Trent Johnston News

Paul Stirling and veteran Trent Johnston starred for Ireland as Afghanistan were bowled out for 157, chasing a mammoth 225 for a win in Abu Dhabi.

Australia-born Johnston has played 186 times for Ireland, appearing in both the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, but the pace bowler admits the strain of competing at the highest level is starting to take its toll.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy has conceded that his team must improve on bowling in the decisive ICC World Twenty20 Group B tournament match against Ireland here on Monday.

Having lost to Australia in their World Twenty20 opener, West Indies would not have the luxury of experimenting against Ireland here on Monday, as they need a win at any cost to book a berth in the Super Eight stage.

Ireland will play in the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka after hammering Namibia by nine wickets in the preliminary final of the qualifying tournament here on Saturday.

Ireland beat Kenya by two runs to complete a 3-0 clean sweep in their Twenty20 cricket series at the Mombasa Sports Club on Friday.

Ireland's strapping fast bowler Trent Johnston says luck was on his side when he dismissed two of India's key batsmen - Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir.

Injury-plagued West Indies were dealt a major blow on Friday when hard-hitting opener Chris Gayle was ruled out of the key World Cup clash against Ireland with an abdominal strain.

A Kieron Pollard-inspired West Indies stifled a brave fightback by Ireland on Friday to win by 44 runs and put one foot in the World Cup quarter-finals.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy on Thursday said they have left behind the stone pelting incident in Dhaka and are focused on Friday's clash against the ever improving Ireland, which has the potential to create another upset in the World Cup.