"Since 2009 we have been in the top three associate sides in 50-over and multi-day cricket and this fact along with our ambitious application has enabled us to be one of the first two members to be awarded TAPP funding. The hard work will start now in putting these additional plans into action."

There was a further boost for the Saltires, who have been given dispensation to field non-Scotland born players who have parents from the country without the four-year qualification period.

"The issue has been a prominent one for a number of years and we welcome the decision to allow players with Scottish parentage to be able to apply to the ICC for exceptional circumstances," added Smith.

"As the Scottish passport does not exist, and parentage is not a recognised criterion, it has meant that many potential players who have one or both parents born in Scotland have been ineligible to play if they were born outside the country. Cricket was almost unique in Scottish sport by being unable to select such players."

Ireland Australia at Stormont Abandoned

Ireland's one-day international against Australia at Stormont has been abandoned after only 10.4 overs of play because of bad weather on Saturday.

The umpires took the decision to call the match off after making a final inspection of the pitch at 16:00 BST.

The start was delayed until 11:30 BST and Ireland were 36-3 when the players came off the pitch due to rain.

Australia bowler Brett Lee bowled William Porterfield with his first ball and Ed Joyce with his third delivery.

Heavy rain on Friday had put the game in doubt, but the players were able to come onto the field after Australia had won the toss and elected to field.

Paul Stirling was the other Irish batsman to fall as he was caught by Michael Clarke off the bowling of Pat Cummins for 24.

Niall O'Brien was 11 not out and Gary Wilson had yet to score when play was halted.

News of the abandonment came as a major disappointment to the large crowd at the east Belfast venue.

Ireland will now turn their attention to the two forthcoming one-day internationals against Afghanistan on 3 July and 5 July.

Australia now face Essex at Chelmsford on Tuesday, before their five-match ODI series with England starts at Lord's on Friday.

Johnston Gets A Squad Call

Trent Johnston has been named in the Ireland A squad which takes on Scotland next week in a three day game at Uddingston (June 12-14).

The former skipper, who has played 165 for the senior side, is included along with Max Sorensen and Andrew Poynter, both of whom featured in the UAE as Ireland claimed the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier trophy.

Coach Phil Simmons explained; “We want Trent to get some overs under his belt ahead of the RSA Challenge ODI against Australia later this month and the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Afghanistan in July. He hasn’t bowled very much since the tournament in UAE because of his knee and this is the ideal opportunity for him to build up his rhythm. The team had an excellent win in their last game against Gloucestershire where they showed fantastic fight and character, and I’m sure the game against Scotland will be a tremendous battle, as clashes between the two countries invariably are.”

Andrew Balbirnie who scored an unbeaten 148 as Ireland A successfully chased 411 to beat Gloucestershire by five wickets – the highest run chase in Irish cricket history – misses the game because of University commitments, as does opener Ben Ackland.

None of the Ireland Under 19 side are included in the squad as they have a scheduled fixture against The MCC at Carrickfergus on June 15.

The Ireland A squad is as follows:

James Shannon (capt)(Instonians)

John Anderson (Merrion)

Andrew Britton (Limavady)

Chris Dougherty (CIYMS)

Phil Eaglestone (Strabane)

Tom Fisher (Railway Union)

Trent Johnston (YMCA)

Rory McCann (Instonians)

Lee Nelson (Waringstown)

Andrew Poynter (Clontarf)

Max Sorensen (The Hills)

Stuart Thompson (Limavady)

Coach: Phil Simmons

Manager: Gavin Craig

Physio: Kieran O’Reilly

RSA Renew Cricket Ireland Deal

RSA Insurance Ireland announces the renewal and expansion of their sponsorship of Irish Cricket to 2015. The partnership is expanded to include Irish Cricket’s National Teams, New Domestic Competitions, National Grass Roots ‘Get Into Cricket’ Programme, Major Events partnership

At a reception held in RSA House, Dublin and attended by the Minister of State for Sport and Tourism, Michael Ring, TD, Philip Smith, CEO, RSA Insurance Ireland announced the renewal of the company’s Cricket Ireland sponsorship for the next four years, for an undisclosed amount. 

Speaking about the new sponsorship agreement, Philip Smith said “We’re delighted to announce the extension and significant expansion of our involvement with Cricket Ireland for the next four years. While maintaining our sponsorship of Ireland’s National cricket teams, exciting new developments such as the new Domestic Competitions, Grass Roots and Key Event programmes will see RSA support the development of the game at all levels across the country”.

Philip also commented: “Over the last few years, the achievement of Cricket Ireland in firmly establishing this country as the leading non Test nation in World Cricket has been second to none, and we at RSA have been very proud to support their efforts. As the leading general insurance business in the Irish market, Cricket Ireland’s aspiration and commitment sits very comfortably with our brand values and business development objectives. We’re very happy to expand our partnership with them and directly support their progressive growth strategy.”

