World Twenty20 Betting: West Indies v Ireland

Twenty20 / Ed Hawkins / 29 April 2010 / Leave a Comment

Shiv Chanderpaul is Mr Reliable for West Indies in Guyana

"If Ireland get the opportunity to bat first and put a total of 140 or 150 on the board, then West Indies could come under pressure"

On the face of it the hosts should take this contest comfortably as they open up their campaign on Friday night (21.00GMT). However, Ed Hawkins reckons the Irish could give Gayle and co a run for their money

Team news
West Indies, so often a ramshackle and unreliable, are easily written off. But have a look at some of the players they could name in their XI: Gayle, Sarwan, Chanderpaul, Pollard, Bravo, Taylor. That is as good as it gets.

The last name on that list, Jerome Taylor, is probably the most important. With Fidel Edwards injured much relies on the paceman. Ravi Rampaul could share the new ball after an impressive show in warm-up against New Zealand. Andre Fletcher, Darren Sammy and Dinesh Ramdin form a useful lower middle-order.

Ireland, despite their 'minnow' status, have players good enough to demand they be respected. Will Porterfield, the Gloucestershire opener, leads a squad including former skipper Trent Johnston, pugnacious wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien and Warwickshire seamer Boyd Rankin.

Venue and conditions
Providence stadium in Guyana throws up a toss bias which should also put the belief up in the air that West Indies should stroll this. In the 10 50-over matches played there seven have been won by the side batting first. This looks a sluggish surface with only one total of more than 300 scored.

Ireland have played here twice in warm-ups and it has all been about taking pace off the ball. George Dockrell, the slow left-armer, troubled New Zealand with three wickets. Look to the slow men and bowlers who run their fingers over the seam to prosper. Not good news for batters who love to smash through the line.

Match odds
It is with a heavy heart that we suggest Ireland are the wager for game two. The tournament desperately needs West Indies to prosper but qualification could be put in doubt thanks to the nature of the Providence wicket.

If Ireland get the opportunity to bat first and put a total of 140 or 150 on the board, then West Indies could come under pressure. Don't forget it was only in February that West Indies collapsed chasing a paltry 106 to go down against Zimbabwe.
With West Indies dominating the book at [1.15], Ireland are worth risking at [7.40] to win the toss, bat and then setting the hosts more than seven an over.

Featured market
Thanks to the slow nature of the surface, there are opportunities on the innings runs market. If West Indies bat first, consider a lay for 160 or more. If it is Ireland, backing them for 140 or more could be the way to go.

Top batsman
Chris Gayle will get most attention on the top West Indies bat market. Sure he could blast Ireland into the stratosphere but he's bad value on a sticky wicket. Instead opt for Shiv Chanderpaul. He has scored more runs on this wicket than anyone else in 50-over cricket and has innings of 70 and 112 in his last two digs there.

For Ireland, Porterfield and Niall O'Brien should open. But No 3 Alex Cusack was their top runscorer in the qualifying tournament.

Trivia
Providence stadium was built with substantial financial assistance from India, who won't play there in the tourney.

Ed Hawkins says: back Shiv Chanderpaul for WI top bat at [5.00] or better.