England vs Ireland T20 Series Preview
It might technically be autumn, but this week sees the end of England’s cricketing summer as they face Ireland in a T20 series.
The three matches are all taking place in Dublin, with the first on Wednesday, the second on Friday and the third and final encounter on Sunday.
It will be a much-changed England outfit, with Jacob Bethell captaining the side in the absence of the usual white-ball skipper Harry Brook.
In this article, we have three tips to consider ahead of the first match of the series.
Tip 1 - England to win the series 3-0
The England selectors decided to rest their all-format players for this series, which will give some new names the chance to stake a claim for future matches.
The 21-year-old Bethell is expected to be part of the squad to face Australia in the Ashes later this year and this is being talked up as a chance for him to highlight his future captain prospects.
There will be some experience in the squad, with former skipper Jos Buttler joined by other limited-overs stars Adil Rashid and Jamie Overton.
The majority of the squad, though, will have to seize this chance to impress ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Ireland have played 16 T20 international matches over the last two years and won just six of those games, losing both of this year’s encounters against West Indies and Zimbabwe.
Paul Sterling’s side are currently 11th in the world rankings and are looking to build for the future as well, with three of their 14-man squad under the age of 25.
That includes Northern Knights wicketkeeper-batter Ben Calitz, who is set to make his international debut at the age of 23.
Tip 2 - First T20: Top England Wicket-Taker - Luke Wood @ 7/2
The Malhide pitch is a deck that often helps the seam bowlers, while weather conditions are likely to make life difficult for the spinners.
Luke Wood is one player who has impressed the captain, with Brook saying that the Lancashire paceman ‘always does a good job with the new ball’.
England have already been forced into making changes to their bowling options, following an injury to Saqib Mahmood.
Mahmood has to undergo knee surgery which has led to a late call-up for Hampshire seamer Scott Currie.
Currie has been previously capped by Scotland but could make his England debut during this three-match series.
Tip 3 - First T20: Top England Batter - Phillip Salt @ 3/1
Phil Salt was the hero of England’s 146-run win over South Africa at Old Trafford earlier this month, with an incredible knock at the top of the order.
The 29-year-old smashed an unbeaten 141 from just 60 balls - including 15 fours and eight sixes - to help England to a score of over 300.
Following that innings, Salt will be full of confidence going into this series and will see this as a good chance to put himself in contention for next year’s World Cup.
