THE EDGE: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews Friday’s T20 World Cup clash between Ireland and Namibia and includes a recommended bet and in-running strategy.

MATCH OVERVIEW:

It’s the final day in Group A before we reach the Super 12 at the T20 World Cup! We have an absolutely massive clash in Sharjah between Namibia and Ireland on BETDAQ Betting Exchange to look forward to. Quite possibly when the tournament started, we would have been focusing on Sri Lanka v Netherlands today, however with Ireland and Namibia both beating the Netherlands and losing to Sri Lanka, this is now a winner takes all match. The pressure will be immense, and it should be make fantastic viewing.

On the face of things, many cricket fans will see this as a straightforward win for Ireland because they are a Test playing nation but don’t underestimate this Namibia side. They, like most associates to be fair, have made great progress in recent years. They are also well used to the cut-throat nature of knockout cricket. Ireland have experience with this too – usually these teams are playing for one or two spots at every World Cup tournament. The ICC may have changed the rules – but both sides probably won’t consider “reaching” the World Cup if they fail to make the Super 12. Essentially this is just another little qualifying tournament.

Ireland have shown signs that their young stars are starting to make an impact. They had Sri Lanka in big trouble at 8/3 and traded odds on, only to let that advantage slip. Simi Singh went around the park, and Josh Little (who was fantastic) probably should have bowled out earlier. He took 4 for 23 runs, but by the time he came back on the game was nearly over Sri Lanka had got so much. Ireland’s problem remains the same – once the top three are gone they aren’t getting many runs. Curtis Campher could be the all-rounder they so desperately need, but he can’t hold the middle order together on his own.

WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:

We move to Sharjah today for the final round of Group games and one wonders what type of wicket we’re going to get here. The thing about Sharjah is we can have a pitch that’s brilliant for batting and 200+ is par, or we can have a slow and low turner. Batting can be impossible when we get a pitch like that. We had a lot of IPL cricket here recently, and the wicket was very tough for batting. We saw some very low scores. I felt they might save the good wickets for the World Cup, so I wouldn’t go into this game expecting the wicket to be the same as the IPL – my mind is completely open on conditions here until we see some play.

RECOMMENDED BET:

I fully accept that Ireland are, on paper, the stronger side here. However, I can’t accept them being 1.53 favourites. Namibia were able to beat Netherlands, and although perhaps the Netherlands stars are getting a little older, there actually isn’t much between the sides here. Ireland have the better star players, but Namibia only need a few early wickets and then the win is very much on for them. Plus, conditions at Sharjah I feel will bring the sides

closer together – it’ll either be easy for batting or a nightmare – there doesn’t seem to be an in-between at Sharjah! From a value point of view, Namibia look a great bet here at 2.78 in what should be a very close game.

The Edge Says: Two points win Namibia to beat Ireland at 2.78 with BETDAQ Exchange.

View the market here -> https://bit.ly/BDQNamIre

IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:

A lot of the in-running strategy will centre around the conditions here and what type of wicket we get. Unfortunately we’ll just have to wait until the game starts to see what type of wicket we get. I’m very keen to keep an open mind to be honest – batting was obviously tough in the IPL here, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see some fresh wickets for the World Cup. A fresh wicket could mean a score of 200+. In regards to the teams, I’d be very keen to get against the Irish middle-order – they look very weak and have consistently failed to score runs. If the Irish top three don’t fire then they are in big trouble. Josh Little looks in great form with the ball however, and he is worth supporting when he bowls.