Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey

ENG vs IRE 2nd ODI Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | ENG vs IRE 2nd ODI Dream11 Prediction Today | England vs Ireland 2nd ODI Dream11 | ENG vs IRE 2nd ODI Key Players | Southampton Pitch Report

Key players and a vocal crowd may have been absent, but that didn’t stop England from continuing where they left off in ODI cricket. The world champions, on a sharp, upward trajectory since 2015, had little issues in dismantling Ireland in the first game of the ODI Super League. England didn’t look back after David Willey’s devastating opening burst, and now have a series win in their sights.

That Ireland reached 172 was somewhat of a miracle. Reeling at 28/5, Ireland’s lowest ODI score of 80 was under serious threat, before debutant Curtis Campher displayed excellent poise and technique under serious pressure to give his team some respectability.

They then displayed some good fight with the ball, reducing England to 78/4 even without the injured Barry McCarthy to raise hopes of the most stunning of upsets. However, if Ireland are to bounce back in this match, they need more from the likes of Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie, rather than placing their hopes on a debutant and number nine Andy McBrine.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• David Willey, man of the match in the first ODI, had a very successful return to the England team. His opening burst of 4/20 set the game up for England. Can he bamboozle Ireland with swing and subtle seam movement again?
• Sam Billings was England’s other main star. Probably only playing because Joe Denly was injured, Billings produced a superb knock of 67* (54) under pressure to get England home.
• Curtis Campher (59* and 1/25) had quite the promising debut. The question is: can he back up a fine effort with another on Saturday?
• Jonny Bairstow failed with the bat in the opening match. However, his record at the Ageas Bowl remains superb: 239 runs, avg. 79.66, SR: 112.73.
• Jason Roy didn’t push on with a start on Thursday, but he still averages over 50 at the Ageas Bowl (eight matches, 356 runs).
• Eoin Morgan (36*) has the most runs of any player at the Ageas Bowl (646 runs, avg. 80.75). Also, Morgan has a superb record vs Ireland: 305 runs, avg. 76.25, SR: 91.
• Paul Stirling (Ireland’s highest ODI run-scorer) and Andy Balbirnie (1,156 runs, avg. 39.86 since 2018) must step up for Ireland this time. Key players.
• Harry Tector made a duck on debut. However, don’t write off the 20-year old, as he came into the match on the back of three consecutive List A fifties.
• Moeen Ali was steady in the first ODI. However, if he gets a chance with the bat, watch out for his ball-striking. He struck at a SR of 272.22 in the T20I series in South Africa earlier in 2020.
• It was quite pleasing for England to see Adil Rashid turn the ball both ways in the first ODI. His 1/26 included three maidens, and now has the most wickets of any current player in England-Ireland ODIs (9).
• Craig Young showed an ability to nip the new ball around in the opening game (two wickets). Can he find greater support this time around?
• Watch out for Tom Curran at the backend of an innings, as he continues to develop as a good death bowler with his variations.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-Head: 11 Matches, England 9, Ireland 1, NR 1.
• Ireland’s only win vs England was the all-time classic in the 2011 World Cup. Kevin O’Brien hit a memorable century. However, can he improve on his average of 26.10 vs England?
• In the last six completed ODIs at Southampton (2019-2020), the average first innings score is 245. The team batting first and second have both won three matches each.

Possible Playing 11

England could stick with the same team for this match to seal the series. If they win this match, they could then look to experiment a little more in the next match.

England: 1. Jonny Bairstow (wk), 2. Jason Roy, 3. James Vince, 4. Eoin Morgan (c), 5. Tom Banton, 6. Sam Billings, 7. Moeen Ali, 8. Tom Curran, 9. David Willey, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. Saqib Mahmood

Barry McCarthy injured his knee in the first ODI, so he is very likely to miss this game. Boyd Rankin could come in. Also, will Ireland push Curtis Campher up the order?

Ireland: 1. Paul Stirling, 2. Gareth Delany, 3. Andy Balbirnie (c), 4. Harry Tector, 5. Kevin O’Brien, 6. Lorcan Tucker, 7. Curtis Campher, 8. Simi Singh, 9. Andy McBrine, 10. Craig Young, 11. Boyd Rankin

Ageas Bowl Pitch Report and Conditions

The Ageas Bowl track in the first ODI was slow but still decent for batting, despite the scores not really depicting that. The new-ball bowlers, particularly Willey, found swing and subtle movement, which could be on show again. Importantly, the same track will be used for the second ODI, so if the top orders can get through the initial burst, runs will be on offer.

After a gorgeous day in Southampton on Thursday, there is the chance of a shower or two on Saturday.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

Ireland showed some positive signs after a terrible start in the first ODI. However, England with a solid core, as well as exciting young players, should go on to win the series.

Thanks for reading!