A stroll around the city centre yesterday yielded surprising results – a couple of days before India play their Pool B World Cup match against Ireland, Hamilton still remains a sleepy, little town.
For Ireland, obviously, a scalp like India will be a major feather in their cap. But what it also does is secure them a dream spot in the quarter-finals. Having beaten the West Indies, the UAE and Zimbabwe, they already have six points, and another two tomorrow will keep them in the top four in Pool B no matter the result in their last group match against Pakistan.
However, if they lose, the March 15 tie in Adelaide between William Porterfield’s side and the 1992 champions would become a do-or-die affair for both teams.
As for India, they are already assured of a place in the quarter-finals, but another point will give make them the table-toppers, and hence the opportunity to take the fourth-placed team in Pool A in the quarter-final.
The good news for Ireland In the six matches India have played at Seddon Park, they have won only once – when they beat New Zealand by 84 runs in 2009.
There is also a feeling that India might rest a couple of their key players, including opening bowler Mohammad Shami, who has been their most successful bowler with nine wickets in three matches, but is also suffering from a knee injury which forced him to skip the match against the UAE.
Porterfield was not getting lulled by any talks of India not playing their regular eleven.
“It’s a long tournament, and they’re not going to look to lose any momentum from their point of view. Whatever they decide to do is out of our control. Whoever they decide to play, it doesn't really bother me," said the Irish captain.
“But yeah, we’ve just got to keep all the momentum going and keep on improving at the little things we want to and keep taking things forward.”
Ireland have batted well in the tournament, but the big question tomorrow would be regarding their bowling. They will want to win the toss, put up a target, and try to put some pressure on the Indian batting, which has been efficient, but not spectacular.
On the other hand, Indian bowlers have done a great job in the tournament, having bundled out all four opposition teams inside the allocated 50 overs. Shami and Umesh Yadav have troubled the batsmen with speeds around the 145kmph mark, which they have coupled with great line and length. And once the opening bowlers are done, Mohit Sharma’s variations in pace and bounce, and Ravichandran Ashwin’s spin have been difficult to fathom.
The weather is not expected to be any issue, with sunny and clear skies predicted all day tomorrow.
