Porterfield Looking Forward to a Stern Test Against Rampant AB and South Africa

Irish Captain William Porterfield is looking forward to catching up with his Mentor and Ireland's former Coach Adi Birrell when Ireland square up to the mighty South Africans tomorrow.

Birrell now an Assistant Coach with South Africa could have the inside track on his former team.

Porterfield wants Ireland to take care of their own game rather than worry about what the South Africans will bring to the table.

If Ireland do that, and play to the best of their ability, then that's all that he can ask for.

Barry Chambers: William a huge game tomorrow, but two wins out of two, you go into the game with a bit of confidence?

William Porterfield: Yeah we do. We played well in the last couple of games. And as you said confidence is high within the squad. So we've just got to start again. Start the process again, which we have done over the last couple of days. And start from scratch from tomorrow.

Barry Chambers: And everyone is fit and working hard in the nets. Any thought of maybe a few changes for tomorrow. You've had a few long conversations with the Coach and the Selectors?

William Porterfield: Yeah we'll have a few more chats whenever we get back today. And as long as everyone pulls up already we've got the 15 to choose from. But we had one change for the last game, but all fifteen are back up for selection again. Until we speak to everyone, we won't be releasing anything.

Barry Chambers: You've played on this pitch before. A big ground, but the word on the street is that it tends to be a little bit slower than you've been used to before?

William Porterfield: Yeah, we played in October, I think it was, not slightly better, I think it wasn't as slow as potentially what it has done now. Obviously we've had a long summer, Australian summer here. So once the weather flares up it generally, the last couple of games that's been played on it, potentially got a bit slower throughout the game. It looks like a fresh deck again. So we'll have to see how that plays tomorrow.

Barry Chambers: It's been a good start, but there's been a bit of a delay between the matches. But they come thick and fast now, you've four sort of in 11 or 12 days?

William Porterfield: Yeah we knew at the start that we had the West Indies game, we had a bit of a break, and then as you said I think it was 5 or 6 days before this game. But after now it's pretty much travel to and play, travel to and play. So they're going to come thick and fast, as you say, and we've got to be right on it.

Barry Chambers: And it must be very difficult, as a captain, a team like South Africa, we saw what they did to the West Indies the other day. Have you come up with a few ideas of how to counteract that?

William Porterfield: Yeah obviously they've got world class players through their line up, and lads that can win games. But we've got to worry about what we can do, and what we're in control of. If someone comes out and plays they way AB did the other day, then you've got to say well played. But no we're confident with what we have, and how we can go about things.

And we know, all the bowlers know what they can offer, and what they've got to do. So as long as they're happy with what they've done, and the plans they've got, and if they execute them to the best they can, if someone takes the game away from there, then you've got to say well played. But as long as we're executing the best we can, in what we want to do, then we'll be happy.

Barry Chambers: And a familiar face in the South African ranks, Adi Birrell who gave you your debut. Maybe just a wee bit, not controversial at the time, but he picked you when you were a little bit unknown outside the North West?

William Porterfield: Yeah well obviously Adi backed me. I had quite a few conversations with Adi before I played for Ireland. And one of the things was to get back and play club cricket in Ireland, which I did, so people could see me. So no I'm ever grateful to Adi for giving me that opportunity. And obviously coaching us right the way up through. And an U-19 World Cup he went to with us as well. I have a lot of respect and a lot of time for Adi. He was a great Coach for Ireland and a great mentor for myself. And it will be great to see him again to catch up.