5 bilateral ODI series to look forward in the first half of 2019

2019 is expected to be a festival for cricket fans considering the tournaments that are lined up for the year. While 2018 has had its fair share of exciting moments, 2019 promises to be even more exciting with the likes of 2019 ICC ODI World Cup, ICC Test Championship and the evergreen ‘The Ashes’ tournament.

The fans can expect some Box-office cricketing actions in the first half of the year as the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League is expected to commence in March and end in May just a few weeks before the quadrennial ODI tournament. Also, the Inaugural ICC Test Championship is a new Tournament that is going to commence in the 2nd half of 2019. This tournament is expected to commence in July with nine teams participating in it over a span of two years.

With a mix of Tests, T20s, and ODIs lined up for the year, we look at the five ODI series that fans would look forward to in the year 2019.

#5 Afghanistan vs Ireland in India (5 ODIs in March)

The battle between two associate cricketing nations, Afghanistan and Ireland, will be an exciting series to watch out for. While Afghanistan has improved leaps and bounds in the International stage in the past few years, Ireland cannot be taken lightly considering the odd surprises they have provided previously.

Ireland and Afghanistan will tour India that comprises T20Is, ODIs and a Test match. To remind the readers, India will host Afghanistan's home games till the security concerns ease out there in the home nation.

The series will kick-off with the T20Is starting from February 23rd, followed by five ODI matches and a one-off Test match which will be concluded by 21st of March.

All the games will be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Dehradun. This venue previously hosted the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh T20I series in 2018, in which Afghanistan won 3-0. For starters, Afghanistan will start as favorites but we can never write off the Ireland team, who might throw some surprises.

#4 Sri Lanka’s tour of South Africa (5 ODIs in March 2019)

Sri Lanka will face South Africa in a five-match ODI series in South Africa

This will be one of the important series to watch out for in the year 2019. The young and exciting Sri Lankan team will travel to South Africa for a two-match Test series that will commence from February, which will be followed by a five-match ODI series and three T20Is.

Sri Lanka has always struggled in South Africa in the past and this would be an ideal opportunity for them to prove the critics wrong. The current Sri Lankan team boasts many promising youngsters and it will be interesting to see how they fare agaisnt one of the most potent bowling lineups in the world.

On the other hand, the Proteas will look to carry forward the good run they have been having. Currently, they are playing Pakistan at home. The Sri Lankan series will be the perfect opportunity to have their ace players to get back to form going ahead into the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.

#3 India’s tour of New Zealand (5 ODIs in Jan-Feb 2019)

India will play five ODIs in New Zealand from the last week of January

After a stupendous success in the Test series against Australia in Down Under, Team India will take on the Aussies in a three-match ODI series. Post the ODI series against Australia, Team India will travel to New Zealand for a five-match ODI series followed by a three-match T20I series.

The New Zealand series will kick-off with the 1st ODI to be played at the picturesque McLean Park in Napier on January 23rd. This will be followed by two ODIs at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui and the 4th will be played at Seddon Park in Hamilton. The final ODI will be played at the Westpac stadium in Wellington on 3rd of February.

This series will be an ideal opportunity for both the team players to get into form ahead of the 2019 ICC Cricket World cup.

#2 Pakistan tour of England 2019 (5 ODIs in May 2019)

Pakistan will play against England in an ODI series right before the World Cup

Pakistan had a disappointing end to 2018 as they lost the home Test series against New Zealand by a 2-1 margin. They are also struggling in the ongoing Test series against South Africa in South Africa. However, their ODI form is not as bad as Tests. Pakistan is currently in the 5th position in the ICC ODI ranking.

Post the South African tour, the Men in Green will head home for the 4th season of Pakistan Super League(PSL) that will be held in UAE and Pakistan. The PSL is set to commence from the second week of February and will run until March 2nd week. Post PSL, Pakistan will tour to England for a one-match T20I followed by a five-match ODI series.

Pakistan who has previously won the ICC Champions Trophy in England in 2017 would want to continue their dream run going into the World Cup. On the other hand, England would want to continue their dominance in ODI format against Pakistan. Not to forget, England had a dream run in ODIs in 2018 with series wins against Australia and India at home.

With two competitive teams pitted against each other, this would be one important series to look forward in 2019.

#1 Australia’s tour of India (5 ODIs in Feb-March)

India will play their last ODI series against Australia before the 2019 ICC World Cup tournament

Currently, both the teams are fighting it out against each other in an intense battle in DownUnder. With the Test series coming to an end, both the teams will play three-match ODI series against each other. Post which, India will head to New Zealand for some Limited overs action, while Australia will face Sri Lanka in a 2-Test match series at home that will kick-off in late January.

Once the Sri Lankan series in done, Team Australia will head to India for a five-match ODI series followed by two T20Is. The ODI series will commence on February 24th with the 1st ODI to be played at Mohali. The final ODI will be played at Ranchi on March 8th. Post the ODI series, the team will take part in two T20Is which would be held in Bangalore and Visakhapatnam.

Team India will start off as favorites considering the solidity in all the areas, whereas Australia will start off as underdogs and would be looking to find their form before the ICC World cup.