Ireland Tri-Nation Series 2019 [Preview]
2019 Ireland Tri-series is scheduled to be played in the month of May in Ireland. West Indies, Bangladesh and Ireland will feature in this competition. The tri-series will be played from 5th May till 17th May. Each team will play four games apiece in bid to qualify for the finals of the competition. The competition will be played across two venues- Malahide and Clontarf.
Host Ireland will be look to start their home season on a good note in this tri-series. Captain William Porterfield will be hoping that the side can do well in their bid to prepare well for the Cricket World Cup 2019.
In the batting department, the side will be relying on Paul Stirling, William Porterfield and Andrew Balbirnie to do the bulk of the scoring. Stirling and Balbirnie have done well in the previous series against Ireland. Porterfield will be keen to find form after not doing much in the previous couple of games played for Ireland.
Kevin O’Brien is an experienced player that certainly can change the complexion of the game in a space of few overs. Simi Singh, Andy McBrine and George Dockrell are decent bowling options for the side. Tim Murtagh and Boyd Rankin have done an excellent with the new-ball for Ireland in limited-overs cricket over the past 12 months.
Bangladesh have suffered a tough time and failed to win a single game on their tour to New Zealand. The side will be looking to do well in these conditions. Captain Mashrafe Mortaza will be keen to do well in this tri-series.
In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Imrul Kayes to do bulk of the scoring. Shakib Al Hasan will make a return to the limited-overs side after missing the series in New Zealand. Mohammad Mithun, Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah have also done well for the side in limited-overs cricket.
In the bowling department, the pace trio of Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain and Mashrafe Mortaza have done a splendid job for the side over the past 12 months. Mehidy Hasan Miraaz and Shakib Al Hasan are prominent spin options for Bangladesh for the upcoming Ireland tri-series.
The third side is West Indies that will take part in this upcoming tri-series that will be played in Ireland. Captain Jason Holder has led the side in an exceptional manner. The side has produced excellent result against England in the Test series followed by five-match ODI series. The main issue for West Indies will be to adjust to the conditions in the UK. This tri-series will certainly prove to be good preparations ahead of upcoming 2019 Cricket World Cup in England.
In the batting department, the return of Chris Gayle will strengthen the batting resources for West Indies. Gayle made an emphatic return to limited-overs cricket after finishing leading-run scorer in the one-day series played against England at home. The 39-year old will be keen to continue his good form and help West Indies build on their recent success against England.
Besides Gayle, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Darren Bravo are promising players in the middle-order. The trio has done an excellent for West Indies over the past six months. Bravo also has done a decent job with the bat since being recalled into the limited-overs side for England series.
Hetmyer has certainly topped the batting charts for West Indies over the past six months. He will be to make an impression with the bat on his first trip to Ireland.West Indies have quality all-rounders in Carlos Brathwaite, Andre Russell and Fabian Allen who can deliver crucial performances with bat and ball.
In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Jason Holder, Kemar Roach and Oshane Thomas to provide crucial breakthroughs with the new-ball. Sheldon Cottrell has also done well for West Indies during the one-day series against England. Ashley Nurse and Devendra Bishoo are two spinners included for the tri-series.
The opening game of the tri-series will see host Ireland take on West Indies in Clontarf Cricket Club Ground on 5th May. The final will be played at Malahide Cricket Club on 17th March to conclude the tri-series.
