WI looking to start on a winning note

West Indies have just wound up a trophyless tour of India, but Pollard’s men have shown that they are up for a fight. It helped them push an all-powerful Indian unit hard – a welcome change for a team that has often capitulated to lose from winning positions.

Before the India series, they swept Afghanistan 3-0 for their first ODI series win in five years. On the back of these gains, they have opted to rest their star all-rounder Jason Holder for the first two ODIs against Ireland.

For Ireland, this will be their first assignment since finishing third at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019 in Dubai. They’ve spent the interim period fine-tuning their game indoors at home.

Their batsmen had a solid workout in the warm-up game against the West Indies Cricket Board President’s XI, with much of their top and middle order coming good with solid contributions.

Their bowlers picked up seven wickets in reply, but that couldn’t prevent defeat, as the home team reached their target with 20 balls to spare.

Under a new captain in Andrew Balbirnie, can Ireland make a positive start in their first fixture of the new year?

Pollard will be looking to win the series as well and improve on certain aspects of the team as they look forward to improving their rankings.

The match is slated to begin at 1:30 pm.

The ODI series against Ireland, which concludes with the third match in Grenada on January 12, will be followed by three T20Is in Grenada (January 15) and St Kitts (January 18 and 19).

West Indies ODI squad: Kieron Pollard (capt), Sunil Ambris, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Keemo Paul, Khary Pierre, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh