Zimbabwe vs Ireland ODI Series

[BigMozzyDog]

4 pts Ireland to win the first game at 7/4 with Boylesports

There’s no doubt that Zimbabwe have put some pieces of the puzzle together, particularly in the bowling department. On the slow pitches in Harare, their nicely varied attack and good captaincy from Elton Chigumbura caused real problems for Pakistan. It also caused problems for New Zealand earlier in the year.

Where they are struggling is in the batting department. In the last series they only managed a decent score once in three T20Is and three ODIs. On that occasion they won the game. But the sheer amount of batsmen that are out of form is a real worry. Only Chamu Chibhabha was consistent enough in producing runs.

The Ireland team that faces them has also undergone some change, with retirements and losses of form.

However, one thing they have in their side is a collection of players with better first class averages than the hosts. They are also playing much tougher cricket over in the County Championship.

Their top six are all establish county players and the in coming Kevin O’Brien is a man with internationally renowned x-factor, though he only tends to show it on the biggest stages. 

In recent matches, Zimbabwe have been able to not only start steadily with the bat, but also pick up early wickets. It is this phenomenon that contributed to our three consecutive winning top opening partnership bets. The competition between bat and ball in this series will be a strong one, and perhaps the rest that the Ireland players have enjoyed will pay dividends.

Read the full preview here: https://www.punterslounge.com/ireland-vs-zimbabwe-can-ireland-spring-a-surprise- 

[BigMozzyDog]

4pts Ireland to win at 13/8 with Ladbrokes.

Influential keeper batsman Niall O’Brien returns for Ireland to add some much needed impetus to the Ireland batting. The likes of William Porterfield and Andrew Balbernie will have to look at the rate they make progress to ensure they don’t get too far behind a good score. If they can rotate the strike more effectively, they will give the likes of Wilson, Thompson and the brothers O’Brien a chance to effect the game. 

Ireland are a better side, particularly in the batting department; a fact that should have swung the first game their way. They won’t make the same mistake this time. 

You can read a full preview here: https://www.punterslounge.com/zimbabwe-vs-ireland-can-ireland-bounce-back-

[BigMozzyDog]

4pts Zimbabwe to win the final ODI at 4/7 with William Hill.

In the first match Ireland again were exposed defending a score due to their inability to contain the Zimbabwean batsmen. Not all of the blame can fall on the Irish bowlers. Zimbabwe’s batsmen have expertly taken advantage of the diminished threat posed by their new opposition compared to Pakistan. Craig Ervine, who was a doubt for this series, has been a stand out, as has Sikander Raza, who we correctly selected as top batsman in the first game. The number six has played a key role in both run chases.

It remains to be seen how Zimbabwe will deal with having to defend a score of their own, but they do have a happy knack of picking up early wickets which will certainly help. 

Regardless of the toss and who bats when, Zimbabwe have already proved that the abundance of cricket they have played has been a help not a hinderance. Ireland seem rusty and lack the competitive sharpness that has so often given them the edge. 

You can read a full preview here: https://www.punterslounge.com/zimbabwe-vs-ireland-the-hosts-look-to-be-dominant-over-sluggish-ireland