Andrew Balbirnie satisfied with Ireland's mindset ahead of New Zealand series

Ireland skipper Andy Balbirnie feels the team had plenty of positives in their recently concluded series against India. He seems satisfied with the squad's mindset and hopes the team can replicate their performances in the limited-overs series against New Zealand. 

Ireland began their summer with a 0-2 loss in the T20I series against the Men in Blue. However, they put up a tough fight in the second fixture by nearly chasing down the total of 225 runs. 

The 31-year-old opines that the team is confident and excited about the Kiwi challenge. 

"There were plenty of positives, particularly in that second game in our approach and our mindset about how to go out and compete with these guys on a regular basis," Balbirnie reflected.

"It's a different format but it's also the same personnel in and around the squad so there is a good excitement about the group.

"I think we always knew we could compete against the best teams but India's almost like a different beast so to be able to run them pretty close gave us a bit of confidence."

Pressure will be on New Zealand: Balbirnie

Balbirnie thinks Ireland have been impressive in the ODI format in recent years. He added that the pressure will be on the Kiwis, who reached the finals of the 2019 World Cup. 

"We've had a lot of good ODI cricket in recent years," skipper Balbirnie said.

"I don't think there's pressure. I think we're still 10 or 11 places below the team we're playing this week so I think all the pressure is going to be on them.”

The top-order batter stated they are not looking too far ahead (qualification to the 2023 World Cup). However, he added that the team is focused on winning the upcoming series and hopes to give it their best shot. 

"I'm not looking too far ahead," Balbirnie said.

"We've just got to focus on each series or game as it comes, I think we have six games left in the competition so we'll try and win as many as possible and see where we end up."

Currently, Ireland are placed eighth in the World Cup Super League table and will have to win most of their remaining ODI games to feature in the 50-overs ICC event. 

The first ODI match between the two teams will be played on 10th July in Dublin.