Sandy Verma
Tezzbuzz|12-06-2025
The West Indies will look to bounce back from a horrible white-ball series against England as they face Ireland in the first T20I of the three-match series, set to be played at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on June 12. After a humiliating clean sweep in English soil, where both their batting and bowling faltered under pressure, the Windies camp will be eager to reset and regain confidence against a spirited Irish side.
Ireland, playing at home, have quietly built a competitive T20 unit in recent years. With experienced players like Paul Stirling and George Dockrell, along with promising talents such as Harry Tector, the hosts will aim to take full advantage of West Indies’ shaky form. The conditions in Belfast are expected to be slightly overcast, offering some movement for the seamers early on.
For West Indies, this series will be a crucial chance for redemption, especially with an eye on the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Featuring seasoned T20 campaigners like Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, and Alzarri Joseph, it’s an opportunity to bounce back, rebuild team confidence, and fine-tune strategies ahead of bigger challenges.
Matches Played: 08 | IRE won: 03 | WI won: 03 | No result: 02 |
The pitch at Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast generally offers something for everyone. Seamers can expect early movement, especially under overcast skies, making the new ball phase crucial. As the game progresses, the pitch tends to ease a little, allowing batters to play their shots more freely. Spinners might come into play later with some grip on offer. A score around 160 could be competitive, depending on conditions. Toss could play a key role, especially with weather interruptions possible.
George Dockrell, Barry McCarthy, Johnson Charles, Sherfane Rutherford
Ireland Squad: Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), George Dockrell, Ross Adair, Gareth Delany, Curtis Campher, Matthew Humphreys, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy, Benjamin White, Joshua Little, Liam McCarthy
West Indies Squad: Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles, Shai Hope (w/c), Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Matthew Forde, Keacy Carty, Jyd Goolie