*WEST INDIES WOMEN VS IRELAND WOMEN 2nd T20I PREVIEW- 3 MATCH T20 SERIES 2023*
*THE BUILD UP:*
It’s been a one way traffic so far between WestIndies Women and the Irish Women with the former dominating and winning all so far with just one no result. What would give Ireland hope is their show with the bowl in the first T20I which forced the Windies to drag the game down till the last over, also making them struggle really hard as 8 Caribbean wickets fell in their quest to chase down a meagre target of 113 runs.
Ireland showed promise last game and though their composure still ended in a loss, they would be proud of how the game was. They’d take this into consideration even tomorrow when they would be keen on levelling the series with a final game to be played later. The likes of Kelly, Murray, Maguire and Prendergast were sensational with the bowl in hand, as if they were fighting for their life and giving it their absolute best to defend the score. The Irish fans however will expect the batting to turn up tomorrow as the series is nearly coming to a close and the batting stocks have never quite risen.
WI will be eyeing to pocket another series win, it would come as a much positive news after the bashing they got last series against a different opponent. Hayley Mathews stood firm while her teammates kept falling around her even last game, nothing but mad respect for how she continues to stand up for the women in maroon.
*IRE PROBABLE XI:*
Amy Hunter (wk), Gaby Lewis, Orla Prendergast, Laura Delany (c), Eimear Richardson, Rebecca Stokell, Arlene Kelly, Ava Canning, Louise Little, Cara Murray, Aimee Maguire
In the previous match, captain Laura Delaney scored 34 runs off 36 balls with the help of two fours and one six. She was well supported by Eimear Richardson, who scored 22 runs off 24 balls. The fans would hope for better strike rates going forward in order to stamp some intent onto the entire side. Though these knocks displayed stability, they were away excellence in terms of the impact they created.
In the previous match, Arlene Kelly was the pick of the bowlers for Ireland women and claimed 3 for 21 in his four overs. To be able to produce such a good performance against a strong team in their own backyard takes guts and Kelly would be looking forward to take this momentum to the next level.
*WI PROBABLE XI:*
Hayley Matthews (c), Rashada Williams, Shabika Gajnabi, Chinelle Henry, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Zaida James, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Shamilia Connell, Ashmini Munisar, Stafanie Taylor
Afy Fletcher was a class apart last game. Even though Hayley got the POTM for her standout knock, Afy was instrumental in contributing in both the departments as she chipped in with a 12 ball 19, that helped WI cross the line and delivered a highly economical spell of 1/24 off her 4 overs, as well. Excited to watch her go about her business and make the Irish pay again.
Sometimes I wonder what Windies would do without their skipper Hayley Mathews making it count again and again. She is a powerpacked allrounder that somehow manages to steal the limelight at all times. It’s not surprising given her preparations and skillset and even last game after going home with a 3/22 bowling first, she had more to offer this time in the form of a anchor knock of 37 off 42. Though she’d be wary of her strike rate and how slowly she progressed, there’s very little to question her about.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR IRE:*
Highest run getter- Gaby Lewis/Amy Hunter
Highest wicket taker- Orla Prendergast/Aimée Maguire
*FOR WI:*
Highest run getter- Hayley Mathews
Highest wicket taker- Afy Fletcher/Shamilia Connell
*FOR THE GAME:*
WI Women to win and seal the series