The first phase of the T20 World Cup draws to a conclusion on Sunday with two matches in Dharamsala. The first one sees the two associate sides meet when the Netherlands take on Ireland for the second successive competition.
This is a dead rubber if these two can play such a thing in an event like this. Both sides arrived in India with the intention of doing some damage and surprising the big boys in Bangladesh to make it into the main draw but after opening defeats Friday’s washout meant these two can’t possibly go any further in the tournament.
The Netherlands will have plenty of regrets because they know they should have beaten Bangladesh in their opening match and had they done that they would only need a win here to make it into the main draw but they came up eight runs shy and ended up paying the ultimate price.
Ireland have a reputation of being the best of the associate nations and they have plenty of history of turning over the full member sides but their record in this competition is starting to go against them so they could just do with a win here to redress the balance.
It is unlikely that either side will make too many changes because I sense both have a point to prove here and with a match washed out they’ve just not had the chance to really show that they’ve got in full.
These two met in the tournament two years ago and the Netherlands pulled off one of the best run chases you will ever see and that highlights why I’m backing them in this match.
We’ve seen in the game and eight overs that Ireland have played in this tournament that their bowling attack just can’t cut it at this level and actually the Netherlands are pretty strong with the ball. They are good with the bat too and I just think they will have too much all round power for an Ireland side who have looked pretty ordinary in all departments in this tournament thus far.
WON – Back Netherlands to beat Ireland for a 4/10 stake at 2.30 with Bet365
Back them here:
