T20 World Cup 2022: Match 37 - Predicted Ireland Playing XI vs New Zealand

Ireland will square off against the table toppers New Zealand in the 37th match of the ongoing T20 World Cup. The Men in Green are placed second from bottom in their group, with their hopes of qualifying for the semis extinguished after a damaging defeat against Australia.

Their solitary win, a memorable one, came against the pre-tournament favorites England. But the Irish have failed to replicate that performance and will be hoping to end the tournament on a high with another memorable performance against the Kiwis.

Here is the predicted playing XI for Ireland against New Zealand:

Openers – Andrew Balbirnie (c), Paul Stirling 

The skipper of any side is one of their biggest players, unfortunately for Ireland, Andrew Balbirnie has been one of their biggest underperformers in the tournament. A vastly experienced player in the shortest format of the game, Balbirnie has managed just one half-century in the six outings for Ireland in this year's tournament.

Balbirnie's veteran opening partner Paul Stirling is another batter who has had a mixed tournament so far. The explosive batter, much like his skipper has registered just a solitary half-century. He failed to provide a start to his side in their last outing against the defending champions Australia and will need to pull up his socks against a potent Kiwi bowling attack.

Middle order – Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher 

Ireland were beaten quite comfortably by the home side Australia in their previous encounter, but not before Lorcan Tucker gave them an almighty scare with his scintillating 71 off 48 deliveries. The 26-year-old was the lone warrior for the Men in Green, albeit in a losing cause. 

Harry Tector was the star for the Irish in the lead-up to the ICC mega event. But the young batting sensation has not been able to live up to his reputation in the competition. Still, in the nascent stage of his career, Tector will be hoping for a better outing against New Zealand in their last Super 12 fixture.

The Irish players would have been watching the T20 World Cup from their home country had it not been for Curtis Campher's earth-shattering innings against Scotland in the group stages of the competition. But the all-rounder has not been able to replicate the same form since then and has failed to lay a glove on the oppositions. 

All-rounders – George Dockrell and Gareth Delany

A prodigious spinner during his initial days, George Dockrell has improved his batting to great extent in the last couple of years. The lower-order batter is often entrusted with playing brisk cameos for the team after a solid start from the top-order batters. However, he will look to avoid a third duck in a row against Kane Williamson's side.

Ireland's Gareth Delany is no mug with the bat, but he has been reduced to being a bowling all-rounder in this year's T20 World Cup. He has chipped in with crucial wickets for his team but has not enhanced his reputation as a batter in the tournament.

Bowlers – Mark Adair, Fionn Hand, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little 

Mark Adair is another Irish cricketer who has had an underwhelming T20 World Cup in Australia. The experienced pacer was touted to succeed in the bowling-friendly conditions Down Under but has gone wicketless in each of his last four outings. 

Ireland gave Fionn Hand an opportunity in the previous outing against Australia. Unfortunately, the right-arm pacer failed to make an impact and went for 15 in his solitary over in the match. He will hope for a better outing against the Kiwis.

Barry McCarthy was the star of the show for Ireland against the Aussies as the 30-year-old accounted for three Australian batters in the match in his four overs, conceding just 29 runs. Ireland will hope he can back that performance with another solid display against the table toppers New Zealand.

With eight wickets to his name in the tournament so far, Joshua Little has been leading the Irish bowling unit from the front. He has been exceptional for the Men in Green with the new ball at the start of the innings. His performance will be key for Ireland in the next game against New Zealand.

Ireland predicted XI against New Zealand:

Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie (c), Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Fionn Hand, Joshua Little

Click here to know the T20 World Cup Points Table and T20 World Cup Schedule updates.