Simmons opts for the tried and tested for qualifiers

CRICKET:MIDDLESEX BATSMAN Eoin Morgan has been named in a extremely experienced, 15-man Ireland squad for the World Cup Qualifying event in South Africa.

The 22-year-old from Dublin is in New Zealand with England A, but will join his Ireland colleagues next month ahead of the opening game against Scotland on April 1st.

Morgan, who won the last of his 52 caps against Bangladesh last March, takes the place of Strabane bowler Phil Eaglestone in the only change from the squad which claimed a third straight Intercontinental Cup in South Africa back in November.

Ireland coach Phil Simmons has named 10 of the squad which performed heroics at the World Cup in 2007, relying heavily on experienced players, with an average of almost 60 caps each among the 15 players.

“The players have all worked hard and they all know what it means to play on the world stage. They’ve had a taste of it, and they want to embrace it again,” said Simmons.

“With so much at stake in terms of qualification, and the associated financial rewards, there’s bound to be a lot of pressure games, and I think the squad that’s been selected is better placed than most to handle it.

“They’ve been in a lot of tough games over the years and acquitted themselves superbly. There’s a good balance to the squad, and having so many quality all-rounders gives us lots of options,” he added.

Simmons and his squad will depart for Johannesburg on March 14th to prepare for the event, and are set to play three warm-up games before the tournament gets under way on April 1st.

Twelve teams will take part, with the top four sides earning a place in the 2011 World Cup.

Along with great rivals Scotland, Ireland will also play Namibia, Canada, Uganda and Oman in their Group A fixtures, with the top four teams going through to the Super Eight phase of the competition.

Ireland skipper William Porterfield believes his side have the quality to progress to another World Cup.

“I think we’ve been drawn in slightly the tougher group, but with the competition format, if we want to progress, we have to play well against all the top sides.

“I’d be confident we can progress and keep Irish cricket very much on the map,” admitted Porterfield.