ENG vs IRE Match Preview, Playing XI, H2H

Predicted Playing XI | Match Prediction | England vs Ireland Match Preview:

Contents

HEAD TO HEAD:WEATHER AND PITCH CONDITIONS: PLAYING XI (PROBABLE): PREDICTION: WHERE TO WATCH:

After the epoch-making clash between Pakistan and India, the MCG is again ready to host an action-packed match. This time it will be England and Ireland, who will meet in the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The English team has been in a fine whack, so far in the tournament. Even before the marquee event started, the Butler-led men had wreaked havoc against Pakistan and Australia, that too on each side’s home ground. Although, in their opening match against Afghanistan, they were slow in their approach to achieve a low scoring total, they still came out victorious and managed to save 3rd position in the table for themselves.

Ireland did not get the start they wanted after Sri Lanka managed to pull a mammoth 9 wicket win over them in the opening match. To stay in the race the Balbirnie-led men will need to make sure they create major upsets in the tournament. Talking about upsets, Ireland has already helped the West Indies team, the only team to have won the coveted T20 World cup twice, to an early departure from the event. The clash against England is a must-win match for the Irish team.

HEAD TO HEAD:

Both the Irish and English teams have faced each other in T20Is on one occasion. The match ended without any result after rain forced the match to be called off.

WEATHER AND PITCH CONDITIONS:

Melbourne is forecasted to receive 3 to 8mm rain on 26th October. The chance of rain is 70-80%, which is more likely to occur in the afternoon and evening. The match is supposed to be played at 3pm. Citing the following reasons, we can state that the match is very probable to be curtailed by rain.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground has an inclination towards pacers as it offers a generous bounce, especially with the new ball. Even with the use of drop-in pitches, the MCG remains a pacer’s favourite. Pacers will be crucial and early removal of batsmen, before the ball becomes old, will be very important. Also, we can expect a little swing during the initial overs as well as was seen during the clash between Pakistan and India.

The batsmen, as is characteristic of pitches down under, will love batting on this near belter pitch too. However, to clear the boundaries at the MCG, the batters will need to use their full strength. 2s and 3s are more expected than a boundary, so swift running between the wickets will be pivotal.

PLAYING XI (PROBABLE):

Ireland: Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie (c), Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Simi Singh, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little.

England: Jos Butler (c&wk), Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Liam Livingstone, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

PREDICTION:

The ferocious English team is part of a group with three other ‘usual favourites’ for the semis – Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Keeping that in mind, any team who reaches the semi final will do so with a narrow squeeze. England will look to secure as many wins as possible to be the first in the group to reach the next round.

Safe to say, with their quality pacers and lethal batsmen, England actually has a ten to one chance to win the match against their neighbours. Liam Livingstone, who has the experience of playing BBL, will yet again be a danger man for the opposition.Sam Curran, Mark Wood and Ben Stokes will further increase their team’s chance to triumph over the Irish at the MCG.