Related Articles
The first One Day International (ODI) between Ireland (IRE) and the West Indies (WI) promises to be a thrilling contest as both teams aim for an early advantage in the three-match series. Ireland, coming off a disappointing campaign against Zimbabwe, will look to bounce back on home soil, while West Indies enter this match with momentum after a successful series win over Bangladesh. The Village in Dublin offers batting-friendly conditions, though the new ball can assist the seamers. With both teams boasting explosive hitters and crafty bowlers, fans can expect an exciting clash filled with fireworks from the top order.
Match Details
| Event | Ireland vs West Indies – 1st ODI |
|---|---|
| Venue | The Village, Malahide, Dublin |
| Date & Time | April 23, 2025 |
| Series | 3-match ODI Series |
| Live Streaming | Sony Sports / Disney+ Hotstar |
Team Previews
Ireland Preview
Ireland’s recent form has been inconsistent, especially in ODIs, where they struggled against Zimbabwe. Paul Stirling’s leadership will be crucial as he looks to set the tone at the top alongside Andrew Balbirnie. Their middle order, led by Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, and Curtis Campher, is capable of shifting the momentum in their favor. George Dockrell and Barry McCarthy provide depth and stability in the lower order.
In bowling, Joshua Little and Craig Young will shoulder the responsibility of providing early breakthroughs. Curtis Campher and Barry McCarthy will manage the middle overs, while Andy McBrine and Matthew Humphreys offer spin support. However, Ireland’s lack of consistency could prove costly against a strong West Indies lineup.
Harry Tector remains a key player for Ireland. He averages close to 80 against West Indies and has hit 13 sixes in his last 6 matches at Dublin—making him a must-have in fantasy lineups.
West Indies Preview
The West Indies are coming into this series with confidence after defeating Bangladesh in their previous ODI assignment. Shai Hope will lead a powerful batting unit that includes Evin Lewis, Brandon King, and the hard-hitting Amir Jangoo and Romario Shepherd. Sherfane Rutherford and Roston Chase add depth, while Gudakesh Motie provides all-round value.
Their bowling attack is well-balanced, with Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales offering pace and swing upfront. Matthew Forde and Motie will handle the middle overs, supported by the aggressive fielding and handy contributions from Shepherd and Chase.
Shai Hope, with an average of 94 in Dublin including two centuries, is expected to anchor the innings. His experience and form make him a dangerous proposition for the Irish bowling attack.
Despite missing out on the World Cup and Champions Trophy, West Indies have shown signs of revival and will start as favorites in this opener.
Favorite Team to Win Today’s Match
| Favourite Team | Why?(100 words) |
|---|---|
| West Indies | West Indies come into the game with better form, having won four of their last five matches. Their batting lineup is deep and explosive, led by Shai Hope and Evin Lewis. They also boast a balanced bowling attack with variety. Ireland’s inconsistency, especially in high-pressure games, makes them vulnerable. While home advantage helps Ireland, the Windies’ superior firepower and recent success give them the edge. A solid start and disciplined bowling could seal the deal for West Indies in this opener. |
Fantasy Team XI
| Player Name | Role | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Shai Hope (C) | WK-Batsman | Excellent record in Dublin; anchors the innings and scores big runs. |
| Harry Tector | Batsman | Hits lots of sixes and has a great average at this venue. |
| Evin Lewis | Opener | Explosive striker, sets the tempo at the top. |
| Paul Stirling | Opener | Experience and power; often gets starts for Ireland. |
| Romario Shepherd | All-Rounder | Can score quickly and chip in with useful overs. |
| Amir Jangoo | Batsman | Big-hitter in the middle/lower order; potential for quick runs. |
| Curtis Campher | All-Rounder | Valuable for wickets and runs in the middle overs. |
| Alzarri Joseph | Bowler | Fast bowler who strikes early; good chance of multiple wickets. |
| Matthew Forde | Bowler | Left-arm pacer who exploits conditions well; economical and effective. |
| Barry McCarthy | All-Rounder | Can contribute with bat and bowl; reliable death overs option. |
| Andy McBrine | Spinner | Offers variation and control; good for containment in middle overs. |
Captain & Vice-Captain Suggestions
- Captain : Shai Hope – Strong record in Dublin and likely to score heavily.
- Vice-Captain : Harry Tector – Power hitter with great stats against WI and at this venue.
Players to Avoid in Fantasy
- Gudakesh Motie – Struggles in Dublin; not effective against quality batters here.
- Joshua Little – Inconsistent and tends to leak runs under pressure.
Squads & Probable Playing XI
Ireland Squad
Paul Stirling (c), Andrew Balbirnie, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Andrew McBrine, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy.
| Probable XI |
|---|
| Paul Stirling |
| Andrew Balbirnie |
| Curtis Campher |
| Harry Tector |
| Lorcan Tucker (wk) |
| George Dockrell |
| Andrew McBrine |
| Matthew Humphreys |
| Josh Little |
| Craig Young |
| Barry McCarthy |
West Indies Squad
Shai Hope (c & wk), Brandon King, Keacy Carty, Sherfane Rutherford, Amir Jangoo, Roston Chase, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales, Matthew Forde.
| Probable XI |
|---|
| Shai Hope (c & wk) |
| Brandon King |
| Keacy Carty |
| Sherfane Rutherford |
| Amir Jangoo |
| Roston Chase |
| Gudakesh Motie |
| Romario Shepherd |
| Alzarri Joseph |
| Jayden Seales |
| Matthew Forde |
Pitch Report
The Village in Dublin offers a batting paradise with flat, true bounce and short boundaries. However, fast bowlers get assistance with the new ball due to slight movement. Spinners find it tough to extract turn or bite, so they rely on variations and yorkers. Chasing teams have had the upper hand recently, winning 4 of the last 7 matches here.
- Average Score First Innings: 270
- Target to Aim For: 320+
- Best Strategy: Batting second gives a slight edge, but batting first and posting a big total is still ideal.
Toss Prediction
- Expected Winner of Toss: Ireland (Home Advantage)
- Preferred Decision: Bowl First – Conditions favor chasing slightly due to improving pitch and dew factor later in the day.
Winner Prediction
While Ireland has the advantage of playing at home, West Indies’ stronger batting and more consistent bowling attack tilt the balance in their favor. Expect a tight contest, but West Indies to win the 1st ODI .
CricketPandith Match Prediction Package
Per Match Charges: 1000 Rs/Match
Monthly Package: 5000 Rs/Month (Unlimited Match)
All International/League Match Prediction Available
