T20 World Cup 2022: Ireland Stun England With 5 Run Victory Via DLS Method
The win at MCG is also just the third victory for Ireland over England in men's international cricket.
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Fortune favoured Ireland as they beat England by five runs via DLS in a rain-affected Group 1 Super 12 encounter of the men's T20 World Cup at the MCG in Melbourne on Wednesday, 26 October.
Chasing 157, England were 105/5 in 14.3 overs when the skies opened up to disrupt the proceedings at the MCG. The match had already witnessed a delayed start due to a wet outfield followed by several other rain interruptions.
Mooen Ali’s late resurgence of 24 off 12 seemed to have brought England back into the game after some early setbacks, but it all went in vain as the Irish were adjudged eventual winners.
Josh Little impressed with the ball for Ireland, picking the crucial wickets of openers Jos Buttler and Alex Hales to finish with figures of 2/16 in three overs.
Earlier, Liam Livingstone (3/17) and Mark Wood (3/34) shared six wickets between them to restrict Ireland to 157 in 19.2 overs. For the Irish, skipper Andy Balbirnie led from the front, smashing a 47-ball 62 while wicket-keeper batter Lorcan Tucker offered good support with his 34 of 27.
The pair found the boundaries with ease and at one stage had Ireland on track for a score of around 200, before England's bowlers fought back well late to restrict the damage.
Pace bowler Mark Wood (3/34) was profligate early as he consistently hit speeds greater than 150km/h, while all-rounders Liam Livingstone (3/17) and Sam Curran (2/30) bowled well throughout.
England named the same XI that defeated Afghanistan by five wickets on Saturday, while Ireland made one change to their side that fell to a disappointing nine-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka on Sunday, according to ICC.
Wednesday's win is also just the third victory for Ireland over England in men's international cricket after ODI wins in Bengaluru 2011 (in the World Cup) and Southampton 2020 and also their first time win in T20Is too.
Brief scores: Ireland 157 in 19.2 overs (Andrew Balbirnie 62, Lorcan Tucker 34; Liam Livingstone 3/17, Mark Wood 3/34) bt England 105/5 in 14.3 overs (Dawid Malan 35, Moeen Ali 24 not out; Joshua Little 2/16, George Dockrell 1/5).
(With inputs from IANS)
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