The stage is set at The Village in Dublin as Ireland and England face off in the first T20I of the series today. Both sides come into the contest with plenty of motivation—England aiming to stamp their dominance, while Ireland look to showcase their growing stature in the shortest format.
Ireland eye home advantage
Ireland, led by the experienced Paul Stirling, will look to make full use of familiar conditions. The batting unit, with Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker as key anchors, has the potential to post competitive totals. The presence of all-rounders like Curtis Campher and George Dockrell gives the team flexibility, while the pace duo of Craig Young and Barry McCarthy will be crucial during the powerplay overs.
England bring firepower
England, under the leadership of Jacob Bethell, have a star-studded lineup that can change the course of the game in quick time. Jos Buttler and Phil Salt at the top provide explosive starts, while the middle order with Will Jacks and Tom Banton adds further depth. With Sam Curran and Liam Dawson offering all-round balance, and Adil Rashid pairing with Rehan Ahmed in spin, England boast a well-rounded unit.
IRE vs ENG, 1st T20I: Match Details
- Date and Time: September 17, 6:00 pm IST/ 12:30 pm GMT / 01:30 pm local
- Venue: The Village, Dublin
IRE vs ENG Head-to-Head in T20Is
Matches played: 2 | Ireland won: 1 | England won: 0 | No results: 1
The Village Pitch Report:
The Village ground in Dublin is well-known for its balanced playing surface that provides opportunities for both batters and bowlers. Early on, pacers tend to enjoy assistance from the swing-friendly conditions, making life tricky for the top order. As the game progresses, though, batters who settle in can build big scores. On the other hand, spinners often find it difficult to make an impact here. With its quick outfield and moderate dimensions, the venue often sets the stage for high-scoring encounters.
IRE vs ENG, 1st T20I: Probable playing XI of both teams
Ireland: Paul Stirling (c), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young, Graham Hume, Benjamin White
England: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Will Jacks, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell (c), Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Luke Wood, Adil Rashid, Rehan Ahmed
IRE vs ENG, 1st T20I: Today’s Match Prediction
Case 1:
- Ireland wins the toss and bats first
- Ireland powerplay score: 40-50
- Ireland overall score: 160-170
Case 2:
- England wins the toss and bats first
- England powerplay score: 60-70
- England overall score: 180-190
Match result: Team batting first to win the contest.
Also READ: Top 5 highest team totals in T20I cricket ft. England