Tag: Ireland

Cricket World Cup: Day 21 Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Last night’s late finish in Perth has put paid to our three questions feature, so we have only, the day’s action preview for you, with odds from BetEasy.

Today’s Matchups

1. South Africa v Pakistan, Eden Park (Auckland – windy with rain expected), starts 2:00pm local time

South Africa – $1.25

Pakistan – $4.00

Eden Park’s tiny boundaries could be in for an awful peppering if South Africa bat first and continue their 400 scoring form against Pakistan today.  Back to back 400’s have the South Africans supremely confident heading into their penultimate Pool game.  The 400 possibility is made even likely due an injury to Pakistan’s best bowler, Mohammed Irfan.

Five South Africans have already registered hundred in this World Cup and we’re expecting more today.  South Africa will hope that it comes from Quentin de Kock who is in horrible form, in fact he might not even make the side to day with Rilee Rossouw and AB de Villers both keeping options.

Pakistan probably won’t be able to chase down (or set 400) but they did muster 300 for the first time on the tournament in their last try.  Plenty of their batsman got much needed crease time in the win against UAE, but that doesn’t guarantee they’ll be able to cope with Steyn and Morkel.

The only other thing getting in the way of 400 is the Auckland weather.  It looks decidedly average on the rain radar in Auckland.

2. Zimbabwe v Ireland, Bellerive Oval (Hobart – cloudy), starts 2:30pm local time

Zimbabwe -$2.25

Ireland – $1.66

This should be one of the closest games between the second tier nations we’ve seen at the World Cup.  The teams are evenly matched on paper, and both have had their ups and downs in the tournament thus far.

Zimbabwe have batted well on most occasions, as have Ireland (bar their last effort against South Africa), but both teams are struggling big time with the ball, especially at the death.  Brendon Taylor and Sean Williams are the mainstays of the Zimbabwe batting order and their contributions and calm heads could be influential against the slow bowling options of Ireland.

We think this will go right down to the wire, and the team that wins is the team that finds their bowling lengths at the death.

Today’s Multi

The Imitation Multi

Both the names of Brendon Taylor and Haris Sohail feature the names of other international crickets.  For instance there is a host of other Taylors at the World Cup (Ross, James, Jerome).  And Haris is also the name of an Australia quickie not currently playing but well know.  So this is the imitation multi.

Haris Sohail to Top Score at $5 + Brendon Taylor to Outscore (Joyce and Sterling) at $2.60 = $13.

Cricket World Cup: Day 17 Recap

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

South Africa have stormed back into World Cup contention by becoming the first side to record consecutive ODI totals in excess of 400.  Their most recent effort, a dominant 411/4, set up a thumping win over Ireland; their second win of over 200 runs in this World Cup.

The win blew our predictions out of the water, but luckily Kyle Abbot’s four wickets helped us save face and returned a handy $5.50.

Read more about the one-sided Canberra encounter below.

Day 17 Results

South Africa v Ireland

An indication of South Africa’s remarkable betting strength is not evidenced by their back to back 400’s.  Well it is, but it’s made even more incredible considering one of their openers has scored just 27 runs in 4 games.  While Quintin de Kock struggles the others rally; five South Africans have scored hundreds at the World Cup; six players average over 60 and three of those average over 100; four are striking at a rate over 100.

The batting group were at it again against Ireland yesterday.  Hundreds to Hashim Amla (dropped on 10 by Ed Joyce) and Faf du Plessis laid the perfect platform for AB de Villiers Rilee Rossouw and David Miller to exploit the final overs, which they did convincingly.  131 off the final ten was enough to get them past 400 and continue their miraculous net run rate turnaround since their defeat at the hands of India.

In response, Ireland couldn’t muster any of their traditional fighting qualities.  At 48/5 the match was effectively over, however Ireland scraped their way to 210 thanks to contributions from Andrew Balbirnie and Kevin O’Brien.  South Africa’s bowlers all enjoyed a useful stint at the bowling crease.  Abbot was the chief wicket-taker with 4, and Dale Steyn (2-39) and Morne Morkel (3-34) both looked sharp.

South Africa have few concerns for the rest of the World Cup.  They may consider sing Rilee Rossouw at the top of the order and drop de Kock, but otherwise they’ll be confident going forward, especially with Vernon Philander to return too.

For Ireland, their match against Zimbabwe now becomes crucial in terms of qualification for the knockout stages.  They still have a decent chance of making the top 8 given the inconsistent form of both the West Indies and Pakistan.

They will need to move on quickly from this performance though.  They were well off the pace throughout against a very good South African side.

South Africa 411 for 4 (Amla 159, du Plessis 109, Rossouw 61*) beat Ireland 210 (Balbirnie 58, Abbott 4-21) by 201 runs

Cricket World Cup: Day 17 Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

After the whirlwind cricketing action that was the weekend, we needed a day to take stock.  Just a day though, the Cricket World Cup returns with another Pool B blockbuster.  

