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THE luck of the Irish has helped David Langford-Smith achieve a dream of playing at the cricket World Cup.
Langford-Smith moved to Ireland to play cricket five years ago and has now been picked in the country's 2007 World Cup squad to play in the West Indies.
The 29-year old is eligible to play for Ireland after qualifying for permanent residency but never thought he would play at a World Cup.
"I thought there was no way in the world that I would ever get to this level," Langford-Smith said.
The former Bowen-Centrals quick is Ireland's regular new-ball bowler and is happy to be facing Zimbabwe in their first match rather than their other pool opponents.
Langford-Smith admitted he will be nervous running in for his first delivery.
"We're playing against Zimbabwe, Pakistan and the West Indies," Langford-Smith said.
"I'm glad we are playing against Zimbabwe because if we played against the West Indies my first ball could be against (Chris) Gayle."
Ireland is ranked 13th in the world and are the underdogs in Pool D.
Langford-Smith doesn't know what to expect at the 16-nation tournament but revealed the Emerald Isle team is determined to beat Zimbabwe.
"We pretty much want to beat Zimbabwe and we just want to be competitive against Pakistan and that," Langford-Smith said.
"We don't expect to make it into the next round but just as long as we do our best against them.
"I don't know what to really expect when I get over there. I just know that when we walk out there the atmosphere will be absolutely amazing."
Ireland plays two warm-up games against South Africa and Canada before playing Zimbabwe in its opening pool match on March 15 at Jamaica's Sabina Park.
The Irish then play Pakistan on St Patrick's Day before their last pool game against hosts, West Indies on March 23.
