Don’t take Ireland lightly,warns skipper Porterfield

The Ireland squad will play a warm up match against NZ on Feb. 12

His country may be considered minnows going in to the World Cup but Ireland skipper William Porterfield has warned the opposition to not take them lightly saying that any team can perform well on a given day.

“World Cup cricket is a big game. Any team can do better on a particular day and match as chances are even,” Porterfield told reporters here today.

“Yes,we know its a big event and anyone can be through on a particular fixture though India enjoys the home support,conditions and the home crowd,” he added.

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Ireland had shocked Pakistan by three wickets in the group stages and were responsible for the latter’s first round exit from 2007 World Cup,hosted by the West Indies.

The European team also surprised everyone by making it to the Super Eight round in their debut in the prestigious quadrennial event,where they defeated another sub-continent side Bangladesh by 74 runs.

To a query,Porterfield said his team’s batting line-up was strong but the bowling line up too should not be taken lightly.

He said unlike teams like India,where players earned their livelhood by playing cricket,most of his team-mates had to do jobs for supporting their family.

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The Ireland squad,which came here yesterday,will play a warm up match against New Zeland here on February 12.

The New Zealand team,which is scheduled to arrive this evening,will have a training session tomorrow at the Vidarbha Cricket Association stadium at Jamatha,about 18 kms near here.