Moustachioed Murtagh Delighted as Irish Seamers Pave The Way to Another Final for Ireland

Ireland's opening bowler Tim Murtagh was delighted that Ireland's seam bowling attack was called into action today to fire them into the World Cup Twenty20 Qualifying Tournament Final against old rivals Afghanistan.

Looking like a Baddie from a Spaghetti Western, Murtagh's first over went for 11 runs, but he came back strongly later in the innings bowling his last three overs with a return of 4 for 13.

Barry Chambers: Tim congratulations, a final for Ireland, and a 4 wicket haul?

Tim Murtagh: Yeah it was great, a really good performance all round, I thought. To get up to 147, that didn't look possible from the start we had. But you know, TJ (Trent Johnston): and John Boy (John Mooney) in the middle there, batted really well and gave us a total to defend, and you know the start Maxi (Max Sorenson) gave us was fantastic. So yeah it was a bit easier after that.

Barry Chambers: Spin has dominated, and it was the same in their innings, what made the difference here that seam played the predominant role?

Tim Murtagh: Yes, it was just the lights were on, and there was a bit of dew around, and just the ball kind of skidded on and did a bit more under the lights, which you know I've played here before in a four day game, and it did exactly the same under the lights. As soon as the lights came on, it seemed to be a different pitch.

So that was good, you know, we've got a good balanced attack to, if that is the case, then we have enough seamers who can bowl, and the spinners need not do a job, where as you say, they've been our best bowlers throughout the tournament.

Barry Chambers: And Afghanistan in the final, bitter rivals, some good tussles with them over the years?

Tim Murtagh: Yeah, you know, I've only played against them a couple of times. One at Clontarf last summer, and we won a kind of narrow one there. So yeah, they're a very good team. But you know we'll be prepared well and ready for whatever they throw at us, and hopefully we can use all our experience to come out on top.