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SOUTHAMPTON – England Lions XII have delivered a dominant batting display to chase down Ireland XII’s total of 296 in the touring sides final warm-up match before the start of the three-match one-day international series against the world champions.
Andrew Balbirnie won the toss and elected to bat first, looking to give his batters decent time in the middle, and possibly with an eye on giving his bowlers under the lights in what were expected to be dewy conditions.

Paul Stirling (53) and Balbirnie (60) shared a 92-run partnership after opener Gareth Delany departed for 10.

There were solid batting displays all through the top-order with William Porterfield (32), Harry Tector (55), Kevin O’ Brien (28) and Lorcan Tucker (26) all adding valuable runs and pushing the Irish total towards 300. Late wickets restrained the end of innings, and Ireland XII was bowled out off the third-last ball for 296.

Image: Captain Balbirnie top-scored with 60 (photo courtesy Getty Images)

Needing a good start, the visitors had the best possible start when Mark Adair dismissed Jason Roy with the first ball of the innings.

The Irish attack, however, was soon blunted with Phil Salt (100* ret) and James Vince (66* ret) put on 141 runs in the next 14 overs.

Eoin Morgan (22* ret) made a brief cameo appearance, before Sam Billings (54*) steered the Lions home to the victory target with the loss of only three wickets and with 15.2 overs to spare.

Ireland will rest tomorrow before undertaking two days training ahead of Thursday’s first encounter with England here at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

MATCH SUMMARY

England Lions XII v Ireland XII, Warm-up match, Southampton, 26 July 2020

Ireland XII 296 (49.4 overs; A Balbirnie 60, H Tector 55, P Stirling 53; T Hel 3-49)
England Lions XII 297-3 (34.4 overs; P Salt 100*, J Vince 66*; M Adair 2-74)

England Lions won by 7 wickets

See full scorecard here

Craig Easdown
Liam Livingstone hits out for England Lions
No
Connaught