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BARBADOS – The first men’s One-Day International between hosts West Indies and the touring Ireland gets underway at 1.30pm (local time) at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown on Tuesday 7 January 2020. This will be the first international match under the captaincy of newly-appointed Irish skipper, Andrew Balbirnie.
This match will be broadcast on Sky Sports Mix in Ireland / UK.

Ireland and the West Indies have played some memorable matches over the years, and the last three ODIs between the two sides – whilst won by the West Indies – have shown that this can be a very competitive match up. The two games in Dublin last year produced some high scoring encounters – the first match being a convincing win to the visitors after a record opening stand between Shai Hope and John Campbell, but the second match saw both sides hit 300+ scores – the Irish innings dominated by new captain Andrew Balbirnie’s near flawless 135. Preceding this, the two sides played out a seesawing battle at the 2018 World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, that at one stage saw the Men in Green reduce their opponents to 83-5 before Rovman Powell’s late-on century gave the Windies a defendable total.

Conditions in Bridgetown are expected to be sunny and a maximum of 29 degrees. While the pitch is anticipated to be on the slow side, and will be impacted once the lights take over in this day-nighter, this does not necessarily mean runs will be hard to come by. England played two ODIs here last year and the two encounters saw an average of 319 runs scored per innings between the sides.

Ireland

The Irish squad have come through two warm-up matches on tour with all players available for selection. Mark Adair missed the first match due to illness, but returned to the field for the second match and is fit to play. The batters have had two decent hit outs, which have included half-centuries from Paul Stirling, James McCollum, Gareth Delany and Gary Wilson, while Andrew Balbirnie, William Porterfield and Kevin O’Brien have registered valuable time in the middle.

The bowlers have been adjusting to conditions, with Boyd Rankin’s 2-26 and 1-17 the most impressive performances on tour, while Gareth Delany and Kevin O’Brien have shown they can both be wicket-takers when called upon, and Simi Singh the most economical of the spinners.

Ireland’s ODI squad is: Andrew Balbirnie (Captain), Mark Adair, Gareth Delany, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, Kevin O’Brien, William Porterfield, Boyd Rankin, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Lorcan Tucker, Gary Wilson, Craig Young.

Image: Andrew Balbirnie passes fifty, on his way to 135 against West Indies in Dublin

West Indies

The West Indies have come off a six-match white ball series against India in December in reasonable form. Despite losing both the T20I and ODI series’ 2-1 apiece, the Windies batters showed they were up for the fight, particularly Shai Hope who hit 102*, 78 and 42 in the three ODIs, ably supported by Nicholas Pooran who hit 29*, 75 and 89 in the same matches. The West Indian bowling unit toiled hard in subcontinent conditions, but struggled against the home sides powerful batting line-up. Back in Caribbean conditions, the bowlers will be an altogether different proposition. The West Indies have additionally chosen to rest captain Jason Holder from the first two ODIs.

West Indies ODI squad is: Kieron Pollard (Captain), Sunil Ambris, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Keemo Paul, Khary Pierre, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh Jr.

Key players

Ireland – Andrew Balbirnie

All eyes will be on newly-appointed Ireland captain Balbirnie, who evidence suggests should not let the captaincy affect his batting contribution. Balbirnie hit 29 and 135 in the two encounters with the Windies in 2019, and looked in good touch scoring 36 and 40 in the two warm-up games. While new to the captaincy, Balbirnie will have some experienced heads around him to call upon for advice if required, but is determined to be the put his own stamp on the side in the new era.

West Indies – Shai Hope

The 26-year old wicketkeeper-batsman was in sparkling form in India last month, and has pedigree against the Irish, scoring 170 and 30 in the two ODIs in 2019. Hope’s ODI record is outstanding, averaging 52.75 and scoring 8 centuries and 15 fifties in 67 innings speaks to a highly effective opener who can build an innings at the top of the order.

Image: Shai Hope on his way to 170 in Dublin

Key to the contest

While there are many aspects of this contest that may determine the outcome, it may well come down to Mark Adair’s words in interview today: “The pitches so far have been pretty flat, but regardless of whether the pitches for the internationals are flat or whether they’re a snake pit, the top of off stump doesn’t move and that’s where we need to try and be as accurate as we can. We can’t be afraid to bowl our bouncers and yorkers, but we need to ensure we have that very accurate stock ball.”

International fixtures – West Indies tour

• Jan 7: 1st Colonial Medical Insurance One-Day International – Kensington Oval, Barbados (start time 5.30pm, GMT)
• Jan 9: 2nd Colonial Medical Insurance One-Day International – Kensington Oval, Barbados (start time 5.30pm, GMT)
• Jan 12: 3rd Colonial Medical Insurance One-Day International – National Cricket Stadium, Grenada (start time 1pm, GMT)
• Jan 15: 1st Twenty20 International – National Cricket Stadium, Grenada (start time 5pm, GMT)
• Jan 18: 2nd Twenty20 International – Warner Park, St. Kitts (start time 10pm, GMT)
• Jan 19: 3rd Twenty20 International – Warner Park, St. Kitts (start time 10pm, GMT)

The main ticketing website for Cricket West Indies is: www.zoonga.com/irelandtour

Craig Easdown
Balbirnie and Stirling will again be key to the Irish campaign
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