Ireland stunned England at the T20 World Cup on Wednesday as rain forced an early finish with the English five runs behind the par score.
What a massive win this is. Not only does this seal a first-ever T20 World Cup Super 12 win for them, but this also throws the group wide open. This win is no accident, Ireland has been absolutely brilliant throughout this match. Balbirnie, Adair and McCarthy have gone over to the tiny but significant Irish crowd where they are showered with hugs and kisses. Apart from that period where they collapsed in the last five overs of their innings, Ireland has been on top and England just could not get out of jail. Their star-studded batting lineup is yet to do anything significant in this tournament and there is a very good chance that this defeat might just be a death knell for their semi-final spot.
England was hardly able to get any momentum going during the chase and rains in the 15th overs sounded the death knell for them. Alex Hales, Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes all fell without scoring too much in the first four overs. Dawid Malan and Harry Brook also could not get the England innings going and while Moeen Ali looked capable of triggering an improbable fightback, it was not enough when it came down to the DLS that was applied when rains came in.
Andy Balbirnie, Ireland Captain and POTM: We were disappointed with losing seven wickets. It was tough, their bowlers had good variations. But we were off the blocks with Lorcan Tucker. It’s amazing, kind of emotional. To come here against tournament favourites is amazing. A few of the fans in the crowd have extended their stay. Their support has been wonderful and will do a lot to grow the game back home. We have Afghanistan here on Friday, quick turnaround. Look forward to it. We were fortunate drops did not cost us but we need to improve.
Jos Buttler, England Captain: I thought we were poor in the first 10 overs and let them get away. We were not consistent enough, let them score on both sides of the wicket. The second ten overs were much better. We let them have 20-30 more in the first ten but pulled it back. Myself getting out first over didn’t help, we never managed to get initiative. The rain’s gotten heavier and heavier, so no problem of coming out when we did. Ireland were excellent, they outplayed us. We made a mistake here and has made it difficult in a tough group.
RESULT
20th Match, Group 1 (D/N), Melbourne, October 26, 2022, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Ireland, 157/10 (19.2 overs)
England 105/5 (14.3 overs)
Ireland won by 5 runs (D/L method)
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