The Cricket World Cup is in sight but first up there is a three game One Day International series against Ireland. We’ve previewed the first match from Headingley and given you our best suggested bets.
England vs Ireland 1st ODI tips
This series had all the makings of a virtual ODI ‘B-team’ set of fixtures for England (1/8) but in the last 24 hours has taken on more significance.
Harry Brook has been called up for the main World Cup squad, taking the place of the injured Jason Roy. As a result he has been removed from the Ireland tour squad.
However, the really big surprise is the name taking Brook’s place – a certain Mr Joseph Edward Root.
The Yorkshire and England legend looked hopelessly out of form in the recent New Zealand series, scoring just 39 runs in four innings and has apparently personally requested to be added to the Ireland squad, in a last ditch attempt to accumulate some runs before India.
For Ireland (5/1), there is no trip to the sub-continent on the horizon, as their qualification attempt for the World Cup ended in failure.
Nevertheless, any series against England is an important one for a team on the up and there are, of course, world ranking points to play for.
Team news:
Zak Crawley will lead the side in this three-match salvo, with his test opening batting partner, Ben Duckett taking on the role of vice captain.
Elsewhere, there are three debutants in the side in the form of Warwickshire batter Sam Hain, Surrey wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith, and Derbyshire paceman George Scrimshaw.
England (from) : Zak Crawley (capt), Rehan Ahmed, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Sam Hain, Will Jacks, Craig Overton, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Phil Salt, George Scrimshaw, Jamie Smith, Luke Wood.
Ireland have included one uncapped player in the form of left-arm spinner Theo van Woerkom, a New Zealander by birth, who qualifies for Cricket Ireland on account of an Irish grandmother. Paul Stirling will lead the side and will open the batting with the current test captain, Andrew Balbirnie.
Ireland (from) : Paul Stirling (capt), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Josh Little, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Theo van Woerkom, Craig Young.
Ben Duckett top England run scorer – 4/1
The 28-year-old opener has only played six ODI’s and has a mediocre average of 24 but is a different player in a different mindset to in those fixtures.
Since then, Duckett has firmly established himself in the England test side and has shown he possesses the skills to thrive in the ‘Bazball’ set up.
With a permanently positive style, often going whole matches without leaving a ball, he should be perfectly suited to the 50-over format.
Batting alongside his good buddy Zak Crawley, Duckett should feel at home and could have a field day against a sub-standard bowling attack.
Luke Wood top England wicket taker – 10/3
Wood was right on the edge of selection for the World Cup squad and is in a similar position to what David Willey was back in 2019.
The Lancashire paceman can count himself extremely unfortunate after a superb season and has possibly only been left behind as England possess three more left-arm seamers (Willey, Sam Curran and Reece Topley).
The 28-year-old has shown his ability to swing the ball with pace for Lancashire, the Trent Rockets and the Melbourne Stars in the last 18 months and picked up five wickets in the recent T20 series against the Black Caps.
With Stirling and Balbirnie swinging from the hip from ball one, Wood could find himself with some early victims with the Kookaburra.
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