CRICKET

Ireland captain William Porterfield is confident that his side is capable of causing more shocks on the world stage at the ICC World Twenty20.

His side faces the West Indies and England in the group stages of the tournament and Porterfield is backing his side to do well in both games and in the next stage of the event.

"Both games are winnable games for us and we will go into both matches expecting to win," said Porterfield, who believes his side will have to deal with turning pitches in Guyana.

"The Super Eights is something that we have got a taste of so when we come to tournaments like this then we want to be in the Super Eights and winning games when we get there."

With his side facing an opening day game against the hosts, Porterfield admitted that his side would look to the Netherlands' efforts against last year's hosts, England, and try and spring another surprise on the opening day of an ICC World Twenty20 tournament.

"The way we have played in the last few World Cups, we know what we are capable of. The way they (the Netherlands) played on the opening day, chasing down 160 plus, they did fantastically well, but we are going into our game targeting a win. We will draw on what we have done and what other teams have done in the past as an inspiration," said Porterfield.

While Ireland's performances in the Caribbean at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, where it defeated Pakistan and Bangladesh, provide plenty of happy memories, coach Phil Simmons wants his side to forget the past and try and record some new victories to enjoy.

"I'm not trying to regenerate anything - history is history. It is up to us to try and create more history," said Simmons.

"We had a good time here in 2007 and it is now 2010 so it is a good time to go and create some more history!"

And although Porterfield admitted that his side has been delighted to be back in the Caribbean, he admitted that he hasn't enjoyed the torrential rain that greeted his side on arrival today.

"It is good to be back. I was going to say it is good to get away from the weather in Ireland but I am not sure we have done," he said.

Porterfield was also keen to give praise to Paul Stirling, who has been in outstanding form with bat and ball in Ireland's pre-event preparations in the West Indies to date.

"Paul is a really exciting prospect and probably the most talented batsman we have got in our squad. Over the last few weeks he has really grown and he could play a vital role for Ireland not just here but in years to come. I hope he does great things in this World Cup," added Porterfield.

"We have seen what he can do with the ball in nets before, but losing Kyle (McCallan) and Regan West has meant he's had the chance to step up and really come to the party. It has been a big plus for us that we can turn to him."