Morgan's victorious homecoming
ESPNcricinfo's Plays of the Day from the one-off ODI between Ireland and England in Dublin
Andrew McGlashan in Dublin
25-Aug-2011
It didn't take long for Steven Finn to win his battle with Middlesex team-mate Paul Stirling • Getty Images
Tough debuts of the day
England gave out three new caps before play as James Taylor, Ben Stokes and Scott Borthwick were named in the XI. Taylor was the first to have a chance to impress, and much is expected of the Leicestershire batsman, but he couldn't shine on this occasion despite his fine form in county and England Lions cricket. Facing Boyd Rankin, in the ultimate little-and-large duel, he got underneath a pull and top-edged to square leg. Taylor wasn't alone, though, as none of England's new faces enjoy a great day. Ben Stokes faced 10 balls for 3 and Scott Borthwick's first over was taken for 13 courtesy of Kevin O'Brien.
England gave out three new caps before play as James Taylor, Ben Stokes and Scott Borthwick were named in the XI. Taylor was the first to have a chance to impress, and much is expected of the Leicestershire batsman, but he couldn't shine on this occasion despite his fine form in county and England Lions cricket. Facing Boyd Rankin, in the ultimate little-and-large duel, he got underneath a pull and top-edged to square leg. Taylor wasn't alone, though, as none of England's new faces enjoy a great day. Ben Stokes faced 10 balls for 3 and Scott Borthwick's first over was taken for 13 courtesy of Kevin O'Brien.
Welcome of the day
Much had been made of Eoin Morgan's return to Dublin as England captain, but he was given a warm reception by the home crowd when he walked in at No. 4. His boundaries, though, weren't greeted with quite the same affection as he moved to a swift half-century and threatened to take the game away from his former team-mates. However, Paul Stirling found Morgan's leading edge and made excellent ground to his left to take the return catch and the crowd gave Morgan another warm hand.
Much had been made of Eoin Morgan's return to Dublin as England captain, but he was given a warm reception by the home crowd when he walked in at No. 4. His boundaries, though, weren't greeted with quite the same affection as he moved to a swift half-century and threatened to take the game away from his former team-mates. However, Paul Stirling found Morgan's leading edge and made excellent ground to his left to take the return catch and the crowd gave Morgan another warm hand.
Team-mate duel of the day
Steven Finn and Stirling both play their county cricket for Middlesex and came face-to-face as Finn shared the new ball at the start of Ireland's chase. After a first-ball wide Stirling wasted no time in making a mark as he cut a six over deep cover, but two balls later Finn had his revenge when Stirling couldn't resist playing a huge heave across the line and the top edge looped to cover.
Steven Finn and Stirling both play their county cricket for Middlesex and came face-to-face as Finn shared the new ball at the start of Ireland's chase. After a first-ball wide Stirling wasted no time in making a mark as he cut a six over deep cover, but two balls later Finn had his revenge when Stirling couldn't resist playing a huge heave across the line and the top edge looped to cover.
Tactical run out of the day
After an afternoon of frustrating rain delays play finally resumed with Ireland needing another 87 off 10 overs. William Porterfield and Niall O'Brien were at the crease, but they really needed a certain Kevin O'Brien there. Off the second ball of Borthwick's over Porterfield nudged the ball into the leg side and ambled out of his crease. He turned to try and get back as Borthwick fielded quickly off his own bowling but couldn't quite reach the crease. For Ireland, though, there was no point Kevin O'Brien waiting around to bat and in he strode at No. 4. When he launched his third and fourth balls in the stands Clontarf was rocking with chants of 'easy, easy' from boisterous local support.
After an afternoon of frustrating rain delays play finally resumed with Ireland needing another 87 off 10 overs. William Porterfield and Niall O'Brien were at the crease, but they really needed a certain Kevin O'Brien there. Off the second ball of Borthwick's over Porterfield nudged the ball into the leg side and ambled out of his crease. He turned to try and get back as Borthwick fielded quickly off his own bowling but couldn't quite reach the crease. For Ireland, though, there was no point Kevin O'Brien waiting around to bat and in he strode at No. 4. When he launched his third and fourth balls in the stands Clontarf was rocking with chants of 'easy, easy' from boisterous local support.
Ball of the day
While Kevin O'Brien was in the middle Ireland were winning this match, but he had no answer to a pinpoint yorker from Jade Dernbach which zoomed in on middle and leg stump as he tried to bring his bat down. Dernbach had just bowled a series of slower deliveries, which are his trademark in one-day cricket, but showed the skill to immediately change up a gear. It was just the latest display of the nerve that has impressed England's selectors in the early days of Dernbach's international career. And, vitally for a bowler who is used at key moments, he relishes the challenge.
While Kevin O'Brien was in the middle Ireland were winning this match, but he had no answer to a pinpoint yorker from Jade Dernbach which zoomed in on middle and leg stump as he tried to bring his bat down. Dernbach had just bowled a series of slower deliveries, which are his trademark in one-day cricket, but showed the skill to immediately change up a gear. It was just the latest display of the nerve that has impressed England's selectors in the early days of Dernbach's international career. And, vitally for a bowler who is used at key moments, he relishes the challenge.
Andrew McGlashan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo