Ireland will host Sri Lanka in the first ODI of the two-match series at Malahide in Dublin on Thursday. The two sides have met four times in ODIs prior to this match and Sri Lanka have prevailed in two games, with the other two being abandoned.
Ireland will look to upset the already-wounded Sri Lanka side in this ODI series. The hosts have a busy schedule ahead of them and they will want to start off with a win over Sri Lanka, who are still trying to get used to life after Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
Sri Lanka will be feeling motivated after their performance in the final Test against England at Lord's. The team have acclimatised with the conditions, which will help them when they take on Ireland in these two upcoming ODIs.
However, if it is Ireland's day, they can come out and beat any team in the world. Even if they do not have many fresh players in the side, the experience at times also matters.
This is Ireland's first ODI against a Full Member since August last year, when they had played a one-off match against Australia.
Click here for the Ireland vs Sri Lanka ODI series schedule.
After a disappointing ICC World T20 2016, Ireland will be looking for a fresh start ahead of their busy ODI schedule. But a number of their star players are missing from this 13-man squad, led by William Porterfield. Niall O'Brien, Craig Young, Stuart Thompson and Andrew Poynter will not be featuring in this two-match ODI series against Sri Lanka.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka have recalled Farveez Maharoof, after four years out. Angelo Mathews and co. will miss Tillakaratne Dilshan, who pulled out of this series due to personal reasons. In spite of that, the visitors have a good side.
Shaminda Eranga, Nuwan Pradeep and Suranga Lakmal will be handling the seam department, along with Dasun Shanaka and Maharoof. Seekkuge Prasanna and Suraj Randiv will look after the spin department.
Kusal Perera and Upul Tharanga are likely to open the batting for Sri Lanka. The middle order will be handled by the skipper Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne.
Expected playing XI: Ireland: William Porterfield (C), Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce, Gary Wilson (wk), Kevin O'Brien, Stuart Poynter, George Dockrell, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Tim Murtagh, Boyd Rankin.
Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Angelo Mathews (C), Dasun Shanaka, Farveez Maharoof, Seekkuge Prasanna, Suraj Randiv, Shaminda Eranga, Suranga Lakmal.
Where to watch live:
Ireland vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI is scheduled for a 10:45 a.m. local time (9:45 a.m. GMT, 3:15 p.m. IST and 5:45 a.m. EST) start. There will be no live coverage of this game in India.
Setanta Sports Ireland will broadcast Ireland vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI Live in UK and in Ireland.
ESPN 3 will telecast the game live in US. Watch ESPN will live stream the same as well.
