• Ireland won their most recent 20-over meeting with England at the 2022 T20 World Cup

• Jacob Bethell will become England's youngest captain when he leads the team on Wednesday

• Recommended bet: Jos Buttler to score a half-century

England's squad for their three-match T20 series in Ireland demonstrates their depth of white-ball talent and they are hot favourites to win Wednesday's first game at Malahide, Dublin.

White-ball captain Harry Brook is among the Ashes hopefuls who have been rested for this series but, ominously for Ireland, openers Jos Buttler and Phil Salt are available.

They propelled England to a national-record total of 304-2 against South Africa at Old Trafford last week and stand-in captain Jacob Bethell is targeting a comprehensive series victory over injury-hit Ireland.

The latest Ireland vs England odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Team news

Ireland are missing fast bowlers Josh Little, Mark Adair and Fionn Hand due to injuries, while Canada-born wicketkeeper Ben Calitz is the only uncapped player in the squad.

England have rested captain Brook, Jofra Archer, Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith as they prepare for this winter's Ashes series in Australia.

Fast bowler Saqib Mahmood (knee) has been replaced by the uncapped Hampshire seamer Scott Currie, who has previously represented Scotland.

The stats

Ireland have lost 12 of the 16 home T20 internationals in which they batted first.

Opener Paul Stirling averages only 12.66 in his nine T20I innings at Malahide.

Ireland have scored 182-5, 193-7, 178-7 and 194-7 in their last four T20Is at home.

Only Glenn Maxwell and Rohit Sharma have scored more T20 international centuries than Phil Salt's four.

Jos Buttler has reached 50 in six of his last 10 innings for Manchester Originals and England.

England's 304-2 against South Africa last week was the highest T20I total in a match between two Test-playing nations.

The latest Ireland vs England odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

Ireland beat England by five runs in a rain-affected game at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia – a tournament that England went on to win.

Surrey all-rounder Sam Curran was man of the match in the final and also player of the tournament, with his stellar performances at county and franchise levels having earned him an international recall.

Despite the absence of several Test stars, England's squad is brimming with talent and this series is a great opportunity for Curran, Essex batter Jordan Cox and leg-spinning all-rounder Rehan Ahmed to impress the selectors.

There are question marks over England's pace attack as Matthew Potts, tipped to make the Ashes squad, has withdrawn from the tour and Mahmood has undergone knee surgery.

Sonny Baker had a chastening ODI debut against South Africa, conceding 76 runs in seven wicketless overs, but Ireland are missing key pacemen Little and Adair.

Their replacements face the daunting task of bowling to Salt and Buttler, who destroyed South Africa's attack in Manchester last Friday.

Salt smashed an unbeaten 141 off just 60 balls after Buttler had dominated their opening stand of 126, scoring 83 from 30 deliveries.

The former captain has looked back to his best this summer and he should be backed to reach 50 in the first T20I against Ireland.

Buttler finished this month's ODI series against the Proteas with classy knocks of 61 off 51 balls at Lord's and 62 not out from 32 balls at the Rose Bowl.

He was player of the series in England's 3-0 T20I win over the West Indies in June, racking up 165 runs from only 105 deliveries and poses a huge threat to a depleted Ireland bowling unit.

Back Jos Buttler to score a half-century, available at 37/20 with LiveScore Bet