After whitewashing Ireland 3-0 in the ODI series, New Zealand will be eager to repeat their feat in the three-match T20I series starting from Monday in Belfast at 08:30 PM IST. Ireland, on the other hand, would want to exact revenge after losing two ODI internationals from winning positions.
It seemed as if Ireland would win the first ODI after setting a total of 300 in 50 overs. New Zealand began the chase on a shaky note before Michael Bracewell turned the tables in New Zealand’s favour with an unbeaten knock of 127 runs off 82 deliveries. In the end, the visitors won the contest with one wicket and one ball to spare.
In the second ODI, Ireland was humbled for 216 and New Zealand chased it quite comfortably with three wickets to spare. The third ODI between the two sides was a high-scoring affair as New Zealand put 360 runs on the board while batting first. In reply, Ireland fell short by one run as Paul Stirling and Harry Tector’s centuries went in vain.
Team News
Martin Guptill will be New Zealand’s go-to player with the bat in the T20I series
Graham Hume and Simi Singh are not a part of the T20I squad, having been initially selected only for the ODI leg of the series. They will be replaced by Barry McCarthy and Conor Olphert, with the former likely to be named in Ireland’s starting line-up for the first T20I.
Mitchell Santner will be captaining New Zealand as Tom Latham has been rested for the T20I series. Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Michael Rippon, and Ben Sears are some fresh faces who were not a part of the ODI series, replacing the likes of Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Henry Nicholls, and Will Young.
Head to Head record
This will be the second T20I encounter between New Zealand and Ireland, having faced each other before in the 2009 ICC T20 World Cup. Batting first, the Kiwis put on board 198 runs with Aaron Redmond scoring 63 runs off 30 deliveries.
Replying to the mammoth chase, Ireland was able to put up only 115 runs after losing all their wickets in 16.4 overs. The T20I series will be a good way for both sides to gauge their preparation ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup to be conducted later this year in Australia.
Key Players
Ireland will be banking on Paul Stirling’s experience in franchise cricket
Mitchell Santner: Santner will be leading New Zealand for the T20I series and will be eager to prove his mettle with the second-string side. In the third ODI, he picked up three wickets although it came at the expense of 71 runs from 10 overs.
Paul Stirling: After an underwhelming performance in the first two ODIs, Stirling replied with a 120-run knock from 103 deliveries in the third ODI. Although his efforts came in a losing effort, the Ireland opener would be eager to replicate his feat in the shorter format of the game and take the hosts to victory.
Predicted Playing XI
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Dane Cleaver, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Blair Tickner, Lockie Ferguson
Ireland: Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie, Andy McBrine, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Lorcan Tucker, George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young, Joshua Little
Prediction
Finishing the game is one area where Ireland has fallen behind in the ODI leg of the series and that has led them to lose two games. While Ireland continues to work on that, New Zealand holds the trump card in terms of experience. We expect the Kiwis to once again win the match.