*IRELAND VS UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 7th PLACE PLAYOFF SEMI FINAL 1 PREVIEW- ICC WORLDCUP QUALIFIERS 2023*
*THE BUILD UP:*
With the top spots already booked, it comes down to the bottom ranked teams in this tournament to come up against one another for one final shot. It’s Ireland vs USA to begin with as the teams aim to secure the NO7 spot at the ICC Cricket WorldCup Qualifiers 2023.
This event was disappointing at best for Ireland. Similar to the T20 WC, they lacked the effort and form and were rightly left behind by the other teams. Paul Stirling, who was quite all the while decided to show up in the final league game of Ireland where the stakes were extremely low and the game had no relevance other than playing for pride. They would not love playing this game given their stature as a cricketing side but would look to give it their all in order to seal this spot.
USA, on the other hand came in with the hope of displaying what they can do as a cricket side but other than the fight they gave in the first game, nothing substantial and of value came from them. The last game that they played vs USA highlighted the kind of tournament they had as a whole, starting well but losing the plot and blatantly going on a losing streak. They lost all 4 and were absolutely deflated post their last loss to Zim that came on the back of a Sean Williams master class. However, it was a good learning curve for a young USA side led by Monank Patel.
*FOR IRELAND:*
PR Stirling, A Balbirnie, H Tector, Gareth Delany, GH Dockrell, Curtis Campher, L Tucker(wk), AR McBrine(C), MR Adair, J Little, BJ McCarthy
George Dockrell and Paul Stirling have been the strongest batters from Ireland and the team searching for pride would bank on them again to deliver a performance to remember so that their spirits are lifted high.
Harry Tector, who bursted onto the scene with alot of promise and hope was sun standard in this tournament. With under 150 runs for him with inconsistencies, he’d look to finish strong as the tourney nearly comes to a close.
Mark Adair with 9 wickets in 4 innings was instrumental but hardly got constant support from anyone else making it tough for him to crack the code to inspire his side to victories alone. Another good outing is expected from him.
*USA PROBABLE XI:*
Shayan Jahangir, Aaron Jones, Sushant Modani, G Singh, NK Patel, SR Taylor, MD Patel(C), NP Kenjige, Abhishek Paradkar, Jasdeep Singh, SN Netravalkar
This tournament will be fondly remembered for how Shayan Jahangir kept fighting on for his team, be it extending the score or arresting a collapse- he did it all. The middle order bet will love to add a few more runs with breathtaking strokes under his belt so that USA can finish on high. Throughout the tournament, there was lack of support for Jahangir, something that the United States would like to change come this game.
Gajanand Anand post the century vs WI in the first game, hardly looked like the same man who had struck a ton first up. He looked like the less dangerous version of his own self. He’d be looking to reverse his fortunes come this game.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR IRE:*
Highest run getter- Paul Stirling/Andrew Balbirnie
Highest wicket taker- Mark Adair/Josh Little
*FOR USA:*
Highest run getter- Gajanand Anand/Shayan Jahangir
Highest wicket taker- Saurabh Netravalkar
*FOR THE GAME:*
Ireland to win