Cricket World Cup / Editor / 28 March 2007 / Leave a comment

, Friday 14.30

England begin their Super 8 campaign with a clash against the tournament's major surprise package. Their defeat to New Zealand in the group stage means that they face a real battle to reach their first World Cup semi-final since 1992.

England trade at 1.41 to be eliminated in the second phase and cannot afford a slip-up against the Irish if they are to progress further. An England win is available at 1.09, with Ireland currently on offer at 12.

Ireland's win over Pakistan will prevent the big guns from facing them with complacency, and England in particular must be on the ball as they were far from convincing in beating an even weaker Canadian outfit. They were more impressive in booking their Super 8 spot with a win over Kenya, and will undoubtedly have one eye on the sterner challenges that follow.

After Ireland, England face the tournament's form teams, Sri Lanka and Australia, and it seems likely that they must win at least one of those matches to maintain serious hopes of qualification. They now trade at 16.5 to win the trophy, having begun the tournament on offer at 11.5.

The Aussies and New Zealand are particularly well placed to advance, having reached this phase with wins against two of their main rivals (South Africa and England). Sri Lanka and the West Indies carried forward points from wins over Bangladesh and Ireland and they must hope that the minnows prove that their first-round performances were not a fluke.

Ireland battled to a low scoring tie with a disappointing Zimbabwe side and made heavy going of a small target after routing Pakistan for 132. The West Indies had nearly 10 overs and eight wickets to spare in overhauling Ireland's 183 for eight, and the lack of firepower in the Irish batting line-up is the major obstacle to further success against the top teams.

Only three Irishmen have passed 50 runs in the tournament, led by Jeremy Bray, who has scored 159 runs so far, at an average of 79.5. The Aussie expatriate was the only man to hold up the hosts in their group clash, making 41, and he once again represents the most likely man to help Ireland to a respectable total.

England have hardly been prolific with the bat, but they for once might appeal in the highest opening partnership market. Ed Joyce and Michael Vaughan have averaged 38 for the first wicket so far, compared to Ireland's opening pair recording a total of 10 runs from their three opening stands.

William Porterfield has two ducks to his name and his form will deter punters from backing Ireland in this market. They are currently on offer at 3, with England available at 1.21.

Joyce's position at the top of the England order looks assured after he recovered form a second ball duck against the Kiwis. He hit contrasting half centuries against Canada and Kenya and now leads his team's runscoring charts. He trades at 3.4 to finish the tournament as England's top runscorer.

Ireland's presence at this World Cup is due in no small part to Joyce's runs. He made two tons and two half centuries in his five innings at the 2005 qualification tournament before completing his residency qualification for England.

Ironically he made his England One Day International debut against his former team-mates - including his younger brother - but made just 10. He trades at 2.84 to make between 50 and 99 runs, something that he has done in three of his last 8 ODI innings.

England won that Belfast clash by 38 runs, in slightly unconvincing fashion. They failed to bowl Ireland out, letting them recover from 135 for 6 to 263 for nine. England's cushion was provided by Marcus Trescothick's century and his absence from the team is being felt more than ever.

Joyce, Vaughan and Ian Bell invariably get England off to a sedate start, out of place in a tournament full of big hitting opening batsmen and inventive strokeplay. Trescothick scored his runs at a strike rate of 85.21 and his 12 ODI tons are just one less than the total scored by the whole of the current team.

England do have the world's number one ranked batsman in Kevin Pietersen, who has eased himself into form with two half centuries, scored at a slower pace than Joyce has managed. England's batting hopes seem to rest on their number four, who has slipped to 40 in the tournament's top runscorer market.

Since that defeat to England last June, Ireland have generally struggled. They won just once in the World Cricket League in Kenya, losing to Scotland, Canada, Kenya and the Netherlands, suggesting they would not be the minnows to fear in this tournament.

They have proved otherwise due to their economical bowling - only one front line bowler has conceded more than five an over - and above average fielding. They will want to mark their presence in the Super 8 stage with at least one win, and would surely love to achieve that against England.

England have never lost an ODI against a non Test playing nation and will hope Guyana's recent rainy weather subsides. Ireland took full advantage of seamer friendly conditions against Pakistan in Jamaica and a damp Providence Stadium wicket would add to England's nerves.

A total washout would surely ruin England's qualification hopes, although a reserve day can be used for any matches not finishing at the first attempt. Nonetheless, punters might want to keep an eye on the completed match market, as rain is forecast in the region until the weekend.