Ireland coach Birrell ready for emotional farewell

Ireland coach Adrian Birrell is preparing for an emotional farewell when the team play their last match of the World Cup against Sri Lanka in Grenada yesterday.

South African Birrell, 46, has guided Irish cricket from the international wilderness to the heights of the World Cup Super Eights having beaten 1992 champions Pakistan to qualify and then another test side Bangladesh yesterday.

''Five years ago we were ranked below Denmark (who did not play in the World Cup) and now we are ranked ahead of all the other associates,'' Birrell told reporters. ''It's very satisfying to know that I have moved it forward that much.

''I'm very proud of what we've achieved. It's not only me, we have a great squad of players and we are tight and there is a wonderful team spirit.

''I'm very proud of the five years I've spent in Ireland,'' he added. ''It's been a great experience for me. The people have accepted me as one of their own.

''There have been hard decisions and tough times along the way but the overriding feeling was that we made progress every year and we have certainly moved forward in the last few weeks.'' TWO WINS Ireland were promoted to become the 12th member of the official one-day international rankings ladder with their 74-run win over Bangladesh. It was expected that the two wins would even take them ahead of Kenya into 11th place.

Birrell has worked with his successor, the former West Indies player Phil Simmons, throughout the campaign.

''We've got a hell of a coach and he has been one of the best motivators I have ever been involved with,'' captain Trent Johnston said, attributing the team's response against Bangladesh from a thrashing by Australia to Birrell.

Birrell has told reporters that his next move will be ''to play golf'' but before he eventually moves back to South Africa he will coach coaches and generally take a back seat from what has been a draining and dramatic World Cup for him.

''I am very emotional at emotional times but I'm bearing up,'' Birrell said. ''I'm looking forward to Wednesday. It's my last day at work and I'm ready for that.

''It's been a long, enjoyable and satisfying journey but that journey has come to an end.'' REUTERS SAM PM2150

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