World Cup Teams / Ed Hawkins / 08 February 2011 /

Ireland caused two upsets in the last World Cup and they will back themselves again. Ed Hawkins looks at their chances and marks your card about a batsman to watch out for

Which team competing in this World Cup has the best win-loss ratio over the last two years? Favourites India? The holders Australia? Or a resurgent England? None of them. It's Ireland.

Okay, so a ratio of 2.57 is skewed by the fact they rarely play the top eight sides but they should not be underestimated. Organised, and by that we mean that every player in the XI will know what is expected of them and what isn't (some of the more fancied sides could learn something there) the 'fighting Irish' is a useful cliché.

Like their 'minnow' rivals in this group, the Netherlands, they may struggle to adjust to the lifeless pitches, however. When they caused such an upset in the 2007 edition (they beat Pakistan and Bangladesh), they were helped by conditions suiting their army of nagging line and length bowlers.

Still, unlike Holland they should have the ability to 'hang in there'. It is reasonable indeed to expect them to cause the favourites in Group B some uncomfortable moments.

The key to making money from Ireland will be recognising when that is most likely. In this regard England and West Indies look most vulnerable and a back-to-lay of the Irish at big odds could be the way to go in those games.

The captain - William Porterfield
We are not expecting big runs from the Gloucestershire opening bat but his brilliant fielding is as sharp as his captaincy. With the willow he is a steady accumulator and he will look to anchor an innings rather than smash the cover off the ball in the first 15 overs.

Top man - Ed Joyce
It was a major coup for Ireland that Ed Joyce was allowed to play in the green after a stint with England. The Sussex batsman, and former Middlesex man, is a class act and he was probably discarded too early by the Three Lions.

Joyce averaged only 27 but he was jettisoned just eight innings - a sequence which included two 50s - after a century against Australia in Sydney. He brings class to the Irish batting and he will be the popular top-bat choice. Just imagine if they had Eoin Morgan too?

Stirling stuff - Paul Stirling
If Joyce is the well-know punting option for runs, the shrewdies will look to Paul 'Stirlo' Stirling of whom big things are expected. Stirling, 20, has an excellent record in the last year. He averages 45 at a strike rate of more than 90.

Australia felt his force in an ODI in Clontarf when he took 36 off their frontline attack in as many balls. He could be the surprise star of the tournament.

Other Irishmen to look out for include the nuggety and reliable wicket-keeper Niall O'Brien, who will be well-known to Kent and Northamptonshire supporters, and the young spinner George Dockrell who has impressed in Somerset colours. As a left-armer he is at least guaranteed Kevin Pietersen's wicket.

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