New Zealand vs Ireland Women T20 World Cup Preview & Tips - New Zealand to finally get first T20 World Cup win

Ireland Women were beaten by tournament hosts England in their last game as they lost by four wickets. 

The pair have met four times in the T20 game, with New Zealand storming to big wins in each meeting. 

New Zealand Women know they simply have to beat Ireland in their third World Cup match, although they are likely already out of the running for a place in the knockout stages of the tournament.

Defeats to the West Indies by seven wickets and Sri Lanka by five wickets has seen their hopes of defending their T20 crown left in tatters. Sat on zero points from two matches, New Zealand are four short of England at the summit but, more importantly, they are behind the likes of Scotland, the Windies and Sri Lanka, who have all secured at least one win. Their clash with bottom of the ladder Ireland is one they have to win, no excuses. 

With only two spots in the semi-finals available from each group, New Zealand will have to win their final games and hope for big favours from elsewhere. The Irish have lost their opening two and sit bottom of the ladder, meaning winning this game is a non-negotiable for England. 

Sophie Devine looked in good touch with the bat against Sri Lanka (45 from 30), and I back her to continue to score runs as she helps to drag her side to a crucial win. 

Ireland Women will have enjoyed their World Cup campaign to this point, with their four-wicket defeat at the hands of England one they were right in the game until the end. 

After posting 118/9 from their 20 overs, Ireland put the cat amongst the pigeons as they reduced England to 35/3 after 5.4 overs. While England did get over the line, taking six of the host's wickets will have buoyed Ireland's bowlers after they were knocked for 161/5 in their loss to Scotland. 

Now, the focus will be on trying to build on their battling performance against England as they take on a side in awful form. While Ireland will arrive knowing that they play a team desperately searching for form, I predict that the Irish will slump to a frustrating loss as they see their hopes of leapfrogging their opponents on the ladder disappear.