Ireland vs Zimbabwe preview

Posted on | March 15, 2007 | No Comments

In another battle of the minnows, World Cup debutants Ireland will look to get off the blocks when they face Zimbabwe in a Group D match at Sabina Park in Jamaica.

The Irish ran South Africa close, and lost by 37 runs to the World champions in their opening warm up game. They were 139/4 at one stage,chasing 192, but a late collapse saw them fold up for 157. They will learn with time to close out such chases. The Irish made their ODI debut against England in a 38 run defeat nearly a year back, and they have improved in leaps and bounds since then. They have some capable players in their squad. Eoin Morgan, who plays for Middlesex, is the only ODI player to be dismissed for 99 on debut. Wicketkeeper Niall O’ Brien will play for Northamptonshire next season. The Irish beat Canada quite comfortably in their other warm up game. Captain Trent Johnston ( who took a 4 wicket haul against RSA in the warm up) and Dave Langford Smith will play an important role for the Irish in the bowling department.

Zimbabwe have a richer cricketing history than the Irish in WC cricket, but their current team is a shadow of the teams that represented them previously. The worsening political situation has resulted in many competent players moving out, and the current squad is a young, inexperienced one. Justice Chibhabha, Stuart Masikenyeri and Sean Williams form a competent middle order. Brendan Taylor ( Wk) and Vusimuzi Sibanda are not bad by any stretch of imagination. Prosper Utseya, their skipper is an extremely capable spinner.Young pacer Anthony Ireland shares his surname with his opponents, and he will be keen to play well against them.
This game could go either way, but if the Irish play to their potential, I see no reason why they shouldn’t win this game. Zimbabwe aren’t bad, but I just feel Ireland are the better team here. A win here is the only way these these two teams can still harbour hope of reaching the super eight. Ireland to win, and Johnston and Langford Smith to impress with the ball.

Related posts:

1. Ireland vs Netherlands betting preview- World Cup 2011
2. England vs Ireland preview
3. Ireland vs West Indies betting preview- World Cup 2011
4. South Africa vs Ireland preview
5. Australia vs Ireland preview

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