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Following the hosts’ 2-1 victory in the T20Is, Zimbabwe and Ireland will now switch to the ODI format. For the spot in the 2023 ODI World Cup, both teams are competing. Zimbabwe will now participate in the World Cup qualifiers after failing to directly qualify from the Super League. Ireland, on the other hand, stands a chance to advance directly and will hope to strengthen their starting lineup and regain much-needed confidence before their final Super League match.
On Wednesday, January 18, the first match of a three-match ODI series between Zimbabwe and Ireland will take place.
After defeating Ireland 2-1 in the three-match T20I series, Zimbabwe, led by Craig Ervine, will be high on confidence. As the series’ leading run-scorer, the skipper led from the front. The southpaw scored 100 runs in three outings while striking out 112.35% of the time and averaging 33.33 runs per game.
Over the past year, Ryan Burl has gained prominence, and he did not disappoint. He ended the series as the series’ leading wicket-taker with seven. Additionally, at a strike rate of 139.47, he drove in 53 runs. Now, Zimbabwe will want to keep up the momentum in the One-Day Internationals.
Ireland, on the other hand, did not win the T20I series, but many of their top players are back. Due to commitments abroad, Paul Stirling and Lorcan Tucker have both returned to the 20-over matches. Stirling ought to return to batting first with Balbirnie.
Tucker performed admirably in Ireland’s T20 World Cup match against Australia, and he is comfortable under pressure. A lot will depend on Harry Tector’s performance for the national team last year. In addition, Tector took five wickets in the T20I series.
Teams Preview Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe won the deciding match of the T20I series 2-1. Innocent Kaia or T Marumani are expected to partner skipper Craig Ervine at the top of the order. With experienced players Wesley Madhevere, Sean Williams, and Ryan Burl in their playing XI, they have a strong middle order. If Zimbabwe needs more batters, Gary Ballance might make his debut.
In the playing XI, their bowling unit will consist of pacers Richard Ngarva, Luke Jongwe, and Tendai Chatara. Their spin quartet in the playing XI will be Wellington Masakadza, Wesley Madhevere, Ryan Burl, and Sean Williams. They have a strong bowling team that bowls a lot of different games.
Persons of note:
Zimbabwe’s Predicted Playing XI includes Sean Williams, Innocent Kaia, and Ryan Burl.
Ryan Burl, Innocent Kaia, Sean Williams, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarva, Seam Williams, Wellington Masakadza, Wesley Madhevere, Craig Ervine, Tendai Chatara, and Clive Mahande are the ZIM key players. Craig Ervine was in excellent form at this venue during the IT20s, despite missing the tour of Australia. In his final two innings, he scored 96 runs, including a half-century on Sunday.
Gary Ballance is expected to return for this match, despite missing the previous two IT20s with a mild concussion. In ODI cricket, he has scored two half-centuries.
During the IT20 series, Zimbabwe’s bowlers chose Ryan Burl, an all-rounder. After taking seven wickets in the three IT20 matches, he will be eager to bowl more overs in this format.
Ireland Preview
Ireland opener Andrew Balbirnie will be joined in the ODIs by experienced Paul Stirling after a successful T20I series. The middle order’s core will consist of George Dockrell, Curtis Campher, keeper Lorcan Tucker, and Harry Tector, with available back-ups Tyrone Kane and Stephen Doleny.
The XI’s pace attack will be led by Joshua Little, Barry McCarthy, and Mark Adair, with Curtis Campher serving as the pace bowling all-rounder. The spin attack will be led by Gareth Delany, who will be accompanied by Harry Tector, Paul Stirling, and George Dockrell. Depending on the circumstances, Andy McBrine might end up in the starting XI.
Persons of note:
Ireland’s anticipated playing XI includes Gareth Delany, Harry Tector, and Andrew Balbirnie.
Andrew Balbirnie, Paul Stirling, George Dockrell, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Joshua Little, Barry McCarthy, Lorcan Tucker, and Andy McBrine IRE Key Players In his final One-Day International against New Zealand, the right-handed opener scored 120 runs off 103 balls. After scoring 54 runs from 38 balls in an ILT20 match, he is in good form heading into this match.
Harry Tector, a 23-year-old batsman and all-rounder, has a strong batting record in ODIs and has been in good form with the bat this tour. At the Harare Sports Club, he has taken five wickets already.
Josh Little, a left-arm pace bowler, is adamant and frequently gives up more runs than most other players in this format. However, his best ODI score was 4-39. He takes wickets frequently.
Weather Conditions
Harare is one of the slow pitches, and both batters and bowlers will find it to have some uneven bounce on it. There won’t be any delays anticipated for Harare’s sunny and bright weather.
Details about the venue
The outfield in Harare is good, and the ball will fly to the outfield boundaries right away. In the match, we anticipate scores of 250-260 runs on average.
Toss:
To Bowl: Because this pitch is slow and it is hard for batters to time the ball, both teams will try to bowl first. The chasing teams have prevailed in every T20I match thus far.
Winning Prediction for ZIM vs. IRE
Zimbabwe’s Bowling Unit Zimbabwe has good spinners and a strong pace unit. Despite the depth up to No. 7 in the lineup, their batters have been somewhat conservative. Ireland has teams that are well-balanced and have a strong batting and bowling unit. In this match, they will be hoping to maintain their winning momentum and win the series. Zimbabwe has the advantage of being at home, so we expect them to win this match.
The match will go to Zimbabwe.
