THE EDGE: The Edge previews the first ODI between England v Ireland with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
MATCH OVERVIEW:
England are back in ODI action on Wednesday on BETDAQ Betting Exchange as they take on Ireland. It really shows the strength in depth England have at the moment that they have named a completely different squad that played in the ODI series against New Zealand last week. However, Joe Root has asked to be included in the squad for this ODI. He struggled in the New Zealand series so playing here is a no brainer against opposition a lot more friendly. It is a little surprising England have opted to rest effectively their whole squad, and Ireland will view this as a great chance to notch up a much needed win.
Ireland have had a very difficult year. They had to give away home advantage against Bangladesh in May because they couldn’t afford to host a must win ODI series. They then went to the qualifier in Zimbabwe and that ended in tears with Andy Balbirnie stepping down as captain afterwards. That’s left the hard hitting Paul Stirling in charge with Ireland at full strength here. Curtis Campher and George Dockrell have turned into two superb hitters in the middle order, and Harry Tector sits in the top ten ODI batters in the world. Ireland have the talent in the batting department if they put it all together but it is often their bowlers that let them down.
The Irish bowlers will be pleased to see an England second XI here, but that doesn’t make England any less dangerous. England have dropped Jason Roy for the ODI World Cup and replaced him with Harry Brook this week. A ruthless decision given Roy was injured for the New Zealand series but he hasn’t been in great form. There is little hope of another change, but every English players will be hoping to change that here.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
The forecast currently has a 60% chance of rain in Leeds on Wednesday, so all eyes on the radar then. Ireland won’t might some weather; it will bring the sides closer together and they might benefit from a good toss to win. Headingley is usually a good place to bat, but with cloudy and rainy conditions forecast it might just be a day for the bowlers. I think you’d have to win the toss and bowl.
RECOMMENDED BET:
It is hard to see past England here, and the market has them very short at 1.14. I feel Ireland are worth a small bet at 7.4 or bigger though. As I said above, they have the batting line-up to do damage here against a second XI from England. The massive worry is the Irish bowling, but if they have helpful conditions then we should have a closer game than the odds suggest. Ireland’s best chance seems to be in this ODI and catching a brand new look England side a little cold. You’d have to feel these England players will grow as the series goes on.
The Edge Says:
One point win Ireland to beat England at 7.4 with Betdaq Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/EngIre1
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
As I said above, you have to have one eye on the radar here. Hopefully we actually get enough time in to get a completed game. The forecast isn’t great at all for ODI cricket, and I’d expect the bowlers to have some very nice bowling conditions when we do get play. I wouldn’t stay on either batting side for long here, despite the Irish bowling attack being a little weak.
