WOAKES HOPES FOR SILVER LINING
CHRIS WOAKES is hoping to be England’s man for all seasons at the MCG against Ireland – as they hope rain does not spoil their afternoon.
After watching South Africa’s match with Zimbabwe end as a no-result because of the wet weather in Hobart, there is a real chance that England may also have to make do with just a single point from their game against the Irish.
And it would be a delicious irony for the men in green if a rain deluge was to frustrate Jos Buttler’s men and their progress to the last four after the boot was on the other foot back in 2010.
However,Woakes cannot worry about what may or may not fall out of the sky in Melbourne, even if he is nicknamed ‘The Wizard’.
His focus must only be on what he can do with the ball in hand after proving his fitness against Afghanistan.
And if England do get to perform out in the middle, then the cool and damp conditions might just work in his favour.
After all, he did take 6-17 in a solitary Test against Ireland in friendly conditions at Lord’s in 2019 as England bowled them out for 38.
“If it’s overcast and swinging around, I’m more than happy for it to be like that,” said Woakes.
“It’s usually hot sunshine and flat wickets here, so I’m more than happy for it to be a bowler-dominated tournament.
“Hopefully the ball does move in the air, that certainly helps us as a bowling unit. Maybe we’ll feel at home with all the rain.
“Ireland, though, are a dangerous team. For any team to come through the group they’ve just come through, to knock out West Indies, you’ve got to be able to play some good cricket.
“They’ve got some dangerous players and some players we know relatively well from around the English county circuit. So, we won’t be taking them lightly.” In 2010 in Guyana, Ireland failed to make it to the T20 World Cup Super Eights as rain in their match against England forced a ‘no-result’.
England are set to stick with the same balance and quite possibly the same XI with both Woakes, who had a sore quad, and Mark Wood declaring themselves good to go.
The temptation to rest Wood for the game against Australia on Friday will be there nonetheless.
You would be hard pressed to find a more confident bowling attack than England’s – they have successfully defended a target in three out of their last four matches. “Winning games by bowling second has given us some real confidence,” saidWoakes.
IRELAND (probable): Stirling, Balbirnie (c), Tucker (wk), Tector, Campher, Dockrell, Delany, Adair, Singh, Little, McCarthy.
ENGLAND (probable): Buttler (c, wk), Hales, Malan, Stokes, Livingstone, Brook, Moeen, Curran, Woakes, Rashid, Wood. Tomorrow, 5am, Sky