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Heading into Sunday’s crucial Pool B clash, Ireland spinner George Dockrell has been chatting to www.cricketireland.ie about his world cup experience so far and the prospect of bowling to the powerful Pakistan middle order.
Dockrell, who has played in all five of Ireland’s matches so far, has noticed how changes to the game since the 2011 World Cup have affected the tournament and notes the additional pressure on bowlers.

“I think that it has been a challenge for our seamers especially. Fielding restrictions are very different now and the run rates have changed dramatically over the four year period so it definitely has been a challenge.

“I’ll be honest and I have actually really enjoyed it so far. There hasn’t been a huge amount of spin, but I’ve enjoyed bowling in these conditions.”

Talking about the challenges of bowling to some of the top batsmen in the world Dockrell had special praise for Zimbabwean Brendan Taylor after the pair met in Hobart last week.

“I’ve bowled against Brendan a few times now and I’ve loved the battle I’ve had with him, he’s one of those guys who’s always coming at you, but I think I’ve got him out a couple of times, and it’s been a battle that I’ve really enjoyed – it’s a pity we haven’t played him more often in the last four years.

“I think as well, Hashim Amla and Faff du Plessis, on what was a really good batting track, was a great challenge as well. It was hard, even when you did hit your length it was a good enough pitch to hit through so it was a battle that was really enjoyable.”

Turning attention to the Pakistan match on Sunday (3.30am GMT), Dockrell pointed out that the squad have been prepared for this being such a big game for some time.

“Obviously it’s a huge game. Coming into this tournament we knew that it may end up being the crunch game, last game of the group stage.

“To get ourselves to this position with three wins was a great effort and I think we’re set in a really nice place to go into it and to get that win and to bring us into the next round.”

Ireland head into the match full of confidence after those three wins.

“The three games we have won, the batting has been superb. I think that win against Zimbabwe you probably wouldn’t realise how good the knocks were considering we had the worst of the conditions. I think it was really hard to bat on that pitch initially and I think we did really well and that probably wasn’t looked at as much as it should have been.

“Obviously that great chase against the West Indies as well, so I think the batting has a huge amount of confidence and the bowling has really come on as the tournament has progressed. Cusie [Alex Cusack] has been brilliant coming in towards the death and that’s where we had some issues early on but he’s come back strong now with powerplay bowling at the death, and the rest of the guys have done well so I’m really looking forward to hopefully putting all that together in a win.”

Ireland know Pakistan well and also take confidence from previous encounters into the match.

“They’ve got some powerful hitters through that team, but on our day we know we can get through that.

“We have a couple of games against them in Ireland two summers ago and I feel like we probably should have won one if not two of those games, so I’m really looking forward to it, I think it will be another great challenge for us and if we’re there on the day I think we’ll get that win.”

Ireland take on Pakistan in their final Pool B match on Sunday morning, 3.30am (GMT). A win for Ireland will guarantee a place in the quarter finals of the World Cup. You can follow the match live on www.cricketireland.ie, and show your support for the team by using the #BackingGreen hashtag on twitter.

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