Live streaming internet television has been a huge success for many companies and sports leagues. In the opening match of the Twenty20 World Cup, Ireland will take on Netherlands in Dublin at 7:30 PM EST tonight. Over 400 million people are expected to tune into the broadcast from around the world as they watch this first-ever T20 international event that is being played outside of Asia, Europe or Australia. Here’s how you can watch it live online if you’re within a few hundred miles of one of these countries where matches are taking place.
Getty SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 04: Ireland’s Paul Stirling hits a run during the Royal London Series’ Third One Day International against England and Ireland at Ageas Bowl on August 04, 2020 in Southampton, England. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images/Mike Hewitt) )
On Monday, Ireland and the Netherlands will begin their efforts to qualify for the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup Super 12 in 2021. Ireland enters the competition in better shape than the other two teams, having won warm-up matches against Papua New Guinea and Bangladesh. Meanwhile, the Netherlands arrive at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi after disappointing performances against Scotland and Oman. Due to the presence of Netherlands captain Pieter Seelaar and Ireland’s Paul Stirling, a renowned run scorer, there will be plenty of star power on show.
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The match isn’t on TV in the United States (it starts at 6 a.m. ET), but everyone in the US can watch Ireland versus Netherlands live on ESPN+ right here:
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You’ll be able to watch every single match of the ICC T20 World Cup on ESPN+. For $6.99 each month, you get dozens of different live sports, every 30-for-30 documentary, and more unique content (both video and textual).
Alternatively, you may buy all three for $13.99 per month if you also want Disney+ and Hulu. The three streaming services would cost a total of $20.97 per month if purchased separately, so you’re saving around 33%:
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Once you’ve signed up for ESPN+, you can watch Ireland vs Netherlands live on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Firestick, Apple TV, Chromecast, PlayStation 4 or 5, Xbox One or Series X/S, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), Samsung Smart TV, Oculus Go, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet, or any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), Samsung
You may also watch on ESPN.com from your computer.
Preview: Ireland versus. Netherlands
Stirling’s ability to put up runs early on may be the difference maker. During a T20I series against Zimbabwe this summer, he hammered his way to a century, demonstrating his ability to flourish in this format. Stirling like the slower pitches in the United Arab Emirates and is in record-breaking form heading into the competition:
Men’s T20I cricket has the most fours.
Paul Stirling (no. 1): 288 Virat Kohli (No. 2): 285 Martin Guptill (#3): 256 Rohit Sharma (No. 4): 252
Stirlo, I congratulate you! @ITWSports pic.twitter.com/ChHKsaxdDs Another record is broken
10 October 2021 — Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland)
If Stirling performs as predicted at the top of the order, Ireland will set a difficult target. If fellow starter Kevin O’Brien catches his groove immediately, he’ll have a better chance of accomplishing so. Even though he’s 37 years old, O’Brien understands how to cope with whatever motion the ball may take while still striking it cleanly.
For any team at this level, keeping Stirling quiet is a difficult assignment, but the Netherlands are unlikely to be daunted. Coach Ryan Campbell’s squad is full of match-winners who know how to utilize the ball. Brandon Glover, the finest of the Netherlands’ bowlers, is a true pacer who can force a few batsmen to swing and miss.
Thanks to Fred Klaassen, Glover’s rapid bowling has a diabolical accompaniment. He’s a lefty who can switch between medium and rapid speeds. Klaassen’s best move is to generate a fantastic bounce off the seams, which may lull Stirling into a few of wayward swipes. Seelaar’s left-handed, spinning deliveries, which have taken wickets at this level for over a decade, might also help.
If Max O’Dowd is on form, keeping up with Ireland’s order won’t be an issue. The 27-year-old has incredible power and should like the steady tempo of the Abu Dhabi ground. In April, O’Dowd slogged his way to a respectable 133 off 73 balls against Malaysia. However, with Stephan Myburgh also in the lineup, he isn’t the only power hitter in the lineup. He recently shot a 43 in a warm-up triumph against co-hosts Oman, which featured five fours and a six.
Mark Adair’s right arm will most likely be tasked with keeping O’Dowd and Myburgh hidden. He has the ability to produce pace as well as create some challenging movement off the seam. Aside from Simi Singh, Ireland lacks a really threatening spinner, but the team isn’t lacking on pacers, with Craig Young adding to the attack’s speed.
Although Ireland’s depth is debatable, the individual brilliance of players like Stirling and Adair should sway the match’s balance. In a difficult qualifying group that also includes Namibia and Sri Lanka, a victorious start will be a great help.