Stirling sees major threats in Zimbabwe ranks

Paul Stirling has warned his Ireland team-mates that Zimbabwe will still be a major threat despite the loss of their influential captain Elton Chigumbura for tomorrow's World Cup clash in Hobart, Tasmania (3.30am Irish time).

Speaking to RTÉ's John Kenny, Stirling said of his former team-mate: "Chigumbura's a big player for them no doubt. I've played with him in the same team in Bangladesh [Sylhet in the Bangladesh Premier League].

"He hits a long ball and gets those big scores at the end of an innings and he wins games for teams.

"Hopefully for us he'll be a big miss for them but we know whoever comes in for him will be a strong player as well.

"It's a big game but we'll treat it like we've been treating the rest of the games. We'll go into it with the same preparations. We'll get out there tomorrow and hopefully win."

Even without all-rounder Chigumbura, who picked up a leg injury in the loss to West Indies, Zimbabwe still have the likes of strong middle order batsman such as Brendan Taylor and Craig Irvine to cause Phil Simmons charges problems.

"They've got a great set in middle order with a big three, four, five and six for them," said Stirling. "That middle order will be a big area for us tomorrow, if we can capitalise and get a few of those wickets."

"That middle order will be big area for us tomorrow, if we can capitalise and get a few of those wickets" - Paul Stirling

Twenty-four-year-old Middlesex all-rounder Stirling has been in good form in the World Cup, notching up an impressive 92 with the bat in the win over West Indies and also pocketing two wickets in the defeat of the UAE.

"It's been great, I feel in really good nick," he said.

"I've been bowling pretty well and catching the ball and I'm happy with how I'm going."

Ireland have won two of their three matches so far. After Zimbabwe they still have to face India and Pakistan in their remaining Group B games, with a quarter-final spot up for grabs.

Net run-rate could also be crucial in the scramble to get out of the group, but Stirling is adamant the focus is solely on victory against Zimbabwe and nothing beyond that.

"It's about winning and getting those two points no matter how they come.

"We're just focused on Zimbabwe and once tomorrow's over we'll plan for India and so on."

Follow Ireland v Zimbabwe live on RTÉ.ie with Ed Leahy from 3am on Saturday morning.

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