Ireland take on New Zealand in a Group 1 Super 12 T20 World Cup match in Adelaide on Friday and we take a look at the game from a betting angle.
With one game remaining in the group stages New Zealand are top of Group 1 on 5 points with a net run rate of 2.23. Both England and Australia are level with them on points so winning this game is very important. Ireland are on 3 points from their 4 matches and the best they can hope for at this stage is to be party poopers.
IRELAND
Ireland opened up their Super 12 campaign with a 9 wicket loss to Sri Lanka, but before causing the upset of the Tournament by beating England by 5 runs in a rain shortened match.
Their game against Afghanistan was abandoned without a ball been bowled and last time out they were soundly beaten by Australia. Ireland won the toss and decided to bowl and Australia reached a 179 for 5 with McCarthy with his 3 for 29 off his 4 overs the pick of the bowlers. Ireland could only muster 137 all out in the 19th over with Lorcan Tucker the only batsman to impress with an unbeaten 71 off 48.
NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand looked good to make it through to the semi-finals and their net run rate is mainly as a result of their convincing win over Australia in their opening game where they by 89 runs. Their match against Afghanistan was then abandoned without a ball been bowled and the Black Caps then beat Sri Lanka by 65 runs before losing to England by 20 runs in their last game. England had won the toss and decided to bat and they scored a 179 for 6 with Lockie Ferguson delivering for top New Zealand bowler punters with his 2 for 45. The Black Caps fell 20 runs short with Glenn Phillips once again the destroyer-in-chief with 62 off 36 balls, but he just didn’t have the support from the rest of the batting line-up.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
These sides have met 7 times in T20 International cricket with New Zealand winning on each occasion.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Ireland 5/1
New Zealand 1/7
Suggested Bet: Finn Allen, Total Runs over 22.5 at 17/20
Since his opening spell against Australia, Finn hasn’t been quite at his best, but I am expecting him to take to this Irish attack and to get his team off to a flyer.
Suggested Bet: Top Ireland Bowler, Joshua Little at 5/2
Little has been the stand out performer for me amongst the Irish Bowlers and it is no surprise to see him at the top of the betting markets. I am looking for another solid showing against New Zealand.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
