Stirling's swings, and O'Brien's costly miss
ESPNcricinfo present the Plays of the Day from the first ODI between England and Ireland at Bristol
Andrew McGlashan in Bristol
05-May-2017
Alex Hales rode his luck to make 55 from 39 balls in England's run-chase • Getty Images
Club of the day
Ireland's batting quickly faded, but there had been some promising early moments. Most of them came from Paul Stirling's hefty swinging, the best of them a flat-batted club straight back past David Willey before he could react and almost before umpire Aleem Dar could jerk his head of the line. Two more boundaries followed off the next two balls, but that was close to the high point of Ireland's day.
Ireland's batting quickly faded, but there had been some promising early moments. Most of them came from Paul Stirling's hefty swinging, the best of them a flat-batted club straight back past David Willey before he could react and almost before umpire Aleem Dar could jerk his head of the line. Two more boundaries followed off the next two balls, but that was close to the high point of Ireland's day.
Exasperation of the day
It has taken Liam Plunkett a long time to reach 50 ODI caps - the sixth-longest gap from debut to the landmark in one-day history - and he would have hoped for at least a wicket to mark the occasion. In the end, he was only used for three overs due to the brevity of Ireland's innings but even then there was time for him to rue his misfortune when Andy Balbirnie edged through the slips off consecutive deliveries, leaving Plunkett stood with hands on hips.
It has taken Liam Plunkett a long time to reach 50 ODI caps - the sixth-longest gap from debut to the landmark in one-day history - and he would have hoped for at least a wicket to mark the occasion. In the end, he was only used for three overs due to the brevity of Ireland's innings but even then there was time for him to rue his misfortune when Andy Balbirnie edged through the slips off consecutive deliveries, leaving Plunkett stood with hands on hips.
Bowling change of the day
Eoin Morgan may have had a slightly ruffled brow early on as Ireland's openers set off at a decent pace, but the day quickly got easier for the England captain. One of his decisions paid swift dividends and prompted Ireland's hasty demise when he introduced Joe Root in the 22nd over and, with his second ball, the Test captain removed William Porterfield who lofted a tame catch to mid-off.
Eoin Morgan may have had a slightly ruffled brow early on as Ireland's openers set off at a decent pace, but the day quickly got easier for the England captain. One of his decisions paid swift dividends and prompted Ireland's hasty demise when he introduced Joe Root in the 22nd over and, with his second ball, the Test captain removed William Porterfield who lofted a tame catch to mid-off.
Drop of the day
Alex Hales offered a tough caught-and-bowled chance to Tim Murtagh before he had scored - England would have been 1 for 2 - but on 10 offered a much simpler chance, in the sitter category, when he gloved Peter Chase down the leg side and Niall O'Brien inexplicably grassed it. O'Brien signalled it had come off the hip, but replays soon showed the truth. The next ball from Chase was a no-ball that went for four, as did the free hit. It summed up their day.
Alex Hales offered a tough caught-and-bowled chance to Tim Murtagh before he had scored - England would have been 1 for 2 - but on 10 offered a much simpler chance, in the sitter category, when he gloved Peter Chase down the leg side and Niall O'Brien inexplicably grassed it. O'Brien signalled it had come off the hip, but replays soon showed the truth. The next ball from Chase was a no-ball that went for four, as did the free hit. It summed up their day.
Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo