The Netherlands will make their entry in the ODI Super League when they lock horns with Ireland in the three-match ODI series, starting 2 June at Utrecht. The two teams last met in July 2013. The game ended in a tie.
Led by Andrew Balbirnie, Ireland are well-ahead on paper ahead of the contest. In fact, they are unbeaten in their last six meetings against the Netherlands. With Paul Stirling at the top of the batting order and Balbirnie and George Dockrell in the middle, they are capable of tearing the Dutch into pieces.
However, the Netherlands do boast of a strong bowling attack. Seamer Logan van Beek can provide early breakthroughs, while Vivian Kingma and skipper Pieter Seelaar are key wicket-taking options. Youngsters Bas de Leede and Scott Edwards will be the players to watch out for among the batters.
Ireland are currently 10th in the Super League points table, with 10 points. They have won one out of their six matches so far. Bangladesh are sitting on top of the list, with 50 points.
Head to head:
Ireland have played the Netherlands 10 times in ODIs, won seven, lost one.
Likely XIs:
Netherlands: Max O’Dowd, Stephan Myburgh, Ben Cooper, Bas de Leede, Scott Edwards (wk), Pieter Seelaar (c), Timm van der Gugten, Logan van Beek, Philippe Boissevain, Vivian Kingma, Fred Klaassen.
Ireland: Paul Stirling, Kevin O’Brien, Andy Balbirnie (c), Harry Tector, George Dockrell, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Josh Little, Craig Young, Simi Singh.
Prediction:
Ireland to win the contest.