Nelson: Ireland captain William Porterfield said he expected his side to qualify for the quarter-finals of the World Cup as they launched their 2015 campaign by beating the West Indies on Minday in yet another giantkilling display.
“It’s fantastic to win,” said Porterfield. “This sets us up nicely for the next few games. Belief has been growing within the squad for a long time and we know what we are capable of.”
Ireland, bidding for Test status themselves, have now enjoyed wins over major nations at three successive World Cups, with Monday’s triumph following their victories over Pakistan (2007) and England (2011).
But Porterfield doesn’t want his side to be content with the odd pool win here and there.
“I believe Ireland can qualify for the knockout stages… We just want to keep proving ourselves to the others,” he said.
After Porterfield won the toss, Ireland reduced the West Indies to 87 for five, with spinner George Dockrell taking three for 50.
But Lendl Simmons, the nephew of Ireland coach and former West Indies batsman Phil Simmons, made 102 and put on 154 for the sixth wicket with Darren Sammy (89).
