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AFP
Southampton
Jonny Bairstow equalled the England record for the fastest One-Day International fifty as the world champions beat Ireland by four wickets in a series-clinching victory at Southampton on Saturday.
England were cruising to a target of 213 while opener Bairstow, whose 21-ball half-century equalled skipper Eoin Morgan’s mark against Australia at Nottingham two years ago, was at the crease.
The wicket-keeper’s exit for 82, however, sparked a mini-collapse that saw three wickets lost for six runs.
Both former Ireland batsman Morgan and Moeen Ali fell for ducks as Josh Little – only playing because of Barry McCarthy’s knee injury – followed his dismissal of Bairstow by striking twice in four balls to leave England wobbling at 137-6. But Sam Billings made 46 not out and David Willey, already a thorn in Ireland’s side with the ball, 47 not out.
The pair shared an unbroken stand as England, who won with more than 17 overs remaining, again made Ireland pay for a low total batting first.
Victory left England 2-0 up in a three-match series that concludes at the Ageas Bowl, the venue for all three matches, on Tuesday.
Brief Scores: England 216 for 6 (Bairstow 82, Billings 46*, Willey 47*, Little 3-60) beat Ireland 212 for 9 (Campher 68, Rashid 3-34) by 4 wickets.
Southampton
Jonny Bairstow equalled the England record for the fastest One-Day International fifty as the world champions beat Ireland by four wickets in a series-clinching victory at Southampton on Saturday.
England were cruising to a target of 213 while opener Bairstow, whose 21-ball half-century equalled skipper Eoin Morgan’s mark against Australia at Nottingham two years ago, was at the crease.
The wicket-keeper’s exit for 82, however, sparked a mini-collapse that saw three wickets lost for six runs.
Both former Ireland batsman Morgan and Moeen Ali fell for ducks as Josh Little – only playing because of Barry McCarthy’s knee injury – followed his dismissal of Bairstow by striking twice in four balls to leave England wobbling at 137-6. But Sam Billings made 46 not out and David Willey, already a thorn in Ireland’s side with the ball, 47 not out.
The pair shared an unbroken stand as England, who won with more than 17 overs remaining, again made Ireland pay for a low total batting first.
Victory left England 2-0 up in a three-match series that concludes at the Ageas Bowl, the venue for all three matches, on Tuesday.
Brief Scores: England 216 for 6 (Bairstow 82, Billings 46*, Willey 47*, Little 3-60) beat Ireland 212 for 9 (Campher 68, Rashid 3-34) by 4 wickets.