Warren Deutrom, Cricket Ireland, Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to further cement our partnership with such a major Irish and Global company as RSA for a further four years. This represents a tangible vote of confidence, not just in what our talented players have achieved on the pitch, but also in Cricket Ireland’s new strategic objective and for our domestic and international growth ambition.

RSA’s tremendous support has been instrumental in allowing us to increase our presence and impact on the global cricketing stage. We look forward to further building on this impact internationally and ensuring the structures are in place on the domestic front to develop future generations of Irish Cricketers’.

Ireland Miss England in Sri Lanka

Ireland beat Afghanistan by five wickets to win the World Twenty20 qualifying event and avoid England at the tournament proper in Sri Lanka.

With the Irish chasing 153 to win, Paul Stirling hit the second-fastest half-century in Twenty20 international history, from only 17 deliveries.

His 79 helped Ireland home with seven balls to spare in Dubai.

They join Australia and West Indies in Group B, with Afghanistan, India and defending champions England in Group A.

Ireland had beaten Namibia earlier in the day in the preliminary final to book their trip to Sri Lanka in September.

With a place at their second successive World T20 at stake, William Porterfield's men restricted the African side 94-6, seamer Max Sorensen taking 2-8.

The Irish then needed only 61 balls to reach their target, Stirling plundering a 32-ball 59 for his first half-century of the day.

With Ireland and Afghanistan now both assured of a place in tournament with the Test-playing nations, the two sides met in the qualifying event final to determine where they will be placed in the main draw.

The Afghans, previously unbeaten in the qualifiers, were indebted to Mohammad Shahzad's 77 for their total of 152-7, as Kevin O'Brien picked up 2-18 for Ireland.

Ireland lost Porterfield, bowled by paceman Dawlat Zadran, from the first ball of their reply before Stirling went on the offensive.

His 38-ball stay included nine fours and a six as he added 80 for the third wicket with Gary Wilson (32).

"I think we came out positively," said Stirling. "Afghanistan has strong bowling, they've got one of the strongest team attacks in the tournament. The wicket suited my style.

"It was my first time playing under lights and tonight showed that the runs go up when you play later in the day."

Stirling and O'Brien fell in successive balls to Zadran, leaving Wilson to steady the ship and Andrew Poynter (23) to hit the winning runs.

"It's really pleasing to win a trophy," said Porterfield. "Ten games unbeaten is a fantastic effort from the lads.

"It's a long way to go now to the World Twenty20. Playing against Australia and the West Indies is going to be a tough task. We've got to keep working hard and improving our skills."

The win adds to the recent success enjoyed by the Irish, who have scored wins over Pakistan and England at the last two 50-over World Cups.

In January, Ireland announced that they plan to apply to the International Cricket Council for Test status.

Stirling Work Gets Ireland World T20

Ireland raced to nine-wicket victory over Namibia with 61 balls to spare as they booked their place in the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in Sri Lanka.

Ireland restricted Namibia to just 94-6, and then knocked off the required runs in double quick time to reach the final of the qualifying tournament.

They will now play Afghanistan on Saturday to determine which group they will play in - with a defeat meaning they would face England in September.

Ireland had lost by four runs to Namibia in the group stage of this competition, but Saturday's result rarely looked in much doubt once they began their reply.

They could not quite match their own achievement of twice chasing down targets without losing a wicket in this tournament as William Porterfield went for 20, caught well by Sarel Burger off Louis Klazinger.

However, fellow opener Paul Stirling carried Ireland through to the finish with 59 off 32 balls, smacking a four off the first delivery of the 11th over to win it.

Victims

Earlier, Ireland had taken wickets at a steady clip to prevent Namibia building any rhythm.

Trent Johnston accounted for openers Raymond van Schoon (1) and Louis van der Westhuizen (14) and when Craig Williams became the first of Max Sorensen's two victims, having made just three, Namibia were on 25-3 with seven overs already gone.

They continued to score at well under a run a ball as Gerrie Snyman made just 17 off 39 deliveries and Sorensen then had Burger caught for 20 - helping him to figures of 2-8 off his four overs.

Ian Opperman did his best to up the scoring with an unbeaten 26 off 15 balls, including one six, late on, but Namibia were only delaying the inevitable.

Ireland a Game Away from World T20

Ireland are a game away from qualifying for the World Twenty20 after beating the Netherlands by seven wickets.

The Irish now play Namibia on Saturday and victory will see them go into Group A along with England and India.

