Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie believes the return of Josh Little from the Indian Premier League for a collection in opposition to Bangladesh that might see his aspect qualify for the World Cup is proof of how a lot worldwide cricket nonetheless issues to the left-arm seamer.
If Ireland beneficial properties a 3-0 sweep in a one-day worldwide marketing campaign that begins on Tuesday at English county Essex’s headquarters in Chelmsford, east of London, it might leapfrog South Africa in eighth within the World Cup Super League(WCSL) standings and safe automated qualification for the 50-over showpiece occasion in India later this yr.
Little, 23, has been a cornerstone of the table-topping Gujarat Titans within the present IPL, taking six wickets within the profitable Twenty20 franchise event, together with a player-of-the-match 2-25 in opposition to the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens final week.
But, amid discuss of the menace posed to worldwide cricket by the growth of franchise event around the globe, Little has rejoined the Ireland set-up for the primary time because the tour of Zimbabwe in January.
“It’s a huge boost,” Balbirnie advised a press convention on Monday. “He has become a world-class operator, and we’re very grateful to have him back into the squad for these games.
“He’s obviously had a really good time of it at the IPL…Hopefully, from our point of view, he can have a good week performance-wise and have an impact for us.
He added: “There’s no angst about him not playing for us in certain games. We’re just delighted with the progress he’s made.”
The first spots within the 10-team World Cup go to the highest eight finishers of the WCSL, a contest that has run during the last three years. Reigning champions England, India, New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan have already assured their locations.
The backside 5 Super League groups journey to the World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe from June 18 that may determine the ultimate two entrants into the primary occasion.
Ireland, overwhelmed 2-0 away to Bangladesh in an ODI collection in Sylhet in March, has loved its biggest days within the format, with spectacular World Cup wins overs Pakistan (2007) and England (2011).
But it has struggled for collection wins in opposition to main nations.
“Consistency is what we crave as a team, but at the same time we know we are playing against world-class players and it’s difficult to beat these teams in a series,” Balbirnie stated.
Balbirnie admitted it was “disappointing” to be taking part in this week’s matches in Chelmsford quite than at dwelling, with Irish pitches not deemed to be as much as ODI commonplace at this early stage within the season. The expense of erecting non permanent services required for staging internationals in Ireland was another excuse for transferring the fixtures.
Fans from the Bangladeshi expatriate communities in London are set to outnumber Ireland supporters at Chelmsford
Balbirnie was phlegmatic.
“I think no matter where we play in the world, there’ll probably be more Bangladeshi people there than Irish,” he stated.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com