ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL: IRELAND COACH Phil Simmons has backed skipper William Porterfield to take out his recent frustrations against Kenya during the three-game RSA Challenge that gets under way at Castle Avenue in Clontarf this morning (10.45am).

The 24-year-old was left out of Gloucestershire’s side for their Friends Provident Trophy semi-final against Sussex at Hove last Sunday, despite being one of their top three scorers in the competition this season.

It was another Irish left-hander that took the plaudits on the day as Ed Joyce made a career-best one-day score of 146 to propel Sussex to the final at Lord’s.

After missing out on the drawn Intercontinental Cup clash between the sides, Simmons is confident his skipper can make an impact against the Africans.

“I’m sure Porty will be looking to score a few after not figuring in Gloucester’s team. Let’s hope he takes it out on Kenya with a few big scores. He’s been one of the leading run scorers in the competition, and has looked in great touch all year. He scored heavily for us in South Africa, and is a superb asset to the team,” said Simmons.

Simmons can also call on the services of Warwickshire bowler Boyd Rankin for the series, a player who reacted in a positive manner after being left out of the Ireland side for the game against New Zealand at the World Twenty20.

“Boyd will be looking to carry on from where he left off in the T20 where he caused top international players real problems. He hasn’t played many one-day games for Warwickshire this year, but has featured in their four-day side,” added Simmons.

John Mooney, one of the standout players for Ireland during that tournament, comes back into the squad after missing the four-day game, with Andrew Poynter and Jeremy Bray the two to make way.

IRELAND(squad): W Porterfield (Gloucestershire, capt), A Botha (North County), A Britton (Fox Lodge), P Connell (North Down), A Cusack (Clontarf), T Johnston (Railway Union), K McCallan (Waringstown), J Mooney (North County), K O'Brien (Railway Union/Nottinghamshire), B Rankin (Warwickshire), P Stirling (Carrickfergus), R West (Civil Service North), A White (Instonians), G Wilson (Surrey, wkts).

KENYA(from) M Ouma (capt), J Kamande, K Obuya, A Obanda, S Tikolo, C Obuya, T Odoyo, N Odhiambo, L Onyango, P Ongondo, H Varaiya, R Patel, E Otieno, S Waters, D Obuya.