Ireland

Ireland seek to bounce back after opening defeat

Ireland

Overview

Ireland v West Indies
4th ODI, Ireland tri-nation series
The Village, Malahide, Dublin
Saturday, 11 May; 10:45am local, 09:45am GMT

After round one of the tri-series, we’ve had a West Indies win, West Indies defeat, and a washout. It is now time for the next, and final, round in that cycle.

The last clash between West Indies and Ireland had a world-record opening partnership, a near-400-run total, and a near-200-run victory. On the positive side, that’s the sort of performance that will do wonders for the side’s confidence ahead of ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019.

On the flip side, however, West Indies could do with more competition – the harder they are pushed ahead of CWC 2019, the better.

Ireland are not a part of the tournament, so there are no immediate big-picture implications from their perspective. But a win against two of the top ten ODI teams in the world would be a wonderful next step in their progression, exactly a year removed from their Test debut.

Key players

Shai Hope and John Campbell put on a record opening stand in the series opener

Kevin O’Brien (Ireland): The big-hitting all-rounder can match the burly West Indies hitters stroke for stroke, and can also contain some runs by not letting the ball come on with his right-arm medium pace.

Shai Hope (West Indies): He scored back-to-back centuries in the series, notched up his career-best ODI score, starred in a record opening partnership with John Campbell and became the fastest West Indian to 2000 ODI runs. Enough said.

Kevin O'Brien was the only Irish batsman to cross 50 in their 196-run loss to West Indies in the opening game

Conditions

Malahide should offer slightly more friendly playing conditions, with minimal chances of rain despite lingering clouds through the game. It could bring swing into play, making this an ideal orientation for conditions likely to be encountered in England during the World Cup.

Squads

Ireland: William Porterfield (c), Andrew Balbirnie, George Dockrell, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Lorcan Tucker, Gary Wilson

West Indies: Jason Holder (c), Fabian Allen, Sunil Ambris, Darren Bravo, John Campbell, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope, Ashley Nurse, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach

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