William Porterfield's men enjoyed their second comfortable win in as many days as they made the Dutch target of 114-7 with 20 balls to spare.

Kevin O'Brien was the star, claiming 2-17, before completing the chase with an unbeaten 30 from 22 balls.

Ireland's bowlers had set up Thursday's 10-wicket win over Canada and after Porterfield again opted to field first, they put their team in charge with some stifling bowling.

Only Alexei Kervezee was able to break the shackles, hitting 56 from 48 balls, with Tom Cooper (28) the other batsman to reach double figures.

Opener Paul Stirling then made sure there were no slip-ups in the chase as he made 33 from 26 balls before O'Brien finished off the job alongside Ed Joyce (25 not out).

The winners between Ireland and Namibia will earn a place in the ICC qualifying tournament final against Afghanistan, as well as a place at the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka in September and October.

Vintage TJ Runs Canada Dry

Ireland kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the World Twenty20 with a 10-wicket victory over Canada.

A superb bowling performance, in which George Dockrell and Max Sorensen both took three wickets, restricted Canada to 106-8.

Fit-again Trent Johnston claimed two for nine from four overs.

Paul Stirling hit 61 not out from 32 balls, and William Porterfield an unbeaten 42, as Ireland completed the run-chase with 10.3 overs to spare.

Despite the impressive batting performance of the openers, Johnston was named man of the match for his efforts with the ball.

It was the Irish bowlers who set up victory though as they tore through Canada's middle-order, at one stage claiming four for 17.

Teenage spinner Dockrell took three for 19 while medium-pacer Sorensen was similarly effective as he snared three for 20.

Stirling hit three sixes in his 32-ball knock.

Ireland will face the Netherlands in their next game on Friday.

A victory for the Irish will set up a clash against the losers of Thursday afternoon's match between the two group winners, Namibia and Afghanistan, to determine the second and final place in Sri Lanka, alongside the other 10 competing nations.

Wilson Half Ton Seals Oman Win

Gary Wilson posted an unbeaten half-century as Ireland comfortably overcame Oman in their ICC World Twenty20 qualifier in Abu Dhabi.

Ireland had already assured themselves a place in the play-off stages of the competition on Monday with an emphatic victory over Uganda and followed it up today with a 44-run win.

The Irish made a total of 160-5 from their 20 overs, Wilson hitting 52 from 38 balls - which included three sixes - with Paul Stirling (35) and Kevin O'Brien (32) also chipping in.

In reply, Oman only reached a score of 116-6 from their allotted overs despite Jatinder Singh top-scoring with an unbeaten knock of 56.

Boyd Rankin trapped Zeeshan Siddiqui lbw for two runs in the third over, before Max Sorensen (two for 20) and O'Brien (two for 29) did the damage.

Porterfield Gets Ireland past Uganda

Ireland powered into the play-off stages of the ICC World Twenty20 qualifiers courtesy of a comprehensive 82-run victory over Uganda in Dubai.

The victory guarantees the Irish a place in the top three of Group B - but top spot, and a place in the first qualifying final, could still be theirs if unbeaten Namibia slip up against Italy on Tuesday.

Ireland made 179-5 against the Ugandans, Will Porterfield top-scoring with 53 off 43 balls and Gary Wilson (30) and Kevin O'Brien (39 not out) chipping in down the order.

That was always going to be too many for their opponents, who were blown away for 97.

Trent Johnston got the ball rolling with two wickets for eight runs with the new ball, before George Dockrell (3-26) and Kevin O'Brien (2-7) also impressed.

Ireland face Oman in their final group fixture but they will be without all-rounder John Mooney (hamstring) for the remainder of the tournament.

As a result Ireland have called up Andrew Poynter as a replacement.

Mooney fell awkwardly in pursuit of a catch on the boundary during Ireland’s 17 runs victory over Scotland at the Dubai International Stadium yesterday and an MRI scan revealed the worst for the 30 year old Dubliner.

Poynter got the nod ahead of the other named reserves, Tim Murtagh, the uncapped Middlesex pace bowler who has recently qualified for Ireland, slow bowler Albert van der Merwe and Instonians batsman James Shannon.

Ironically Niall O’Brien, who was left out of this squad because he chose to play in the Bangladesh Premier League last month rather than play for Ireland in Kenya is due to arrive in Dubai on Wednesday to play for MCC and Stuart Poynter is also here with the MCC Young Cricketers.

Sunday's victory over the Scots, masterminded by Ed Joyce’s highest T20 score in 66 matches for county or country, eases any worries Ireland might have had of securing a top three place in Group B, which qualifies them for the play-off matches for a place in the finals in Sri Lanka in September. 

Alex Cusack was also ruled out of Ireland’s game today after he left the field at the end of his second over with a groin strain.