CRICKET:IRELAND COACH Phil Simmons can be excused for getting ahead of himself as he prepares for this morning's European Championship Division One decider against Scotland at Castle Avenue (10.45am).
It is the game against the same opposition in Saturday's World Twenty20 Qualifier at Stormont that has been to the forefront of his mind, although he is well aware victory today could set the right tone for the weekend. "Right now the weekend is a little bit more important than Thursday. But in saying that it is very important because they beat us the last time," said Simmons, whose side are defending the European title.
That last defeat to the Scots came in Aberdeen at the start of this month and followed a record One Day International defeat to New Zealand the day before as Simmons's side struggled without star players.
"I wouldn't say we have a point to prove," remarked Simmons. "I don't think we played properly in Aberdeen . . . If we come out and play properly on Thursday, I'm almost sure we are going to come out on top."
Despite Eoin Morgan pulling out of the ODI to have a scan on an injured knee, Simmons has been able to call on county players William Porterfield and Niall O'Brien, and the two left-handers have made valuable contributions with half-centuries against Denmark and the Netherlands respectively.
Kevin O'Brien and Alex Cusack, who both missed the trip to Aberdeen through injury, have also made their presence felt in the tournament. Simmons is expected to name the same side that beat the Netherlands on Monday for a decider that has looked inevitable since the Dutch capitulated in their opener against Italy.
"I think 90 per cent of these things come down to Ireland versus Scotland. I think in this tournament the Dutch have disappointed a bit in the fact that we thought that they would be up there with us," added Simmons.
Niall O'Brien comes back into the side for today's ODI, while Peter Connell and Andre Botha will start after being rested for Tuesday's victory over Italy at Malahide.
The toss and weather will prove key to proceedings; the latter as Scotland enjoy a far healthier net run rate and would take the trophy if there is no result. The Castle Avenue track has given plenty of assistance to the side bowling first in the two ODIs so far.
Ireland have chased in their four matches to date and they would be happy to do the same today and not have to face Scotland's opening attack of John Blain and Dewald Nel first-up.
Simmons will also be keen to see his opening bowlers make an early breakthrough against a Scottish top-order that includes Ryan Watson and Gavin Hamilton, who scored a century against Ireland last time out.
IRELAND (probable):W Porterfield (Capt), A Botha, A Cusack, P Connell, G Kidd, K McCallan, K O'Brien, N O'Brien (wkts), W Porterfield, R Strydom, A White.
SCOTLAND (probable):R Watson (Capt), R Berrington, J Blain, G Drummond, G Hamilton, N McCallum, D Nel, G Rogers, Q Sheikh, C Smith (wkts), F Watts.
TODAY'S GAMES (10.45)Ireland v Scotland (ODI), Castle Avenue; Netherlands v Denmark, Milverton; Norway v Italy, Malahide.
