2020 England vs Ireland, ODI Series Review

After the test series win against West Indies, during the month of July, England team were scheduled to play against Ireland for a 3 match ODI Series. This is the first ODI Series, played after a 3 month halt, due to Corona Virus Pandemic and also the first series of the 2020-22 ODI Super League. Hence, each and every match is important for both teams. Their performance will definitely impact in the qualification process for 2023 Cricket World Cup.

All three ODI matches were played at Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Stadium, located at Manchester. Also, all of them were scheduled within a week's time. Here, is a look into the series. 

First ODI, 30th July

At first ODI, England have won the toss and decided to bowl first against the mild Irish Batting. Right from the start, Irish have been struggling to get past against the England's impeccable bowling attack. David Wiley, was threatening the Irishmen with his off cutters and variation in pace. At one stage, Ireland side were 28/5. From there, it was expected that Irish Team would be losing all of their wickets for below 100 runs on board. But, it didn't happen, because of Debutant all rounder, Curtis Campher. He stood like a rock and built partnership with Kevin'O Brien, and also with the tailender McBrine. He scored a fine fifty, which made the team to post a total of 172. 

Englishmen came into bat. Craig Young were right on the top with his in swinging deliveries. He dismissed Brathwaite so cheaply, but Englishmen weren't giving up. They just maintained a quick run rate, by hitting boundaries. This counter attack meant Irish Bowling to be meaningless as even though picking wickets, as the equation getting low. It was 82/4, from which Billings  and Morgan took a little time and after finding some touch, they started counter attacking the bowlers and ultimately winning the match by 6 wickets. Man of the Match Award was given to David Willey for his 5 wicket haul.

Second ODI, 1st August

England needed to win this game, to seal the series whereas for Ireland, to stay alive in the series. Ireland have won the toss and decided to bat first. Again, Willey comes into the scene, and breaks the wickets of top order batsmen. But, Harry Tector and Lorgan Tuckor were on a move, and it showed some signs of improvement in their batting. They built a good partnership with quite good understanding, until Morgan, tightened the fielding. He closed each and every gaps, which prevented singles. For a period of 5 overs, they weren't able get on the touch and built the pressure. This pressure created rifts and ultimately made Harry Tector to lose his cool and gave away his wicket by hitting straight at mid on. After the loss of his wicket, ultimately collapse occurred. Adil Rashid ripped through the middle order and again it was rested on the hands of Curtis Campher. And again, he rescues his team with even a better one. He started off slowly but after his fifty, he targeted the bowlers. He was supported with Simi Singh, with a good cameo and McBrine. With his performance, Irish Team scored 212/9 at the end of 50 overs. 

England were again cruising on, with Bairstow blasting boundaries all around the park with hitting beautiful shots, especially towards leg side. His innings, totally lowered Irishmen's temperament. His scored 82 off 41 balls which led them to a situation for 131/3 at the end of 16 overs. It was thought the Englishmen would be chasing this away with less than 25 overs, but there came a twist. Bairstow lost his wicket and along his wicket, Morgan and Moeen Ali were became the bonus scalps for Irishmen, leaving England to a score of 137/6. Right now, it is 50-50. Also, if Billings would fail, it meant their worst ever choke. But, Billings and Willey came into rescue and saved the team from one of the most disappointing losses ever witnessed in the cricket. 

Third ODI, 4th August

This time again Irishmen have won the toss but they preferred to bowl this time. Also, Irishmen were clean in their plan right from the start, with excluding a spinner from the team and including another pacer to join. Englishmen again collapsed and lost their initial 3 wickets for just 49 runs. Morgan and Banton were on the crease, and Banton were on the verge to score atleast some runs to save his position. They both started to counter attack against the Irishmen, and as a result Irishmen were left without any option. Morgan scored a fascinating century and Banton scored a well made half century. This partnership made Englishmen to reach 200 at less than 30 overs. But, this partnership was broken as they weren't having the intent of building a ling innings. Also, this hurry created rip even for batsmen playing lower down the order. Billings failed first time in this series whereas Moeen Ali, haven't succeeded atleast once in this series. 216/7 were the score, which showed the dominance of Irish Bowling. But, this was rafted again by Willey who scored a more crucial fifty, along with good contribution from Tom Curran, which lead England to post 328 runs. 

Everybody were expecting a Bangalore miracle, again as the target score is the same. Responding to the expectation,Paul Stirling started his run hunt with a perfect planned way. He was very clear in his hitting. Unlike English side, he played with a calculation, where most of the times he hits sixes off the deliveries which comes to his slot and whereas he strikes it for single on the non range deliveries. But, he maintained his strike rate above 120. At other end, Captain BalBirnie, playing a run a ball innings, without hitting off much hard. The partnership between these two proved, how a chase should be anchored. Both scored centuries, which brought down the run rate with 7 RPO in last 10 overs. After scoring centuries, both lost their wickets and the match started to became bit more intense. Kevin O Brien and Harry Tector, started playing off the bad deliveries but the pressure was still building. English Bowlers were increasing the pressure, with their well directed yorkers and also it was seemed to be choking. Whereas, the choking didn't happen. During a chase, at last 5 overs, a ball could change the course of the game. This was happened perfectly during 47th, 48th, 49th and also at the last over. David willey, who was bowling well made yorkers, had bowled atleast a full toss and no ball delivery in an overs, which caused runs. Irishmen won the game by 7 wickets with 1 ball to spare. One of the best ever ODI games after a long time. 

Paul Stirling won Man of the Match whereas David Willey and Curtis Campher won Man of the Series Award representing their teams particularly.