England Playing XI vs Ireland: The Sportsrush present before you England’s Probable XI for the imminent one-off Test vs Ireland.
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Having won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 less than a fortnight ago, England’s celebratory pictures are still trending across platform on social media. Such is the nature of international scheduling these days that five of the World Cup winners will have to don their whites to take part in the one-off Test against Ireland starting on Wednesday.
Considering that the first Ashes Test will begin on August 1, none of the English players would want to take the Ireland Test lightly. While it will be a perfect warm-up for Test regulars, rookie players have a chance to sneak into the Ashes squad.
England have announced a 13-member squad for the match which will be played at Lord’s. Test regulars such as all-rounder Ben Stokes and middle-order batsman Jos Buttler have been rested.
England Playing XI vs Ireland
Top-order
Coming on the back of a successful campaign in the World Cup, opening batsman Jason Roy looks set to make his Test debut on the day after tomorrow. Having made his T20I and ODI debut in 2014 and 2015 respectively, 29-year old Roy’s nine First-class centuries and 22 half-centuries have finally been rewarded.
Roy will open alongside his Surrey captain Rory Burns, who will be looking to better his Test record for his 300 Test runs have come at an average of 25 in six matches till now. Joe Denly, who made his Test debut against West Indies earlier this year, will continue to bat at No. 3.
We return to Test action @HomeOfCricket against Ireland on Wednesday! 🏴🏏 pic.twitter.com/QGcHmFV4fx
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 22, 2019
Middle-order
Captain Joe Root will resume his duties at No. 4. In Stokes and Buttler’s absence, the onus will undoubtedly be on the captain. The biggest conundrum for England would be if they want to hand debut to middle-order batsman Olly Stone or play with an extra tried and tested all-rounder.
If they opt for the second option, expect Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali to bat at a higher batting position than normal. Chris Woakes, who has a Test century and four half-centuries under his belt, will be seen batting at No. 7.
Bowlers
In the 27-year old Lewis Gregory, England have a fast bowler with 250+ First-class wickets. England might look to hand Gregory a debut and keep veteran fast bowler James Anderson fresh for the Ashes. In the ongoing country season, Gregory has dismissed 44 batsmen in eight matches at an average of 13.88, an economy rate of 2.70 and a strike rate of 30.8.
Another veteran in Stuart Broad and all-rounder Sam Curran will complete the fast bowling attack. Left-arm spinner Jack Leach should play his first Test since November last year.
England’s Predicted Playing XI vs Ireland – 1) Jason Roy 2) Rory Burns 3) Joe Denly 4) Joe Root (c) 5) Jonny Bairstow (wk) 6) Moeen Ali 7) Chris Woakes 8) Sam Curran 9) Stuart Broad 10) Jack Leach 11) James Anderson
