Despite suffering a 48-run loss to England in their Super Eight round match at the Providence Stadium yesterday, the Irish cricket team came in for high praise from England’s captain Michael Vaughan.
Addressing members of the media at the post match press conference yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium, Vaughan said: “Ireland’s cricket has improved tremendously and they deserve credit for that.”
He admitted that after posting a total of 266-7, his bowlers did not perform well adding that they would have to work very hard with team coach Duncan Fletcher over the next few days before they take on Sri Lanka on Wednesday in Antigua.
Ireland, who were dismissed for 218 in 48.1 overs started soundly but lost their rhythm in the middle overs before regaining their composure in the latter overs.
This was recognized by their captain Trent Johnston who said:” The players fought in the latter overs, scoring at nine runs an over. We took the fight to the end, but (Andrew) Flintoff cleaned up the tail. We played well for the first 45 overs.”
He said when they face South Africa on Tuesday they would have to raise the level of their game.
Asked about those critics who thought they might have been knocked out in the preliminary round, Johnston said:” We’re not here to shame our critics, but to play cricket and show that Ireland has good players.”
Johnston said it was a credit to his team that Vaughan had to bring back his strike bowler (Flintoff) to clean up the Irish tail.
“Our strength is in our batting, our strength is chasing runs and we’re just enjoying ourselves,” he declared
Vaughan also lauded the performances of Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen who made 90 from 82 deliveries and 48 from 47 deliveries respectively.
The Irish bowlers also came in for kudos from the England skipper.
Collingwood, who was adjudged Man-of-the-Match, registered eight fours and three sixes in his innings.
Johnston said he hoped that the people of Ireland would be pleased with the team’s performance to date.