ENG v IRE 1st ODI, Preview: England look to secure some game time before the Champions Trophy

England will kick-start their preparation for the Champions Trophy by playing a 2-match ODI series against neighbours Ireland. The first game is scheduled to be played on Friday at Bristol. Eoin Morgan has flown back home from India to lead his side in this series but will again fly back to Indian to take part in the remainder of the IPL after the conclusion of the series.

The England limited-overs team has undergone revolutionary changes in the past 18 months, making them one of the top sides in the format. They will be looking to make light weight of lowly Ireland before sterner challenges of playing a 3-match ODI series against South Africa and the Champions Trophy come their way.

Ireland recently lost a hard fought series against Afghanistan played at the Great Noida Sports Complex. Though Ireland were fiercely competitive in the 5-match series, they were just not good enough to defeat a spirited Afghanistan side in favourable conditions in India.

Led by Ed Joyce, Ireland can spring a surprise as they did in the World Cup in 2011, when they beat England by 3 wickets at Bangalore. This is the only win Ireland has managed in their 7 encounters against the neighbours. Ireland have nothing to lose and everything to gain which makes them a dangerous side playing against England.

Toss: Ireland won the toss and opted to bat

Playing XI:

England: Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan(c), Jonny Bairstow, Sam Billings(w), Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett, David Willey, Mark Wood, Jake Ball

Ireland: Paul Stirling, William Porterfield(c), Ed Joyce, Andrew Balbirnie, Niall O’Brien(w), Kevin O’Brien, Gary Wilson, Stuart Thompson, George Dockrell, Tim Murtagh, Peter Chase

Focus will be on

Jason Roy

Roy’s great run of form in 2016 helped England successfully remodel their brand of cricket in the ODI format. In 17 innings he managed to score 647 runs at a mind-boggling strike rate of 108. Jason Roy is capable of tearing apart any bowling attack in the world at the top of the order and he will be eyeing the inexperienced Irish attack to hit form ahead of the big tournament.

His regular omissions from the Gujarat Lions XI in the IPL left the 26-year-old frustrated and he subsequently left the campaign mid-way to seek some game time at Surrey and to participate in this ODI series. He will be desperate to go out in the middle and score runs.

Paul Stirling

Stirling was in outstanding form in the series against Afghanistan, scoring four half-centuries, including two scores in the nineties. He also picked up a 6-wicket haul (6/55) in the second ODI to record best figures in the history of Ireland cricket. His all-round abilities make him the one to watch out for. He possesses immense power and likes to get on with it early in his innings.

Team Combinations:

England

England’s last ODI assignment was a 3-0 whitewash of the visiting West Indies. England will go in with the same top order that comprises of Alex Hales, Jason Roy and Joe Root. With Butler away playing in the IPL, either one of Jonny Bairstow and Sam Billings will don the big gloves. Chances of Bairstow seem brighter as he has had a great Test season. Billings might get in as a batsman in the middle order. Skipper Morgan will occupy the No. 4 or 5 spot.

With Stokes and Woakes unavailable, Finn will hold onto his place in the XI besides the returning Mark Wood. Plunkett and Moeen Ali alongside Adil Rashid will play the all-rounder’s part besides their primary role of bowling. This ODI series will define how good the English bench strength is.

Ireland

Ed Joyce, Paul Stirling and skipper William Porterfield will form the top order of Ireland. Joyce has expressed his desire to help his country’s cricket as much as he can before calling time on his career and this is a perfect opportunity to do that. Niall O’Brien will take the big gloves and bat at No. 4. His brother Kevin might get a look in due to his all-round abilities as well as his memorable World Cup century against the same side 6 years ago.

The young bowling attack of Ireland lacks experience but not quality. Andy McBrine, Tim Murtagh, Jacob Mulder and Dockrell are all in their early twenties. Playing against a top side will only help them grow as cricketers.

StatAttack

1- The number of times Ireland beat England out of 7 games. They have lost 5 games with one game being washed out

100-  3 wickets required by Kevin O’Brien to complete 100 wickets in ODI cricket. He will be the first Irishman to reach the landmark.

10- One century required by Morgan and Root to become the second and third English batsmen to complete 10 ODI hundreds.

50- Liam Plunkett will be playing his 50th ODI, 12 years after his debut in this format.