Southampton, June 15 (IANS) Ireland will be aiming to recover from an opening defeat when they take on Group B leaders England in their Women’s T20 World Cup clash on Tuesday at The Rose Bowl, which pits one of the tournament’s early strugglers against one of its most dominant teams so far.

Ireland head into the fixture after a 40-run loss to Scotland. Chasing 162, they found themselves on the back foot after losing Alana Dalzell and captain Gaby Lewis inside the Powerplay. Amy Hunter and Orla Prendergast briefly revived the chase with a partnership that kept hopes alive, but both fell at crucial moments as Ireland were eventually bowled out for 121.

Hunter has been Ireland’s standout batter in the competition with 39 runs, while Ava Canning impressed with the ball in the opener, picking up three wickets.

England, meanwhile, arrive full of confidence after producing one of the most commanding performances of the tournament. The hosts dismantled Sri Lanka by 87 runs after piling up 219 for one in their opening match.

Danielle Wyatt-Hodge starred with a scintillating 105 from 62 deliveries, sharing a century opening stand with Amy Jones, who contributed 53. The pair laid the platform for England’s highest total of the tournament so far and ensured Sri Lanka never got close to the target.

The bowlers then completed the job clinically, with Freya Kemp leading the charge through a four-wicket haul as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 132.

England sit atop Group B with a superior net run rate and will be favourites to extend their winning start. Ireland, however, know that a positive result could quickly revive their campaign and throw the group wide open.

The contest will likely hinge on whether Ireland’s batting unit can cope with England’s varied bowling attack and whether Hunter and Prendergast can provide the stability that was missing in the latter stages against Scotland.

When: Tuesday, June 16, 11:00 PM IST

Where: The Rose Bowl, Southampton

Where to watch: The ENG vs IRE match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game.

Squads:

England: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Dani Gibson, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt-Hodge

Ireland: Gaby Lewis (c), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell, Alice Tector

–IANS

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