ICC WORLD TWENTY20
Venues: Lord's, The Oval, Trent Bridge Date: 5-21 June
Coverage: Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, Radio 4 LW, Red Button and online, with live text commentary on BBC Sport website & mobiles. Live TV coverage on Sky Sports with highlights on BBC

William Porterfield's captaincy has impressed seasoned observers

Ireland captain William Porterfield believes there are reasons for optimism ahead of his team's ICC World Twenty20 opener against Bangladesh on Monday.

The Irish were not disgraced in Thursday's 30-run defeat by South Africa in a warm-up clash.

"We've been improving steadily over the three (warm-up) games," said the Ireland skipper.

"Nobby (Niall O'Brien) showed that we can score runs at this level. I thought it (62 not out) was a great knock."

Porterfield added:"It was a perfect example of how to bat in this form of the game.

"We've got to have the belief and confidence to play positively and not be in awe of any of our opponents.

"Our preparations have gone well, and it's now a case of fine tuning certain aspects of our game over the next three days.

"We've bowled and fielded pretty well, and it's just a case of getting the batting to fire again."

We're ready to show the world again just what Irish cricket is capable of William Porterfield

Porterfield knows full well that the competition offers a vital opportunity to showcase Irish cricket.

The team produced heroics to make the Super-Eight stage at the 2007 World Cup but Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom has lamented that "glass ceiling" which the leading associate nation has been unable to smash through.

"We haven't played a lot of Twenty20 cricket, but the last three weeks have improved our game enormously," added Porterfield.

"We're ready to show the world again just what Irish cricket is capable of."

Porterfield explained his thinking behind rotating the bowlers in the opening stages of the South Africa defeat.

"I just wanted to try a few different variations, and mix it up a bit. We have plans in place and I wanted to see if the guys could execute them.

"We want to have plenty of variety and different options up our sleeves, and that's why I opened the bowling with Kevin (O'Brien) and Kyle (McCallan)."

Porterfield was also quick to praise the contribution of Regan West.

"I thought he bowled superbly both against South Africa and also at Lord's in the Netherlands game."

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