WHEREVER clusters of Irish fans gathered in Kuala Lumpur last night the word "if" was in the majority of their sentences. If Decker Curry bats through 40 overs .. . If the boys can see off Martin Suji without losing a wicket . . . If the outfield is quicker . . . If Ireland go for it from the word go . . . If they take it easy to start with . . .
Behind all these other "ifs" was the big one: if Ireland score 216 runs from 50 overs against Kenya today they will be into the final of the ICC Trophy and, far more importantly, will qualify for the 1999 World Cup finals.
One day gaines that stretch into a second day are rife with overnight hopes and predictions that are made to look daft in daylight, and Kenya, with 215 for eight posted, are strongly placed in the first semifinal.
Ireland could not have done a lot better, after asking Kenya to bat, and with a couple of lapses their fielding was of a higher standard than many present had seen from an Irish side.
Neil Doak epitomised the commitment to the cause. Chasing, sliding and throwing in the field, he struck a key blow by bowling Asif Karim and Steve Tikolo in the same over, and never once relaxed from an almost hypnotic concentration.
Veteran Garfield Harrison was not far behind, turning in a performance that included three maiden overs in a spell of 0-21 and taking a running catch at deep mid-wicket to dismiss Kenny Otieno for a hard-worked 51.
Only Maurice Odumbe, who flayed Ireland for 99 not out in an opening round group match, had the power to both dominate the bowlers and a still damp outfield. Odumbe did not panic when his side were 177-5 with three overs left and in danger of coming up short. A furious six over mid-wicket began an onslaught that brought 32 runs from 15 balls as medium pacers Derek Heasley and Paul McCrum kept it straight but not full enough.
Andy Patterson, who had dived forward bravely to catch Thomas Odoyo, ended Odumbe's 71-ball stay by removing middle stump-with a throw from long off, but not before Kenya had stormed past 200. Another fine catch, by Angus Dunlop at long on, brought whole-hearted McCrum a fourth wicket, and the innings to a close with Tony Suji a valuable 29 not out off only 19 balls.
Bobby Rao, the Ireland batting coach, if now looking for his charges to adopt the Captain Oakes motto: "I'm going outside (of the dressing room), I may be some time." Rao has repeated time and again that if Ireland can keep both the scoreboard ticking and wickets in hand they will win far more games than they lose.
If that tactic is followed today, it could avoid a scrap for the last World Cup seat in Thursday's third-place play-off. It was a considerable achievement by the groundstaff and umpires Nigel Plews and Daryll Hair to get half the game played after overnight rain had left his outfield saturated.
News of "No play before lunch" filtered back to the team hotel in time to send the Dutch on their way to the airport with their suspicions confirmed that Ireland's experience of a 12-month rainy season at home was somehow an unfair advantage. Poor, presumptuous Holland: their wives and girlfriends started arriving on Saturday for the last week of the tournament just as they were losing their final game to Denmark to finish sixth.
