Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
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| Image credit: Getty Images |
One of the tournament favourites come up against a side looking to build on their impressive warm up win against Sri Lanka.
Australia continue their campaign with a meeting against Ireland, who begin their tournament with arguably the toughest test of them all.
Will they be competitive?
Australia picked up a comfortable victory against Pakistan, flexing their muscle with the bat, especially in the early stages. A total of 164 on a slowish pitch at Providence shows the adaptability of the Australians, who were buoyed by the superb Alyssa Healy. The bowlers then showed their prowess, restricting Pakistan to just 113. Can they make it two from two against a side looking to make a mark?
Ireland are coming off an encouraging warm up thrashing of Sri Lanka, which has built confidence in the camp. In 2018, though, Ireland have had a bit of a tough time of things, beaten soundly by New Zealand at home, as well as Bangladesh. But, a big tournament can bring the best out of players, and the Irish will be hoping luck is on their side against a strong Australian side.
Key to an Australia win
Alyssa Healy was simply brilliant against Pakistan, seemingly batting on a different pitch to the rest. Her 48 at a strike rate of 165.51 set the tone for Australia, and is something the Southern Stars will be looking for a repeat of. In addition, the other members of the top three, Beth Mooney and skipper Meg Lanning, picked up 40s to help build their form ahead of this clash. They will once again be key in building towards a big total.
With the ball, Australia have immense quality. The wickets were shared across the board against Pakistan, and it will be important for Australia to display ruthlessness with the ball, focusing on Ireland rather than looking towards the bigger games ahead in this tournament.
Key to an Ireland win
In what would be an upset of huge proportions, Ireland’s immediate focus needs to be holding their own with the bat. Can they make up for a lack of power with effective strike rotation? Self-belief is important in a task this big, and the likes of Clare Shillington, who is coming off a 50 vs Sri Lanka, and skipper Laura Delany will be vital in holding the innings together.
Also, with the ball, can Ireland get into Australia’s middle order relatively quickly? Australia have showed time and time again that their top order is capable of causing damage, so how well can the Irish restrict them? Their best chance is through powerplay wickets, and maintaining pressure throughout the middle overs. Easier said than done, of course.
Possible teams
Australia: 1. Alyssa Healy (wk), 2. Beth Mooney, 3. Meg Lanning (c), 4. Ashleigh Gardner, 5. Elyse Villani, 6. Rachael Haynes, 7. Ellyse Perry, 8. Sophie Molineux, 9. Delissa Kimmince, 10. Georgia Wareham, 11. Megan Schutt
Ireland: 1. Clare Shillington, 2. Cecilia Joyce, 3. Gaby Lewis, 4. Laura Delany (c), 5. Shauna Kavanagh, 6. Kim Garth, 7. Rebecca Stokell, 8. Mary Waldron (wk), 9. Eimear Richardson, 10. Isobel Joyce, 11. Amy Kenealy/Celeste Raack
Stats and Facts
- Australia have won their last five T20I matches against Ireland.
- Ireland bowled Sri Lanka out for 85 in their most recent outing (warm up game).
- Australia are ranked 1st, Ireland 10th.
Prediction
Even as an Australian, it would be great to see Ireland be competitive.
But, Australia should have little trouble in this one, boasting the quality and experience that will be a too much for Ireland to handle.
Thanks for reading!
