Published: May 07, 2017, 07:39 PM (IST)
Edited: May 07, 2017, 08:26 PM (IST)
Eoin Morgan, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow hammered Ireland bowlers, helping England set a target of 329 in the second and final ODI at Lord’s on Sunday. The three batsmen claimed fifties, exploiting the Lord’s conditions. Although England lost their openers early, Morgan and Root anchored the innings to take England to 213 for 3. But it was an 88-run stand between Bairstow and Adil Rashid that took the game away from Ireland in the death overs. Their partnership consisted of 10 fours and 2 sixes. While Rashid perished attempting a paddle shot landing to the wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien, Bairstow remained unbeaten on 72. For Ireland, where Tim Murtagh and George Dockrell claimed a wicket apiece, Barry McCarthy and Peter Chase shared 4 wickets between them. Full Cricket Scorecard: England vs Ireland, 2nd ODI at Lord’s
Jason Roy and Alex Hales, who began the innings, struggled against Murtagh who was bowling tight and maintained his line and lengths. However, Roy opened the account creaming a straight drive. Hales joined the league with successive boundaries of Chase – one towards cover and the other towards mid-on. Although England openers found the right gap and boundaries off Chase, Murtagh suffocated both Roy and Hales, bowling exceptionally well on his County home ground. The openers, in their reply, attempted for a boundary every over forcing skipper William Porterfield opting for a different bowler. Kevin O’Brien who was called for just ahead of the PowerPlay, barred England from reaching the 50-run mark.
England were 45 for no loss at end of the PowerPlay. However, the fortunes turned around for Ireland who claimed two successive wickets. Hales, who was looking for the boundaries, was dismissed for 32, handing Murtagh his first ODI wicket in his home ground. Roy, who took charge of the innings soon, was removed by McCarthy for 20. Roy handed a catch straight to Paul Stirling at the extra cover, adding stress on new batsman Root.
Ireland had claimed two wickets off three overs since the end of PowerPlay. By the drinks break, England had reached at 81 for 2, similar to the score of Ireland during the first ODI at Bristol before they slumped to 126 all out. Porterfield decided to bring spinner who brought no luck.
Morgan and Root continued to repair the damage done by bringing up a 50-run stand for the third wicket. Morgan inched closer to his fifty smashing the first six towards deep midwicket. Meanwhile, Porterfield tried variations by bringing back Chase into attack that did the trick and kept England batsmen on toes.
Root and Morgan had to try innovative shots to counterattack Ireland bowlers. They were sailing on similar scores of 49, until Root was the first to bring up his fifty, off 57 deliveries that included 5 fours. Morgan soon followed suit and completed his fifty off 49 deliveries. Morgan and Root added another 50 to their partnership bringing century-stand by the 30th over.
With the return of Chase, Ireland found yet another breakthrough by picking Root at the mid-off for 72. Morgan also found himself back in the hut with McCarthy claiming his second as Ed Joyce caught a blinder at extra-cover. That ended the 140-run stand between Morgan and Root.
It was a fresh beginning for England as Bairstow and Sam Billings tried to stabilise the innings. Billings, who has just returned from his IPL stint, was unable to carry the momentum ahead and was removed for a mere 7.
Earlier, Ireland opted to bowl on a cloudy day with a hope that Lord’s conditions would assists seamers. Niall O’Brien, who was doubtful for the second game due to a finger injury, was declared fit while pacer Barry McCarthy came in for Stuart Thompson. England went for an unchanged squad.
Brief scores:
England 328 for 6 in 50 overs (Joe Root 73, Eoin Morgan 76, Jonny Bairstow 72*, Peter Chase 69; Barry McCarthy 2 for 61) vs Ireland
