captaining Ireland to stunning victory over Kenya to win Intercontinental Cup Adi Birrell: "Leads from the front. He's passionate, aggressive and won't back down. We need his kind of leadership on and off the field. His impact play at the end of the innings is very useful."

Jeremy Bray (Eglinton) Left hand bat, right arm spinner, reserve wicketkeeper Debut 2002, 58 caps Career highlight:scored five centuries for Ireland but his 52 against Surrey in 2004 was crucial in a rare win over the county "Potentially our best player.

Learnt his cricket on hard Australian wickets so he's got the technique to be successful against world-class opposition."

William Porterfield (Rush) Left hand bat Debut 2006, 15 caps Career highlight:three centuries in his "rst 12 games, including 110* at Lord's "A wonderful temperament.

Possibly a future captain of Ireland. Outstanding backward point fielder which is a crucial part of our gameplan."

Eoin Morgan (Middlesex and North County) Left hand bat Debut 2003, 34 caps Career highlight: scored 209* v UAE last month, the highest score ever for Ireland "Our best player and a great prospect for the future. It's possible he will follow Ed Joyce to an English cap down the line. Wonderful team man and his heart is with Irish cricket."

Niall O'Brien (Northamptonshire and Railway Union) Left hand bat, wicketkeeper Debut 2002, 30 caps Career highlight: scored 58* and severely irritated Brian Lara in win over West Indies in 2004 "Fiery. Passionate. Competitive on the field. Brings a lot of first-class experience with Kent and has played against very good opposition through his county years. Very valuable player."

Kevin O'Brien (Railway Union) Right hand bat, right arm medium Debut 2006, 13 caps Career highlight:took wicket of Andrew Strauss with "rst ball in ODIs "Came through our junior ranks. Was a great success in the Under-19 World Cup, nearly winning a game against West Indies on his own. Brings all-rounder abilities to the squad. He scores quickly in the middle overs which is what modern oneday cricket is all about, not just at the end."

Kyle McCallan (Waringstown) Right hand bat, right arm off spinner Debut 1996, 151 caps Career highlight: bowled Brian Lara for 0 in a 1998 NatWest Trophy game against Warwickshire.

"Our most experienced player. I have very seldom seen him bowl badly, if ever.

Vital role in the middle overs. Useful bat, he has even opened for Ireland.

Key player."

Andre Botha (North County) Left hand bat, right arm medium Debut 2001, 61 caps Career highlight: 157 against UAE in the record stand with Eoin Morgan "Seasoned player in Irish cricket, has been here a long time. Also learnt his game on hard South African wickets.

He is a good middle overs bowler but can be very useful at the death. Good slip fielder."

Andrew White (Instonians) Right hand bat, right arm off spinner Debut 2000, 76 caps Career highlight:

'The Finisher' hit the winning runs against Surrey, West Indies and in the Intercontinental Cup "nal "Andrew has first-class experience with Northants. Allround ability with spin bowling and later overs batter. Very solid, very calm. We don't have too many calm guys - he's one."

David Langford-Smith (Phoenix) Right hand bat, right arm medium Debut 2006, 19 caps Career highlight:

took three England scalps at Stormont - and three top South Africans last Monday "Dave is a key bowler, especially when he gets it to swing away from the right hander.

When he bowls well we are a better team. Up front with the new ball is a problem for us and he has the ability to stop that gap."

Boyd Rankin (Derbyshire and Brigade) Right hand bat, right arm fast Debut 2003, 5 caps Career highlight:

took 4-56 in second innings in UAE to send Ireland into Intercontinental "nal "He's very exciting. Very, very tall and very useful. Hopefully he'll have a first-class career. He's a fringe player but could be a main player for us within a game. If he bowls well he's potentially our best bowler."

John Mooney (North County) Left hand bat, right arm medium Debut 2001, 34 caps Career highlight:

took three West Indies scalps in the 2004 win "Very good all-rounder, excellent in the field. Can bat in the latter part of the innings. Useful bowler - when he swings it he's dangerous. Bits and pieces player but he's very, very useful for us."

Peter Gillespie (Strabane) Right hand bat Debut 1995, 116 caps Career highlight:

scored fastest century for Ireland against MCC just before the 2005 ICC Trophy "Seasoned campaigner. Had a lot of games under me in the middle order, works it around. Senior citizen but solid and very dependable."

Paul Mooney (North County) Right hand bat, right arm medium Debut 1998, 83 caps Career highlight:

destroyed the Zimbabwe top order - including both Flowers for ducks - in 2000, taking 4-24 "Like Peter Gillespie he is a key member on and off field. A bit of a leader. Very passionate about playing for Ireland."

Kenny Carroll (Railway Union) Right hand bat, right arm legbreaks Debut: 2006, 5 caps Career highlight: 90 against MCC on his "rst appearance at Lord's last year.

"Came in very late after an excellent domestic season. I observed him at the high performance academy and saw how hard he worked and how dedicated he was to make his international debut."