World Twenty20
Venue: West Indies Date: 30 April-16 May
Coverage: TMS commentary and text commentary on BBC Sport website on selected matches, updates on BBC Radio 5 live and live on Sky Sports

Alex Cusack in action in last year's World Twenty20

All-rounder Alex Cusack believes Ireland are not without hope of causing more cricketing upsets in the ICC World Twenty20 which starts on Friday.

The Irish shocked Pakistan at the 2007 World Cup in Jamaica and Phil Simmons' side are back in the Caribbean for the World Twenty20.

Ireland start their campaign against the West Indies in Guyana on Friday and also face England at the group stage.

"Hopefully we can play our best and maybe get an upset," said Cusack.

The Australian native was not a member of Ireland's 2007 World Cup squad but made his international debut shortly after the competition.

Ireland have been re-acquainting themselves with Caribbean conditions during a number of recent one-day and Twenty20 games against the West Indies and Cusack is relishing the experience.

"I'm pretty sure the rest of the guys who were out here in 2007 are pretty excited to be heading back to the islands.

"It's a tough group. Both England and West Indies are good sides and on their day they can do well but I don't think there is a huge difference between any of the sides."

The 29-year-old, who decided to live in Ireland in 2005, is looking forward to making an impact in his favourite form of cricket.

"It's fast paced, you have to think on your feet, you can just come in and go for it rather than think too hard - it's all good fun.

"Whether it's more of a batsman's or bowler's game, I think it depends on if you're on a good wicket or not.

This is the group we would have taken Ireland coach Phil Simmons

"More often than not it's a batsman's game but the bowlers can come into it.

"Especially the spinners who can pick up a few wickets here and there."

Coach Simmons is also optimistic that the team can once again shock the cricketing world.

"I think it's easier to pull off a shock in Twenty20 because recovery time is less than in 50 overs," said Simmons, whose side were still involved in last year's edition in England with six games to go.

"We have played that little bit more Twenty20 than we had going into the last World Cup - so we are slightly wiser about Twenty20 cricket.

Ireland squad's contains 2007 World Cup captain Trent Johnston and his successor Will Porterfield, as well as several players who are now featuring for English counties.

"It's nice (for me) to be playing in the West Indies and for the players to be taking on England too," added the Trinidadian.

"This is the group we would have taken too. We are happy with that.

"From our point of view, it is about trying to improve our performance every time we take on teams at this level - and Twenty20 is no different.

Ireland's progress has led them to ask the International Cricket Council to tell them what else they must do to qualify for Test status.

But Simmons says that will not put extra pressure on his players at the World Twenty20.

"It's not something we even think about. We just go out to play as well as we can and make sure we take our opportunities."

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