 Joyce played 17 one-day internationals and two Twenty20 games for England |
Ed Joyce believes that Ireland are on course to produce another impressive World Cup performance. Former England batsman Joyce has been cleared to play for his native country in the competition which will be played in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Ireland open their campaign against Bangladesh in Dhaka on 25 February. "We had the month in India in November and that went really well. I was impressed with the quality of the guys and we look a good side," said Joyce. The Sussex batsman believes that the World Cup opener against Bangladesh will prove the key game in the tournament for the Irish. Ireland defeated Bangladesh in the Super Eight stages of the 2007 World Cup and Joyce believes a repeat result is in prospect "if we play well".  | 606: DEBATE |
"It would be good to get off to a good start against Bangladesh with the nice easy second and third games against England and India following in Bangalore," joked Joyce. The Ireland batsmen is particularly looking forward to the clash against the Indians in Bangalore on 6 March. "Bangalore is supposed to be a nice city and have a good wicket and it will be good fun to play there against India with a partisan crowd looking on. "[Of course] I'm looking forward to the game against England as well. The last time the sides met, Ireland lost by only a couple of runs." Joyce was part of England's defeated Ashes squad in Australia four years ago and he was hugely impressed by his former team's recent triumph Down Under. "It was a thrashing in the end. To win three games in an Ashes series by an innings is an absolute hammering and I was delighted to see England win." | I do think that even with a few injuries, we'll still be competitive |
After the Ashes tour four year ago, Joyce lined up for England against Ireland at the World Cup a couple of weeks later and had his stumps spread-eagled by Boyd Rankin. Joyce believes that Rankin will again be a key figure for the Irish if the paceman can shake off his recent injury problems. "I do think that even with a few injuries, we'll still be competitive," he said. "It would be great to get Boyd back because he's a big player for us along with Trent Johnston opening the bowling. "The batting stock looks pretty good too with Paul Stirling and William Porterfield opening and a few of the middle order guys playing county cricket as well." Ireland will also face West Indies and the Netherland in the opening group section and Joyce believes that the Irish will need "at least three - maybe four" wins in the opening group to progress to the knockout stages. "Our biggest game is the first one against Bangladesh. "If we can get off to a good start, it will give us a bit of momentum and confidence and you can never know what can happen from there. "It's a massive game but I feel very confident going into it."
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