Ireland vs Srilanka Match 15 Preview- ICC WorldCup Qualifiers 2023

*SRILANKA VS IRELAND MATCH 15 PREVIEW- ICC WORLDCUP QUALIFIERS 2023*

*THE BUILD UP:*

Life is in a sorry state if you support Ireland at the moment. From being the team to beat to being hammered by the Scotts in their last attempt, The Irish men have started on the wrong note and it all comes down to all three departments of their game not clicking. They have been made to work hard in these field and have not been able to come clutch. Their skipper has not turned up and risen to the occasion, making him probably the weakest link of this batting lineup. He scored a 19 ball 7 in the first game only to follow it up with a golden duck the very next game- its all been a forgettable start for the men in green. 

Another senior player who has to make his years of international experience count is Paul Stirling, the opener of this side, who has produced mediocre results so far. With 149 games backing the veteran, and him nearing a perfect 150, certainly better returns are expected out of him other than a 23 in the first two innings. Ireland would need a blockbuster return to form from their heavyweight in order to continue kicking in the tournament, where we have seen how they have fallen short by only a few runs and it could have been covered up had their two of the most crucial batters performed. 

Another aspect of Ireland’s game that would come back haunting is their inability to defend. It’s not like they have batted extremely poorly but just haven’t been able to back it up with their skillset with the ball in hand. Their best pacer and probably their best bet with the bowl- Little, was the most expensive last game, being clobbered for 22 runs in the 47th game, that eventually proved to a game changing moment against Scotland. A lot of their bowlers have produced moments of magic but they have lacked the consistency that is needed on a regular basis. None of them have taken the opposition by surprise, probably leading to both Oman and the Scots succesfully chasing the total against Ire. This is where their steep challenge arises today vs Srilanka, who have gotten off to a stunning start. 

The Island nation on the other hand, have just been flawless. There are not many words to describe their prowess given how smartly they are managing their resources, collectively piling on the runs and picking up key wickets. So far they have only come up against UAE and Oman but the way they are going to go about the business became very clear from those two dominating wins. Brushing aside an opponent by 175 runs and then crushing Oman with 10 wickets in hand- this is where SL have peaked this tournament and come this game against Ireland, expect no less. 

*IRELAND PROBABLE XI:*

Andy McBrine, Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie(c), Harry Tector, Harry Tucker, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gerath Delaney, Mark Adair, Joshua Little, Benjamin White 

120(108) coupled with 1/39(8.0)- This sums up Curtis Campher’s day against Scotland. Despite trying his level best in both the departments, his team fell short and he ended up on the losing side. What marked this innings was the kind of pressure that this came in, with Ireland losing wickets in cluster and needing someone who could bail them out of trouble- there he was Curtis, who played the role to perfection. He was also economical and picked up the key wicket of Christopher McBride who was batting nicely on 56(59) before being dismissed leg before. Performances like these only boost the morale of a side and greater expectations are on demand from the player. Curtis has put himself in that prestigious bracket and I back him to deliver again because against strong oppositions only is where champions rise. 

The duo of Adair and Joshua are always clinical whenever Ireland win. They have collectively picked up 9 wickets so far but none of those have resulted in an Irish win. They’d be disappointed that their performances haven’t been backed up by their co players, who have hardly looked threatening. What can reverse Ireland’ fortunes is if their star bowling pair gets adequate support to topple rivals at will and this would be much needed tomorrow because SL very well know how to feast on a wounded lion. They hold the aces at the moment but an inspired bowling performance from IRE can make things look differently. 

*SRILANKA PROBABLE XI:*

Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis(Wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya DeSilva, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara 

Switch your TVs on when Hasaranga comes in to bowl and when Hasaranga is batting as well. He is an absolute superstar of the game and has blown away both of Srilanka’s oppositions previously in this tournament. He’s been so accurate and deadly at the same time, that batters are finding hard to read even his straighter one. He already has 11 wickets in his kitty and I won’t be surprised by even a single percentage if he goes onto become the leading wicket taker by a fair margin- that’s how good the Lankan leggie has been. He didn’t get a chance to bat vs Oman but his pretty little cameo vs UAE was enough to make him a blockbuster allround package. Hasaranga boasts of an average of 30 while bowling in ODI cricket but when he gets that white cherry in hand, things seem to take a turn and a turn towards a SL win. He holds the ability to make all of Ireland’s plans disappear into thin air with his bag full of variations and tomorrow with a game placed in Bulawayo yet again where SL will play for the third time in a row, expect something miraculous from the 25 year old.

He, himself stated that this venue favours leg spinners and his tally of 11 big wickets is a result of the statement. Even the rookie Benjamin White should purchase something of great value from the surface here at Bulawayo. 

Have always kept Lahiru at a higher spot than the other Lankan pacers, largely because of the pace with which he bowls and how he can rattle the stumps with that pace. These ZIM tracks were always going to suit him, and do him so good that he gets reward for persistance. His 3-fer to send Kashyap, Zeeshan and Nadeem packing will be a much needed confidence booster ahead of a big game vs Ireland. A SL win will keep them in good stead of finishing first in this group. 

*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THIS GAME:*

*FOR IRE:*
Highest run getter- Harry Tector/Andrew Balbirnie 

Even Curtis could be a good luck if arresting a collapse is needed 

Highest wicket taker- Joshua Little/Benjamin White 

*FOR SL:*
Highest run getter- Kusal Mendis/Dimuth Karunaratne 

Highest wicket taker- Kasun Rajitha/Wanindu Hasaranga 

*FOR THIS GAME:*
SL to win