ABOUT THE MATCH

Ireland and the Netherlands will try again to meet in this hastily arranged Tri-Nation Series after their first scheduled fixture fell foul of the weather. The match will take place at Malahide. The game is scheduled for September 18.

The Irish go into the game on the back of a four-wicket win against Scotland – who had thrashed the Netherlands the previous day. Ireland chased 194 to win, with Andy Balbirnie hitting 64 from 32 balls, after Boyd Rankin had earlier led the bowling with 3-29. In good form, and at home, they are favorites to win this one.

The Dutch, on the other hand, conceded 252/2 against Scotland and could only reach 194/7 in reply despite Pieter Seelaar’s unbeaten 96 from 49 balls. The Dutch captain is one of few experienced players in the Netherlands’ team – the rest will only join up with the squad when they head to the UAE for the World T20 qualifier.

TOSS PREDICTION

Ireland lost the toss last time out whereas the Dutch did not, so they are due this one. Ireland won chasing last time out and may elect to field first again.

PITCH AND CONDITIONS

Though it will be cloudy in Dublin, there is only a very minimal chance of any rain. Temperatures are cool at 16 degrees Celsius at Malahide, but importantly it should stay dry so there should be no repeat of the opening game.

Malahide has generally served a balanced wicket but the scores so far have proved that there is something in it for the batsmen. Overhead conditions could skew things slightly, but there is no other reason to suggest the run rates may stay low.

PROBABLE PLAYING XI OF IRELAND

Kevin O’Brien, Gareth Delany, Gary Wilson (c, wk), Andrew Balbirnie, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Stuart Thompson, Mark Adair, Shane Getkate, David Delany, Boyd Rankin

PROBABLE PLAYING XI OF Netherlands

Tobias Visee, Max O’Dowd, Ben Cooper, Vikramjit Singh, Tonny Staal, Scott Edwards (wk), Pieter Seelaar (c), Shane Snater, Paul van Meekeren, Fred Klaassen, Philippe Boissevain

MATCH PREVIEW

IRELAND

  • David Delany and Harry Tector made their T20 international debuts last time out and will probably feel they did enough to earn another shot at it for this game.
  • Kevin O’Brien opened the batting with Paul Stirling nursing a slight injury.
  • The big-hitting opener is unlikely to be risked with the T20 World Cup qualifier on the horizon unless he gets back to absolute full fitness.
  • Ireland suffered frustration when their opening game was rained off but they made up for lost time with an excellent win against Scotland.
  • Boyd Rankin (3-29) and Gareth Delany (2-31) were the picks of the bowlers as Scotland posted 193/7 before Delany (52) and Andy Balbirnie (64 from 32 balls) powered Ireland to a four-wicket win. They still had 14 balls to spare too.

Netherlands

  • Clayton Floyd made his T20i debut in the defeat to Scotland, but his bowling failed to deliver. Bas de Leede, another who will not be traveling to the UAE, also played.
  • Philippe Boissevain and 16-year-old Vikramjit Singh could be handed their opportunities this time out.
  • The Netherlands poor T20i form continued last time out when they were given a punishing with the ball by Scotland.
  • The Scots posted 252/3, with Shane Snater taking all three wickets, and unsurprisingly the Dutch were well short.
  • Not even 96* from 49 balls by captain Pieter Seelaar could lift them beyond 194/7.

PROBABLE WINNING TEAM:

Ireland was in good form last time out and have a lot of quality in this squad. They are favorites with a good reason for this one.

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