Cricket World Cup, Super 8: Ireland vs England preview

England today face an Ireland side that they should beat with greater ease than a pissed bloke can fall off a pedalo.  But we've heard that before about England teams in every sport ever playes and it is not always the case, and the enormous spanner in the works here is that England must win to realistically have a chance of reaching the semis.  England don't do pressure very well, as Adelaide 2006 proved, and I fear the worst.

Ireland, as a counterpoint, have absolutely nothing to lose.  They can simply revel in all the patronising overtures about "pluckyness" and "fighting spirit" etc etc before setting out to throuroughly enjoy the game and the event.

Having said all that I think England will win, but only after resticting Ireland to a modest total and then creaking past it like a rusty pram, 8 wickets down.  [lee calvert]