Ireland Hope To Hit The Jackpot
Johnson - looking to the semis.
Former skipper Trent Johnston believes Ireland will hit the jackpot if they secure qualification for next year's Twenty20 World Cup this weekend.
The 34-year-old Australia-born all-rounder was forced to take a step back from international cricket in March due to injury and work commitments but will turn out in group action against Scotland and Bermuda at Stormont.
Only three of the six associated nations that also includes Kenya, Canada and Holland will qualify for next year's tournament which will be held at Lord's, The Oval and Trent Bridge.
With the Stanford Twenty20 match and proposed English Premier League in 2010 set to boost the coffers of English cricket - Johnston is hoping Ireland can cash in as well.
"There is so much money involved now that the benefits of the World Twenty20 will go a long way to helping Irish cricket now and in the future," he said.
"Hopefully we can make the semi-final at least because the financial gains and the bonuses for Cricket Ireland will be huge.
"It would be a real shame if we didn't get through - because the winners play England in the opening game at Lord's and for a couple of the lads that will be the defining moment of their career.
"Twenty20 is still a game of cricket just like any other format and it shouldn't be played any differently - we've got to ensure we do the basics right."
Johnston has rarely been seen in an international shirt since leading Ireland to one of the biggest World Cup shocks when they beat Pakistan by three wickets in the West Indies last year.
Johnston has played just one Twenty20 match for Ireland but he believes the side are in good shape to book their place in England.
Key players Eoin Morgan, Niall O'Brien and skipper William Porterfield have also returned to the Ireland squad from county cricket and Johnston said: "There is no clear favourite but we feel we can be part of the World Cup next year.
"We were disappointed to miss out in South Africa and I felt the associate nations should have had three spots rather than two.
"Associate cricket is coming on leaps and bounds and it's great that we have three this time."
Scotland, who have Durham's Kyle Coetzer and Warwickshire's Navdeep Poonia available, took one of the spots in South Africa last year and in-form bowler John Blain is desperate for another taste of the big time.
Blain bowled the Scots to victory against Holland in a 50-over international on Monday with figures of five for 22 and he said: "I'm looking to transfer that form into the weekend and beyond.
"We've not played a great deal of Twenty20 cricket but it was fantastic to be part of the first World Cup and to play in England would be fantastic.
"We are confident we can make the final at least but Bermuda can't be taken for granted and playing Ireland will prove as difficult as always."