The two sides meet for the first time in T20 World Cup action and have only met each other once in the format – back in 2012 – with England coming out on top. England are heavy favourites for the match but will be looking to maximise the amount of points they get after they were knocked out in the semi-final last year without a ball being bowled by virtue of finishing second in the group-stage phase. All-round team performance gives Three Lions the perfect start in #T20WorldCup 🙌#WIvENG highlights 👇 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 12, 2023Ireland head into their fourth T20 World Cup campaign fresh off the back of a three-wicket victory over tournament favourites Australia in Wednesday’s warm-up game in Stellenbosch. Captained by Laura Delany in her fourth T20 World Cup, Ireland reached the tournament by coming through a tough qualifying campaign in Dubai last September, after they narrowly missed out on the last World Cup in Australia. Ireland claimed their first overseas T20 series victory with a 2-1 win over Pakistan in November, who look to be constantly improving with a squad average age of just 24.

Source: The Herald February 12, 2023 20:32 UTC