Twenty20 World Cup Qualifier 200, Ireland Player Biographies

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Ireland Player Biographies


William Porterfield (captain) DOB: 6/9/84 Born: Londonderry Batting/Bowling: LHB/OB	Currently plays his first-class cricket for Gloucestershire in the UK. Member of the Ireland team in the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup 2004. Leading run-scorer for Ireland in the ICC World Cricket League Division One in 2007, scoring centuries against Bermuda and Kenya. Made a vital 85 against Bangladesh at the ICC CWC 2007 as they won by 74 runs. His favourite cricketer is Brian Lara.
André Botha DOB: 12/9/75 Born: Johannesburg, South Africa Batting/Bowling: LHB/RM	He made two half centuries in his first three ODI appearances, including a 52 against England on debut. Leading wicket-taker for Ireland in the ICC World Cricket League Division One in January 2007 with 13 wickets. Took five wickets in the ICC CWC 2007 but struggled with the bat. A reliable all-rounder and has been an invaluable member of the team in the ICC Intercontinental Cup in recent seasons. Likes playing golf and snooker in his spare time.
Peter Connell DOB: 13/8/81 Born: Dannevirke, New Zealand Batting/Bowling: RHB/RMF	Has previously represented Ireland A. Had a difficult introduction to ODI cricket, taking 0-95 against New Zealand on debut although he did make 22 runs. Connell became only the 16th bowler in the history of first-class to take a hat-trick on debut while taking 10 wickets in the match against the Netherlands in the ICC Intercontinental Cup in July 2008. The 26-year-old medium-pacer is the first player to take a hat-trick on debut in an international match while the other 15 hat-tricks have come in either county, state or provincial matches.
Alex Cusack DOB: 29/10/80 Born: Brisbane, Australia Batting/Bowling: RHB/RM	Won the man-of-the-match award on his ODI debut when he took 3-15 and also made 36 against South Africa in June 2007. Cricketing hero is Steve Waugh Favourite T20 shot is a slog over mid-wicket. Interests include fishing, movies, music and travelling. He is a carpenter.
Thinus Fourie DOB: 23/7/79 Born: Cape Town, South Africa Batting/Bowling: RHB/RMF	Made his first-class debut in the ICC Intercontinental Cup final, taking 3-31 in the first innings. Has struggled to have a real impact on ODI cricket to date. He is a full-time cricket coach. Hobbies include cricket, rugby, golf and tennis. His nickname is 'Tin Tin'.
Trent Johnston DOB: 29/4/74 Born: Wollongong, New South Wales Batting/Bowling: RHB/RFM	Played for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield in the late 1990s, alongside the likes of Brett Lee, Michael Slater and Mark Taylor. Captained Ireland at the ICC CWC 2007 and hit the winning runs in its victory over Pakistan. Took eight wickets in the competition overall. Led Ireland to consecutive wins in the ICC Intercontinental Cup in 2006 and 2007. Announced in March 2008 that he was taking a break from international cricket and didn't feature in any of the Friend Provident Trophy matches. Favourite cricketer is Malcolm Marshall.
Gary Kidd DOB: 18/9/85 Born: Craigavon Batting/Bowling: LHB/SLA	Member of the Ireland squad at the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup 2004 and 2006. He is second in the list of most ducks in the history of the event! Made his first ODI appearance in July 2007 and already has gained experience of playing against the West Indies and New Zealand. Attended the ICC European Cricket Academy in 2008 in Mumbai. Favourite cricketer is Daniel Vettori. Hobbies include playing the guitar, golf and squash.
Kyle McCallan DOB: 27/8/75 Born: Carrickfergus Batting/Bowling: RHB/OB	Took eight wickets at the ICC World Cricket League 2007, including 4-36 against Kenya. Was vice-captain in the ICC CWC 2007, taking 10 wickets during the course of the tournament. Favourite Twenty20 shot is a reverse sweep. His full-time occupation is a PE teacher and he enjoys playing the guitar and golf. Favourite cricketer is Steve Waugh, although he also shares a birthday with Sir Donald Bradman.
Eoin Morgan DOB: 10/9/86 Born: Dublin Batting/Bowling: LHB/RM	He has played for Ireland at every level from the U/13s and he plays his cricket for Middlesex in England. Enjoyed an outstanding ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup 2006, scoring 338 runs at an average of 67.60. He was run out for 99 on his ODI debut against Scotland. Recently scored a century against South Africa in a warm-up match ahead of the first Test at Lord's. Hobbies include gaelic football, rugby, snooker, darts, Formula One and rally driving.
Kevin O'Brien DOB: 4/3/84 Born: Dublin Batting/Bowling: RHB/RM	Dismissed England captain Andrew Strauss with his first delivery in ODI cricket. Scored 241 runs in the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup 2004 in Bangladesh, scoring 95 against the West Indies. Had a good ICC World Cricket League Division One in January 2007 in which he scored 264 runs, including 142 against Kenya. Had some good performances in the ICC CWC 2007 scoring 49 against New Zealand and 48 against Bangladesh. He has just finished college and his favourite cricketer is Andrew Flintoff.
Niall O'Brien DOB: 8/11/81 Born: Dublin Batting/Bowling: LHB/WK	Brother of Kevin, who is also in the Ireland squad. Scored his first ODI half-century in only his second match against the Netherlands in 2006. Had an excellent ICC CWC 2007, scoring half centuries against Pakistan and England. Has played county cricket in the UK for Kent and Northamptonshire. Played for the Delhi Jets in the Indian Cricket League.
Andrew White DOB: 3/7/80 Born: Newtownards Batting/Bowling: RHB/OB	A hard-hitting all rounder who will be expected to make useful contribution with the bat in the middle-order in this event. He made 40 on his ODI debut against England. He scored the winning runs when Ireland beat the West Indies by six wickets in 2004. Has the experience of playing county cricket in the UK with Northamptonshire, although he is now a teacher. He claims to be able to write with both hands and wrote a book chronicling Ireland's exploits in the ICC CWC 2007.
Gary Wilson DOB: 5/2/86 Born: Belfast Batting/Bowling: RHB/WK	Missed out on selection for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007. Made his ODI debut against India in June 2007. Has a contract with Surrey County Cricket Club until 2009 and played in its Twenty20 campaign in 2008. Favourite cricketer is Alec Stewart and his hobbies include football (he is a Manchester United supporter) and rugby.