The three-match ODI series between West Indies and Ireland, which will be part of the Cricket World Cup Super League, will get underway on 8 January. All matches will be played at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica.
West Indies will welcome Kieron Pollard back as captain. Pollard missed out on the Pakistan tour, where they lost 0-3 in the T20Is last month, with an injury. They are at eighth place in the Super League points table, with four wins and five defeats, and will be looking to win all three matches to increase chances of direct qualification for the 2023 World Cup. For that, along with Pollard, Jason Holder, Nicholas Pooran, Roston Chase and Shai Hope have to step up.
With four wins from 15 ODIs, Ireland are currently fourth in the table. They will miss Paul Stirling and Shane Getkate, who were forced into quarantine in Florida after testing positive for Covid-19. In their absence, Curtis Campher, William Porterfield and Andy Balbirnie hold the key. They last played ODIs against Zimbabwe, in September. They drew the three-match series 1-1 after the second game was washed out.
The two teams last played an ODI series in the Caribbean in 2020. West Indies completed a whitewash there. Evin Lewis finished as the top run-getter (208) in the series, while Alzarri Joseph bagged the most wickets (8).
Likely XIs
West Indies: Kieron Pollard (c), Nicholas Pooran (wk), Shai Hope, Devon Thomas, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales, Akeal Hosein
Ireland: Andy Balbirnie (c), Lorcan Tucker (wk), William Porterfield, Harry Tector, George Dockrell, Curtis Campher, Mark Adair, Simi Singh, Barry McCarthy, Ben White, Josh Little.
Betway Fantasy Tips
- Place your bet on West Indies. Make Chase and Holder captain and vice-captain respectively.
- Among wicketkeepers, back Pooran over Tucker.
- Do not ignore Little. He is expected to bag most wickets for Ireland.
Fantasy XI
Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Andy Balbirnie, Shai Hope, Roston Chase (c), William Porterfield, Harry Tector, Jason Holder (vc), Romario Shepherd, Alzarri Joseph, Josh Little.