T20 World Cup: Ireland vs Netherlands Predictions, Betting Tips and Analysis
Ireland take on Netherlands in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on 18 October at the Sheik Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Both teams know that this is an important game to win if they are to be one of the two teams in this group who qualify for the Super 12 series.
These two teams are of similar stature in the T20 World, although Ireland is now a full test nation. Ireland are ranked 12 in ICC T20 rankings while Netherlands are five places lower in 17th with just 15 fewer ranking points.
The Irish team still has old stagers like Kevin O’Brien and Paul Stirling but there is also a smattering of youth about the team. Spinner George Dockrell could be an important member of the team on what are likely to be dusty pitches. Former Warwickshire fast bowler Mark Adair will lead the attack as the best-rated bowler in the Irish side.
The Netherlands side is filled with experience; no fewer than seven players are over 30 with Ryan ten Doeschate the old man of the team at 42. Australian-born batsman Ben Cooper is the best rated Dutch batsman at 35 in the world, while 36-year-old Roelof van der Merwe is rated as the best Dutch bowler. Van der Merwe’s experience of playing on the flat track at Somerset could be vital here and his spin could be very difficult for the Irish to play against.
The bookies have made this a very close one to call, with Ireland the marginal favourites at 1.73 while Netherlands are at 2.20. Ireland have had more time to acclimatise to conditions, having played four warm-up games in UAE, while Netherlands have played two. The Dutch have struggled, squeaking past Oman by four runs and losing to Scotland, being bowled out for 90 runs chasing a meagre 122/6.
With this in mind Ireland look a good tip to back for the win. Kevin O’Brien could be a good bet for the top Irish run-scorer at 4.50, particularly if he hits the explosive form he is capable of. Ben Cooper is a surprising 6.50 to be the top Dutch run-scorer which definitely looks like some value.
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