World Cup Cocktail

India seamer Mohit Sharma warned on Monday that the defending World Cup champions' razor-sharp attack will only be judged fully once they are exposed to a desperate, late innings assault.

India have already qualified for the quarter-finals after seeing off Pakistan, South Africa, the UAE and West Indies and a win over Ireland at Seddon Park on Tuesday will guarantee top spot in Pool B.

The pace trio of Mohammad Shami (nine wickets), Umesh Yadav (six) and Sharma (six) have been instrumental in their team's success, but Sharma is still braced for potential run gluts in the closing overs of matches.

"We have performed well as a unit," said the 26-year-old right-arm fast bowler.

"But there is no limit to doing well, I feel that we have not faced the pressure of the slog overs and there is a lot to do," said sharma.

Comedian in hot water with ICC

An incident involving a member of a cricket commentary team during World Cup match in Napier is under investigation by the International Cricket Council.

At a drinks break during an innings in New Zealand's win over Afghanistan, Leigh Hart accompanied the drinks trolley out to the middle of McLean Park.

Whether Hart spoke to either players or the umpires on the park during the second drinks break of Afghanistan's innings, or recorded any conversations, is part of an ICC check on the incident.

Hart confirmed to the Herald that he entered the ground during the drinks break and that it was part of a promotion for Gatorade.

The ICC carefully guards who is permitted to enter the playing arena during a match, partly on security grounds and partly as a protocol.

An ICC spokesman told the Herald: "An individual went outside the agreed boundaries of an activation and appropriate action has been taken."

The ACC has provided a distinctly different style of commentary on the New Zealand international summer from the more formal Radio Sport.

Unhappy with 'associate' tag

Ireland captain William Porterfield insisted on Monday his side belonged among the world's elite and said he despised the tag of "associate" which virtually brands a host of teams as second-class citizens.

Non-Test playing Ireland are on course for a World Cup quarter-final place and can ensure a spot in the last eight if they shock defending champions India on Tuesday.

They already have six points from three wins and a defeat in Pool B, seeing off Test sides West Indies and Zimbabwe as well as the amateurs of the United Arab Emirates.

Victory over either India or Pakistan, in their final group game in Adelaide on Sunday, will put them in the quarter-finals with Pakistan or West Indies heading home.

"I don't like that tag of associates," said Porterfield, whose team qualified for the tournament as one of four non-Test sides alongside Afghanistan, UAE and Scotland.

"I don't think teams should be associated any differently, and putting those tags on us.

"As far as I'm concerned, there is a ranking system in place and that's where we're at." Ireland is ranked 11 in the world.

– Compiled