(Cricket news) Ireland registered a special win over England as they beat their neighbors by 5 runs (DLS Method) in the rain- affected Super 12 encounter of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. England won the toss and chose to bowl as Ireland were bundled out for 157 despite a massive 82-run stand between Andrew Balbirnie and Lorcan Tucker for the second wicket. In the bowling department Liam Livingstone and Mark Wood picked three wickets each to ensure Ireland lost 9 wickets in 45 balls for only 54 runs.
In response, England's chase got off to the worst possible start as the Irish players dropped three catches offering a lifeline each to Alex Hales, Dawid Malan and Harry Brook but none of the batters could make use of the opportunities as they struggled against the pace and swing of Josh Little and were quickly reduced to 105 for 5 in 14.3 overs before rain brought an end to the contest. It was a pretty strong start from Ireland as Stirling's slash one shot off Wood which caught the top edge and flew to Sam Curran at deep third. Ireland were in no mood to let off their good start and played attacking style cricket as Tucker and Balbrine continued to remain on the offensive. Chris Woakes went for 41 runs in three overs as both the Irish batsmen targeted him.
The partnership ended on 82 when Balbirnie's straight hit caught the bowler's fingers on the way back to the non-striker's stumps as Tucker got out. However, at 103 for 2 at the end of the 12th over had left Ireland well placed for a good score. Balbirnie revived the innings briefly with Curtis Campher but 29 runs into the partnership the skipper got as it was essentially the start of a collapse that ended with an all out. They ultimately set a modest target of 158, at the time it looked like an easy chase for the mighty English batters.
In the second innings, England never really got going as the pace and swing troubled the England batter. Jos Buttler, got an edge and was caught behind off the second ball of the innings while Hales was dropped early but was dismissed for a sluggish 5-ball 7 off the next delivery. Ben Stokes in the sixth over got out at the hands of Fionn Hand who got the ball to nip back in and crashed the stumps leaving England struggling at 29 for 3. Dawid Malan and Harry Brook stitched a 38-run partnership for the fourth wicket but struggled to get momentum. The left-arm spinner Dockrell got Brook out after two drop catches in his over. Three overs later McCarthy added to their woes as Malan top-edged a pull shot which was caught at deep third. The flurry of wickets only pulled England further away from the DLS par score. Moeen Ali looked bright and had a brief cameo but rain played a spoilt sport as England have slipped to the third spot in the tricky Group 1 table, and will be facing Australia on October 28.
Brief Scores: Ireland 157 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*; Josh Little 2-16) by 5 runs (DLS Method)
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