Ireland Tri-Series Match 1, Ireland vs West Indies: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Ireland will definitely hope to dent the confidence of a half-strength West Indies side when they take field at Malahide in the opening match of the triangular ODI series, also involving Bangladesh.

West Indies will be without Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran, and Shimron Hetmyer, all of whom are busy with the ongoing IPL. Given the way the Irish fast bowlers – Boyd Rankin, Tim Murtagh, and teenager Josh Little – had troubled England a day ago, the inexperienced West Indian top order are in for a challenge.

However, West Indies still have a full-strength pace bowling attack, backed by the off-spin-bowling all-rounder Roston Chase. The Irish batsmen may find them more than a handful.

Head to head

The teams have met 7 times, of which West Indies have won 5 and lost 1. West Indies’ only defeat came in the 2015 World Cup. The match that had to be called off is also the only one played on Irish soil, in 2007. A subsequent match, in 2017, had to be called off without a ball being bowled.

Key players

Josh Little (Ireland): Debuting against the top-ranked side in the world is never easy, more so if your opposition were 34 without loss chasing 199. But Little rose to the challenge. He removed James Vince, Eoin Morgan, Dawid Malan, and Joe Denly, reducing England to 66/5. West Indies have their task cut out.

Jason Holder (West Indies): Holder’s enormous shadow had loomed over England throughout their tour of West Indies. If he puts up anything close to that, West Indies will get the boost they need to kickstart the summer.

Likely XIs

Ireland: William Porterfield (c), Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie, Lorcan Tucker, Kevin O’Brien, Gary Wilson (wk), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Tim Murtagh, Josh Little, Boyd Rankin.

West Indies: John Campbell, Shai Hope (wk), Darren Bravo, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Sunil Ambris, Jason Holder (c), Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel.

Prediction

West Indies to win despite the absence of their big guns. If there is play, that is. The forecast is not encouraging.