Ireland sweat over O'Brien India

Ireland are hoping Niall O'Brien will be fit after all to help them take on World Twenty20 champions India in their final Group A match at Trent Bridge on Wednesday.

The odds against the wicketkeeper playing any further part in the tournament looked long, if only for a few seconds, when he was writhing in apparent agony after slipping as he tried to stop a Bangladesh single on Monday. He recovered to make a significant contribution with the bat at the top of the order - albeit with the help of a runner - to the six-wicket victory.

An update has revealed O'Brien has a grade one tendon tear and captain William Porterfield said: "He's obviously one of our key players, and one of the most experienced in this format - so it was bad to see him go down. If he wasn't fit we'd have to accept it, but we've got a good replacement in (wicketkeeper) Gary Wilson and lads who can step in with the bat as well."

He added: "It would obviously be a blow if he wasn't available. But we hope he will be."

Ireland will resist gambling on O'Brien in a match which carries no points.

"We're not going to take any risks with him," he spelled out.

"But he's obviously going to want to play every game for Ireland - and obviously, playing in a World Cup, there's no bigger stage.

"He'll want to play, and I'm sure if he's fit enough he will."

Porterfield was happy for his team to celebrate their opening victory appropriately - but knows they must have their minds and bodies ready again quickly, first to face India and then for a Super Eights opener against New Zealand in Nottingham on Thursday afternoon.

"The lads had a lot of texts and calls after the game," said the captain. "We had a couple of drinks - it's good to celebrate your wins and your success - but now we've got a big game to focus on."