Rodney Marsh tips an ICC associate team to create World Cup stir

Dubai, Feb.8 (ANI): Former Australian wicketkeeper Rodney Marsh is tipping one of the four ICC Associate nations-Ireland, Kenya, The Netherlands and Canada-to create a stir at this year's cricket World Cup in the Indian subcontinent.

Marsh, who is currently the Director of Coaching at the ICC's Global Academy in Dubai, has worked with players from Ireland, Kenya, The Netherlands and Canada for the past two years in preparation for the tournament on the subcontinent from February 19.

The 63-year-old and his assistants, New Zealand's Dayle Hadlee and Pakistan's Mudassar Nazar, have left no stone unturned in their planning and Marsh warned the big names not to take the minnows lightly.

"I am not saying one of those teams will win the World Cup, but I am saying they will give a very good account of themselves," Marsh told AAP.

Ireland managed to make the Super Eight stages in 2007 and Marsh believes they have the talent to repeat that achievement this year.

"They (Ireland) actually think they can win the tournament and not just compete, which I think is fantastic," stuff.co.nz quoted Marsh, as saying.

Marsh was in charge the Australian academy between 1990 and 2001 before taking on a similar role with England for five years.

The fruits of his labours were demonstrated in the recent Ashes series with over half the England side made up from players who'd spent time working under Marsh early in their careers.

Skipper Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann, Chris Tremlett, Matt Prior and Ian Bell, who played significant roles in the series, are all graduates from the Marsh academy.

And despite playing 96 Tests, the legendary West Australian wicketkeeper took a lot of pride watching his former students perform this summer.

"I always enjoy watching guys I have worked with doing well, wherever they're from and the England boys did very well," he said.

He added: "It doesn't matter where you are from, it is the way cricket should be, working to help make a player into a better player is very satisfying for any coach."

Although he refused to discuss Cricket Australia's review into the Ashes defeat, Marsh believes Australia is still the team to beat in the World Cup. (ANI)