England beat Ireland by six wickets in first ODI

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England batsman Sam Billings plays a shot during the first ODI between England and Ireland. (AFP)
England batsman Sam Billings plays a shot during the first ODI between England and Ireland. (AFP)

Southampton - David Willey marked his England recall with an ODI best 5-30

By AFP/Reuters

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Published: Thu 30 Jul 2020, 10:44 PM

Last updated: Fri 31 Jul 2020, 12:58 AM

World champions England defeated Ireland by six wickets in the first one-day international at Southampton on Thursday as white-ball cricket returned from the coronavirus lockdown.
England, in their first home ODI since winning the World Cup, were in trouble at 78-4, chasing a modest 173 to win.
But Sam Billings (67 not out) and captain Eoin Morgan (36 not out), a former Ireland batsman, saw them to victory with more than 22 overs to spare as England went 1-0 up in a three-match series.

Earlier, David Willey marked his England recall with an ODI best 5-30.
 
England were without a number of regulars who are preparing for the Test series against Pakistan next week, but returning seamer  Willey had Ireland in early trouble as he picked up career-best figures of 5-30 in a fine display of swing bowling.
The visitors' innings was rescued by South African-born all-rounder Curtis Campher, 21, who was unbeaten on 59 on debut to go with 1-26 with the ball.
He put on 66 for the eighth wicket with Andy McBrine (40) to give Ireland something to defend.
Jason Roy (24) and James Vince (25) both got starts for England in their reply and there was a murmur of excitement in the visiting camp when they had their hosts 78 for four.
But the experience of Morgan and clean-hitting of Billings, who struck 11 fours, took the game away from the Irish, who will look for improvement in the second of the three matches at the same venue on Saturday.
The Super League will be used to determine the eight qualified teams for the next World Cup in India in 2023.
 
 


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