Dockrell bowled impressively against Bangladesh on Friday

Teenage Ireland spinner George Dockrell has admitted he is contemplating following a well-trodden path to England in a bid to play Test cricket.

The 18-year-old should be in action for Ireland against England in Wednesday's World Cup match in Bangalore.

"Everyone wants to play Test cricket," said Dockrell.

"It would be one of the things that may come if you went to play for England. At the moment I'm working hard on doing well in the World Cup for Ireland."

Ireland's World Cup challenge got off to a disappointing start as they slipped to an opening defeat by Bangladesh last Friday after a batting collapse.

The prospect of playing in the five-day format was what helped persuade former Ireland batsman Eoin Morgan, currently injured, to pursue an international career with England.

But the switch doesn't always work out, with Ed Joyce back in Ireland colours at this World Cup after a brief and eventually unsuccessful spell playing for England.

Dockrell returned economical figures of 0-19 from four overs against England - the eventual champions - in last year's World Twenty20 in Guyana and in that same tournament took 3-16 against hosts West Indies.

We took a lot of positives from that Bangladesh game. It was a very good bowling performance George Dockrell

A week short of his 18th birthday he was signed by county side Somerset on a two-year contract and Dockrell confirmed his promise in Ireland's World Cup match against co-hosts Bangladesh with figures of 2-23.

Ireland now face an England team buoyed by making 338 in their compelling tie with India at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday.

However, Dockrell insists the Irish, who have several county players, believe they are capable of winning Wednesday's clash.

"We'd like to get our World Cup under way with a win on Wednesday," he said. "We took a lot of positives from that Bangladesh game. It was a very good bowling performance.

"The batting just went wrong in a few places. We were a bit disappointed we couldn't chase that total. But that's gone now."

There was little for any bowler in the pitch during Sunday's high-scoring India-England thriller with a flat surface proving a batsman's paradise.

"We will have to work hard to keep the total down," Dockrell said.

"With both teams getting 338, you can see the pitch is obviously very good. The outfield is quick, and it's a small stadium.

"There are going to be games like this out here in India but we won't be daunted by that."

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