PHIL SIMMONS officially named his squad of 15 for next month's World Cup yesterday.

The squad is the same as that touring Dubai for four ODIs against Afghanistan and Scotland next week.

The captain, William Porterfield, all-rounder John Mooney and the O'Brien brothers, Kevin and Niall, are the only survivors from both the 2007 and 2011 World Cups.

Ed Joyce played in 2007 for England before returning to Ireland in time to play in India four years ago.

The squad selection was criticised last month after leading Leinster Lightning players Max Sorensen and Andrew Poynter were sensationally omitted.

National Head Coach Simmons will now have to completely remould his attack having selected Sorensen for Ireland's last eight ODIs.

Tim Murtagh, Craig Young, Stuart Thompson, Andrew McBrine, Andrew Balbirnie and Peter Chase have all been called up for their first World Cup.

"Craig Young has been fantastic since he broke into the team, and has continued to develop, while Peter Chase is growing in confidence and skill all the time”, Simmons said.

“Peter, with his pace and extra bounce, is important for the type of Australian wickets we will play on in the UAE."
"It was a very difficult decision for the selectors to leave out Max Sorensen and Andrew Poynter but this just shows the competition for places in the squad."

"It's fantastic to be leading Ireland in another global tournament," said 30 year-old Porterfield.

"We've produced some wonderful performances over the years in World Cups, and there's no reason why we can't claim further successes in Australia and New Zealand.

"While we may have lost the surprise factor over the years, we've certainly gained a lot of respect for our brand of cricket which has been pretty pleasing.”

Ireland have brought five extra bowlers to the UAE to assist preparation, Max Sorensen, Graeme McCarter, Eddie Richardson, Tyrone Kane and Barry McCarthy.


IRELAND WORLD CUP SQUAD: Porterfield (captain, Warwickshire, 69 ODI caps), Balbirnie (Middlesex, 7), Chase (Malahide, 0), Cusack (Clontarf, 51), Dockrell (Somerset, 39), Joyce (Sussex, 41), McBrine (Donemana, 2), Mooney (North County, 51), Murtagh (Middlesex, 10), K O'Brien (Railway Union, 80), N O'Brien (Leicestershire, 60), Stirling (Middlesex, 47), Thompson (Eglinton, 6), Wilson (Surrey), Young (Bready, 3).