Lewis To Open, Hetmyer At 4; Ex-RCB Pacer Dropped? WI Probable XI For 1st T20I vs Ireland

West Indies will face Ireland in 1st T20I [Source: @ICC/X]

On Thursday, West Indies will resume their Ireland tour with the first T20I against the hosts at Bready Cricket Club Ground. The visitors levelled the ODI series one-all before departing for England, where they succumbed to six straight defeats from the home side. 

However, West Indies are pretty much capable of thwarting the Irish in their backyard. As they gear up for the series opener, let's analyse and find out their potential combination for this match. 

Hope To Form WI Top Order With Johnson Charles And Evin Lewis

West Indies are likely to persist with Johnson Charles and Evin Lewis as their openers despite the duo's recent struggle in England. The visitors don't have more prolific names than these two and hence they could give them another chance to prove their mettle. 

Meanwhile, skipper Shai Hope, who scored 97 runs across three outings at a healthy strike rate of 134.72 in England, will bat at his preferred number three slot. Charles and Lewis form an explosive opening combination, while Hope ensures reliability in the West Indies' top order. 

Hetmyer, Rutherford, Powell To Spearhead WI Middle Order

Swashbuckling batter Shimron Hetmyer looked sublime for his quick-fire eight-ball 26 before getting dismissed in the third T20I against England. Thus, he will likely retain his place, with Rutherford and the in-form Rovman Powell following him in the batting lineup. 

Powell was outstanding in the final T20I in Southampton, amassing 79* runs off just 45 deliveries. On the other hand, Sherfane Rutherford had a torrid run in the England T20Is, and, therefore, he would like to improve his numbers in this series. 

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Romario, Holder To Play As All-Rounders; Motie, Akeal To Lead Spin Unit

The experienced duo of Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder are certain starters as the all-rounders. Shepherd has been a valuable asset for the Windies in T20Is, while Holder clobbered 70 runs at a strike rate of 205.88 in the England T20Is. 

On the other hand, Gudakesh Motie and Akeal Hosein are expected to spearhead West Indies' spin bowling department. While Akeal specialises in powerplay bowling, Motie's guile and variations will be handy for the visitors in the middle overs. 

Question Marks Over Alzarri Joseph's Place

(Alzarri Joseph's stats in ENG T20Is)

Experienced speedster Alzarri Joseph struggled to get going in the recently held T20I series against England. While he managed only three wickets, the former RCB pacer conceded 156 runs at an abysmal economy of 13. 

Moreover, Joseph has been disappointing in T20Is since last year's World Cup, scalping only nine wickets in his last eleven outings in the shortest format. Thus, if the visitors decide to exclude him following his forgettable spell in Southampton (0-60 in 4 overs), Matthew Forde might replace him in the playing XI. 

West Indies Probable Playing XI For 1st T20I vs Ireland

Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles, Shai Hope (C/WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph/Matthew Forde

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