Australia vs Ireland, ODI: Where to watch live, prediction, preview and possible XI

Australia take on Ireland in the only One Day International (ODI) scheduled between the two nations at Benoni on 27 September (Tuesday).

Where to watch live

Match starts at 9am BST. Live TV coverage is available on Sky Sports 3 and Sky Sports 3 HD. Click here for the live streaming link.

Overview

Australia's long tour of South Africa starts on 27 September (Tuesday) against Ireland. The sole One Day International (ODI) is an opportunity for the Australian team to get valuable match practice. The team come into this game as the top-ranked side in the world with 124 points, 11 points higher than second placed New Zealand.

The men from down under come into this tour of Africa on the back of a mixed series against Sri Lanka, where they were thrashed 3-0 in the Tests but fought back to clinch the ODI series 3-1. In fact, the Australians have been a consistent side in the limited overs format, and are one of the most dangerous sides in the world.

In David Warner, Aaron Finch, George Bailey and skipper Steve Smith they have batsman who are capable of winning matches on their own but it is in the bowling department that they look a tad inexperienced with Mitchell Starc, James Faulkner, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins and James Pattinson all out injured while Josh Hazeldwood is being rested for the Tests.

This has resulted in the bowling load resting on the shoulders of pacers John Hastings and Scott Boland with spinner Adam Zampa expected to give them support. While it is not an ideal situation for the visitors, it does give the youngsters an opportunity to show their talent for the country. Australia come into this game as favourites, with this clash giving them an opportunity to get used to the conditions ahead of their games against South Africa.

Their opponents Ireland on the other hand come into this clash after suffering a 206-run defeat at the hands of South Africa in their only ODI on 25 September (Sunday). The Irish looked out of sorts, leaking 354 runs with the ball and then getting shot out for a meager 148 runs with the bat.

Barring batsman Paul Stirling, all-rounder Kevin O'Brien and to an extent pacer Craig Young, the rest of the team struggled to make an impact and will need to improve their performances drastically if they are to challenge the Australians.

Key batsman Ed Joyce is still not fit, which means Ireland are most likely to give the same XI another chance come September 27.

Betting odds (10Bet)

• Australia to win: 1/25
• Ireland to win: 6

Team news

Australia

Possible XI: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steve Smith (c), George Bailey, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade (wk), Chris Tremain, Scott Boland, Adam Zampa, John Hastings.

Ireland

Possible XI: Willaim Porterfield (c), Paul Stirling, John Anderson, Gary Wilson (wk), Kevin O'Brien, Sean Terry, Stuart Poynter, George Dockrell, Tim Murtagh, Craig Young, Peter Chase.