England left-arm pacer David Willey, who was playing an international game after 438 days, started on the same note from where he left as he picked up a five-for in the first ODI of Ireland’s tour of England in Southampton on Thursday.
In the first over itself, Willey made early inroads on the back of dismissing Ireland opening batsman Paul Stirling (2) as the latter mistimed a harmless delivery to England captain Eoin Morgan at short mid-wicket.
On the first delivery of Willey’s next over, Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie (3) played a loose drive which saw him edging the ball to England wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow.
Opening batsman Gareth Delany (22), who smashed five fours during his brief stay, became the next Irish batsman to walk back to the pavilion after he drove a fuller delivery from Willey to Tom Banton at the point-region.
On the next delivery, Willey found Ireland wicket-keeper batsman Lorcan Tucker (0) right in front of the stumps as Morgan’s call to review umpire’s decision reaped fruits for England.
By the end of his fourth over, Willey had picked 4-12 to send Ireland on the back foot as they’ve eventually lost half their side for just 25 runs.
Got to love that sound 🔊
The perfect start 👌
Live clips: https://t.co/H7fH5ZXv4M pic.twitter.com/DCTNaLrpJ3
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 30, 2020
David Willey at his best! ☝
Bowlers doing the business 👏
Live clips: https://t.co/H7fH5ZXv4M pic.twitter.com/MNH0pRyED9
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 30, 2020
Willey completed his maiden five-wicket haul in his second spell by dismissing tailender Craig Young for 11. With the dismissal of Young, Ireland eventually got bundled out for a paltry 172 in 44.4 overs.
FIVE for @David_Willey! 🖐
His maiden ODI five-for 👍
Scorecard/clips: https://t.co/H7fH5ZXv4M pic.twitter.com/229RBtZ3Fs
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 30, 2020
England are without a host of ODI regulars for this series – including Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler – due to operating with separate red and white-ball bubbles amid the coronavirus pandemic.
With this series also begins the ICC’s World Cup Super League, which sees the 12 Test-playing nations, plus the Netherlands – who won the ICC World Cricket Super League 2015-17 – playing four home and away three-match ODI series, with the top seven teams qualifying automatically for the 2023 World Cup in India.
