Johnston doubtful to face Windies

So much of sport is about momentum. Many of the clichés we habitually use celebrate its role. Winners are irresistible, on a roll, a force of nature and come good at the right time. It's elusive, like quicksilver. And when it's gone, it's gone.

Ireland's cricketers have had it with them these past few, exhilarating days. The question now is, can they keep it?

Late on Saturday afternoon, Pakistan's hugely-talented fast bowlers charged in, demanding their skill be recognised. Under such pressure to win, the default position is to try hard. If only it were that easy. Winners exist in a happy bubble, an other-worldly place of loose-limbed freedom.

Compare the ride enjoyed by Ireland to that of their close rivals in Associate cricket, Scotland.

The Scots' World Cup campaign has been defined by two enormous defeats, to Australia and South Africa, that systematically exposed the class divide between Test and associate cricket.

Meanwhile, Ireland were favoured by the drawing of Zimbabwe as their first game, culminating in a classic dogfight between equally matched teams. The result, and the pictures, went around the world.

Going into the Pakistan game, on St Patrick's Day no less, they were pumped up, ready to perform. The celebrations went long into the night. It was like a cup final.

But that was then. The challenge for coach Adrian Birrell in the run-up to Friday's final group game against West Indies in Kingston is how to keep his players moving forward. Beyond the everyday nuts and bolts of training drills and net practice, it is the ultimate test of a sports coach. The "one-day-at-a-time" philosophy is difficult to sustain as the prospect of progress into the Super Eights looms.

Today President Mary McAleese is to call to wish the players well, and emails of congratulations have been received from Minister for Social and Family Affairs Séamus Brennan and Minister for Sport John O'Donoghue. (Taoiseach Bertie Ahern wrote a letter to Irish Cricket Union (ICU) secretary John Wright wishing them well before the team set off.)

The excitement of playing among the elite for four more weeks is weighed against the practical issues.

One of the best things about spending time with this group of players is that they are grounded by their lives at home. But as the itinerary grows, so too the pressure to balance cricket with family and career commitments.

ICU honorary secretary Wright and president Murray Power, who are travelling with the group, along with team manager Roy Torrens, are in constant discussions with the players and coach. Money is at the top of their agenda.

"It is a testing time for the ICU because another month could bankrupt them," says Birrell. "It's uncharted waters, and the next few days will be very interesting."

Currently, the prize money won by the team will go to the players. This is $10,000 (€7,518) for a win and $5,000 (€3,760) for a lost game. This will rise substantially in the Super Eights, where a minimum $50,000 (€37,588) awaits the last-placed team.

There is considerable disparity between what the ICU receives from this World Cup, compared to the elite nations, including Pakistan who are going home this week. Ireland get $500,000 (€375,872) over four years from the ICC's high-performance programme. They receive no extra funds beyond prize money.

By comparison, England, Australia and the rest of the Test-playing nations will walk away with $12 million (€9 million) from TV rights to the tournament, regardless of how they perform. This is in addition to prize money that runs to $2.5 million (€1.9 million) for the winners.

Three months of intense cricket is beginning to take its toll as much on the body as the wallet. Opening bowler Boyd Rankin has a side strain and all-rounder Andre Botha a lingering problem with his right elbow.

By far the most significant is captain Trent Johnston's shoulder problem, which threatens to keep him out of the West Indies game.

Ireland's team physiotherapist, Iain Knox, described the problem as "a subluxation of the shoulder joint", which in layman terms means it is not quite dislocated.

It is an old injury reignited by Johnston in the final moments of the Zimbabwe game and made worse by his stunning, diving catch against Pakistan. Johnston is adamant he will play, saying, "It's not everyday you get to spin a coin with Brian Lara."

When asked who would make the ultimate decision on his inclusion, he answered, "I will."

Much will depend upon whether Ireland need to beat the hosts to progress. Birrell's view was "all of us would make the decision" on Johnston's inclusion.

Thus there was much to discuss over dinner on Monday evening, spent in the convivial surroundings of Strawberry Hill, the stunning, mountain-top eyrie overlooking the city of Kingston and home of Jamaican Irish music mogul Chris Blackwell.

It was Blackwell who founded Island Records, sending Bob Marley and U2 out into the world. The mood was relaxed as the team ate in the colonial-style log cabins, surrounded by Joshua Tree memorabilia and gold discs of some of the world's greatest music talent.

It provided much needed respite, from which the team can plan the rest of this incredible journey.