England see off Irish challenge

Half-centuries from Eoin Morgan and Jonathan Trott saw England to a modest total of 201 for eight from 42 overs, before Ireland managed 117 for eight as their run-chase was reduced to a 23-over dash after a number of rain-interruptions.

Jonathan Trott's 69 in a century partnership with Eoin Morgan was as good as it got for England as the visitors were restricted to a mere total of 201 for eight.

                                                 

                                        Morgan and Trott kick into gear on Thursday.

With the one-off affair initially reduced to 42 overs per side amid the rain delays, Trott and fellow half-centurion Morgan (59) shrugged off the inclement weather and the early loss of Craig Kieswetter and James Taylor to set the hosts back on track.

A general lack of contribution from the rest of the middle order, however, saw the English lose their last six wickets for just 65 runs as the Irish, having trumped the big guns in the World Cup earlier this year, toyed with the possibility of another upset.

Seamer John Mooney was the pick of the bowlers with figures of three for 32, while Nigel Jones weighed in with two scalps. Spinner Paul Stirling too was the toast of the town as his hand right-armers clinched the key scalps of Morgan and Ben Stokes.

The Irish chase got off to a rocky start with Steve Finn removing both opening batsmen, Ed Joyce departing at 24 for two. Small contributions from the middle order - including 26 off 13 balls from Kevin O'Brien - failed right-side the home team's innings and with wickets falling regularly the run-chase ran out of steam.

Jade Dernbach was the pick of the English bowlers with figures of 3 for 30, while Finn weighed in with 2 for 16 from his five overs.

Earlier Ireland won the toss and opted to bowl first, with veteran seamer Trent Johnston missing out due to injury. The visitors, meanwhile, handed debuts to batsman Taylor, leg-spinner Scott Borthwick and New Zealand-born all-rounder Stokes.

Ireland: William Porterfield, Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce, Niall O'Brien, Alex Cusack, Kevin O'Brien, John Mooney, Boyd Rankin, George Dockrell, Nigel Jones, Gary Wilson.

England: Eoin Morgan, Ravi Bopara, Scott Borthwick, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter, Samit Patel, Ben Stokes, James Taylor, Chris Woakes, Jonathan Trott.