Read more for the best odds for today’s game:

The Three Big Questions

What has been the best individual batting performance of the World Cup?

There are three main contenders.  Chris Gayle’s double hundred against Zimbabwe, Kumar Sangakkara’s graceful hundred against England, and AB de Villiers freakish effort against the West Indies.  Choosing one, it has to be de Villiers.  Having taken the time to assess conditions after scoring 19 from his first 18, AB then exploded with a range of shots rarely seen in international cricket.  With scant disregard for the whereabouts of his stumps, or the deliveries themselves, de Villers unfurled a bewildering assault on the hapless Windies.  He finished on 162* from just 66 balls.  His last 67 runs come off just 16 balls.

What has been the best individual bowling performance of the World Cup?

Apart from James Anderson who is swinging it less than Dan Vettori, swing bowlers have enjoyed the conditions on offer in Australia and New Zealand.  Late swing is proving incredibly effective against batsman paranoid about scoring rates.  Thus, two quality swing bowling performances spring to mind as the best in the tournament.  Tim Southee’s effort against England was tremendous – the third best figures in World Cup history.  Mitchell Starc though was a bit better.  His 6-28 against New Zealand at Eden Park was a one man comeback show.  Quick, hostile and accurate, and far too good for New Zealand’s middle to lower order.  Starc is one of the absolute best one day bowlers going around at the moment.

What has been the best game of the World Cup?

The associate matches have provided plenty of excitement for avid cricketing fans even if the quality is slightly poorer, and the players less known.  The Scotland vs Afghanistan and Ireland v UAE encounters were both close affairs, but our favourite was the Trans-Tasman affair at Eden Park.  The drama of the final stages of the Pool A encounter are unlikely to be seen again in this World Cup.  Low scoring affairs featuring 19 wickets are always the most exciting.

Today’s Matchup

South Africa v Ireland, Manuka Oval, (Canberra – fine weather expected), starts 2:30pm local time

South Africa – $1.05

Ireland – $10.00

Sure, it’s predicted to be fine for the Pool B encounter between South Africa and Ireland in Canberra today, but we’ll give you a different forecast – it will rain.  Rain runs.  Ireland have already shown an appetite for big totals in this World Cup, and their opponents have AB de Villiers (oh, and Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis and David Miller).

South Africa will be too strong for Ireland.  The odds reflect that, but Ireland, as they do in every game they play will account for themselves well and get within 60 runs of their more fancied opposition.

Today’s Bet

If you want to double your money just get on de Villers To Score a 50 at $2.10.  The only way he wouldn’t is if Ireland bat first and don’t post more than 200.  Otherwise it’s a shoo in.

We also like Kyle Abbott to be Top Wicketaker at $5.50.

And Ed Joyce To Score a 50 at $3.50.

Odds from Betstar.

Cricket World Cup: Day 12 Recap

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Ireland and the UAE unexpectedly combined for the most exciting match of the Cricket World Cup so far; an absorbing contest that was ultimately decided in Ireland’s favour by just two wickets, and with four balls to spare.

Check out our quick review of the game below:

Day 12 Results

Ireland v UAE

One of the defining characteristics of the best test playing cricket nations is that they always find a way to win despite not playing their best cricket.  It happens time and time again when associate nations (a la Afghanistan against Sri Lanka) give the better teams an almighty scare before eventually losing composure and confidence or letting nerves get the better of them.  It has happened to Ireland in the past too, but last night they were able to get one over UAE in similar circumstances; displaying the winning mentality of a top 8 side that allowed them to scrape home against an excellent UAE effort.

UAE capitalised on a solid start to post 278 from their 50 overs and set Ireland a tricky chase.  The innings featured their first World Cup hundred to batsman Shaiman Anwar, and their first hundred run partnership in World Cup cricket too, between Anwar and Amjad Javed.  They were helped by some ordinary death bowling (theme of the tournament), and some strange tactics from Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien.

Ireland managed the tricky chase relatively comfortably despite a clump of wickets at the beginning and the end of the innings.  The key to Ireland overhauling the 278 was the partnership between Gary Wilson and Kevin O’Brien.  The pair put together 72 in no time, to guide Ireland from a position of uncertainty at 171/5 to a position of dominance that was never relinquished.  The tense scenes were tailor-made for the hard hitting O’Brien, but not so for the UAE fielders who went down like cramping flies (with cramp) and put down catches with the same regularity.

Ultimately, Ireland did the things the great teams do.  Win, when perhaps they shouldn’t.

Ireland 279 for 8 (Wilson 80, K O’Brien 50, Javed 3-60) beat UAE 278 for 9 (Anwar 106) by 2 wickets

 

Cricket World Cup: Day 12 Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

It’s unlikely we’ll see another Cricket World Cup double century today, but there still could be plenty of action.  Read our preview of today’s match and the three big questions on everyone’s lips at the Cricket World Cup.

