T20 Player Ratings v West Indies

A hugely disappointing opening result for Ireland as they lost to West Indies by 70 runs in Group D.

William Porterfield
Porterfield started strongly with a boundary, but the Irish captain lasted just two balls last night. Much more is needed from our opening batsman.
Rating: 4

Paul Stirling
A lot is expected from the Irish youngster, but he failed to live up to expectations yesterday, scoring no runs from four balls. His bowling was also sub-par, as he gave 15 runs in just two overs.
Rating: 2

Niall O'Brien
The Irish wicket-keeper was very aggressive with the bat again, and as usual, this led to his early demise. He'll always guarantee a high strike rate, but can be inconsistent with regards to runs scored. Made two impressive catches behind also.
Rating: 4

Alex Cusack
One of many who were ousted by the partnership of Sammy and Rampaul, Cusack was very poor with the bat. His stint with the ball was better, taking 2 wickets for 19 in 3 overs. One of the better performers, but his batting needs to vastly improve.
Rating: 5

Gary Wilson
Ireland's best batsman yesterday, with a high score of 17. A good attempt, but in this format, a higher strikerate is needed. Made a momentous catch to take out Chanderpaul. Ireland's second best player yesterday.
Rating: 7

Kevin O'Brien
Incredibly poor with the ball, and thus allowed just one over. However, he was the second highest scorer with the bat. This was a game that neither O'Brien brother will want to remember.
Rating: 4

Trent Johnston
One to forget for the big man Johnston too. He scored 5 runs from 10 balls with the bat, which was decent considering the other performances yesterday, but was far from impressive bowling. Allowed 9 runs per over, a rate which needs to be dramatically reduced.
Rating: 3

John Mooney
LBWed after just three balls, Mooney made no impression whatsoever on the game. After this performance, I would not be surprised if he is dropped for the England match.
Rating: 2

Andre Botha
Ireland's only batsman who wasn't taken out by the fantastic West Indies bowlers, Botha scored just four runs from 11 balls. His bowling was very good, ending on 2-7 from two overs. Expect him to be given more time with the ball against England.
Rating: 7

Boyd Rankin
Took two wickets for an average economy, Rankin was decent yesterday. The expulsion of Chanderpaul was his highlight. Came up against Sammy, and was never a match, scoring just a single run.
Rating: 6

George Dockrell
Ireland's best player yesterday. The bowler was never expected to do anything with the bat, so his duck seems irrelevant. 3-16 is far from irrelevant, his four allotted overs were Ireland's finest moment yesterday. We need everyone to perform like this to get anything from our final group game.
Rating: 8

U19 Player Ratings v Bangladesh

Ireland sadly lost by 195 runs to Bangladesh in the ICC Under 19 World Cup Plate competition - for the best runners up, and essentially came 10th in the World Cup overall. Not a terrible result for Ireland, but it would have been nice to win the Plate after missing out on the quarter finals. Once again, Ireland's batting was not strong enough, and Bangladesh played an all-round better game of cricket in Napier, New Zealand.

Stuart Thompson
Better at the bat from Thompson, scoring 20 runs from 27 balls. He also took one wicket with the ball, allowing 28 runs in 6 overs. A decent finale from the opener.
Rating: 7

Lee Nelson
A hugely disappointing game from Nelson as he was run out for four, and gave away a massive 57 runs from eight overs. We've seen better from him earlier in the competition, and perhaps the pressure of being moved to opening bat was too much for him.
Rating: 4

Paul Stirling
Lasted only eight balls at bat, but put a fine 11 runs on the scoreboard, when Ireland were chasing. Worked hard, and would have had a real impact if he stayed in longer. His aggression let him down. Bowled six overs, but took no wickets and allowed 32 runs.
Rating: 6

Andrew Balbirnie
A game of two vastly different halves from the Irish under-19 cricket captain. Bowled a masterful 4-59 in ten overs, but did not even score one run at bat. Was lbwed on his first ball, and never got a chance to gain ground on Bangladesh.
Rating: 6

James Shannon
Shannon had another disappointing game, making just two runs in ten balls. He lasted fourteen minutes, but made no significant impact on the game.
Rating: 4

Ben Ackland
Another fine spell at bat from Ackland, but his low run-rate did not help Ireland's cause. He was 34 not out at the game's end, but needed more than just two fours to help reach the target. That said, he was Ireland's highest scorer yesterday, which is to be commended.
Rating: 7

