After a convincing win in the first game, New Zealand will look to wrap up the series when they lock horns with hosts Ireland on Wednesday (July 20) at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast. The Kiwis are undefeated in this tour after winning three-match ODI series followed by the first T20I.
Riding on an unbeaten half-century from Glenn Phillips, the tourists had posted 173 runs on the board in the first game. In reply, Ireland batters never managed to keep up with the strike rate and could only score 142, losing the game by 31 runs. Lockie Ferguson was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers, returning with figures of 4/14.
The Black Caps will hope to keep the momentum going and seal the series in today’s game. On the other hand, Ireland will hope to put their best foot forward and make a comeback in the series.
Match Details
2nd T20I – Ireland (IRE) vs New Zealand (NZ)
Venue: Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast
Date & Time: July 20, 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, Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, James Neesham, Curtis Campher (vc), Mark Adair, Joshua Little, Lockie Ferguson (c)
Fantasy Team Suggestion 2: Dane Cleaver, Martin Guptill, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Glenn Phillips (c), Michael Bracewell, James Neesham (vc), Curtis Campher, Mark Adair, Joshua Little, Lockie Ferguson
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