WHAT happens at the Oval over the next few hours could be a deciding factor in Ireland's one-day international against England at Stormont on Thursday. At time of writing England are well placed, although the series between two mediocre sides has swung so violently back and forth that it would be a fool who would presume anything.

CricketIreland must be hoping for an England win, for two very good reasons. The first is obviously that the wave of hysteria will ensure that the last few hundred of the 7,000 tickets will be snapped up. And the second is that should England arrive at Stormont having consumed even half the amount of alcohol they did in 2005, then the chances of a home win in the RSA Challenge will be greatly increased.

One member of the Irish team who won't agree with that line of thought, however, is Trent Johnston. The all-rounder was born in Sydney and blanches at the suggestion that the Poms might just reclaim the Ashes.

'It's been a great series', he told Inside Edge early yesterday, 'although it didn't go great for Australia yesterday. If they roll them over for less than 200 then we might have a slim chance. But it doesn't look good. They should have played Hauritz.'

He will get his own chance to wreak revenge on Thursday, in a game which could well turn out to be his 100th for Ireland. Having played his 99th game yesterday against Scotland, the forecast is grim for today's ODI in Aberdeen. He would relish the chance to play the milestone cap – becoming the ninth man to do so – in front of a full house on home turf.

'It'll be interesting to see what team England put out. They haven't been great over 50 over cricket for a while now, but they've got some seriously good cricketers in their team. We'll have to play out of our skins – play the game of our lives – to even get close.'

England are without the injured Kevin Pietersen, and have rested captain Andrew Strauss. Reports this weekend suggest that Andrew Flintoff will undergo knee surgery on Tuesday. The side that turns up will be captained by Paul Collingwood, and will include Ireland's own Eoin Morgan, plus Ashes stars such as Stuart Broad, Matt Prior, James Anderson and Graeme Swann. (For those members of the English media who harp on about Ireland's naturalized players: the count at Stormont will be 4-4.)

Johnston returned to Dublin in early 2004 clutching his new Irish passport and won his first cap against Surrey that May.

'Putting on the baggy blue cap was a great feeling,' he recalled. 'I was playing with Clontarf at the time so it was great to be at home, taking on Surrey, who had 9 or 10 international cricketers. And then we beat them!'

There have been many more memorable games in the last five years, none more than 2007 World Cup victories over Pakistan and Bangladesh when he was captain. 'Runs and wicket totals don't really turn me on, but I always thought 100 caps would be a great achievement, so I'm happy to get here.'

There is a serious worry about the fitness of Boyd Rankin, who strained a groin in taking 5-85 for Warwickshire on Thursday, including the wicket of Shiv Chanderpaul for 0. The big bowler will remain with his club for treatment but the injury usually needs 7-10 days treatment.

Phil Simmons is at least happy that all his county players are available for selection. 'I always maintain that with a full strength squad, we are a match for any country on our day. We've shown that with our results in the past, and we'll continue to do so in the future.'

'I don't know if this is the best Ireland team ever, but we have a great bunch of talented cricketers who are playing with great confidence at the moment. We have got great depth in our batting, and plenty of options in the bowling as well. If we play well, then certainly we can beat England. They will be favourites for sure, but cricket has a nice habit of throwing up surprises.'

This is Ireland's third game in recent years against our nearest neighbours, but the first with the attractive new RSA Challenge Trophy at stake. 'Three years ago they needed a ton from Marcus Trescothick and we still only lost by 30 runs,' points out Johnston. 'We know what we have to do: if we do it then we can win.'
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SIX Irish women are in the ICC Europe squad for a week of games against the ECB Academy side. The sextet, made up of Heather and Jill Whelan, Cecilia and Isobel Joyce, Eimear Richardson and Clare Shillington, have been selected for coaching at Worksop College in Nottinghamshire this weekend in preparation for next week's series of four matches. Nicki Coffey was also selected but a late injury has ruled her out.