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This is Ireland’s tenth appearance at a T20 World Cup and vice-captain Lorcan Tucker believes the squad is primed to hit the ground running after an intensive build up.

With an opening clash against joint hosts Sri Lanka followed quickly by a meeting with one of the tournament’s leading contenders, Australia, Tucker knows Ireland must be sharp from the outset.

“The way the schedule lines up for us, we have our two crunch games first where we have to perform and come out of the blocks pretty hot.

“We don’t really have time to bed into the tournament. It is about trying to be as hard as possible on the first day. So hopefully we can get a bit of a storm brewing in that sense and build some energy. Then if we can manage to get one of those wins against the big teams, we can settle into gear and make sure we’re comprehensive from that point forward going into the Oman and Zimbabwe games.”

Ireland’s reputation as World Cup giant killers remains central to their identity, built on a history of high-profile upsets.

“We’ve had some big moments in other World Cups. In 2022 we beat England and knocked out the West Indies. So, I think a lot of the squad here are familiar with those kinds of experiences and a lot of them played in those games.”

Tucker himself carries vivid memories of delivering on the biggest stage. His unbeaten 71 from 48 balls against Australia in 2022 remains one of Ireland’s standout modern tournament performances.

“That was pretty special. Given the occasion and obviously we’d put a lot of work in that tournament to that point.

“It was great to be able to even have that opportunity to play against Australia in the second stage of the competition and then even better to make something of it.”

The innings changed how Tucker viewed his own potential.

“I surprised myself at the time. I didn’t think I was capable of something like that, but that’s the beauty of professional sport. You often take yourself outside of the comfort zone and find out that you might be able to do something that you haven’t done before.”

That experience now serves as a reference point as Ireland prepare to face Australia again this year in the group stage.

“I think as a professional cricketer, it’s really important to be able to look back on prior experiences and know that whatever’s going on at the moment, whether that’s form or something going on in your head, that you can take confidence from that from that past experience.”

Ireland’s preparation has been centred on tournament readiness. A warm-up tour featuring training camps, a series win against Italy and a 2-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates has helped build momentum.

Tucker said the objective of the warm-up programme was clear:

“To instil confidence in the group and to make sure that we’re in as healthy a state of mind as possible and ready to go when it comes to starting quickly in the World Cup.”

Alongside his role as wicket-keeper-batter, Tucker will serve as deputy to captain Paul Stirling, a responsibility he feels has brought greater calm to his own game.

“I find it actually takes a bit of the weight off my shoulders. I often go into the games feeling a little bit more relaxed, just knowing that no matter what happens, I’ll have a way of contributing even if I get no runs.”

Beyond results, Tucker hopes Ireland’s presence at the World Cup resonates with young fans watching at home.

“I remember watching games when I was younger and it was those big World Cup events, the ones that you turn on the TV for when you come back from school. That’s what I want to see in the game and why I play professionally. It’s all about us making an impression and hopefully they’re watching and they feel inspired to want to go out and pick up cricket bats.”

Well prepared and armed with memories of past upsets, Ireland head into the 2026 T20 World Cup believing another statement moment lies within reach.