It’s been a peculiar time in the 50-over format for New Zealand. Since the start of 2020, they have featured in a mere 10 ODIs which is the joint-lowest among the 20 teams that have played ODI cricket in this period. They have played one three-match series each in 2020, 2021 and 2022. A three-match series against Australia started in March 2020 but was cancelled after the first ODI due to COVID.
Match Summary
- Ireland vs New Zealand, 1st ODI
- The Village, Dublin
- July 10th, 2022
In fact, in this ongoing ICC ODI Super League, all teams have played at least 12 ODIs except for New Zealand who have played only six. Their two series came against Bangladesh and Netherlands (both at home) and they ended up winning both those rubbers 3-0. For this series against Ireland, New Zealand will be without quite a few of their first-choice players who have been rested. Tom Latham will lead the ODI squad.
On the other hand, Ireland last featured in an ODI series in January this year. It was in the Caribbean where they beat West Indies 2-1 to record a fantastic win. They have played 18 matches in this Super League and have won only six of them (10 losses and two no-results).
Ireland’s strength lies in their pace attack which can be very effective, especially with the new ball and can make early in-roads, putting the opposition under pressure. Their batting line-up seems pretty good too and there are quite a few experienced campaigners in their ranks.
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Head to head record
New Zealand and Ireland have played each other four times in ODI cricket and the former have won all the four matches. The last time these two sides faced each other in a 50-over game was back in 2017 in a tri-series which also involved Bangladesh. This is the first-ever bilateral ODI series between Ireland and New Zealand.
Ireland’s effective bowling attack
Ireland may not have the best of returns in ODI cricket in terms of results but their bowling attack has been very effective in this ODI Super League. Off-spinner Andy McBrine along with pacers Josh Little and Craig Young have in excess of 25 wickets each. Simi Singh also has taken 14 wickets. Overall, Ireland have taken 120 wickets in this Super League which is the fourth-most (behind England, West Indies and Bangladesh). Thus, the Irish bowling attack might be the key to their chances in this series.
Team News
William Poterfield has retired and Stephen Doheny might make his international debut but the rest of Ireland’s playing XI is likely to resemble the one that played the ODI series in the Caribbean and the T20I series against India recently. Meanwhile, New Zealand might hand out a few debuts to the likes of Finn Allen and Glenn Phillips. Adam Milne might make a comeback into the ODI team after five years.
Match prediction
New Zealand will go into this series and this first ODI as overwhelming favourites. They have the odds of 1.52 to win this game while Ireland have the odds of 2.16.
Who will win the Man of the Match?
Tom Latham’s ODI record in the recent past has been excellent. The left-hander has scored two hundreds in his last five ODIs and he could be a contender. Martin Guptill has been a touch inconsistent but he is a destructive player at the top of the order and could be the one to watch out for. Matt Henry has been bowling really well and he has returned with 11 wickets from five ODIs. Craig Young has been a reliable customer for Ireland with the ball and has picked up 28 wickets in 15 innings in this ODI Super League. Meanwhile, Paul Stirling and Harry Tector may be the top contenders among the Ireland batters to win the player of the match.
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