West Indies vs Ireland 3rd T20I, Basseterre: Preview, prediction, likely XIs

West Indies vs Ireland 3rd T20I, Basseterre: Preview, prediction, likely XIs

Sheldon Cottrell West Indies

Ireland had defeated West Indies in the series opener at St George’s by 4 runs. Now, following a rain-affected no-result match at Basseterre, they find themselves in a position from which they cannot lose the 3-match T20I series. In fact, all they need to win the series is another washed-out match.

To be fair, West Indies probably held a slight upper hand when the second T20I was called. Paul Stirling and Kevin O’Brien, who had added 154 in 12.3 overs in the first match, accounted for 21 in 22 balls between them in the second despite middle-order bursts from Andy Balbirnie (36 in 32 balls), Gareth Delany (44 in 22), and Harry Tector (31 in 23).

After being taken apart in the first T20I, the West Indies seamers roared back into form. While Sheldon Cottrell (4-0-10-2) was at his miserly best and Dwayne Bravo (3-0-18-0) as canny as ever, the star of the day was Kieron Pollard, who registered career-best figures of 4-0-25-4.

Ireland finished with 147/9. West Indies were set 152 in 19 overs. Lendl Simmons began the response in cavalier fashion before before holing out off Stirling in the fifth ball of the innings. West Indies were 16/1 after 2.1 overs when rain prevented further play.

While West Indies cannot win this series, there is little reason for them to worry if they continue to bowl the way they had in the second T20I. They will start as favourites, and should level the series unless rain intervenes.

Head to head

West Indies still hold a 3-2 lead – this, despite Ireland’s win in the first T20I.

Key players

Kieron Pollard (West Indies): The Irish middle-order found Pollard’s accurate bowling and variations in pace difficult to score off, and caved in. Remember, bowling is not Pollard’s main suit: he is one of the biggest hitters as well as a superb fielder.

George Dockrell (Ireland): Ireland will want their most prolific bowler to rise to the challenge of helping them win a series on West Indies soil. It is an uphill task against West Indies’ many six-hitters, but Dockrell is no ordinary bowler.

Likely XIs

West Indies: Lendl Simmons, Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Kieron Pollard (c), Nicholas Pooran (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Dwayne Bravo, Hayden Walsh Jr, Khary Pierre, Sheldon Cottrell, Romario Shepherd.

Ireland: Paul Stirling, Kevin O’Brien, Andy Balbirnie (c), Gareth Delany, Harry Tector, Gary Wilson (wk), George Dockrell, Simi Singh, Joshua Little, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young.

Prediction

West Indies to win and level the series – if rain permits, that is.