MoneyBall9 Fantasy guide: Ireland v Sri Lanka 1st ODI

Today’s MoneyBall9 Fantasy guide is for the first ODI of the two-match series between Ireland and Sri Lanka at the Village in Malahide, Dublin.

Ireland host the Sri Lankans for a short series before they fly back to England to play a 5-ODI and a T20I after being handed over a 2-0 defeat in the Test series. While this is one of those rare occasions where the Irish team gets to play a full member nation apart from the ICC events, playing in the conditions here will help the Lankans get some form ahead of the limited-overs series in England.

Let’s get to business now!

Batsmen

The first batsman that I pick in my Moneyball9 team for the game is Sri Lanka’s Upul Tharanga who comes in for 7500 bucks. The 31-year old has been in good form having featured in the Dhaka Premier League for the Mohammedan team and scored 4 half centuries before joining the national team. He will have to adapt to the conditions and make sure his 180-ODI experience counts for the team. The two other specialist batsmen I picked are Ed Joyce and Ireland skipper William Porterfield.

Wicketkeeper

For the wicketkeeper’s position, the battle was between Dinesh Chandimal and Gary Wilson. Despite the fact that Chandimal struggled in the recent Test series I would give him a go ahead of Wilson since the latter hasn’t fared any better in the county season playing for his side Surrey. He has scores of 13, 11 and 1* in his last 3 outings for the team. Chandimal has a salary of 6600 while Wilson comes in for 4000. So if you opt for a heavyweight and wish to accommodate a budget player you get an option here.

Allrounder

My first choice allrounder for this game is Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews. Though he hasn’t been at his best with the ball, bat or captaincy in the Test series, ODI is a different ball game and with conditions assisting seamers he has the ability to chip in with a few wickets and at the same time can hit the long ball towards the end of the inning. Given the fact that Ireland bowling isn’t as threatening as England pushes up his run-scoring possibility.

Bowlers

George Dockrell, Shaminda Eranga and Tim Murtagh form my bowling attack for this game, since the match is played on a surface where the 250 has been the average score in recent years and seamers are expected to extract assistance with overcast conditions and dampness in the pitch as it has rained there in the last few days. It’s an option to swap Murtagh with Suranga Lakmal but again it depends on whether you have enough money to afford Lakmal’s 5500 salary, I couldn’t accommodate him in my team of 9 go for him if you can.

Flexible player

Kevin O’Brien would be a really good pick for the flexible player slot but I have to go for Dasun Shanaka. The right-arm medium pacer can also score a few runs lower down the order and he charges you just 6000 bucks for a spot in the team whereas you shell 1000 extra to get in O’Brien. Again if you have enough money in your purse pick the Irish. Both the players have the ability to get you the edge in the game.

Happy picking!