However far Ireland progress in this tournament, they have done enough to confirm their standing as comfortably the best Associate. The moment they qualified for the ICC World Twenty20, they had Bangladesh in their sights and duly knocked them aside on Monday with a comprehensive six-wicket win. Subdued celebrations followed, perhaps owing to their increased belief of challenging Test nations, but moreover the realisation that the next hurdle will be far trickier to leap.
That they are facing an injured New Zealand can only help, however. Jesse Ryder has been ruled out with severe pain in his groin, and remains in hospital suffering from "a significant infection", while Ross Taylor's hamstring has forced the selectors to rest him. Daniel Vettori, the captain, continues to recover from a shoulder niggle and may not play, though James Franklin ought to return after his knee injury. This puts tremendous pressure on the support players to perform immediately; if they have even one eye off the ball, they will pay. Ireland may be an Associate, but unlike Scotland they fear no-one.
Ireland, too, have injury concerns. Niall O'Brien damaged his ankle in Ireland's last match, while Trent Johnston has a sore shoulder, forcing both players to be rested for their match against India. Ireland desperately need their best players, including this pair, to be fit and firing if they are to challenge a bruised New Zealand.
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