Graham McDonnell
Very aggressive batting from McDonnell, who scored 31 in 42 balls, including 3 fours and a six. His strike-rate of 78.30 was exactly what was needed to help push Ireland towards the required run-rate, but sadly it was not enough.
Rating: 7

Stuart Poynter
Definitely one to forget for Poynter. He did absolutely nothing the entire game, in fact, he didn't even face one ball during his time at bat. Run-out after just four minutes, he'll be no doubt extremely disappointed with his performance here.
Rating: 1

Shane Getkate
The highlight of Getkate's game was his one maiden over, however giving 53 runs up in the other 8 was not his best. Took no wickets, and at bat scored a measly 4 runs from 32 balls.
Rating: 4

Eddie Richardson
Richardson's ODI debut at this level was a decent, but far from brilliant start. Took one wicket in his four overs with the ball, but gave away far too many runs (43). In addition, he scored nothing with the bat, facing only one ball.
Rating: 5

Craig Young
2-33 was a good score for Young, allowing 33 runs in 7 overs. 0 from 1 ball was not, when he was asked to bat at the end of Ireland's innings, and when he was caught behind, Kamrul Islam Rabbi celebrated his hat-trick as Bangladesh won the match in style.
Rating: 6

U19 Player Ratings vs USA

Ireland won their third and final group game at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand by five wickets thanks to fantastic batting from Paul Stirling and equally inspired bowling by Lee Nelson.

Andrew Balbirnie
Another disappointing batting spell from Ireland's under-19 captain, but his bowling was vastly improved against USA. Scored just three runs, but his 1-26 in 9 overs was very impressive, keeping the run rate down to help Ireland's required target.
Rating: 7

Stuart Thomspon
A decent stint at bat from SR Thompson, lasting an hour and scoring 27 runs. His bowling wasn't as strong, giving away 21 runs in just three overs.
Rating: 6

Paul Stirling
This is the performance we've been waiting for from Stirling. It was only a matter of time before he'd get his chance to shine in New Zealand. Took one wicket for 37 runs in 8 overs, but it was with the bat where he shone. Ireland's first century of the tournament, a remarkable 114 fom 104 balls.
Rating: 9

Ben Ackland
Not as good as previous outings, Ackland got just sixteen runs in 35 minutes, this was a decent score, but should do better against weak opposition. His catch on Sewdial was a highlight.
Rating: 6

Lee Nelson
A hugely disappointing inning with the bat, lasting just three balls and scoring no runs. However, his bowling was the complete opposite, as he finished off the American tail in style. Took three quick wickets in just seven balls, allowing a measly three runs. Phenomenal.
Rating: 8

Graham McDonnell
An excellent outing with the bat as McDonnell took it upon himself to ensure victory. Scored 35 runs not out, including one four and a stunning six. Forged a lovely partnership with Stirling, which gained Ireland their first victory.
Rating: 8

Stuart Poynter
Five runs from five balls in five minutes, SW Poynter had a nice short inning with the bat, but held his nerve when needed. His two catches (particularly for Saleem) were also essential to Ireland's victory.
Rating: 7

George Dockrell
Did not bat, but got the full ten overs with the ball. Allowed just 34 runs, taking one wicket. This was a decent outing from Dockrell, keeping the run rate down as well as taking out the threat of Sewdial.
Rating: 7

Adrian D'Arcy
Did not bat and did not bowl. it's hard to give D'Arcy any kind of rating, as he featured in no game-changing plays, and was not noticiable for the majority of the game.
Rating: 5

Jordan Coghlan
Bowled eight overs, and spent no time batting. Took no wickets, but allowed 44 runs. Will have to try to allow less runs in the next game against Zimbabwe.
Rating: 6

Craig Young
Obviously did not bat, but was very strong with the ball. Allowed too many runs: 50, but his three wickets in nine overs greatly helped the Irish attempt. His five wides is a cause for concern however.
Rating: 6

U19 Player Ratings vs Australia

Player ratings for Ireland's second Group B game at the 2010 ICC Under-19 World Cup against Australia.

