England added another 10 points to their tally for World Cup Super League with 4-wickets victory over Ireland. The Irish team put on a better show in this second ODI of the series, comparatively, and even had England in a spot of bother for a brief period. England were 6 wickets down for 137 but a blitzkrieg innings at the top by Bairstow, striking at the rate of 200 for his 82, ensured the asking rate was near 2 an over. Billings and Willey batted sensibly to see their team through without any further loss of wicket.

Poor start for Ireland

Irish captain Balbirnie won the toss and elected to bat first but yet again his side could not get an ideal start to build on and were reduced to 91/6 in 28th over itself. Willey made the early inroads dismissing Delany of an in-swinging beauty for a 12-ball duck. Stirling followed soon being caught at point. Captain Balbirnie’s stay was cut short by his indecision to cut or leave Vince delivery that eventually kissed his edge on its way to Bairstow’s gloves. Rashid swept off the middle order, castling O’Brien with a wrong-un, getting Tector(28) and Tucker(21) caught off poor shot selection.

Campher to rescue

Campher, 68 of 87, again showed his class and range of shots to check the fall of wickets on his way to back-to-back half-centuries. He had substantial partnerships of 60 with Singh(25) and 56 with McBrine(24) down the order to carry Ireland past 200. Mahmood broke both the stands, first accounting for Simi, getting caught behind, and then the prized scalp of Campher caught at third man. England were set a target of 213.

England run-chase

England too didn’t begin on the right note as Roy fell for duck chasing a wide Young delivery and playing it straight to cover. This however did not affect his partner Bairstow, who showed his aggressive stint from the get-go. He utilized the field restriction to full effect and played some lofty off and on drives, pulls and flicks that cleared the in-field easily. It took him only 21 deliveries to reach his fifty, joint fastest for England. He hit 14 boundaries and 2 sixes on his way to 41-ball 82. Little got him caught behind while reaching out for a wide delivery without much feet movement. Campher accounted for the wickets of Vince and Banton.

A mild hiccup

Bairstow’s wicket was followed by another two quick wickets of Morgan and Ali. Morgan cut a short delivery, asking for punishment, straight to cover while Moeen Ali succumbed to a short ball to be caught at square leg. Willey was next to join Billings in the middle and they took England home without separating. The 79-run stand, highest in either innings, featured an aggressive Willey, who twice pulled the ball over fine leg fence, and a sensible risk-free batting from Billings, who once again remained unbeaten and accomplished a successful finish. Bairstow was adjudged Man of the Match for his impactful half-century that almost decided the game.