*IRELAND VS SCOTLAND MATCH 7 PREVIEW- ICC WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS 2023*
*THE BUILD UP*
Very little did Ireland know about what was coming towards them like a storm. Defeat at the hands of Oman, a rising team has to be the wakeup call for the Irish men as they gear up to face Scotland, who are yet to compete in this tournament. The highlight of their defeat was most certainly their bowling which looked lackluster and lacked the bite that was needed. Despite putting up on the board, a total of 281 runs, they lost with 11 balls to spare. The likes of Adair and LIttle, with the latter coming on the back of an impressive IPL season, were impressive however, the rest of the group with the ball in hand were mediocre at best, leaking runs at over 6 an over and not bowling tight lines to which the Omani batters could have fallen prey to.
All eyes focused on the bowling but star batters of the team- Paul Stirling and Balbirnie, not rising to the occasion should also worry Ireland. If they are to spring a surprise in the remaining games and make a point, Stirling has to get past his days of inconsistencies and the inability to go big whenever he ends up getting a good start upfront. Combined with the captain’s contribution with him leading from the front, is one aspect where Ireland would look to groove themselves up.
Time to lay our attention with our eyes on Scotland, a team which would like forgetting their warm up fixtures where they were simply bullied while batting, being castled out for 173 and 163 against Windies and Zimbabwe respectively. Skipper Cross and McMullen were probably the only two rays of light in an otherwise sorry looking batting scorecards. Come this game where they will lock horns against a wounded lion which recently suffered an upset, will it be time for some reversal of fortune or will Ireland get back on track?
*IRELAND PROBABLE XI*
Andy McBrine, Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie(c), Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker(wk), George Dockrell, Gerath Delany, Mark Adair, Graham Hume, Joshua Little, Benjamin White
What Dockrell produced in the first game was sensational, He completely dismantled the bowling lineup and was a handy contributor towards the back end with a solid 91 off 89, a knock that comprised 7 fours and 2 mammoth sixes. The fact that he averages a mere 21 in ODI cricket and then produces performances like this is something that Ireland will remember for a long long time. To add to this, he also picked up a wicket and a key wicket of Aqib Ilyas. I will be once again placing my eyes on this underrated allrounder to go out there and do something memorable for his side, but this time in a winning cause.
Harry Tector, the very promising young batter reached a fifty the other day but it came at a very slow pace, with him striking only in the 60s. He would be looking forward to up the ante come tomorrow’s must win game for the Irish to continue kicking in the tournament. Balbirnie should also aim at using him with the bowl, as he boasts of a fine average and economy while bowling in the shortest format of the game. Even against Oman, he quietly leaked just 15 runs off the 24 balls he bowled and could be an exciting prospect in the future.
*SCOTLAND PROBABLE XI*
Matthew Cross(wk), Tomas Mackintosh, Brandon Mcmullen, George Munsey, Richie Berrington(c), Micheal Leask, Chris Greaves, Jack Jarvis, Chris Sole, Alasdair Evans, Adrian Neill
In Scotland’s game against the West Indies, Chris Sole was instrumental in letting the world know him. Not only did he pick up a four wicket haul for just 50 runs which by the way, is no ordinary feat, he was also involved in some lower order hitting where he smashed 4 fours and one big six. He did not feature in the game vs ZIM but his allround performance in the opening warmup will keep him in contention for a spot.
The Scottish top order will need to be wary of the threat that comes their way with Adair and Little in the opposition, They were sensational last game and could do the damage even tomorrow. They could look at making merry with the others and playing these two world class quicks safely because with Little in the opposition, the Irish skipper will try to use him in all phases of the game given his versatility with the bowl. Excited to watch the trio of Munsey-Cross-Berrington bat.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE GAME*
*FOR IRE*
Highest run getter- Harry Tector/Andrew Balbirnie
Highest wicket taker- Josh Little/Mark Adair
*FOR SCOTLAND*
Highest run getter- George Munsey/Matthew Cross
Highest wicket taker- Chris Greaves/Chris Sole
*FOR THIS GAME*
Ireland to get back to winning ways.