Ireland vs England: One-sided or Competitive?

One-sided or competitive?

So, this is the first question that comes in everyone's mind, Is this series one sided? So to answer this we have to look at Ireland's squad as well as England's, their luck, commitment, hard work and how the players perform as a team together throughout the match. 

Ireland: A Fine Team

Irish squad looks fine in my opinion. They have players like Paul Stirling, Kevin O'Brien, Tim Murtagh and George Dockrell who are well experienced and can turn the match other way around. The main concern about their squad is William Porterfield's form!

Porterfield's last 6 innings: 

Porterfield doesn't do much with the bat these days. So he should be considered at 7 or 6 until he gains his form back. Niall O'Brien's replacement hasn't been found still. He has retired from international cricket and now working as a commentator. Niall was the best wicket-keeper/batsman Ireland has produced till date and his replacement has been made by Andrew Balbirnie/Gary Wilson.  We haven't seen excellent wicket-keeping from these players but they have courage and resolution to replace Niall, time will tell about this concern in Ireland's squad. A bowling all-rounder is required for the Ireland team. In my opinion, Tim Murtagh can take on that role. He can hit the bowl well and provide a decent score to his team as we have seen in the (Ireland vs Afghanistan) test match. The fast-bowlers department in Ireland's squad is pretty decent. Tim Murtagh and Boyd Rankin are two famous fast bowlers in this area. Mark Adair has also been included in the playing XI of Ireland. He is a good right-arm fast bowler with potential to pick wickets. He can bat as well! Spin department is quiet shocking in this match! Both Simi Singh and James-Cameron Dow are not playing! Clearly a big step taken by the Ireland Cricket selection committee. The only professional spinner in the whole XI is George Dockrell! He can bowl really good but you need a partner to get it going! A partner over here can only be a part-timer. Ireland is playing with a lot of part-time so we'll see how the capatin uses them.
  

England: A Balanced Team

England have mostly been balanced. I don't have much to say about there out of form players, but here are some points. Tom Curran is really out of form. He hasn't been a regular for England but when he does participate, he doesn't give his best at all. Maybe, it is his day today but so far no hopes. 

Tom Curran last 5 innings:

Another one is Liam Plunkett. He hasn't been on his best as well. He was injured before this match. But he is one of the most experienced player in this squad. He can be handy if it is his day.  But, form matters. They have a lot of in-form players with the likes of Joe Root, Eoin Morgan and Adil Rashid. They have debutants such as Jofra Archer and David Willey. 

Final Thoughts.

England have most of the chances but Ireland have got to a pretty good start in the first 6 overs. So, personally I am with Ireland but statistics take England's side. Let me know what you think in the comments below!