England win toss, bowl, versus Ireland
England have won the toss and elected to bowl in their delayed ODI against Ireland in Dublin.
The match was put back by two hours and reduced to 45 overs per side amid concerns over a soggy outfield after overnight rain, with particular concerns over an area at backward point and the bowlers’ run-up at one end. The players are now set to take to the field in sunny but cold conditions with the pitch a classic green seamer that should assist Tim Murtagh’s nibbly medium-pace.
The match was due to start at 10.45am local time but two pitch inspections eventually allowed play to begin at 12.45pm. Bowlers will be restricted to a maximum of nine overs each and the innings break cut to half an hour.
Jofra Archer will make his long-awaited ODI debut wearing an England shirt and has admitted to nerves finally kicking in late last night. He is among a number of players who, despite being left out of England’s preliminary squad for the World Cup, will be hoping to stake a claim for a late call-up to the tournament starting at the end of the month.
Asked if he was feeling the pressure, Arhcer told Sky Sports: “Yeah, especially if you haven’t played international cricket. But every tournament has its own added pressure, someday the team might not be doing as well and then you may feel even more pressure to do well for the team, but you just try not to let it get to you too much … the biggest thing is right now in today, and if today goes well, there will be a tomorrow.”
With Jason Roy injured, Jonny Bairstow rested and Alex Hales omitted, the stage is set for James Vince and Dawid Malan – making his ODI debut – to open for England. Joe Denly is playing his first ODI in almost 10 years, with Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali among those given time off after the IPL. Ben Foakes will be the third England player making his ODI debut.
Stuart Thompson has been ruled out for Ireland because of a shoulder injury, with former Warwickshire allrounder Mark Adair called up in his place. Adair is one of three Ireland players on debut, alongside 19-year-old left-armer Josh Little and Lorcan Tucker.
Teams: Ireland: 1 William Porterfield (capt), 2 Paul Stirling, 3 Andy Balbirnie, 4 Kevin O’Brien, 5 Lorcan Tucker, 6 Gary Wilson (wk), 7 Mark Adair, 8 George Dockrell, 9 Tim Murtagh, 10 Boyd Rankin, 11 Josh Little
England: (possible) 1 James Vince, 2 Dawid Malan, 3 Joe Root, 4 Eoin Morgan (capt), 5 Joe Denly, 6 Ben Foakes (wk), 7 David Willey, 8 Tom Curran, 9 Adil Rashid, 10 Liam Plunkett, 11 Jofra Archer
Source: ESPN Crickinfo