Ireland Team Preview: Will they prevail against star-studded New Zealand?

Here is the preview on the Team Ireland:

 

Key Players:

Skipper Laura Delany, all-rounders Isobel Joyce, Kim Garth and Kavanagh are the key players for Ireland.

The dependable skipper of Ireland, Laura Delany played her first ODI International on July 4, 2010, against New Zealand. She has played 36 T20Is and 35 ODIs till date. She is one of the most experienced players of the Ireland team. Not only her batting but her part-time bowling is an added advantage for the team. 650+ International runs and 30+ International wickets shows her importance in the team. As a captain, she will have an added responsibility on her shoulders.

All-rounder Isobel Joyce is the most experienced player of the Irish team. She made her ODI debut in 1999 against India. She is one of the leading wicket-taker and run-getter for Ireland. Former skipper has 95+ wickets and 1700+ runs by her name. Playing all forms of the game especially playing WBBL for Hobart Hurricanes signifies her value in the team. Irish team depend a lot on her in ODI format.

Another goto player is right-arm off break bowler Kim Garth. She made her debut when she was 14 years and 70 days old, making her the youngest Irish woman to debut in 2010. Since making her debut, Garth has been a regular for Ireland at both ODI and T20I level. Her most outstanding performance to date came in August 2012, when she took 4/11 from five overs against Bangladesh. Just at an age of 22 years, she has already represented in 61+ International games. Her all round abilities especially knocking out with the bowl is an X-factor for the Irish team. She has an added experience of playing WBBL for Sydney Sixers.

 

Strengths:

Ireland has a plenty of quality batters in the team. Isobel Joyce, skipper Delany and Raymond-Hoey are in good touch. They have scored a plenty of runs in the previous series against Zimbabwe. Kim Garth is having a good time with her bowling. Their batting is an X-factor which can threaten the opposition at any time. But they will have to perform exceptionally well against the quality bowlers of New Zealand.

 

Weaknesses:

Ireland has the number of bowlers, but they failed to deliver it at the competitive level. Inability to take wickets in middle overs has cost them a lot. Though the batsman put on the good score on the board they failed to defend it multiple times. They need to work on their bowling if they want to succeed. It will not be an easy job for them to bowl against the star-studded batting line-up of New Zealand.

 

Previous Results:

Ireland played lastly against Zimbabwe in February. The series was a rain-affected where Ireland managed to win a single ODI against them. Most of the matches were washed out. They level up the ODI series 1-1 and failed to make their mark in T20's. They lost the T20 series 0-1.

 

Importance:

After mixed results against Zimbabwe, this will be a good challenge for Ireland. To take on one of the world’s best teams is a test of skill and character which will push the team on to better things. This series will be a learning curve for them ahead of the all-important Women’s World T20 Qualifier tournament in July. They can also grab a momentum for the Bangladesh Series later this month.

 

Threats :

All-Rounders Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine are among the finest players of World Cricket. Amy Satterthwaite is also a challenging player. Speedster Tahuhu and spin sensation Leigh Kasperek will give a tough challenge to Ireland. If Ireland tends to win a series they need to tackle all these star players.

 

Squad for T20I:

Laura Delany (C), Rachel Delaney, Kim Garth, Cecelia Joyce, Isobel Joyce, Shauna Kavanagh, Amy Kenealy, Gaby Lewis, Lara Maritz, Cara Murray, Clare Shillington, Mary Waldron

Squad for ODIs:

Laura Delany (C), Rachel Delaney, Kim Garth, Jennifer Gray, Cecelia Joyce, Isobel Joyce, Shauna Kavanagh, Amy Kenealy, Gaby Lewis, Louise Little, Lara Maritz, Cara Murray, Una Raymond-Hoey, Mary Waldron