Wed, 02 Mar 2011 - England vs Ireland, World Cup 2011, 15th match Group B - Preview

European teams clash  at Bangalore

Preview

Group B 15th Match

England versus Ireland

Venue: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

Start Time: 14:30 (IST)

England’s mammoth chase against India at Bangalore might have ended in a tie but it has sent a strong message to the top teams in the tournament. Underestimating England will be a mistake that Indian bowling realized that. Strauss led chase had Indian bowlers on ropes for major part of the second innings and England would consider themselves unlucky not to have scored one more than India’s 338.

England have their European neighbours, Ireland to play against on Wednesday and English side will be keen to rectify certain areas of their game in this encounter.

Bowling has been chink in the armour in both the matches they have played thus far in the tournament and Ireland’s game gives the bowlers chance to get back to the form.

Ireland lost their first game to Bangladesh due to poor batting display found wanting against spinners.

They would like to put behind the defeat in Dhaka and take field with renewed passion to enhance their reputation of being the best team amongst Associate Nations.

It is their never say die attitude that makes them very competitive on the field and have some players with county experience to boast off.

Looking at the form and composition of two teams, England are the overwhelming for the Wednesday game.

Going by how Bangalore pitch behaved in India-England game, a high scoring game is on cards.

England

Batting has looked in a good shape for England with their captain and leading run scorer of the tournament, Andrew Strauss in a terrific form.

His partner, Kevin Peterson has looked good but failed to convert the starts into a substantial score. Wednesday might turn out to be occasion to do so.

Middle order is looking strong with Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott amongst runs in recent times but England would want some one to take the job a finisher that injured Eoin Morgan has done so well for them in last year or so.

Bowling is a concern conceding 289 against minnows Netherlands and 338 against India with their premier fast bowler, James Anderson, struggling for form and going for plenty in both games. Ireland might provide him a chance to get back to wicker taking ways.

Tim Bresnan, however, has been a revelation and England’s best bowler in the tournament so far with his ability to yorkers, short stuff and change in variations.

Stuart might be brought back into the playing eleven after recovering from the injury and it would be interesting who he replaces. Ajmal Shehzad is a likely option.

After a poor game against India, Graeme Swann will try to make amends against Ireland batsmen not known for their abilities to play slow bowlers.

Fielding was below par in both games and team management would an improvement in this department.

Squad: Andrew Strauss (Capt), James Anderson, Ian Bell Tim Bresnan Stuart Broad , Paul Collingwood, Ravi Bopara , Kevin Petersen, Matt Prior (wk), Ajmal Shahzad Graeme Swann, James Tredwell , Jonathan Trott, Luke Wright Michael Yardy.

Coach: Andy Flower

Ireland

Ireland should have a better knowledge of English side than any other team in the world for most of their players play in English county circuit.

It was batting that let them against Bangladesh after their bowlers had done so well to restrict Bangladesh under 230 and cost them a match that that was in their grasp.

Senior batsmen in O’brein brothers, Ed Joyce and skipper William Porterfield need to put up their hand up and give youngsters like Paul Stirling confidence to perform well against English bowling.

Ireland has the best bowling attack among the Associate Nations having a tall fast bowler in Boyd Rankin with some good medium pacers like Trent Johnston and Andrew Botha.

But it will be 18-year old left arm spinner George Dockrell who will be a major attraction among Irish bowlers for he has controls his variation and flight with all the calmness in the world.

Squad: William Porterfield (Capt), Albert Vander Merwe, Alex Cusack, Ed Joyce, George Dockrell, Kevin O’ Brien, Boyd Rankin, John Mooney, Paul Stirling, Trent Johnston, Andre Botha, Andrew White, Nigel Jones, Gary Wilson, Niall O’Brien

Coach: Phil Simmons