The Three Big Questions 

Does Eden Park’s weird dimensions suit Australia or New Zealand more for Saturday’s showdown? 

Many are predicting Saturday’s trans-tasman match at Eden Park to be a preview of the World Cup final in late March.  Both teams are confident, both have made a good start to the tournament and both are familiar with the conditions in both Australia and New Zealand.  Familiarity with Eden Park’s strange dimensions – the straight boundary is just 55m – will be crucial in deciding who runs out on top of Saturday’s pool game.  Australia feel that Tim Southee and Trent Boult’s swing threat is minimised by the small boundaries.  Mishits can still go for six, and edges will race to the straight boundaries and force fine leg and third man to be especially straight, opening up space in other ares of the outfield.  The ground suits left handers too, but with only Corey Anderson and David Warner goofy hitting, no team benefits there.  New Zealand obviously no the conditions well, yet still failed to defend 314 when they last played here (timing with India in a match featuring 23 6’s).  Accordingly, there is no clear advantage, but expect huge totals all round.

Where should bowlers be bowling?

Bowlers have had a rough time of it of late.  The pitches too flat, the balls to hard and the boundaries too small.  300 plus totals are good for fans vying for the Tui catch a million promotion at New Zealand grounds, but a bad look for bowlers.  So what can they do about it?  Short pitched stuff hasn’t worked for England, taking the pace off hasn’t worked for Zimbabwe, liquorice all sorts didn’t work for Andre Russell and the West Indies against Ireland.  That leaves one glaringly obvious strategy that appears to be a lost art these days.  Fire it in fats and straight into the blockhole and you won’t go too far.  Even though Malinga went fro plenty against New Zealand his death spell was excellent.  It’s the only viable strategy in the modern ODI game.  Sure you might get ramped a couple of times, but that shot will come off less than a bludgeon down the ground.

What’s our take on the commentary team?

Refreshing.  There’s a different insight on display with more neutral commentators voicing each game, and it’s something we could get used to. Having grown up listening to the infamous Channel 9 commentary team and watching them get more and more one-eyed (thanks to Ian Healey, James Bradshaw, Michael Slater), the change to Alan Wilkins, Pommie Mbangwa et al has only increased our enjoyment of the tournament.  If only the logistics could work full time on all international tours.  FTP for commentators?

Today’s Matchup

Ireland v UAE, The Gabba (Brisbane – cyclone gone should be fine), starts 1:30pm local time

Ireland – $1.20

UAE – $4.40

The green machine are expected to get the better of the UAE as World Cup cricket returns to the cyclone sodden state of Queensland.  The Irish are coming off a strong opening win against the West Indies, and have the players to get them out of any potentially sticky situations against the only amateur team in the tournament.  Joyce, Stirling and O’Brien are all in some handy form and could cash in against the associate side who, despite enjoying a solid opening effort against Zimbabwe, will probably struggle on the pace and bounce of the Gabba.

Today’s Bet

Ireland’s favourites tag means there are not great odds on any of the common betting options. If anything we like Ed Joyce / Khurram Khan to both to score for their teams at $12.00.

Odds from Sportsbet Australia.

Cricket World Cup: Day 3 Recap

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The first upset of the 2015 Cricket World Cup took just 3 days, and has left a West Indies team on the verge of crisis.  Ireland eased their way to a resounding victory over the West Indies in Nelson with 4 wickets in hand and 25 balls remaining.  The win is yet another example of Ireland’s giant killing prowess, but equally highlights the Windies uninterested approach.

Day 3 Results

West Indies v Ireland

Game three of the Cricket World Cup was an excellent example of the old sporting cliche – a see-sawing battle.  Initially, all the cards were being held by the Irish as they reduced their opponents to 87/5 on the back of accurate bowling and George Dockrell’s individual brilliance.  The stat that best proves the Irish were at their stifling best was Chris Gayle’s party strike rate of just 55.  However, the West Indies did recover.  An excellent partnership between Darren Sammy and Lendl Simmons restored some competitiveness to the West Indies total and eventually propelled them to a potentially winning total of 304/7.  Sammy made a hard hitting 89 and Simmons became the fifth centurion of the tournament in making 102.

Ireland set about the target with confidence and intent.  A strong start was carried all the way through and only the slightest wobble at the end of the chase gave the West Indies a chance.  The victory was never really in doubt as Peter Stirling, Ed Joyce and Niall O’Brien controlled the scoring rate beautifully; all posting half centuries on the way to another famous Irish Cricket World Cup win.

Ireland 307 for 6 (Stirling 92, Joyce 84, N O’Brien 79*) beat West Indies 304 for 7 (Simmons 102, Sammy 89, Dockrell 3-50) by 4 wickets