Recent Match Report – Ireland vs England 20th Match, Group 1 2022/23

Ireland 157 (Balbirnie 62, Wood 3-34, Livingstone 3-17) beat England 105 for 5 in 14.3 overs (Malan 35, Little 2-16) by five runs on DLS method

Ireland dominated the powerplay with bat and ball either side of a collapse of 7 for 25 to take down England at the MCG, adding another glorious chapter in Irish sport. Eleven years after Kevin O’Brien inspired England to a memorable victory on a steamy day in Bengaluru, Ireland found new heroes on a wet afternoon in Melbourne to stun a more-fancied England side once again at a World Cup.

Josh Little posed a threat to England with the new ball, finding sharp movement and bounce from a fresh MCG pitch. The left-arm quick first had Jos Buttler nicking off and then bounced out Alex Hales. Fionn Hand, who was playing only his third T20I, breached the defences of Ben Stokes to leave England 29 for 3 in the sixth over in their pursuit of 158. Legspinner Gareth Delany hiked England’s asking rate further with his quickish darts.

Though Moeen Ali threated a late fightback, marked by a straight six in the 15th over, England were five runs behind on DLS when rain came down once again. It got heavier soon after and by 6.50pm, the game ended with Ireland’s players celebrating a monumental victory with their fans and family in the rain.

Full report to follow…