Ireland tour of Zimbabwe

ZIM vs IRE, 3rd ODI

Preview

The third and final match of the three-match ODI series between Zimbabwe and Ireland will start on Monday (January 23) at 12:45 PM IST Live. The third match of the series will be played at the Harare Sports Club, Harare. The series is currently tied 1-1 between both sides.

In their previous match, the hosts were completely outplayed by Ireland in all three departments of the game. ZIM's skipper Craig Ervine will be hoping that the side can produce their best cricket in this series decider.

On the other hand, The Irish side put in a clinical performance with bat and ball to level the three-match ODI series. Stand-in captain Paul Stirling will be hoping that the side can maintain their standards with bat and ball in this must-win encounter.

In the batting department, Zimbabwe will be depending on the likes of Innocent Kaia, Gary Ballance, Chamu Chibhabha, captain Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl to do the bulk of the scoring. In the previous match, Ballance continued his decent form with the bat and finished the innings with the top score of 52 runs off 67 balls. Besides Balance, Innocent Kaia scored 51 runs off 70 balls with the help of three fours and one six.

Zimbabwean All-rounder Ryan Burl also chipped in with 41 runs off 39 balls with the help of five boundaries, whereas Chamu Chibhabha chipped in with 40 runs off 55 balls. In the bowling department, the Hosts will be depending on the likes of Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza and Victor Nyauchi to deliver crucial breakthroughs.

In the previous match, Tendai Chatara was the pick of the bowlers for Zimbabwe and claimed 3 for 51 in his ten overs. Besides Chatara, Brad Evans also picked up two wickets and conceded 66 runs in his nine overs.

For Ireland, With full-time captain Andrew Balbirnie ruled out of the series decider, Ireland will need to show discipline in all three departments. In the batting department, the side will be relying on the links of Harry Tector, captain Paul Stirling, Stephen Dohemy, wicket-keeper Lorcan Tucker and Curtis Campher to deliver the bulk of the runs.

In the previous match, opener Stephen Dohemy showcased excellent form with the bat and finished the innings with the top score of 84 runs off 111 balls. Besides Dohemy, Harry Tector continued his merry ways with the bat and scored 75 runs off 61 balls with the help of seven fours and one six. Captain Paul Stirling also contributed well to the team’s cause and scored 45 runs off 61 balls with the help of four boundaries and two sixes. Besides Stirling, George Dockrell scored 30 runs off 19 balls.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Joshua Little, Graham Hume, Mark Adair, and Andy McBrine to deliver timely breakthroughs. In the previous match, left-arm quick Joshua Little was the pick of the bowlers for Ireland and claimed 4 for 38 in his ten overs. Besides Little, Mark Adair and Graham Hume bowled well and claimed two wickets apiece.

Match Details

Match: ZIM vs IRE, 3rd ODI, Ireland tour of Zimbabwe, 2023

Date: Monday, January 23rd, 2023

Time: 12:45 PM (Jan 23)

Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe

Pitch Report: 

The wicket prepared at Harare Sports Club is expected to be full of runs and will favour the batting units in the third ODI as well. The weather forecast for the game is going to be light rain showers with gentle breezes. The venue in Harare is going to host the 3rd ODI of the series between Ireland and Zimbabwe. We expect the average scores to be around 280-290 runs in the match. Both teams will look to bowl first as this pitch is slow and batters find it hard to time the ball.

The maximum temperature will remain at 22°C, a low of 15°C with 71% humidity, and a wind speed of 12 Km/hr for the third ODI on Monday between Zimbabwe and Ireland. Also, there is a hint of cool conditions after a slightly chill afternoon with slight rain with overcast weather. However, unfortunately, rainfall is expected this week in Harare. We may have some rain in the third ODI between both sides with a 67% chance of it.

ZIM vs IRE Squads:

Probable Playing XI

ZIM: Wesley Madhevere, Innocent Kaia, Craig Ervine (c), Gary Ballance, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Clive Madande (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi

IRE: Paul Stirling (c), Stephen Doheny, Murray Commins, Harry Tector, George Dockrell, Curtis Campher, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Andy McBrine, Mark Adair, Graham Hume, Joshua Little

Match Prediction:

Based on the current form, The Hosts will be favourites to win the third and final game of the one-day series. With the likes of Sikandar Raza, Gary Ballance, and Innocent Kaia in decent touch with the bat, Zimbabwe will be keen to deliver a clinical batting performance in this fixture. On the other hand, The Irish side has enough firepower in the batting and bowling department to overcome Zimbabwe in this must-win encounter. We expect The Hosts to beat Ireland and clinch the ODI series at Harare.

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