After a whitewash in the three-match ODI series, Ireland will be desperate to bounce when they host New Zealand for three T20Is. The first of the three matches will take place on July 18 (Monday) at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast.
The Kiwis will look to continue their dominance against the Irish side with their line-up packed with star-studded players. It will be good preparation for them as teams look to settle their combinations for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.
Ireland, on the other hand, are likely to field the same playing XI. They have had their moments in the ODI series and will hope to draw inspiration from them and put up a spirited performance.
Match Details
1st T20I – Ireland (IRE) vs New Zealand (NZ)
Venue: Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast
Date & Time: July 18, at 8:30 PM IST and 4 PM Local Time
Pitch Report
The pitch is likely to be a balanced wicket with assistance on offer for both batters and bowlers. Anything over 150 would be a good total to defend. Teams winning the toss would like to bat first given that chasing has looked relatively difficult on this wicket.
Predicted Playing XI
Ireland (IRE): Andrew Balbirnie (c), Paul Stirling, Andy McBrine, Harry Tector, George Dockrell, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Mark Adair, Simi Singh, Curtis Campher, Craig Young, Joshua Little
New Zealand (NZ): Martin Guptill, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Dane Cleaver (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson
IRE vs NZ – Fantasy Team Predictions
Fantasy Team Suggestion 1: Lorcan Tucker, Martin Guptill, Harry Tector, Finn Allen, Andy Balbirnie, Michael Bracewell (c), Mitchell Santner, Curtis Campher, Mark Adair (vc), Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson
Fantasy Team Suggestion 2: Lorcan Tucker, Martin Guptill (c), Harry Tector (vc), Finn Allen, Glenn Phillips, Andy Balbirnie, Michael Bracewell (c), Curtis Campher, Mark Adair, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson
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