|| Desk Report ||

Ireland and West Indies will face each other today in the first match of Walton Tri nation series. The match will start at 3.45 Pm ( BD time ) on Clontarf Castle Avenue, Dublin. As per the groundsmen, the pitch will be batting friendly but it would also be quick enough for the bowlers. The overcast condition may help bowlers to get swing. The average batting score in this ground is 264.

In their last five meetings West Indies won 3 of the matches while Ireland won one and one match was abandoned. Record says that West Indies are clearly favorite in this match. However, Ireland can get inspiration by their brilliant victory against West Indies in the World Cup 2015. In that match they scored 307 runs and beat West Indies by 3 runs.

Since experienced players like Chris Gayle and Andre Russel are currently playing in IPL, so they will miss the whole series. The absence of them will provide a good opportunity to the youngstars like SW Ambris, John Campbell, SO Dowrich and RA Reifer.

In bowling department captain Jason Holder and Kemar Roach will lead the Windies. Windies top order batsman Shai Hope is in great form. He has scored 412 runs in the last 10 matches with an average of 58.85.

Ireland would like to see him back to the pavilion pretty early. A.Balbirnie ,TJ Murtagh and JB little will be the players to watch for the Ireland. Balbirnie has scored 387 runs in the last 10 matches with an average of 48.37. His wicket will be key for the West Indies.  

The bowling attack of Ireland is lead by Right-arm fast-medium bowler TJ Murtagh and young left arm fast bowler JB Little. Murtagh took 14 wickets in the last 10 matches with an economy of 4.35 runs per over.

The youngstar JB Little took 4 wickets against England in his debut, he will surely be a player to watch in Irish condition. And the experienced players like PR Stirling,WB Rankin, WTS Porterfield will also be crucial for Ireland’s success. 

Ireland Squad:

WTS Porterfield (C), MR Adair, A Balbirnie,  GH Dockrell, JB Little, AR McBrine, BJ McCarthy, JA McCollum, TJ Murtagh,KJ O'Brien, WB Rankin, PR Stirling, LJ Tucker, GC Wilson.