3 things USA need to do right to beat Ireland in T20 World Cup 2024 clash
The United States of America (USA) will head into one of the most important matches in their history, a contest that would be etched in folklore if they do manage to get it right. The co-hosts of the 2024 World Cup have an opportunity to make it into the Super 8 stage if they win in their upcoming contest against Ireland.
The contest is scheduled to take place in Florida on Friday, June 14. Everyone has one eye on the weather, but the teams will have come into the contest well-prepared, given its significance. The USA are playing to leapfrog into the big leagues among the heavyweights while Ireland are playing for their pride.
USA have come out all guns blazing in terms of confidence, and have not been too intimidated by the occasion. The co-hosts do not have much to change from their original plan to keep their good run going, but they have to make a conscious effort to be consistent with it.
On that note, let us take a look at three things the USA need to do right to beat Ireland in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 clash.
#1 Negotiate the Irish pacers
Ireland's pace duo of Josh Little and Mark Adair can have a serious say on a surface that has been under covers in Florida. The moisture, coupled with the expected overcast conditions certainly brings them into play to set up an enticing battle against the USA top order.
The co-hosts are likely to be bolstered by skipper Monank Patel's return to the top of the order. The likes of Monank, Steven Taylor, and Andries Gous have all had their moments in the tournament, but they have not clicked together to give the middle order a lavish platform.
Despite the pitch being under covers, the surface in Florida has generally been batting-friendly. The USA and Ireland have played each other at the venue in the past on two occasions, with one of those matches being a high-scoring affair.
USA had scored 188 after being reduced to 16-4 and although the result was in their favor, the team must be careful of not repeating such an instance.
#2 Netravalkar has to keep doing what he has done so far
If the Irish pacers can be a threat primarily due to the conditions, it applies to the USA pacers as well. Although there is a case for Nosthush Kenjige to return to the playing XI, as always, it will be seam bowling that gets to bowl the bulk of overs.
In the clash against India, the fast bowlers showed what they can do if there is assistance from the surface. They were able to rattle a side like India, and even though they ended up on the losing side, a statement was made.
A driving force behind that statement was Saurabh Netravalkar. The left-arm pacer troubled the Indian top order by getting the ball to move across all directions, and while the pitch in Florida is not as treacherous as the one in New York, he is expected to have some impact with the new ball.
#3 Capitalize on the game after having a grip on it
In each of their last two games, the USA have allowed the opposition to claw their way back into the game. The Monank Patel-led side have to learn to get a stronger grip on the game, to be closer to the heavyweights, as it is one of the traits that sets them apart.
In the match against Pakistan they almost botched the run chase, and somehow recovered to take the super over. Even in the first innings, they had reduced the Men in Green to 26/3 but allowed them to post 159 in the end.
Against India, they were in the driving seat while defending 111 after India were struggling at 39/3 in the eighth over. But a meek surrender after clumsy dropped catches and avoidable run penalties are not acceptable at this level, particularly because it comes under the controllable.
They were almost punished for this flaw against Pakistan and were made to regret it against India. As a result, they cannot afford it for the third time running and have to go out and dominate the opposition throughout and play as the rightly adjudged favorites that they are, even if it is a rather unfamiliar feeling for them.