IRE vs ZIM Dream11 Team: After incessant rain ruled out the opening match, the two teams turn to today to get play underway in the T20 series.
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After completing 3-0 sweep in the ODI series, the Ireland cricket team turned to the T20 format looking to emulate the same rapturous performances which had crumbled an already languishing Zimbabwe side. However rain decided to intervene, lashing at the stadium to see the opening match of the T20 series be abandoned without a ball being bowled.
Now back at it again today, the two sided will be looking to try their luck again and finally get the series off to a start. Taking on each other in the second encounter of the T20 series, the agenda going ahead into the match is completely on the opposite side of the shelf for both these sides. While Ireland will be looking to treat this series as a chance to defeat a full member of the ICC once again, for Zimbabwe it’s all about saving face and grasping at something in what has been a torrid time for them.
For Ireland, the series is also a final chance to try out players before their imminent test match against England before the Ashes Series gets underway. It’s a rare occasion for the side to be squaring off against one of the leaders in world cricket in the longest format of the game and the side have over the last course of the month being building up to it in all their cricketing sojourns.
“The last six months have allowed selectors and our coaching staff to experiment a little- both with players selected and their roles within the team,” said Andrew White, chair of the National Men’s Selectors.
“Kevin O’Brien’s elevation to opening the batting in T20s has been a really positive move, Mark Adair’s late-order power hitting, and Andy McBrine’s role opening the bowling in the ODIs are all ways that Graham Ford and his coaching staff are seeking to push this team forward.”
Probable Winner
Buoyed by an ODI series win coupled with the horrid form that Zimbabwe find themselves in, see Ireland go into this match as the clear winners. They not only defeated Zimbabwe in the ODI series but it was the manner in which those wins came around that saw the side stand tall among the two.
They’ve outplayed Zimbabwe in all three departments of the game recently and the same should be expected today. Ireland will cruise to a win and take a 1-0 series lead in this one.
Wicket-Keeper for IRE vs ZIM Dream11
We’ve stuck with Lorcan Tucker for the first t20 given his skill set to come on and hit the ball straight to the fence right from ball one.
Batsmen for IRE vs ZIM Dream11
A name which defines Ireland cricket and the massive strides it’s taken on the international arena, opener Paul Stirling has been responsible for taking the side to the pinnacle it has reached today. An ever dependable bat, the payer has been one of Ireland’s most bankable batsmen, ensuring he always contributes a solid amount every time he steps out to the middle.
Despite not succeeding massively in the ODI series apart from the first encounter, we have still opted for Andy Balbirnie with the selection panel clearly emphasising on his role as a frontline bowler as well. He’s going to be among a strong bagful of points today with both the bat and ball in a format where he’s the most effective.
Meanwhile from Zimbabwe it’s the lone selection of Craig Ervine. Their highest scorer across all the three formats over the course of the last year, the batsman has been in sensational form and with a penchant for opening his arms, the first T20 is going to see him scrimmage through runs at will.
All-Rounders for IRE vs ZIM Dream11
From Ireland we have the two usual names featuring for us in the form of Mark Adair and Shane Getkate. Adair in particular is a key component of this side with Andrew White stressing upon his role as a finisher in the side, a player who they have kept aside to come and plunder the boundaries in the death overs.
We have a two man partnership coming in from Zimbabwe as well here in the form of Sean Williams and Ryan Burl. Over the second and third ODI, Williams was his side’s best batsman, scoring two half-centuries along with delivering with the ball as well and we are getting him in based off those two showings.
Bowling Order for IRE vs ZIM Dream11
Given the lacklustre nature of Zimbabwe’s batting unit and the consistency of Ireland’s bowlers to get the ball pitch on the money areas, we have their specialist bowlers George Dockrell and Boyd Rankin being indulged in. Taking this duo apart is going to leave Zimbabwe in tatters, a proposition which is set to see the two be amongst the wickets today.
Elsewhere from Zimbabwe, it’s their pace Kyrie Jarvis who wraps up our side on the day.
Captain And Vice-Captain
We have gone ahead with Paul Stirling as our side’s captain for this encounter while Mark Adair is chosen as the vice-captain.
Match Details
3 Match T20 Series
Match: Ireland Vs Zimbabwe Second T20
Date And Time: 12th June, Friday- 8:30pm IST
Venue: Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast
