Ireland-Zimbabwe: Thursday, 2.30pm

Give me a pm if you fancy meeting for pints to watch this historic game tomorrow. Already getting very excited about it. From the BBC:

Ireland sensing chance of upset

World Cup Group D, Jamaica: Ireland v Zimbabwe
Match starts 1430 GMT Thursday

Ireland skipper Trent Johnston feels his side are ripe to cause an upset against an inexperienced Zimbabwe side when they meet in Jamaica on Thursday.

Player strikes and boycotts have recently hampered Zimbabwe’s chances of putting together a competitive side.

Stuart Matsikenyeri is the only player remaining from 2003’s World Cup squad.

“If we can turn up and bring our A-game to the park, especially against Zimbabwe, we think we have a chance to win,” Australian-born Johnston said.

"We know we have a very tough group, but we have our plans in place, and we are looking to execute those plans.

"West Indies are going to be difficult to beat on home soil, Pakistan are a world-class team and Zimbabwe are capable of causing an upset, but there is no reason why we cannot cause an upset of our own.

“If a bit of luck goes our way, I believe we can make it to the next round.”

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe captain Prosper Utseya admits that television footage and other information about Thursday’s opponents has not been readily available.

“We have been seeking some information about them, but we feel no pressure because we have nothing to lose - we just have to play to our best,” he said.

“We have been working very hard for the last two months, and have taken some positives out of our warm-up games.”

Despite their inexperience, he added: “If the other sides in the group do not take us seriously, it will be to our advantage.”

The sides last met in a two-match limited overs series four years ago, in which they both won one game - although the games were not recognised as official one-day internationals.

Ireland (from): T Johnston (capt), A Botha, J Bray, K Carroll, P Gillespie, D Langford-Smith, K McCallan, J Mooney, P Mooney, E Morgan, K O’Brien, N O’Brien, W Porterfield, B Rankin, A White.

Zimbabwe (from): P Utseya (capt), G Brent, J Chibhabha, E Chigumbura, K Dabengwa, T Duffin, A Ireland, F Kasteni, S Matsikenyeri, C Mpofu, T Mupariwa, E Rainsford, V Sibanda, B Taylor, S Williams.

Umpires: B Jerling (SA), I Gould (Eng)

Cheers for all the pms.

Here’s the deal.

Have been in contact with the official tfk Cricket World Cup venue, Bar 51, and they have the whole interactive set-up. It was road tested on the Australia-Scotland and Canada-Kenya games yesterday so we’ll have ball-by-ball coverage of the game today.

Meeting there at approximately 1.30pm for a Cheltenham/Cricket feast.

Won’t be able to join you today Bandage but fly that flag proudly. Are you sure you’ll get a decent seat if you only get there for half one?

I’m some up for this one now.

Me, clarkeycat and the bhoy are gonna rip it up.

Line and length, line and length and then when we’re batting, ‘HIT THE RUBBISH’.

Come on the Ireland.

Not sure if “tempting fate” works if you do it intentionally, and against your opponents, but I’ll try it; Ireland need something to work.

Ireland 44 for 3 after 11 overs; Morgan out for 21, followed in the next over by O’Brien, and in the next over Bray has been almost out twice. Ireland in big trouble.

Ireland 64-4 after 15 overs. Botha gone now too, apparently (Kevin) O’Brien replacing him looks unconvincing and Bray looking very very dodgy, surviving numerous calls already. Run-rate back down to 4 an over too. Ireland look fooked at the moment.

Aertel has us 53/2 after 10 overs which is far better. I had thought we were doing well. How we’re missing Judas.

Sorry I took a while posting there so Aertel has moved on but we were miles apart there for a moment with Aertel showing more runs for less overs and less wickets. Anyway this is looking like a horrible score.

81-4 after 20 overs, run rate getting worse and worse. Maybe I’m being too sensitive but BBC seem to be enjoying this too much (though they’re getting some stick for it from Irish viewers), must not be enough Ulstermen on the team for their liking, will stick with the good old Graudian.

112-5 after 30 overs, Irish obviously being forced to play a bit more cautiously by the fact that if we lose Bray we’re done for. But 2 runs over the 29th over, 1 off the 30th is surely too careful entirely!

Yeah I can understand the need for caution but that’s only delaying the inevitable unless we put some runs on the board.