T20 World Cup 2021: Ireland faces tough Netherlands test in opener
Two European Associates will battle it out on Monday to take a step closer for a place in the Super 12 stage of the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Published : Oct 17, 2021 13:42 IST
A team with a penchant for beating higher-ranked sides at major tournaments, Ireland will begin its T20 World Cup first round campaign against a rising Netherlands, on Monday.
The Group A match will be vital to the hopes of both teams progressing to the Super 12 stage. The Netherlands has reasons to be confident, having won seven of its 12 T20Is against Ireland. It also came out on top in its recent ODI series.
Ireland has registered World Cup victories over Pakistan (2007), England (2011), West Indies (2015) and Zimbabwe (2015), and Bangladesh (2009 T20 World Cup).
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Now firmly established as a force to be reckoned with, it can both make a statement and take a big step forward in the tournament.
Ireland surprised many by reaching the second round of T20 World Cup in 2009 - its debut tournament. It hasn't made it further than the first round in its four tournaments since, missing out on net-run rate in 2014.
This time, it will be chasing its first win in a T20 World Cup tournament since 2014. A mix of golden age mainstays and young talent, Ireland qualified for this year's tournament by topping its group in the qualifier on net run rate, even after dropping matches to Canada and UAE.
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Last playing a T20I back in March 2020 - a three-match series they lost 1-2 - Ireland has had mixed results in recent times, having first won the tri-series final against Scotland in a thrilling finish at home, and then going down to hosts Oman in the pentangular series to finish second in the competition.
The experienced Kevin O'Brien will be its key player, having also been in the team in 2009, playing a match-winning hand alongside brother Niall against Bangladesh with a stroke-filled 17-ball 39 not out.
He then shot to fame in 2011, scoring the fastest-ever century in the 50-over World Cup to script an emphatic win against England in Bengaluru. He brought up Ireland's first-ever century in the shortest format, striking 124 off just 62 balls against Oman earlier this month.
Netherlands made the showpiece event by reaching the semifinals of the T20 World Cup Qualifier tournament, which they went on to win.
It has been at the heart of some of the most memorable moments in T20 World Cup history with brilliant one-off successes, including famous victories against England in 2009 at Lord's and 2014.
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In the 2014 edition, it had beaten Ireland, chasing down a total of 190 in less than 14 overs to qualify for the second stage.
With proven match-winners like Ryan Ten Doeschate, Ben Cooper, Roelof van der Merwe and Pieter Seelaar in its ranks, the Dutch will be hopeful of returning to the second stage of the T20 World Cup this month and then bettering its previous best tournament performance.
The calming presence of captain Pieter Seelaar will be key for the Dutch hopes of getting out of Round 1.
The Teams (From): Netherlands: Pieter Seelaar (c), Colin Ackermann, Philippe Boissevain, Ben Cooper, Bas de Leede, Scott Edwards, Brandon Glover, Fred Klaassen, Stephan Myburgh, Max O’Dowd, Ryan Ten Doeschate, Logan van Beek, Timm van der Gugten, Roelof van der Merwe and Paul van Meekeren. Ireland: Gary Wilson (c), Mark Adair, Andy Balbirnie, David Delany, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Shane Getkate, Kevin O’Brien, Boyd Rankin, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Stuart Thompson, Lorcan Tucker and Craig Young. |