The Irish team's Australian connection (from left) David Langford-Smith, captain Trent Johnston and Jeremy Bray relax after a training session at Sabina Park yesterday. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Tym Glaser, Associate Editor - Sport

THE WEST Indies will face the might of Australia in a mouth-watering Super Eight encounter next Tuesday in Antigua.

However, before they get to that opening clash of the next round, the Windies face somewhat of an Antipodean appetiser today at Sabina Park against the surprise team of the tournament, Ireland.

Numbered in the ranks of Team Green are three men also originally from the island continent, captain and all-rounder Trent Johnston, opening batsman Jeremy Bray and pace bowler David Langford-Smith.

The trio naturally harboured thoughts of wearing green and gold instead of just green when they dreamed of World Cup cricket glory while growing up in various parts of New South Wales (NSW).

However, they are now fully with the Irish cause and would dearly love to add the West Indies' scalp to their belt today at Sabina Park after having already tied with Zimbabwe and shocking Pakistan to also book their berth in the Super Eights.

Huge day expected

"It's going to be a huge day and all the guys are up for it," Johnston said of today's date with the hosts.

"A lot of our fans will be leaving tomorrow and it will be a great way to send them off," the 32-year-old originally from the NSW country town of Wollongong said. "We have shown we can hold these teams with our bowling and our batting is our strength, but it's all a matter of us getting out there, relaxing and having the time of our lives."

Irish blood

The trio have "Irish blood running through us" and are quick to point out they are not cricket mercenaries.

"It's not like we play cricket in Australia and then turn up and play for Ireland. We have settled in Ireland and that's where our futures lie," said the Dublin-based skipper who pointed out all three have Irish wives.

"Just because you were born in a barn doesn't make you a horse," said fellow new Dubliner Langford-Smith, the baby of the three at 29.

"We don't think about playing as Austra-lians," said Bray, who made an unbeaten 114 for Ireland in their Cup debut against Zimbabwe last week.

A job

"We live in Ireland and it's our job now to represent them and do our best for them," the Kilkenny-based 33-year-old gym instructor said. While proud of their Australian heritage, they bristle when described as "Australian-born" whilst playing for their adopted country.

"Yeah, it does annoy me because you don't hear Kevin Pietersen described as England's South Africa-born number four batsman or Lou Vincent called New Zealand's Australia-born opener. "The guys (Irish teammates) don't have any problem with us, it's the media ... they just seem to nail us and it does bother me because we have all made a commitment to play for Ireland," Johnson said.

"We have also done a lot of development work and we all coach at our clubs," he said. The trio honed their craft in Grade cricket in Sydney and will get to catch up with some of their old rivals when Ireland take on world champions Australia in Bridgetown on April 13.

Not looking forward to tait

"I'm not really looking forward to Shaun Tait bowling 90 miles per hour at me," Bray said. "But those are the sorts of games that you hope will bring the best out in you. They play it tough but after the match they will have a beer with you." Said Johnston: "There are probably five or six guys I played with or against in first-class cricket. It was funny, I caught up with a few of them at a function the Jamaica Prime Minister held and jokingly said I'd see them in the Super Eights. "It's going to be great to have the opportunity to play against them now."

There will be no green envy that day in Barbados, just green against the green and gold.