Underdogs Ireland feeling no pressure
-says Trent Johnston
By Edison Jefford
Stabroek News
March 30, 2007
Ireland's captain, Trent Johnston admitted yesterday that the Irish team was the underdog team for today's match against England at the Providence National Stadium, but said that they will focus on doing the basics right with a 120 percent effort.
Speaking at yesterday's press conference at the Providence Stadium, Johnston said that his charges had been tremendous in the tournament adding that he hoped the inspiration and hard work that had gotten the debutant World Cup unit thus far would continue in the Super Eights.
"The guys have been outstanding. There are 12 of us that are amateur cricketers in a squad of 15 players. We have had a 120 percent effort from them and that's all we can ask in the three disciplines today," Johnston posited.
He added that England would not be the centre of their attention today as the team would set its own goals and hope for a win.
"We are not going to focus on the opposition. We have plans but we will not focus on the opposition. We can control the game if we bat to our set plan and bowl the way we did against Pakistan," he said.
"We certainly are going to go out there and play our game and hopefully, try and earn as much respect in the cricketing world as possible. And if we give a 120 percent we will come out on top tomorrow - win, lose or draw," the skipper added.
Johnston said that reaching the Super Eights was huge for Irish cricket and was a great opportunity for the team to play among professional cricketers.
The captain said that one advantage of being the underdog team was that there was no pressure on the side.
"We were told that we didn't deserve to be in the competition but we had a good lead up game against South Africa and Canada and we took that form into the group stage and now they are saying we don't deserve to be in the Super Eights," he said.
Johnston warned England not to believe that they could rest a few of their key players and win the match.
"Hopefully we do face the best team that England can put out 'cause that means we get to face the best in World Cricket. That's a sign of respect that they will have for us. We hope England can be full strength 'cause then we can get in there and see how good we really are," he said.
"Our incentive could be England believing that they can rest a few players here and there against us. We fought against Pakistan and that's what we are all about to get in there and have a good old fight and see what happens at the end of the day," he continued.
The Ireland skipper said that the team was living a dream.
"We had to win two games or win one and draw to get through and we did that and now we are here now basically living a dream and its fantastic to be here and the experience we will take from our next six games is going to be huge for the guys here and Irish cricket," Johnston said.