Sporting Life - Ireland Cricket | Cricket World Cup, Ireland News, Ireland Scores, Ireland Profiles, Trent Johnston, Kyle McCallan, Eoin Morgan, Niall O'Brien.

IRELAND PROFILES

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Trent Johnston (c)

Born: 29.09.1974
ODIs: 15
Role: All-rounder
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 24.30
Strike-Rate: 113.02
Bowl: Rt-arm fast-med
Average: 53.80
Economy: 5.47

Australian fast bowler who graduated from grade cricket in Sydney to captain Ireland in the one-day international against England early in the 2006 summer. Bats in the middle order.

Eoin Morgan

Born: 10.09.1986
ODIs: 15
Role: Batsman
Bat: Left-hand
Average: 30.06
Strike-Rate: 74.79
Bowl: Right-arm medium
Average: n/a
Economy: n/a

Aged just 20, all the signs are that left-handed Morgan has a fine career ahead of him. Extremely highly thought of at Middlesex, where he plays alongside former Ireland team-mate Ed Joyce.

Andre Botha

Born: 12.09.1975
ODIs: 15
Role: All-rounder
Bat: Left-hand
Average: 17.63
Strike-Rate: 60.62
Bowl: Right-arm medium
Average: 24.63
Economy: 4.58

Another non-native in the Ireland squad, South African-born Botha is an accomplished left-handed batsman and useful medium-pacer. Top-scored with 52 against England last June.

Jeremy Bray

Born: 30.11.1973
ODIs: 15
Role: Batsman
Bat: Left-hand
Average: 28.64
Strike-Rate: 67.50
Bowl: n/a
Average: n/a
Economy: n/a

Left-handed batsman who originates from Sydney. Made 78 and 109 against the UAE in the 2005 Intercontinental Cup semi-final and a measured 64 to help Ireland to victory in the final.

Peter Gillespie

Born: 11.05.1974
ODIs: 5
Role: Batsman
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 0.50
Strike-Rate: 14.28
Bowl: Right-arm medium
Average: n/a
Economy: n/a

Remains a valuable member of the squad more than a decade after making his Ireland debut. Ireland's leading run-scorer in the C&G Trophy last year.

William Porterfield

Born: 06.09.1984
ODIs: 16
Role: Batsman
Bat: Left-hand
Average: 40.21
Strike-Rate: 62.62
Bowl: n/a
Average: n/a
Economy: n/a

Another promising youngster in the Ireland ranks, Porterfield hammered successive unbeaten centuries against Bermuda and Kenyain the ICC World Cricket League, and added 84 against the Netherlands. Progressed to the senior squad from the under-19s and hasn't looked back.

Kenny Carroll

Born: 22.03.1983
ODIs: 3
Role: Batsman
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 10.00
Strike-Rate: 60.00
Bowl: Right-arm legspin
Average: n/a
Economy: 8.00

Led Ireland to glory in the European Under-23 Championships last year, and selected for the World Cup squad ahead of former captain Jason Molins, largely on the basis of promise rather than performances.

Kyle McCallan

Born: 27.08.1975
ODIs: 17
Role: All-rounder
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 19.00
Strike-Rate: 86.36
Bowl: Right-arm offspin
Average: 25.65
Economy: 4.21

A product of the Ireland youth system, all-rounder and vice-captain McCallan took a wicket with his first ball on his debut and underlined his batting prowess with a half-century in his next game.

Kevin O'Brien

Born: 04.03.1984
ODIs: 15
Role: All-rounder
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 35.21
Strike-Rate: 79.77
Bowl: Rt-arm fast-med
Average: 39.33
Economy: 5.36

Brother of wicket-keeper Niall, O'Brien is among a clutch of youngsters in the Ireland set-up of whom much is expected. A genuine all-rounder who bowls seamers at a lively pace.

Andrew White

Born: 03.07.1980
ODIs: 16
Role: All-rounder
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 17.16
Strike-Rate: 74.90
Bowl: Right-arm offspin
Average: 40.57
Economy: 5.22

All-rounder who has shone with the bat during the early stages of his first-class career, although his appearances for Northamptonshire have been fleeting.

Niall O'Brien

Born: 08.11.1981
ODIs: 16
Role: Wicketkeeper
Bat: Left-hand
Average: 21.62
Strike-Rate: 62.11
Bowl: n/a
Average: n/a
Economy: n/a

Wicketkeeper-batsman who has earned almost as much of a reputation for his fiery temperament - as befits his red hair - as his accomplished glovework. Left Kent for Northants in 2006.

Dave Langford-Smith

Born: 07.12.1976
ODIs: 16
Role: Bowler
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 10.25
Strike-Rate: 93.18
Bowl: Rt-arm fast-med
Average: 35.58
Economy: 4.87

Fast-medium bowler who has taken wickets at all levels, most notably five for 65 against Scotland in the 2006 Intercontinental Cup. Likely to share the new ball with Trent Johnston.

Boyd Rankin

Born: 05.07.1984
ODIs: 10
Role: Bowler
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 15.00
Strike-Rate: 33.33
Bowl: Rt-arm fast-med
Average: 29.08
Economy: 5.51

Tall fast bowler who showed sufficient promise for Middlesex 2nd XI and Ireland Under-19s to earn a contract with Derbyshire at the end of the 2006 season.

John Mooney

Born: 10.02.1982
ODIs: 8
Role: Bowler
Bat: Left-hand
Average: 27.66
Strike-Rate: 87.36
Bowl: Right-arm medium
Average: 57.40
Economy: 7.35

First-change bowler who took three wickets - albeit it at a cost of 79 - in 10 overs against England last year. Capable of some lusty hitting down the order.