Ireland captain Trent Johnson agreed that Sri Lanka had them thoroughly on the field in the Super Eight game of the cricket World Cup on Wednesday.
ST GEORGE'S/GRENADA: Ireland captain Trent Johnson agreed that Sri Lanka had them thoroughly on the field in the Super Eight game of the cricket World Cup on Wednesday.
"They have probably shown us but we played the best bowler in the game and had nine fantastic matches. If somebody had asked me to take it before the start of the World Cup, I would have happily taken it," said Johnson after his side's fairytale run in the competition had come to an end.
Johnson took delight in the fact that most teams chose to field their best teams against them, including Sri Lanka, and it reflected the respect his team commanded.
"Most sides fielded their best eleven against us. We were happy that Lanka played great Vaas and Muralitharan against us," he said.
Sri Lanka had not played their two premier bowlers against Australia in a Super Eight game here on Monday.
Johnson rated the win over Pakistan as the highlight of his side's campaign in the World Cup.
"We tied with Zimbabwe; we beat Bangladesh but after beating Pakistan the kind of reception we got, the number of people who wanted to take our autographs, that's got to be the most memorable moment for me as a cricketer," he said.
Ireland now have challenges ahead as they would look to build on the present success and sort out their tricky association with county cricket.
"A lot of our cricketers go out and play for county cricket. It is a tricky situation as we do want them to have the experience of professional cricket but it leaves our teams depleted," said departing coach Adrian Bierrell.
"Probably the solution is to shift our cricket season in September to April to places such as UAE," chimed in Johnston.
Johnston was rueful for the fact that his team couldn't give a fitting farewell to Bierrell in the final game.
Bierrell though was unfazed.
"I would like to believe that I am passing on a better baton to the next coach than the one I had received five years ago," said Bierrell.
Johnston asked to pick his team who would emerge winners in this World Cup had no hesitation in naming Australia, the defending champion, as his choice.
"Australia for they seem to cover most of their bases. New Zealand too is an extremely balanced side and has two very good spinners. South Africa also looks awesome but in my view it could be Australia-Sri Lanka finals," he said.
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