Irish teacher White on a learning curve

Ireland all-rounder Andrew White said his non-Test side was hoping to cause a few upsets when they start their World Cup campaign against Bangladesh on Friday.

The 30-year-old English teacher said the current side was superior to the one that made history in the 2007 World Cup where they knocked out Pakistan in the first round and defeated Bangladesh in the Super Eights.

"We can't wait for our tournament to begin," said White, a lower order batsman and off-spinner, who has honed his skills with English county side Northamptonshire.

"We are excited about our prospects. Our preparations have been very good and there is a lot of belief within the squad that we stand as good a chance as any other team."

White, however, refused to regard Bangladesh as his team's key opponent, saying they wanted to do well against all the remaining group B sides- India, England, South Africa, West Indies and the Netherlands.

White said a spinner like him could learn a lot from watching the world's other slow bowlers in action in conditions that were tailor-made for the turning ball.

"This is where spin bowlers are supposed to do well, so I am quite excited about playing in the sub-continent," said White, who has taken 25 wickets in 49 one-dayers at an average of 23.60.

White is one of only two players in the Irish side -- the other being seamer Nigel Jones -- who are not full-time cricket professionals.

"It was a conscious choice looking at the future after cricket," said White, whose attacking batting style includes a reverse hit -- Kevin Pietersen style.

White will be the frontline spinner for Ireland with support from 18-year-old George Dockrell, a left-arm slow bowler, and off-spinner Albert van der Merwe, who hails from South Africa.