Ireland boosted by return of Paul Sterling

Paul Sterling returns to captain Ireland today for the rescheduled second One Day International in Jamaica.

The match was scheduled for Tuesday but positive COVID-19 cases among the Ireland camp caused the match to be postponed and the one off T20 match dropped altogether from the series.

Sterling has been given the reins after captain, Andy Balbirnie and wicketkeeper, Lorcan Tucker tested positive along with head coach, David Ripley for the coronavirus.

The visitors’ situation was further complicated with Andy McBrine and Mark Adair suffering injuries.

However, with McBrine and Adair expected to play today Ireland can play a competitive playing XI.

Sterling spoke yesterday of the COVID-19 effect.

“We had a pretty good record and I think whenever cases came out, we nipped it in the bud. This is the first time where it’s lingered. I don’t know any teams that have completely avoided it, so it’s maybe time to start moving on in that direction a bit quicker,” Sterling said during the pre-match conference.

West Indies drew first blood in the series, beating the visitors by 24 runs in the opening ODI and will look to win the series as Ireland battles the COVID-19 outbreak.

However, Assistant Coach, Roddy Estwick, feels that the West Indies should not take the opposition lightly.

Estwick told media operatives yesterday a that despite the challenges, he believes Ireland has strengthened its side. “We cannot underestimate Ireland, because their key player, Paul Sterling is back tomorrow [Today] so they’ve actually strengthened so we can’t underestimate them, we got to stick to our game plans, stay focused, stay disciplined,” he said.

Estwick said that the West Indies have set a standard which they will need to maintain, crediting their acceptable performance in the field where they conceded only 10 extras.

He, however, was adamant on the need for consistency, pointing out in the first ODI, that the first 10 overs of the batting was good but not the next 10. The team recovered with the Shamarh Brooks and Kieron Pollard partnership only to fade away towards the back end of the innings.

Another area of concern for Estwick was the death bowling but nevertheless he said the signs were encouraging to work with notwithstanding the inexperienced bowling attack.

“It’s a very young bowling group when you look, you’ve got Jason Holder who is experienced but when you look at Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Alzarri Joseph now is starting to get some experience and Akeal Hosein…as well,” he said pointedly.

One area of positivity for the Bajan coach was the running between the wickets while communication within the team was another point to note for Estwick.

Caption: Stand in Ireland captain, Paul Stirling will bosst his team’s chances of a win in today’s second ODI against the West Indies.