Irish win toss, send New Zealand into bat at T20 World Cup

Ireland skipper Andy Balbirnie won the toss and opted to field against New Zealand in a Group 1 encounter Friday that could be pivotal for playoff spots at the Twenty20 World Cup.

This is the last Super 12 game for both teams. New Zealand is in pole position to qualify for the semifinals with five points from four games and a positive net run rate of 2.233.

A win against Ireland would confirm New Zealand as the first semifinalist at the tournament, but a loss could open the way for England and Australia.

Ireland, with three points from four games in the second round, including a big upset against England, are out of contention.

Australia was playing Afghanistan later Friday, and the Group 1 was set to conclude Saturday with England against Sri Lanka.

Australia, currently third in the group, needs a victory and a big boost to its net run rate to secure one of the top two spots that will earn progression to the semifinals.

England and Australia are each on five points from four games, but England is ahead of Australia on net run rate.

The pitch at the Adelaide Oval is favorable for batting and one of the two square boundaries is particularly short, which should make it a target for batters.

Lineups:

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson (captain), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.

Ireland: Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie (captain), Lorcan Tucker, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Fionn Hand, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little.