- Well-matched teams makes Ireland the play
- Ireland a great bet if batting first
- Ireland to bust 150 batting first also a wager
Sri Lanka v Ireland
Sunday 23 October, 05:00
TV: Live on Sky Sports
Team news
Sri Lanka are either tuned up nicely or they've got lazy again after two wins against supposedly inferior opposition. Defeat by Namibia might have been the wake-up call they needed.
Wanindu Hasaranga is on course for back-to-back top wicket-taker tournament wins. Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka have found form with the bat.
Probable XI: Nissanka, Kusal, Dhananjaya, Asalanka, Rajapaksa, Shanaka, Hasaranga, Karunaratne, Theekshana, Lahiru, B Fernando
Ireland are battle-hardened. Not that they needed to be to defeat West Indies to qualify. They thrashed them, producing an all-dominant display to stroll into the Super 12s.
Paul Stirling's return to form is a massive boost. They have runs in them lower down, too. Curtis Campher is looking good again whle much is expected of Harry Tector.
Probable XI: Stirling, Balbirnie, Tucker, Tector, Campher, Dockrell, Delany, Adair, Singh, McCarthy, Little
Pitch report
The Bellerive is ground punters know well because of the Bash. In the last 20 matches at the venue there have been 15 scores of 160 or more. As a result only five of those have been won by the side batting second. Those are decent trends there. Ireland to bust 150 batting first should be a wager.
How to play
Sri Lanka are 1.392/5 with Ireland 3.55/2. You'll need your head checked if you're taking that price about the Lankans.
This is a simple play: back Ireland with the toss bias in their favour. These teams are well matched and even if there wasn't a toss bias Ireland would be underrated. The weather forecast looks likely to be clear of rain.
Tops value
Stirling and Nissanka are boosted to 12/5 and 23/10 respectively with Sportsbook. If we've got Ireland wrong George Dockrell is reasonable at 10s. For Sri Lanka Bhanuka Rajapaksa is their best hitter so 15/2 will always appeal.