England’s Eoin Morgan flicks the ball past Ireland’s wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien, during the second One Day International cricket match between England and Ireland. Pic/AFP
Jonny Bairstow’s quickfire 72 not out set up England’s 85-run win over Ireland in the second one-day international at Lord’s yesterday.
Victory saw England take the two-match series 2-0 after they had launched their build-up to next month’s Champions Trophy tournament on home soil with a comfortable seven-wicket win at Bristol on Friday.
Ireland, in their first ODI at ‘the Home of Cricket’, fought hard with the ball in front of a 22,000-strong crowd.
But, as was the case Friday, they suffered a batting collapse after a promising start and were dismissed for 243 chasing 329 to win. Ireland captain William Porterfield did, make 82, the top score of the match, as his side, who could be granted Test status.