William Porterfield's Post Match Reactions to Ireland's World Cup Warm Up Defeat to Sydney Grade Side Randwick and Petersham

Porterfield Unhappy at Rusty Ireland's World Cup Warm Up Defeat to Sydney Grade Side Randwick and Petersham

A frustrated William Porterfield believes Ireland need to be better following defeat in their opening World Cup warm up match against a well drilled and battle hardened Sydney Grade Side Randwick and Petersham. Despite some positive performances with the Bat and Ball, Porterfield felt Ireland fell short in all three disciplines and will need to be much better in the coming games, as they prepare for their crucial World Cup opener against the West Indies on the 16th of February.


Barry Chambers: William, a disappointing result. Not the momentum you would want going into a World Cup?

William Porterfield: Eh yeah, it's not great momentum, as you said, going into it. But it's a worthwhile exercise. I think obviously getting out here early, has been key to our preparations. And as I said, travelling half way across the world, it does take you a few days to get over that. So we've been a bit slow starting off in the last two days training, we've mentioned that. And we've been slow going into this game which isn't ideal. We were always going to bat first in this game, regardless. We knew it was going to be slower up front, and potentially hard to score on, and it did get slightly easier there at the end. But that's not in any way an excuse, because we weren't good enough in all three facets. I think we had good stages with the bat. We had set a couple of good platforms, but we just didn't manage to kick on, and get that one big score, individually. And also put, keep those wickets in hand nearing the end, which we did do to an extent, but just didn't bring it home as strong as we would have liked to. And were probably, yeah it obviously suggests we were 25 to 30 short there, which would have made that a lot harder for them.

Barry Chambers: We were 202 for 3, so only scored 53 in the last ten, when you would be looking 80 to 100 I suppose?

William Porterfield: Yeah we would. But also you needed myself to go and bat for another few overs there as well. So it hasn't been ideal. But obviously it is very disappointing. Coming down the back end there, and not bring it home as strongly as we would have liked. But in saying that, I don't think we're anywhere near where we can be with the ball as well, which is disappointing. I thought Andy McBrine bowled very well there and Craig Young and Maxi bowled very well at stages, and I thought Chaser didn't get as many overs as he potentially could have as well. But I think there are promising signs there. But we have to get everything nailed down, especially in those first ten overs.

Barry Chambers: We did look a little bit rusty. I mean that's fair to say, only to be expected I suppose?

William Porterfield: I wouldn't say to be expected, I think you can look at it in your first game in any tournament, after a couple of days for travel etc., you can potentially, some people can use that as an excuse. But I'm not having it really to be honest. We've had three very good days training, and we should have been a lot better than we were today.

Barry Chambers: Yes, but saying that a lot of the Batsmen looked good. Yourself, Ed Joyce, Andy Balbirnie, Niall O'Brien, Gary Wilson, all got a bit of time in the middle?

William Porterfield: Yeah, and that's crucial, obviously time in time middle and overs under the belt is as crucial as anything in the build up to a tournament. Obviously we want to be winning games like these as well, not taking anything away from the way the Randwick and Petersham played, I thought they were a very well drilled side, and they showed that. They are right in the middle of their season, which is great, and they put in a great performance. But as I say, we've got to be better than that. And obviously time in the middle is great, but I think obviously as well, coming into next week I think the pitches will get slightly quicker, and be slightly more conducive to scoring. But we've got to be able to adjust to pitches, as and when we get them. And if the toss has an effect on game, you've got to be able to adjust and score accordingly, regardless of how it is.

Barry Chambers: But over the years it's show we are very slow starters, no matter what competition we play in. But we always seem to come good at the right time?

William Porterfield: Yeah we do seem to come good at the right time. I'm not really liking that phrase, if you're saying we're kind of slow starters, I'm not really sure about that. We've got to be better than what we have been in terms of starting competitions, and obviously this is the start of a competition for us. We've got three games and this is the first of them in the build up to the 16th of February. But as you've said, we have been good when it matters, and we've stepped up to the mark. And we've got to be on the money, and we've got to do that on the 16th of February.