Ireland vs Zimbabwe, 2019: 1st T20I: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

While the Zimbabwe Cricket board is in a crisis, the team’s performance on the field has been no different as they lost all five ODIs on their tour of Europe. They became the first full-member nation to lose a multi-match ODI series against the Netherlands and later got whitewashed by Ireland in the 3-match series. The only positive from this tour for Zimbabwe has been the Super Over win against the Dutch in the T20I.

The tied game brought an end to their losing streak that began post their famous 2-run win against India at home in 2016. In fact, Zimbabwe needed one run from four balls in the game against the Netherlands which later went into Super Over as they failed to score the remaining one run. Craig Ervine and Paul Stirling will be the players to watch out for in the 3-match T20I series starting on Wednesday.

Match Details:

The 1st game of the 3-match T20I series between Ireland and Zimbabwe will be hosted by the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast.

The match starts at 12:30 PM local time (11:30 AM GMT) (5:00 PM IST). The game will be streamed live on Ireland Cricket Website.

Last five completed T20I matches:

Ireland: L, L, L, W, L.

Zimbabwe: T (W), L, L, L, L.

Pitch Condition/Report:

The Civil Service Cricket Club ground has hosted only one Twenty20 game since the start of 2016. Considering 8 Twenty20s played at the venue since 2015, it can be said that the pitch isn’t made for big scores. Same was proved during the ODI series. Out of those eight matches, the batting first side posted under 130 on six occasions and ended up losing all the six. The chasing teams found it tough when they while chasing more than 140.

Average first innings score: 119 (Completed Twenty20s since 2015)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 6, Lost – 2

Probable Playing XIs:

Ireland:

Paul Stirling, Kevin O’Brien, Andrew Balbirnie, Lorcan Tucker, Gareth Delany, Shane Getkate, Gary Wilson (C & WK), Mark Adair, George Dockrell, Joshua Little, Boyd Rankin.

Bench – Tyrone Kane, Greg Thompson, Craig Young.

Zimbabwe:

Solomon Mire, Hamilton Masakadza (C), Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Peter Moor, Ryan Burl, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara.

Bench – Chris Mpofu, Ainsley Ndlovu, Richmond Mutumbami, Elton Chigumbura.

Team News:

(Will be added when there is an update)

Power Picks:

Paul Stirling had good returns in T20Is at the start of 2019. The Irish opener struck three half-centuries in the six T20Is he played this year. In those six knocks, Stirling scored 252 runs at an average of 42 including his best T20I score of 91. The senior batsman has done well in ODIs too this year scored 502 runs at an average of 55.77 from only nine ODIs by scoring five fifties and a century in this span.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

The players in the all-rounders’ category Mark Adair, Shane Getake, Sean Williams, Ryan Burl and Sikandar Raza have made exceptional performances in the ODI series. Craig Ervine has been in rich form with the bat of late while Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie and Brendan Taylor are trustable players with the bat especially in the top 3.

Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Lorcan Tucker

Batters – Craig Ervine (VC), Paul Stirling (C), Kevin O’Brien

All-Rounders – Sean Williams, Shane Getkate, Mark Adair, Sikandar Raza

Bowlers – George Dockrell, Kyle Jarvis, Donald Tiripano

Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Brendan Taylor (VC)

Batters – Paul Stirling, Solomon Mire, Craig Ervine, Andrew Balbirnie

All-Rounders – Mark Adair, Sean Williams (C), Ryan Burl

Bowlers – Donald Tiripano, Boyd Rankin, George Dockrell

Expert Advice:

Ireland has whole different tactics in T20Is compared to what they do in ODIs. As a result, fantasy team can’t be picked on what the hosts have done in the ODI series. One fine example is Kevin O’Brien opens the innings in this format with Paul Stirling but bats at No.5 or below when it comes to ODIs.

Probable Winners:

Both the teams have struggled in T20Is but Ireland will have an edge on recent form.

*Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.