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Ireland defeated England by five runs on DLS causing a huge upset in the ongoing T20 World Cup in a Group 1 match in the Super 12 stage at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Wednesday.
With this win, Ireland secured their first victory against England in T20I after defeating them twice in ODIs. Their first win against England in ODIs came in Bengaluru in the 2011 ICC ODI Cricket World while their second victory came at Southampton in 2020.
Ireland skipper Andrew Balbirnie (62 off 47 balls) and Lorcan Tucker (34 off 27 balls) added a crucial 82-run stand to help the side go past the 150-mark as they were all out on 157 in 19.2 overs after a disappointing batting collapse. While defending the total, left-arm pacer Joshua Little dismissed Jos Buttler and Alex Hales to restrict England to 24/2 in four overs, which set the base for a historic victory as England could manage 105/5 in 14.3 overs before rain interrupted the play.
England were 5 runs behind the DLS par score at the rain interruption and the match was called off as Ireland won their first two points in Super 12, leaving Group 1 wide open. It also made England’s next match at the MCG, against arch-rivals Australia, a must-win game to keep their hopes alive for a spot in the semifinals.
In defence of 158 on a tricky pitch and overcast conditions, Little dealt England a huge blow when he had Buttler caught behind off a thin edge for a two-ball duck in the opening over. Alex Hales was the next to be dismissed in Little’s second over, as a top-edge flying off the bat on a short ball was caught at short fine leg.
Fionn Hand, who was replacing off-spin all-rounder Simi Singh, bowled Ben Stokes through the gate with a good length delivery swinging back in for just six as England finished the powerplay at 37/3. Post-power-play, Harry Brook and Dawid Malan were dismissed after getting dropped by the Ireland fielders.
Brook was caught at deep mid-wicket while trying to pull off left-arm spinner George Dockrell while Malan’s struggle at 35 off 37 balls came to an end when he was caught by diving third man while he tried to pull a ball off Barry McCarthy as England were reduced to 86/5 in 13.1 overs.
However, England got some hope when all-rounder Moeen Ali smashed two fours and a six but rain arrived when England were at 105/5 in 14.3 overs needing 53 runs off 33 deliveries. Ali remained unbeaten at 24 off 12 balls with three fours and a six as England were five runs short of par score as per DLS method, giving Ireland a memorable win to remember.
Earlier, after a delay in the start of the match due to rain, Ireland reached 59/1 at the end of the powerplay after being invited to bat first, losing opener Paul Stirling as he edged a 150 kph ball from Mark Wood to third man.
But captain Balbirnie along with Tucker showed positive intent scoring boundaries at regular intervals against England’s powerful bowling line-up, giving Ireland a strong hope for getting close to the 200-mark. However, England’s bowlers fought back from the 12th over, as Adil Rashid got Tucker run-out at the non-striker’s end to end a dangerous 82-run stand for the second wicket off 57 balls.
From there, Ireland’s batting collapsed as they lost their last nine wickets for just 34 runs getting 157 all out in 19.2 overs with four balls to spare in their innings. Mark Wood (3/34) and Liam Livingstone (3/17) were the pick of the bowlers for England along with all-rounder Sam Curran who ended with 2/30.
Ireland outplayed England, especially in the first half of both innings, which gave them a five-run win on the DLS method due to rain. After the match, Ireland looked delighted as they celebrated the famous victory with their family and friends in the stands at the MCG.
Ireland skipper Andrew Balbirnie was awarded Player of the Match for his crucial knock of 62 off 47 balls.
Brief scores: Ireland 157 all out in 19.2 overs (Andrew Balbirnie 62, Lorcan Tucker 34; Liam Livingstone 3/17, Mark Wood 3/34) beat England 105/5 in 14.3 overs (Dawid Malan 35, Moeen Ali 24 not out; Joshua Little 2/16, George Dockrell 1/5) by five runs (DLS method).
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