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

Johnston Leaves Railway Behind

Former Ireland captain Trent Johnston has decided to pursue his future career path as a coach by moving clubs in what could be his last year playing for Ireland.

"As my desire is to continue to gain senior coaching experience I have advised [club management] that I will not be coaching or playing at Railway [Union} this season", he told his team-mates on Friday night.

Railway Union Cricket Club recently opted to redirect its coaching focus into development.

"I have enjoyed working with all of you and hope that in some way I have helped your growth as a player," he told Railway's squad.

"It's been an amazing five years on the field as well - I'll sum it up in two words 'trophies' and 'banter'."

Johnston's spell at Park Avenue saw the club win the senior league for the first time since 1962 and senior cup since 1968. 

Ger Siggins

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.

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.

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.