Ireland v New Zealand T20 predictions, free cricket betting tips

Free cricket tips, best bets and analysis for the first T20 international between Ireland and New Zealand.

Where to watch

Women's ODI: England v South Africa
Sky Sports Cricket, 2pm Monday

Men's T20: Ireland v New Zealand
BT Sport 1, 3.45pm Monday

Best bets

Harry Tector top Ireland runscorer v New Zealand
1pt 9-2 bet365

Emma Lamb top England Women runscorer v South Africa
1pt 15-4 bet365

Match preview

Ireland suffered a 3-0 whitewash in their recent ODI series with New Zealand, but the scoreline does not tell the full story.

Some final-over heroics from Michael Bracewell broke Ireland’s hearts in the first ODI as the Black Caps won by one wicket having required 20 runs from the final six balls with only one wicket in hand, while on Friday the Irish fell a single run short of chasing down the Kiwis’ 360-6 in Malahide.

So with a T20 World Cup looming, there are positives for Ireland to take and this week’s 20-over series against New Zealand, which begins in Belfast on Monday, is another stepping stone towards the tournament down under.

Ireland have relied on a core group of players for some time but in 22-year-old Harry Tector they have unearthed a new gem.

The right-hander confirmed his early international promise with a maiden ODI century in Ireland’s dramatic defeat in the opening game of the 50-over series, and he backed that up with another ton in Friday’s third rubber.

Tector, who is likely to bat at four in the T20 series, hit 64 not out and 39 in last month’s two-match 20-over series against India, so at 9-2 to top Ireland’s runscoring, he may have been overlooked by bookmakers.

England’s women have an unassailable 2-0 lead heading into the final match of their ODI series against South Africa and are 1-5 for victory in Leicester.

Heather Knight’s side have looked a cut above the South Africans, sauntering to a five-wicket win with 18 overs to spare in the first ODI before racking up 337-5 in a 114-run success on Friday.

Emma Lamb's performances have set England on their way in both matches, with the Lancashire opener hitting 102 on her ODI debut and 67 in the second match.

She is 15-4 to lead the way with the bat for the hosts again on Monday and that could be worth a small interest.

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