South African cricket fans, are you ready for some T20 action? The Ireland vs West Indies series has been plagued by rain, with the first two matches abandoned without a ball bowled. The third and final match in Bready is scheduled for Sunday, and both teams are desperately hoping the weather cooperates.
A Frustrating Series So Far
The washout is especially frustrating for Cricket Ireland, who are facing financial challenges. For the West Indies, who are trying to grow the game globally, it's a setback. After 3-0 series losses to England in both the one-day international and T20 formats, the Windies are looking for a way to bounce back in form.
What's at Stake?
Ireland needs match practice as they prepare to battle Scotland and the Netherlands for spots at the 2026 T20 World Cup. The West Indies, missing key players, still have a chance to experiment and give new players opportunities ahead of series against Australia and Nepal.
Pitch Conditions at Civil Service Cricket Club
If the match goes ahead, the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast has hosted 26 T20Is so far. Teams batting second have a slight edge, having won 16 matches compared to 10 for teams batting first. The average first innings total is 136, so openers will need to be cautious early on. A score of 160-170 could be competitive.
Predicted Teams (Subject to Change)
Here’s a potential lineup, but keep in mind this is just a prediction and could change:
- Wicketkeepers: Johnson Charles, Shai Hope
- Batters: Ewin Lewis, Paul Stirling
- All-rounders: George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Harry Tector, Romario Shepherd
Let's hope the weather clears and we get to see some exciting cricket! Stay tuned to Newsrpt.com for updates.