ABOUT THE MATCH

Ireland has chosen to host the Netherlands and Scotland in a T20i Tri-Nation Series after the Euro T20 Slam was canceled at short notice. The hosts face the Dutch first-up at The Village, Malahide, on September 15.

Ireland beat the Netherlands in a last-ball thriller when they last met, in Oman, but they have won just one of their five T20 internationals since, suffering a 3-0 series defeat to Afghanistan before drawing 1-1 with Zimbabwe.

The Netherlands, meanwhile, also drew a series 1-1 with Zimbabwe but go into this game having seen a young team thrashed 4-0 by the UAE in their most recent series. The last time these three nations met in a Tri-Series, however, the Dutch beat the Irish twice on Rotterdam last year.

TOSS PREDICTION

Ireland will want to kick off with a home win at Malahide and so will be keen to win the toss and dictate terms too. They batted first last time they played an international in Dublin.

PITCH AND CONDITIONS

The forecast has given between 35-40 percent chance of rain in Dublin, which could cause a frustrating afternoon. The temperature is set to be in the high teens.

Generally, a balanced wicket, the previous stats at Malahide are skewed a little by the strength of the opposition Ireland have faced. In general, there should be something for the batsmen and bowlers.

PROBABLE PLAYING XI OF Ireland

Paul Stirling, Kevin O’Brien, Gary Wilson (c, wk), Andrew Balbirnie, Stuart Thompson, Mark Adair, Shane Getkate, David Delany, George Dockrell, Boyd Rankin, Jacob Mulder

PROBABLE PLAYING XI OF Netherlands

Tobias Visee, Max O’Dowd, Ben Cooper, Bas de Leede, Tonny Staal, Scott Edwards (wk), Pieter Seelaar (c), Brandon Glover, Paul van Meekeren, Fred Klaassen, Philippe Boissevain

MATCH PREVIEW

Ireland

  • Gareth and David Delany are among the player selected by Ireland, who is the only one of the three teams in this tournament not to confirm the squad that will then head to the UAE next month.
  • Harry Tector is another looking for his international debut, while Jacob Mulder returns too.
  • After two wins from three games at the Oman Quadrangular T20i series, Ireland’s recent form in the shortest format has dipped.
  • They lost all three matches in their series against Afghanistan before a 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe.
  • In a reduced first game, Mark Adair took 4-40 and Paul Stirling hammered 86* from 36 balls as Ireland chased 134 to win by nine wickets in a match shortened to 13 overs.
  • Zimbabwe leveled the series in the final game, however – Ireland’s 171/9 proving below par as the tourists raced to 172/2 in just 16.4 overs.

Netherlands

  • The Dutch have internationally overlooked their county players for much of this season, with a view to blooding younger players, and that is the case again with this tournament.
  • Ryan ten Doeschate, Colin Ackermann and Roelof van der Merwe will join the squad in the UAE for the T20 World Cup qualifier but, for now, uncapped Vikram Singh has been selected, as have Clayton Floyd and Bas de Leede.
  • Like Ireland, the Netherlands won two of their three matches at the Oman Quadrangular Series.
  • They then drew 1-1 with Zimbabwe posting 199/6 in their first game as Ben Cooper and Roelof van der Merwe hit half-centuries before they bowled them out for 150.
  • The second match was tied, but the Dutch lost in the super over after both teams scored 152.
  • Most recently, an inexperienced Dutch side headed to the UAE but lost all four matches against the hosts.

PROBABLE WINNING TEAM:

Ireland has named a slightly stronger squad for this series, with the Dutch holding back some of their biggest stars for the T20 World Cup qualifier. With home advantage too, the Irish can start with a win.

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