Zimbabwe will be hoping to get back on the winning track after their loss in the 1st ODI of three in an ODI series when they face hosts Ireland in Belfast on Thursday.
While looking at the team performance first comes hosts Ireland, who have dominated in the 1st ODI where they successfully chased 255 runs at Bready where experienced batsman Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie played a brilliant knock of 57 and 101 respectively but, the middle-order batsmen William Porterfield and Kevin O'Brien failed to impress in the 1st ODI. Moreover, Mark Adair was the man with the ball who derailed the Zimbabwe batting order by picking four wickets. However, looking at their performance it makes no sense to tweak their side given the way they have performed.
On the other hand, Zimbabwe, who were asked to bat first in the last match where they lost two quick wickets and where sent on the back foot by Irish bowlers but, Craig Ervine was the man with the bat where he not only rescued Zimbabwe and also helped his team to reach a respectable total by scoring a century. Besides all that, Kyle Jarvis and Tendai Chatara bowled an excellent spell. While looking at the options available on their bench we can expect them to go with the same playing XI.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Brendan Taylor (10 credits): He is one of the most experienced and a big match winner of the Zimbabwean ODI side but, his run-scoring form has
Zimbabwe will be hoping to get back on the winning track after their loss in the 1st ODI of three in an ODI series when they face hosts Ireland in Belfast on Thursday.
While looking at the team performance first comes hosts Ireland, who have dominated in the 1st ODI where they successfully chased 255 runs at Bready where experienced batsman Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie played a brilliant knock of 57 and 101 respectively but, the middle-order batsmen William Porterfield and Kevin O'Brien failed to impress in the 1st ODI. Moreover, Mark Adair was the man with the ball who derailed the Zimbabwe batting order by picking four wickets. However, looking at their performance it makes no sense to tweak their side given the way they have performed.
On the other hand, Zimbabwe, who were asked to bat first in the last match where they lost two quick wickets and where sent on the back foot by Irish bowlers but, Craig Ervine was the man with the bat where he not only rescued Zimbabwe and also helped his team to reach a respectable total by scoring a century. Besides all that, Kyle Jarvis and Tendai Chatara bowled an excellent spell. While looking at the options available on their bench we can expect them to go with the same playing XI.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Brendan Taylor (10 credits): He is one of the most experienced and a big match winner of the Zimbabwean ODI side but, his run-scoring form has been dipped in the last few matches. However, he must be your top pick here's why he has scored 283 runs in just seven matches at an average of 40.42 against Ireland with a century and half-century to his name. A big inning can be expected.
Batsman: Craig Ervine (9.5 credits): Here is another Zimbabwe's experienced player who, recently smashed a century in his last match and also helped his team to reach a respectable total. Overall, he loves playing against Ireland look at this why he scored 352 runs in his eight matches at an average of 50.42 with two centuries and one half-century to his name. We can expect him to score big again.
All-Rounder: Mark Adair (8.5 credits): The right-arm fast bowler was one of the successful bowlers for Ireland in the last match where he picked four wickets. Moreover, Adair has an impressive record at this ground against Zimbabwe where he picked a total of seven wickets in just two matches making him a default player for selection.
Bowler: Tendai Chatara (8.5 credits): Chatara claimed the figures of three for 36 runs in his last match and the onus will be on him once again to provide the early breakthroughs. Overall, he has an excellent record against the Irish side where he picked six wickets in just two matches at an economy of 5.10 which makes him the player to watch out for.
Captain: Craig Ervine
Vice-Captain: Andy Balbirnie
Predicted Playing XI:
Ireland: Paul Stirling, James McCollum, Andy Balbirnie, William Porterfield (c), Kevin O'Brien, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Shane Getkate, Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Tim Murtagh, Boyd Rankin
Zimbabwe: Hamilton Masakadza (c), Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Peter Moor, Ryan Burl, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis. Tendai Chatara
