News

GRENADA – The first men’s T20 International between hosts West Indies and the touring Ireland gets underway at 5pm (local time) at the National Stadium, St. George’s, Grenada on Wednesday 15 January 2020.
This match will be broadcast on Sky Sports Cricket in Ireland / UK.

The two teams recently completed a three-match ODI series, and while the result was a 3-0 win to the home side, captain Andrew Balbirnie believes there were many positives that his side could take from the matches:

“The lads in the squad are feeling good leading into the T20 Series. We have a lot of positives to take from the ODIs – both individually and as a team – and we take those into a new format today with a few new faces in the squad. The three new guys [Harry Tector, George Dockrell and Josh Little] arrived just over a week ago, so they will have had the same lead into the T20 series as the ODI squad did before our first game. I think both the Windies and our squad will have players who haven’t played in the ODIs, so there will be a few sets of fresh legs, so to speak, and hopefully, that can help make a difference for us on the field.”

Conditions in St. George’s today are warm but with a chance of passing showers throughout the day. The pitch had a bit in it for the bowlers early on during the third ODI here at this ground, so given it is a day game only, expect the team winning the toss to likely to elect to have first use of the ball.

Ireland

The arrival of Harry Tector, George Dockrell and Josh Little will freshen the squad up, but the last match of the T20 World Cup Qualifier may give an indication of the playing XI selected today. Simi Singh found for during that match and has carried that through to the ODI series against the Windies, however the arrival of a left-arm off-spinner in the shape of Dockrell may also tempt the captain and coach to consider two spinners.

The success last calendar year of Paul Stirling and Kevin O’Brien at the top of the order in this format will likely be continued, however Ireland knows that the batting cannot rely largely on the top three alone – those coming into the playing XI will be wanting to make more of a contribution with the bat, knowing how explosive and fast scoring their opposition batters can be, particularly in their home conditions

Ireland’s ODI squad is: Andrew Balbirnie (Captain), Mark Adair, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Kevin O’Brien, Boyd Rankin, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Gary Wilson, Craig Young.

West Indies

The West Indies will be buoyed by the dominant victory in the last ODI, and with a squad featuring five new faces, they will provide a stern test given the depth of talent they have to call upon. 36-year old Dwayne Bravo is recalled to the senior side after three years on the international sidelines and will have a point to prove, while Rovman Powell will need no introduction to Irish fans given his century against the Men in Green at the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe in 2018.

Speaking about Bravo’s inclusion, selector Roger Harper said: “Dwayne Bravo was recalled with the specific intention of bolstering our ‘death’ bowling which was identified as an area that really needs improving. His record in this department speaks for itself. He will also be able to act as a mentor to the other ‘death’ bowlers and lend his experience wherever needed.”

Shimron Hetmyer will be another dangerous figure in the line-up, given his below-par performance during the ODIs (and eventually being dropped for the third match), he is another talented West Indian with a point to prove in this, a T20 World Cup year.

West Indies ODI squad is: Kieron Pollard (Captain), Dwayne Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Khary Pierre, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Lendl Simmons, Hayden Walsh Jr, Kesrick Williams.

Key players

Ireland – Mark Adair

After having an excellent first year in international cricket during 2019, including playing a leading role with the ball at the Qualifier in October/November, Adair had a mixed ODI series here in the Caribbean. He will be looking to reverse his fortunes on that front in a format that suits his game well. Of his 17 T20I appearances in 2019, Adair claimed 27 wickets at 15.29, with a best of 4-40. His Strike Rate with the ball was an incredible 13.9, meaning captain Balbirnie could almost rely on Adair to return a 2-wicket haul every match. Containment of the Windies will rely on wickets being taken at regular intervals, so Adair’s bowling will be key.

West Indies – Kieron Pollard

What’s not to like about a powerful, free-flowing batter and useful bowler who has captaincy nous and home advantage. Pollard displayed his talent in the ODI series, and he will be a lynchpin of the Windies batting and bowling units – scoring quickly with the bat, bowling economically with the ball. Pollard has an immense wealth of experience having played 496 T20 matches at international and domestic level, but his leadership on the field may play a decisive role.

Key to the contest

Put simply, the contest may come down to how effective the Irish bowling attack can restrain the Windies batting line-up. Regular wicket-taking balls will be required to give the visitors any hope of containing the flamboyant Caribbean side. Barry McCarthy put it this way: “It’s going to be about reading the situation and knowing what the surface has to offer. T20 cricket can be carnage, so it’s important that we quickly assess conditions on the day, and whether it’s best to keep it simple and just smash out a length, or whether variations and slower balls can be more effective.”

International fixtures – West Indies tour

• Jan 15: 1st Twenty20 International – National Cricket Stadium, Grenada (start time 5pm, GMT)
• Jan 18: 2nd Twenty20 International – Warner Park, St. Kitts (start time 10pm, GMT)
• Jan 19: 3rd Twenty20 International – Warner Park, St. Kitts (start time 10pm, GMT)

The main ticketing website for Cricket West Indies is: www.zoonga.com/irelandtour

Craig Easdown
Irish batters will be important, but the bowlers may hold the key to the contest
No
Connaught