new zealand: Irish win toss, send New Zealand into bat at T20 World Cup

Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie won the toss and elected to field against New Zealand in a Group 1 encounter that could be crucial for a playoff spot in the Twenty20 World Cup.

This is the last Super 12 match for both the teams. New Zealand are in a position to qualify for the semi-finals with five points from four matches and a positive net run rate of 2.233.

A win against Ireland would confirm New Zealand as the first semi-finalists in the tournament, but a defeat could open the way for England and Australia.

Ireland are out of contention with three points from four matches in the second round, including a major upset against England.

Australia were playing Afghanistan later on Friday, and Group 1 was to conclude with England on Saturday against Sri Lanka.

Australia, currently ranked third in the group, need a win and a big boost to their net run rate to secure one of the top two spots that will earn progress to the semi-finals.

England and Australia have five points each from four matches, but England is ahead of Australia in terms of net run rate.

The pitch at the Adelaide Oval is conducive to batting and one of the two square squares is particularly short, which should make it a target for batsmen.

Lineup:

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson (c), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.

Ireland: Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie (c), Lorcan Tucker, Harry Tector, Curtis Camper, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Fionn Hand, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little.

Originally published at Pen 18