Ireland vs England: Lack of stars will not prevent England victory
Published:England may be heavily depleted for their first ever one-day international trip to Dublin to play Ireland, but this does not mean that they will not secure victory.
After the demands of England’s 4-0 Test series win over India and five one-dayers against in the same opposition awaiting in the coming weeks, many players have taken the chance for a rest, slightly disrespecting the fixture.
One-day skipper Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad and even coach Andy Flower are among those not travelling to Dublin, leaving England with what is effectively a Lions side.
However, they should still possess enough quality to take a measure of revenge for England’s defeat to Ireland at the Cricket World Cup earlier this year, when fielding a full-strength side.
Eoin Morgan captains the side and will want to make a positive impression as it could enhance his position as a one-day skipper of the future, while Jonathan Trott, Ravi Bopara and Craig Kieswetter bring suitable one-day experience.
England’s cricket odds are 1/4 to beat Ireland and there is every chance that the hosts will be a little deflated after witnessing the weakened team they will be facing.
Ireland were 10/1 to beat England previously at the World Cup, but are just 11/4 to repeat this victory.
The Irish team should be unchanged from that which won in Banglaore, including Kevin O’Brien, who hit 113 and bowler John Mooney, who took four wickets.
O’Brien is 8/1 in the cricket odds to be Ireland’s top runscorer again, although Paul Stirling may be the value bet at 4/1 after recent centuries against Pakistan and Scotland.
For England’s Trott’s ability to stay at the crease throughout the innings makes him a tempting top runscorer bet at 3/1, but James Taylor is highly regarded and could be overpriced at 5/1 as he looks to display his credentials.
