• Home
  • Match Hub
  • T20 World Cup 2022 Eng Vs Ire England Suffer Heartbreak As Rain Plays Spoilsport

T20 World Cup 2022, ENG vs IRE: England suffer heartbreak as rain plays spoilsport


image-l9pcfa7jGeorge Dockrell celebrating a wicket [Source: AP]

The twentieth match of the ongoing T20 World Cup witnessed Ireland hand England a gut-wrenching five-run defeat (DLS) in Melbourne. The Irishmen opened their account in the Group 1 points table with this miraculous win. 


Ireland's collapse leads them to an underwhelming total

After being put into bat, Ireland lost in-form Paul Stirling in the third over. However, skipper Andrew Balbirnie and Lorcan Tucker formed a magnificent 82-run stand in just 57 balls to provide the Irish middle order with a great platform. While Tucker managed 34 runs, Balbirnie hammered five fours and two sixes for his 47-ball 62. 

image-l9p9sl1wBalbirnie slammed a brilliant fifty [Source: AP]

But Tucker's unfortunate run-out dismissal opened the floodgates for England, who stormed their way back into the game by dismantling the Irish middle-order in quick time. 

While Harry Tector and George Dockrell couldn't open their accounts, Curtis Campher departed for an 11-ball 17. However, Gareth Delany's 12-run cameo was pivotal in helping Ireland cross the 150-run mark, as they were eventually bundled out for 157 in 19.2 overs. 

Liam Livingstone was the wrecker-in-chief for England, scalping three wickets for 17 runs. Among others, Mark Wood picked three wickets, while Ben Stokes and Sam Curran claimed one and two wickets, respectively. 


Irish bowlers' discipline and rain shatter England's dreams

Contrary to popular expectations, England started the chase horribly, losing Alex Hales and Jos Buttler to Joshua Little inside three overs. Ben Stokes recorded another T20I failure, being castled by Fionn Hand for six in the sixth over. 

Although Harry Brook and Dawid Malan added 38 runs for the fourth wicket, their dismissal within 15 deliveries aggravated England's miseries. But Moeen Ali came up with a blistering 24*-run cameo took England to 105 for five in 14.3 overs, before rain played the spoilsport. 

As per the Duckworth Lewis method, England needed 110 on the board when rain entered the scene. Thus, they went on to lose the game unfortunately by a narrow five-run margin. This defeat might severely affect England's World Cup campaign, as they are slated to face New Zealand, Australia and Sri Lanka in their last three games. 


Brief Scores

Ireland: 157 (19.2)
Andrew Balbirnie 62 (47), Lorcan Tucker 34 (27);
Liam Livingstone 3/17 (3), Mark Wood 3/34 (4)

England: 105/5 (14.3)
Dawid Malan 35 (37), Moeen Ali 24* (12);
Joshua Little 2/16 (3), George Dockrell 1/5 (1)

Ireland won by five runs (DLS). 


Also Read: Phil Simmons resigns as West Indies Coach after World Cup Debacle