ICC Men’s World Cup Super League
England Vs Ireland Played at Ageas Bowl, Southampton on 30 July 2020.
World Champions England steam rolled their Irish Cousins ruthlessly in the inaugural ODI of the ICC Men’s World Cup super league winning by 6 wickets. It did not matter England rested most of its key players of World cup winning team for greater demand of test series against superior opposition Pakistan starting soon.
Multi faceted English bowling attack, playing at their usual penetrative best, restricted minnows to a modest 172 all out in 44.2 overs. Then with minimum of efforts they cruised home in only27.2 overs scoring 174/4.
England left out Root, Archer, Buttler, Stokes and let the others like J Roy, J Bairstow, JM Vince, T Benton, Billings, Adil Rashid, Moin Ali get used to international cricket. The ODI captain E Morgan returned to lead his charge against his own people. The very strong fit for the purpose English attack of DJ Willey, S Mahmud, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid and Moin Ali proved much for Irish to digest as they were put to bat. They did well finishing at 172 after being rattled to 5/28 by the 7th over. Willey and Mahmood seamed and swung prodigiously creating all sorts discomfort for the Irishmen. Campher playing an unbeaten knock of 59 tried his best to hold the innings together. McBrine did also resist admirably among the ruins scoring 40. Willey was the peak of English attack taking 5/30 in 8.4 over. S Mahmood provided great support with 2/36.
The target of 173 was not at all challenging for the very strong English batting. However all eyes were on J Roy and J Bairstow. But both looked a bit rusty. Roy could score 24 but Bairstow scored only 2. Sam Billings however was true to his potential playing an unbeaten innings of 67 and skipper Morgan brushed rust off his bat with an unbeaten 36. England won by 6 runs with almost half over the overs left. Ireland proved no match even against under strength England. It turned out to be a cake walk for the champions.
DJ Willey for his exploits with the ball was adjudged man of the match.
BDST: 1130 HRS, JUL 31, 2020
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