Andrew Balbirnie
Another below-expectations performance from the Ireland captain. Improved slightly with the bat, but will need to be scoring much more than 7 runs to make any sort of impact. Bowled ten overs, but took no wickets and allowed 52 runs. Disappointing.
Rating: 4

Stuart Thompson
Scored 19 runs off 55 balls, which was the highest score with the bat against Australia, but was still not enough. His strike rate should be significantly higher. Decent with the ball, only allowing 22 runs in 5 overs.
Rating: 6

Paul Stirling
A match to forget for the senior international, was bowled on his first ball and allowed 46 runs in 8 overs. Hopefully keeps his place against America, so can show his true ability.
Rating: 2

Ben Ackland
Ireland's best batsman of the tournament so far, scored only 11 against Australia, but that still proved to be the second highest score of any man in a green shirt.
Rating: 6

Lee Nelson
After his excellent performance against South Africa, Nelson suffered a horrendous lapse in concentration and was bowled on a single after just seven balls. Must do better.
Rating: 3

Graham McDonnell
A horrid innings from McDonnell, lasting three balls and scoring no runs. He ran out Floros, which was the only highlight of a terrible match for the batsman.
Rating: 2

Adrian D'Arcy
Scored 5 runs from 16 balls in his first game of the tournament. Thus, it's hard to tell if it was a good decision to have D'Arcy replace the injured James Shannon, who looks set to miss the final game on Tuesday.
Rating: 4

Stuart Poynter
After his splendid outing with the bat against South Africa, Poynter was under a lot of pressure having been put into bat with more than half the match remaining. had a high strike rate again, scoring 4 runs in 6 balls. His wicketkeeping was strong again, stumping Beaton.
Rating: 5

George Dockrell
Ireland's joint third highest scorer yesterday with 7 runs. Was stubborn at bat, lasting nearly half an hour, but it was too much to ask him to try and win the match single-handedly. Our best bowler by far, taking 2 wickets in 9 overs, and giving up just 38 runs.
Rating: 7

Jordan Coghlan
Replaced the poor Shane Getkate, and looked much better than his predecessor. Scored just two runs, but with the ball he took two superb wickets, allowing 62 runs in 10 overs. His run rate needs to be cut down, but the wicket-taking is very promising.
Rating: 6

Craig Young
The only Irish batsman not out against Australia, but did not get any time to make a name for himself. Scored no runs, but never had a chance to either. Had a poor time with the ball, giving up 54 runs in 8 overs, and must do better if he starts against America.
Rating: 3

U19 Player Ratings vs South Africa

Andrew Balbirnie
Not the best World Cup start from Ireland's captain. Only scored a single run from 24 balls. Was somewhat better bowling, taking 1-45 in 9 overs with one maiden, but would need higher scores at the bat, as well as a lower economy to shine at this tournament.
Rating: 6

Stuart Thompson
A fantastic day bowling for Thompson, taking 2 wickets for the 29 runs he gave up. His batting was below par however, only hitting six from fifteen. He did hit one boundary though, so hopefully that's a good sign for games to come.
Rating: 7

Paul Stirling
A lot is expected of Stirling at this World Cup, and he performed admirably in his first game. He scored a quick 19 in 29 balls, hitting three fours. But his bowling was even better. He took 2 wickets in 10 overs, allowing 42 runs.
Rating: 8

James Shannon
A hugely disappointing match for Shannon. There's so much better to come from him in the next two games, but unfortunately he scored a single run in the opening match. He stayed around for only 17 balls. He did however field somewhat better, catching Nofal.
Rating: 3

Ben Ackland
Ireland's standout performer with the bat yesterday, hitting a wonderful 66. Lasted 107 balls, and hit four boundaries. If he can keep up this pace throughout, he could well be our player of the tournament.
Rating: 8

Lee Nelson
Forged a wonderful partnership with Ackland, scoring 55 in 75 balls. Hit four fours and a six, and ended with a strike rate of 73.33. He solitary over with the ball wasn't great, allowing 9 runs. Luckily he's so good with the bat.
Rating: 8

Graham McDonnell
A marvellous 24 not out from 21 balls, McDonnell batted superbly to dramatically increase the RRR for South Africa. His partnership with Poynter was splendid.
Rating: 8

Stuart Poynter
Had a strike rate of 178.57 at the match's end. In 14 balls, he hit a fantastic 25. This included one glorious 6. Also caight Richards behind the wicket. My man of the match.
Rating: 9

Shane Getkate
Bowled just four overs, giving away 36 runs, it was a below average performance from the bowler. There's better to come. Hopefully.
Rating: 3

Craig Young
Economy-wise, Ireland's best bowler yesterday. gave just 15 runs in 4 overs, ending with an economy of 3.75. Pity he didn't take any wickets.
Rating: 7

George Dockrell
Bowled 9 overs, giving up 43 runs, this was a decent start to the tournament from Dockrell in his first World Cup game. Expect wickets to fall in the next two games.
Rating: 7