Ireland’s Paul Stirling and captain Andy Balbirnie struck superb centuries as the tourists chased down a daunting target of 329 to stun world champions England with a seven-wicket win in the third and final ODI at the Rose Bowl on Tuesday.
England, who had already sealed the series, batted first and recovered from early trouble to post 328 all out one ball shy of their 50 overs with captain Eoin Morgan providing another classy century against the country of his birth.
But Ireland never looked intimidated in their chase as Stirling smashed 142 from 128 balls and Balbirnie 113 from 112 to put on a record 214 for the second wicket, and the second highest partnership for Ireland in ODIs as they reached their target with one ball to spare.
The series is the first in the International Cricket Council’s 13-team Super League that serves as the qualifiers for the 2023 World Cup in India, where the hosts and the leading seven sides will play at the finals.
England slipped to 3-44 at the start of their innings, but Morgan, who previously played 23 ODIs for Ireland, took the attack to the bowlers and was well supported by Tom Banton (58) as they put on 146 in 18.2 overs for the fourth wicket.
David Willey (51) and Tom Curran (38 not out) added 73 more for the eighth wicket to see England past 300.
Ireland raced along in their reply, aided by a poor length from the home bowlers, with Stirling reaching his ninth ODI century and captain Balbirnie his sixth, but neither could see their side home.
The visitors needed eight off the last over bowled by Saqib Mahmood, and were aided by a waIst-high no-ball that provided an extra ball and a free hit.
Ireland’s only other victory over England in 13 matches came at the 2011 World Cup when they scored 7-329 as Kevin O’Brien scored a century.
He was at the crease to hit the winning runs in this latest victory to seal another famous Ireland success.
JamesBelfast
Roar Rookie
And shows the benefit of multi game series. Normally Ireland/The Netherlands etc would have to make do with random one-off games. Imagine if all Ireland had was the first ODI, they would have had no chance to grow/learn/improve and would have gone away looking pretty hopeless.
JamesBelfast
Roar Rookie
Ireland do have better options. McCarthy bowled 5 balls in the first game before getting injured, and is a consistent wicket taking threat. Boyd Rankin has plenty of international experience and was also injured. Adair was clearly still not 100% in his only game, bowling a fair bit slower than normal. There’s also David Delany coming through the ranks, a genuine 90mph+ fast bowler, unfortunately also injured at the moment. Maybe we just need to invest in our medical staff…
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Pretty amazing when you consider Ireland’s bowling attack is below just about any of the Australian states’.
Damo
Guest
And this is EXACTLY why big nations need to play smaller ones more often. And if you want to take the risk playing a second string side then that's your risk to take. (and yes I know there's an English test starting in a few hours - so I do give the ECB some credit is fielding a team regardless)
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
This would have to be the first time three Irishmen have made tons in the same ODI wouldn't it?
AREH
Roar Guru
It's funny, before the matches began I felt Ireland's best chance would be batting first and posting something substantial, as opposed to trying to chase anything posted by the brutal English batting unit - even without some key names. And yet they failed to post considerable totals when batting first, but have pulled off a seriously impressive chase like this!
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Nice
Peter Farrar
Roar Pro
You'd think the game was won with a 328 score. Great effort to chase that down, it must have seemed to be daunting.
JGK
Roar Guru
So it’s official, 329 is Ireland’s lucky number.
Ravi Keelveedhi
Roar Rookie
Another Eangland's loss at the hands of the minnows, viz., Ireland . It was like Ireland chasing 300+ against the same opponents in a bigger stage, the WC 2011 at Bengaluru. On both the occasions Kevin O'Brien was there. The former captain and the present captain hit a magnificent century each and set up for a win. IRELAND is coming off age in international games, especially in ODIs is a welcome sign. Keep it up Irish cricketers.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Up the Irish!
Paul
Roar Guru
This is a terrific result for the Irish. No doubt some will talk about England not having their best team but so what, the Irish can only win against the XI English selectors choose and this was an outstanding effort.