Ireland vs New Zealand, 3rd T20I: Match Preview, Head to Head, Playing XI and Broadcast Details

Ireland will be locking horns with New Zealand in the third T20I at the Civil Service Cricket Club Stormont in Belfast on Friday, July 22. Unlike the One Day Internationals, the Irish team were comprehensively defeated in the first two T20Is by 31 and 88 runs respectively. In fact, the hosts suffered a humiliating defeat in the last game where they were skittled out for 91 in the 14th over, chasing 180 with only opener Paul Stirling and all-rounder Mark Adair getting past 20 runs. Even the bowling has let Ireland down in both games.

New Zealand on the other hand have been clinical in all departments in the final leg of this bilateral series. Even though they lost their top-order early in the first game, the middle-order brilliantly compensated and the bowlers were impactful in both matches, thereby ensuring the Irish batters got nowhere near the target while chasing.

With the series already in the bag, the Kiwis will be leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that they finish this tour on a high note without losing a single game. Hence, they would be coming out all guns blazing in order to register a whitewash.

Pitch and conditions

The Belfast wicket has been a good one to bat. There has not been a lot of movement on the surface due to which the bowlers had to stick to their lines and lengths in order to get breakthroughs. While chasing is a good option with a run-fest expected on this batting-friendly pitch, the captain winning the toss would be looking to bat first and defend a total.

Playing Combinations for IRE vs NZ

Ireland

Ireland would not be interested in making any changes in their side and would be going ahead with the same side in this inconsequential clash as they look to salvage pride by winning the final match. However, all eyes would be on their misfiring bowling unit and the duo of Craig Young and Mark Adair would be expected to make an impact.

Predicted XI:  Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie (c), Gareth Delany, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young, Joshua Little

New Zealand:

Even New Zealand would be sticking to the same winning combination for this dead-rubber as they look to get enough match practice heading into the ICC T20 World Cup down under in October this year. Under left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner’s guidance, the Kiwis have been remarkable in this series and they would be eager to end the proceedings on a high.

Predicted XI: Martin Guptill, Finn Allen, Dane Cleaver (wk), Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham,  Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy

IRE vs NZ Head to Head

Played – 3 | Ireland – 0| New Zealand – 3 | Drawn – 0

IRE vs NZ Broadcast Details

Match Timings- 8:30 PM IST

Live Streaming –  FanCode App