New Delhi: Ireland have caused some sensational upsets in major ICC events which includes their giant killing act against the unpredictable Pakistanis in the 2007 World Cup which was followed by a victory over Bangladesh in the same event.
Ireland coach Phil Simmons, the former West Indies batsman, believes his side are arguably even better placed now than they were heading into the last World Cup.
Ireland travel to the Indian sub-continent with nine of the squad that did so well in 2007 while Ed Joyce has returned to Irish duty after failing to nail down a place in the England squad.
And Ireland's World Cup party also includes promising young players in the likes of teenage spinner George Dockrell and Middlesex batsman Paul Sterling.
This could be a watershed World Cup for Ireland following the decision by the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the 2015 edition will be contested by 10 teams only.
Although the ICC has insisted there might still be room for an associate or non-Test nation such as Ireland, it is hard to see how any of the 10 existing or full members will agree to a set-up that could see them fail to qualify as of right.
Matches against fellow associates the Netherlands and Test strugglers Bangladesh would appear to offer Ireland their best chance of victory in a Group B also featuring main hosts India as well as England, the West Indies and South Africa.
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