Team News for Ireland Match (18/3/15)
The results elsewhere in the group mean that if we win this match, we will finish 3rd in the group, with our likely quarter-final opponents to be the so far impressive Australia. If we lose, we will most likely finish 4th and face 5-from-5 Bangladesh, but we can't take the risk of losing on purpose and facing a weaker opponent, as New Zealand thrashing Kenya would see us fail to qualify. As far as team news goes, a spinning wicket sees us playing 3 spinners, with Shane Burton dropping out and the lower order batting looking distinctly out of touch, despite their individual capabilities.
Ireland | West Indies |
E. Joyce | A. Barath |
N. O'Brien (K) | L. Simmons (C) (K) |
A. White | D. Bravo |
P. Stirling | K. Pollard |
H. Marshall | M. Paul |
A. Cusack | M. Alford |
W. Porterfield (C) | K. Stoute |
K. O'Brien | R. Hinds |
G. Dockrell | I. Khan |
T. Murtagh | C. Brathwaite |
B. Rankin | S. Narine |
Ireland have a more sensible balance to their side, with 3 bowlers and 3 all-rounders, although Paul Stirling's off-spinners are a rare sight. The classy opener Ed Joyce is their man in form with the bat. We win the toss once more, and again try out our batting first tactic. After the match, I'll give a full run down of all group results, the quarter-final line-up, and my predictions.
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