AFGHANISTAN VS IRELAND, 2019

We're together and fresh for one-day series - Porterfield

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on

After being swept 3-0 in the T20I series, Ireland are looking for a fresh start in the ODIs. © Getty

After suffering an embarrassing 0-3 loss in the shortest format, Ireland under William Porterfield will be keen to turn the tables in the One-Day Internationals (ODIs). While Afghanistan have a better head-to-head record in the Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), it's even-stevens in the ODIs, with both teams winning 10 games each. The Irish set-up will also be boosted by the return of few experienced players.

"There's a few of us coming into the squad, five of us who have been here for a week and that helps freshen things up from that side. Afghanistan are a tough team in T20 cricket, but we're together and fresh for the one-day series and looking forward to it," Porterfield said on Wednesday (27 February) ahead of the first ODI.

"Over the last few matches we played some good cricket at various stages in the game - Afghanistan are a strong T20 side a there were a couple of good match-winning performances from a couple of their lads, which is what it's about in T20 cricket. If an individual comes off like that it can be hard to stop the momentum, but our lads had some good performances, and it was good to sit down and chat with Fordie [Head Coach Graham Ford] from the sidelines."

Despite not winning a single match in Sri Lanka, Porterfield is pretty content with the experience that the Wolves (Ireland A) gathered in the Island nation against Sri Lanka A. James McCollum and James Cameron-Dow are two uncapped Irish players in the current ODI squad who took part in the Wolves programme.

"One of the biggest things we've been crying out for is more games of cricket in general, and the Wolves programme is massive. It's what is required to take this team on in international cricket - but a Wolves programme with not just a high standards of cricket but a high volume of it as well. It's what the lads need - as we've seen over the last few years the gap between domestic cricket and international cricket is there and we need to bridge that. The Wolves programme is a massive way of doing that, and lads who go well in that and put their hands up will get opportunities in the next while."

While Porterfield acknowledges the importance of the tweakers, he stresses on the importance of his pacers on these dry decks in Dehradun, which will host the teams for all three formats.

"We are playing nine games across the same block, and they've cut the pitches for even the Test match already, so I think it's going to be quite dry. But in these conditions our seamers have played a big part for us - we beat them in Sharjah [last year] with our seamers taking 8 or 9 nine wickets a game. So, I think you can't rule the seamers out, but having those spin options in your side is a good thing."

The Afghanistan spinners ruled the roost in the T20Is and the outcome of the ODI series will also revolve around 'Ireland batters vs Afghanistan spinners' battle. However, the Irish skipper is optimistic that his side have enough skill to counter the skilled spin-troika.

"Coming from playing T20 cricket, you've got to realise how long 50-overs can be, and as much as you focus on the opposition, you have got to look at what you do well - individually and collectively. It's no secret that anytime we've beaten Afghanistan we've negated their spin, and if we can do that over the next five games then we can be successful," remarked Porterfield.

Post the completion of the five-match ODI series, the latest entrants to Test cricket will lock horns against each other in the longest format for the first time. While the one-off Test is expected to grab a lot of eyeballs, Porterfield's first target is to win the ODI series and not look too far ahead.

"There's a little eye on it in that we know there is a Test match coming up, but in terms of what we do through the ODI series, it is purely and simply about winning that series. If we can win that series then we will focus on the Test match, but we won't be looking at that until the series is done."

Cricket Ireland have also confirmed that all-rounder Stuart Thompson has been added to the one-day squad as cover. Thomspon wasn't initially part of the 15-member ODI squad. He took part in the T20Is though, and is also named in the Test squad.

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