Follow UsAfter a closely-fought One-Day International (ODI) series, New Zealand and Ireland clash in the T20 International (T20I) series starting with the first one on Monday (July 18) in Belfast. The two sides will meet in T20Is for the first time since the 2009 World Cup when New Zealand beat Ireland by 83 runs at Trent Bridge.
The Blackcaps go into the series with many of their big players like Kane Williamson, Trent Boult and Tim Southee missing. As a result, Mitchell Santner will resume leadership responsibilities for the series.
This will be New Zealand’s first-ever T20I this year. Their T20I against the Netherlands in Napier in March was abandoned without toss.
Ground details
Only two matches have taken place at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast since 2015, which were between Ireland and South Africa in July last year. In those matches, the pacers and spinners picked up equal wickets. However, the spinners picked up a wicket every 14.2 runs and 14.8 deliveries apart, conceding at 5.8 an over. The corresponding numbers for the fast bowlers were 31.4, 21.9 and 8.6 respectively – an indication that the spinners fared way better.
Both teams have plenty of quality spinners at their disposal, you could stock your team with them, however, a pacer or two would certainly not hurt.
Suggested team
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.
Captain and vice-captain suggestions
For small leagues: Harry Tector (c), Martin Guptill (vc)
For grand leagues: Joshua Little (c), Michael Bracewell (vc)
Stats That Matter
Only Harshal Patel (19) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (17) have picked up more wickets than Craig young in T20Is this year
Only Andy Balbirnie (221) has scored more T20I runs for Ireland this year than Harry Tector (219). However, Tector has scored his runs at a better average (54.75) and strike-rate (148).
Balbirnie has scored 193 runs in 10 innings in the powerplay at a strike-rate of 147.3 in 2022. Only Ishan Kishan with 245 runs has scored more in that phase.
Grand League punts
Joshua Little has been in terrific form especially in the powerplay in T20Is this year. He has picked up five wickets at an economy rate of 6.1. Craig Young and Mark Adair too has five wickets in this phase. Only Tendai Chatara (9) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have picked up more in overs 1-6.
Michael Bracewell may not have made his T20I debut yet, but given his current form, he is in contention to make his bow in this game. In the recent edition of the Super Smash, Bracewell finished as the tournament’s highest run-getter with 478 runs at a strike-rate of close to 150. With the ball, he chipped in with six wickets at an economy rate of under seven.
*All stats are among teams/players from full members unless stated otherwise
Here are the Top 10 Criclytics Projections:
Probable XI:
Ireland: Andy Balbirnie, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Curtis Campher, Lorcan Tucker, Josh Little, Mark Adair, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy.
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Finn Allen, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Blair Tickner, Jacob Duffy.