John Kenny's Cricket World Cup Blog

By John Kenny in Nelson

I'll never take sleep for granted again.

Eyes wide at 4am (3pm Irish time) in Nelson, New Zealand. Bursts of three hours kip, this can't be good for the body and soul (I'm sure you have every sympathy).

But it is the eve of Ireland versus the West Indies at the 6,000 odd capacity Saxton Oval for the Pool B game between Phil Simmons' side and probably the worst West Indian team in history.

Nelson is a sleepy and picturesque town on the north end of the South Island. A town where the old congregate and where fashion is forgotten.

There is a massive retirement community here and many retirement homes dotting the hillsides.

The town, sleepy as it is (taxis take forever to arrive), has tried to embrace the cricket, setting up a big screen at top of Trafalgar Street, its main thoroughfare, but you get the feeling that it's a bit forced and the community would just like to go back to its ways.

Not to say that they aren't making an effort. There was an all-women ukulele band putting their own words to the Beach Boys' And Then She Kissed Me (I'll leave that to your own imagination this St Valentine's weekend).

There are markets and a sprightly veteran band playing massive xylophones creating Zimbabwean music, which was brilliant.

And at the top of the town the massive street dwarfed proceedings showing New Zealand, one of the pre-tournament favourites, outgun Sri Lanka to polite applause from those watching.

The Saxton Oval is a little way outside the town of Nelson and from Ireland's point of view the training continues apace and there is a renewed sense of purpose after their final warm up game win against Bangladesh last Thursday.

Losing heavily to Scotland last Tuesday has focused the mind it seems and there is a steely determination it seems to put one over on the West Indies (start time 10pm Sunday night Irish time) and get their pool B campaign off to the best possible start.

Ireland will need to win at least three games in the Pool if they are to progress to the last eight and they will be targeting victories against the UAE and Zimbabwe and one of the test playing nations.

South Africa, India and Pakistan look to be in form and favourites to progress, but the West Indies, who have suffered heavy recent defeats to both South Africa and England, look vulnerable.

However they won't roll over easy.

In Chris Gayle, they have a world class top order batsman, while bowlers Kemar Roach and Sulieman Benn are capable of ripping through any line-up. Ireland aren't taking anything for granted.

After Sunday's game against the West Indies, Ireland face a nine-day break before their next game which is against the UAE in Brisbane on Wednesday 25 February.

They then play South Africa in Canberra on Tuesday 3 March followed by games against Zimbabwe (Hobart Saturday 7 March) India (Tuesday 10 March) and Pakistan (Adelaide Sunday 15 March)

I'm covering the event for RTÉ TV and Radio naturally, but I will also be part of the BBC Test match special radio commentary team and we are doing all of the Irish games live.

But the body needs sleep even if the mind is still on Irish time (I wonder is the Six Nations on the telly)... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

John Kenny's Cricket World Cup Blog

Dengan url

http://olahragaenjoy.blogspot.com/2015/02/john-kennys-cricket-world-cup-blog.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

John Kenny's Cricket World Cup Blog

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

John Kenny's Cricket World Cup Blog

sebagai sumbernya

Olahraga Enjoy