Ireland vs Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe tour of Ireland, 2019, Today Match Prediction 07 Jul 2019

ire vs zim Match Prediction & Analysis

Welcome everyone to the last match of the ODI series between Ireland and Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe team lost the ODI series 2-0 after losing the second consecutive match. They would look to get a consolation win to gain momentum leading to the T20I series.  Skipper Hamilton Masakadza is yet to play a substantial knock after his return to international matches. Zimbabwe was reeling at 14/3 inside 5 overs in the last match. All-rounder’s Sean Williams and Ryan Burl scored fighting fifties but were not able to seal the chase in their favor. 

Craig Ervine and Donald Tiripano made crucial contributions with the bat. Pace bowlers Kyle Jarvis, Donald Tiripano, and Tendai Chatara were not up to the mark and struggled to get wickets at regular intervals. All-rounder Solomon Mire was the most successful bowler with 4 wickets to his name. Spinners Sikander Raza and Sean Williams chipped in with two wickets each and restricted Ireland to a par score of 242 runs. 

Ireland will be high on morale after beating Zimbabwe 2-0 and clinching the ODI series. Paul Stirling and James McCollum started the match in grand fashion with a 111-run opening partnership. Both the batsmen scored their respective fifties but failed to continue on to make a big century. Lorcan Tucker played an aggressive knock of 56 runs when the rest of the middle order batsmen fell around him. Ireland failed to capitalize on good start due to middle order wobble and ended with 242 runs on board.

Tim Murtagh registered his career-best figures of 5/21 to derail Zimbabwe `s chase. Boyd Rankin, Shane Getkate, and Mark Adair held their nerve at crucial moments and contributed towards the team`s success. Ireland will look to whitewash Zimbabwe in the third and last match of the ODI series. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Ireland Preview

Key Players:

Paul Stirling – Paul Stirling is piling on the runs and has registered his 6th consecutive 50+ score in the ODIs.  He shared a 100 run partnership in both the matches and is setting the tone for their batting innings. 

Tim Murtagh – Tim Murtagh had dream figures of 10-1-21-5 in the last match. He bowled the 49th over giving away just 1 run and dismissed Donald Tiripano to take his team move ahead in the match. 

Recent Stats

Andrew Balbirnie -110 runs, Avg. – 55, HS - 101, 100s -1

Solomon Mire – 4 wickets, Eco – 5.4 RPO, BB – 4/38

Ireland Predicted Playing XI:

William Porterfield (c), Kevin O Brien, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Paul Stirling, Shane Getkate, Tim Murtagh, Andrew Balbirnie, Mark Adair, Boyd Rankin, Andy McBrine, James McCollum

Ireland Actual Playing XI:

James McCollum, Kevin O'Brien, Mark Richard Adair, Andy McBrine, WTS Porterfield, Paul Stirling, Shane Getkate, WB Rankin, Tim Murtagh, Lorcan Tucker, Andy Balbirnie

Zimbabwe Preview

Key Players:

Ryan Burl – Ryan Burl put up a brave fight in the chase and tried his best to complete the chase. His run out in the last over sealed the match in the favor of Ireland. Ryan Burl will be delighted after scoring his maiden ODI fifty in the last match.    

Sean Williams – Sean Williams had a good match on a personal note scoring fifty and taking two wickets with the ball. But his contributions were not enough to take his team over the line.

Recent Stats

Craig Ervine -148 runs, Avg. – 74, HS - 105, 100s -1

Tim Murtagh – 6 wickets, Eco – 3.2 RPO, BB -5/21

Zimbabwe Predicted Playing XI:

Hamilton Masakadza (c), Solomon Mire, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Richmond Mutumbani, Kyle Jarvis, Donald Tiripano, Ryan Burl, Tendai Chatara

Zimbabwe Actual Playing XI:

BRM Taylor, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Richmond Mutumbami, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Solomon Mire, Hamilton Masakadza, Tendai Chatara, Kyle Jarvis, Sean Williams

Weather Conditions

Belfast pitch provides good assistance to the pace bowlers and the new ball is expected to swing and seam in these conditions. We can expect average scores in the range of 250-270 runs. The weather forecast looks bright and clear with just 10% chances of rain on the match day. 

Toss: WIN the toss, BAT First

The pitch gets slower as the match progresses and both captains will be wary of this fact. Chasing becomes little difficult and tricky in this pitch.