Giant-killers Ireland aim to pivot from bridesmaids to contenders

Ireland have been perennial underachievers in the T20 World Cup, with only seven wins across 28 matches in the mega event. Their poor form from the 2024 edition continued for most of the current cycle until recent wins over Italy and the UAE. They registered only six wins in 16 matches during this cycle.

Despite this, Ireland bring a settled core of experienced players and an exciting crop of youngsters. The upcoming World Cup presents a prime stage to correct their recent T20I slump.

The squad, and what it tells us

Squad: Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker (vc), Ben White, Craig Young

The 15-player squad features 12 members from the 2024 T20 World Cup, indicating stability. New additions are the 23-year-olds Matthew Humphreys and Ben Calitz, along with 22-year-old Tim Tector.

Captain Paul Stirling, Ross Adair, Lorcan Tucker, and Harry Tector will be key with the bat. Curtis Campher and George Dockrell are vital all-rounders. Bowling in Sri Lanka could feature three spinners: Dockrell, Ben White, and the promising Humphreys.

Joshua Little leads the pace attack with Mark Adair, while Craig Young and Barry McCarthy provide rotation options. Andy Balbirnie misses out, having not played a T20I since the last World Cup.

The road to the World Cup

Post the 2024 World Cup, Ireland did not win a T20I series until beating Italy and the UAE last month. Outside a 1-1 series draw with South Africa in late 2024, they lost series to Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, West Indies, and England. Rain also washed out three home fixtures.

Last five completed T20Is: W-W-L-W-W (most recent)

Ireland play a balanced brand of cricket, aiming to maximise scoring opportunities. They average 24.69 per wicket and score at 8.42 runs per over this cycle.

Who can bend a match in 10 balls

Ross Adair can pack a punch with the bat. Since July 2024, he has scored 657 runs at a strike-rate of 160.63, with two centuries in 23 T20s.

With the ball, left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys is an exciting prospect. This cycle, he has taken 20 wickets in 14 T20Is at an economy of 6.6. In slow, tricky Sri Lankan conditions, he could be a game-changer.

Tournament Schedule & Context

Ireland play their first three games in Colombo, aiding acclimatisation and reducing travel. Their schedule allows a two-day break between each match.

The opening match against Sri Lanka could be tricky. The T20 World Cup returns to the island nation after 14 years, and a raucous home crowd will present a tough challenge.

What a good World Cup looks like

With Sri Lanka and Australia favoured to progress from Group B, Ireland likely need to upset one of them to hope for qualification. Wins against Zimbabwe and Oman, coupled with a victory over one of the favourites, could pave their way to the Super 8. Achieving this would mark a significant success as they attempt to rectify their poor T20 World Cup record.