Friday 13 April 2007

Preview: Australia vs Ireland

Ricky Ponting is looking for Australia to impose themselves once more and Ireland will have a tough time preventing them from doing so. The Aussies have lost through complacency before, but Ireland really are aiming for respectibility from this encounter. Trent Johnston leads his new nation against his old and along with Dave Langford-Smith and Jeremy Bray, he will be looking to prove that he has what it takes to play at this high level.

Ireland have not looked like winning a Super Eight game so far and that is unlikely to change. Unlike Bangladesh they really are out of their depth, although the likes of Boyd Rankin and Niall O'Brien can really look to kick on their careers after this tournament. Ireland will hope that Andre Botha will return to aide their cause. They will need all the quality they can get, even if Australia rest key players. A first game for the talented Mitchell Johnson could be on the cards, while Andrew Symonds will be looking for his first major innings of the tournament if promoted.

Prediction: Australia no sweat.

Players to watch: Andrew Symonds and Trent Johnston.

No comments: