MATCH OVERVIEW
The First T20I of Serbia’s Tour of Gibraltar 2024 will attract great attention as being two emerging European cricket teams, Serbia and Gibraltar are both trying to establish themselves in the international arena. Moreover, they get a great chance to show how their cricket skills are developing in early 2024. While Serbia has recently been winning big games to gain recognition as an upcoming cricket team, Gibraltar will take advantage of playing on their home ground.
MATCH DETAIL
- Date: October 1, 2024
- Venue: Europa Sports Complex, Gibraltar
- Time: 2:00 PM local time / 5:30 PM IST
PITCH REPORT
The pitch at the Europa Sports Complex is usually a balanced one. It has something in it for the batsmen and bowlers, with the new ball assisting the seamers. The spinners might come into play in the middle overs. Historically, the pitch tends to become slower as the game progresses, which might make the chase a bit tough.
TEAM A ANALYSIS: Gibraltar
Key Player: Louis Bruce is Gibraltar’s strike weapon in T20Is. He is a powerful hitter of the ball on top of the order, who can also deliver a few overs in the middle.
Probable Playing XI:
- Louis Bruce (C)
- Kenroy Nestor
- Matthew Hunter (WK)
- Andrew Reyes
- Richard Cunningham
- Marcus Harvey
- David Robeson
- James Fitzgerald
- Julian Freyone
- Christian Rocca
- Philip Hatchman
TEAM B ANALYSIS: Serbia
Key Player: Leslie Dunbar is the pillar of strength of Serbia’s batting lineup. He is a versatile player, who can stay on the wicket and pace for fast bowlers and can score some runs rapidly. He is supposed to contribute with both bat and ball for his team.
Probable Playing XI:
- Leslie Dunbar (C)
- Adrian Dunbar (WK)
- Simo Ivetic
- Nicholas Johns Wickberg
- Aleksa Vasic
- Mark Pavlovic
- Robin Vitas
- Vukasin Zimonjic
- Ayo Mene-Ejegi
- Haris Dajic
- Safet Keric
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
- Total Matches: 3
- Gibraltar Wins: 2
- Serbia Wins: 1
DREAM11 PICK
- Captain: Leslie Dunbar (Serbia)
- Vice-Captain: Louis Bruce (Gibraltar)
- Top Picks: Kenroy Nestor (Gibraltar), Nicholas Johns Wickberg (Serbia), Matthew Hunter (Gibraltar), Vukasin Zimonjic (Serbia)
PUBLIC OPINION
Both of the teams show mixed results in the last five matches. It means that Gibraltarians have fewer reasons to win and will make more effort on the home soil. At the same time, the winners of the three last or five matches should better perform in the upcoming game. Their fans are motivated to support both, believing that Serbians will defeat Gibraltarians on the road, and Gibraltarians will not allow a defeat at home. There is only one reason for that: Gibraltar is technically weaker than Serbia and plays better on home soil with its citizens on the stands.
SWOT ANALYSIS
Gibraltar:
- Strengths: Experienced players like Louis Bruce and Kenroy Nestor are very much capable of winning games. The home-ground advantage in this series will help them to quickly adjust to the conditions.
- Weaknesses: Gibraltar’s middle order seems to have a collapse if the required run rate goes high. Thus, Serbia can go for quick wickets to win the series.
- Opportunities: With a fresh T20I series, Gibraltar has a valuable opportunity to gain some confidence along with enough experience to face tougher opposition.
- Threats: If the Gibraltar bowlers do not perform as expected, Leslie Dunbar is capable of destroying the match with both bat and ball.
Serbia:
- Strengths: Serbia is a well-rounded team with many in-form players. Leslie Dunbar is a very important player in this team. They also have a balanced overall lineup, with flexibility to both bat and bowl.
- Weaknesses: They have lost the top order of their batting at times, leaving the middle and lower order under pressure.
- Opportunities: Victory away from home will give their European cricket levels a boost and help their confidence.
- Threats: At times, their bowling is very vulnerable to attack. Gibraltar plays very well at the death and Serbia’s bowlers may find it hard to stop their hard-hitting batsmen.
PREDICTION
Even though the home advantage will play into the hands of Gibraltar, Serbia is in great shape now and they are also a team of an even level in terms of skill. Given the fact that they won three out of the five games played recently, while Gibraltar cannot be called exceptionally consistent, it is believed the match will be dragged until the final overs and depend on moments.
