Ireland's batting in focus going into second ODI
OverviewEngland v Ireland, 2nd ODI
The Ageas Bowl, Southampton
Thursday, 1 August, 2 pm local time
In 18 ODIs Ireland have played since the start of January 2019, Ireland's top six have averaged a modest 29 runs. By contrast, England have averaged 49.25 in that same period.
Having lost the first ODI by a big margin, mainly because of a lacklustre batting performance, that is the statistic Ireland will be most keen on correcting. Experienced members such as Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie and Kevin O'Brien will do well to take the lead in that department.
Curtis Campher's debut fifty was in vain as a maiden ODI five-for from David Willey and a career-high ODI score from Sam Billings set England off to a winning start in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League.
— ICC (@ICC) July 30, 2020
REPORT 👇 https://t.co/nRlY4nK3fE pic.twitter.com/QsT0QaxU0H
While England didn't enjoy a particularly special performance by the men in the top order either, they will be keen to brush that off as an aberration. Moreover, they will be pleased about how Sam Billings stood up to the challenge. Their bowling, even in the absence of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, looked well-rounded.
Remember the last time
Willey produced a stunning opening spell, as he ate into the Ireland top order with four wickets in his first spell. At 28/5 things looked especially dire for the visitors, but debutant Curtis Campher, batting at No.7, led the resurgence with a solid 59* from 118 balls, helping Ireland to a respectable 172. Andy McBrine did his bit with a fluent 40 from No.9. Willey returned to claim the final wicket of Craig Young to secure a well-deserved five-for.
David Willey picks up the last wicket to take his maiden ODI 5️⃣-for 🎉
— ICC (@ICC) July 30, 2020
Curtis Campher has lifted Ireland to 172, finishing with 59* on his international debut 👏 #ENGvIRE SCORECARD ▶️ https://t.co/wCq2WbjEEI pic.twitter.com/lW2YIJpdfg
Faced with chasing a small target, England seemed keen to assert their dominance, but that aggressive approach provided wicket-taking opportunities for Ireland and they reduced the hosts to 78/4 with fast bowler Craig Young striking two blows. But Billings and Eoin Morgan adopted a slightly more calculated approach to see England over the line with six wickets and 22.1 overs to spare.
What they said
David Willey, England fast bowler: "It's an unbelievable squad. You look at the players that still aren't getting a look-in and the guys that went home from this camp: there are some brilliant cricketers sat on the sidelines that are still trying to find a way in."