England v Ireland ODI report cards: Who stood out and who didn't quite make the grade?

The Cricketer runs the rule over the performances of the English and Irish players who featured in the three-match ODI series in Southampton...

England beat Ireland 2-1 in a three-match series at the Ageas Bowl behind-closed-doors, with several players contributing notable performances.

Eoin Morgan, Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie all made centuries, Curtis Campher impressed in his first three Ireland matches, and David Willey made an excellent return to the international arena.

Here, The Cricketer assesses each of the players on show...

ENGLAND

Jason Roy (3 matches, 25 runs, ave 8.33)

A rare lean series for the prolific opener, who was out on the drive regularly. 

D

Jonny Bairstow (3 matches, 88 runs, ave 29.33)

One ballistic innings in the second ODI lifted his overall figures. Became the joint-fastest to 3,000 ODI runs for England - from 72 innings - and equalled Eoin Morgan’s record for the fastest ODI fifty (21 balls). 

B

James Vince (3 matches, 57 runs, ave 19; 1 wicket, ave 38)

A tame series for Vince, whose latest life in the international arena was more notable for his bowling than his batting. Bounced out Balbirnie in the second ODI. 

D

Eoin Morgan (3 matches, 142 runs, ave 71)

Looked utterly at ease at the crease in the first and third matches - his century in a losing cause in the final game was a brutal display of clean hitting. Felt missed in the field during that defeat. 

B+

Tom Banton (3 matches, 84 runs, ave 28)

Struggled to get going in the first two matches before finding his feet in the third with a first international half-century, becoming the fifth youngest Englishman to the landmark in ODIs. A safe pair of hands at backward point. 

C+

Sam Billings (3 matches, 132 runs, ave 132)

Took the opportunity afforded to him by injury to Joe Denly. A consummate half-century in the first ODI preceded an anchor role in the chase during the second. Couldn’t cash in three times in a row. A livewire presence in the outfield. 

A-

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Moeen Ali (3 matches, 1 runs, ave 0.5)

One run and no wickets from three appearances made this a very disappointing series for Moeen. There will be others sniffing around his place. 

E

David Willey (3 matches, 98 runs, ave 98; 8 wickets, ave 18.5)

Fantastic comeback to international cricket. Bowled with a modified action, harking back to his style when he broke into the England team in 2015, and with a smile on his face. Man of the series for his performances in the first two matches, but showed his value with the bat again in the third with a half-century. 

A

Tom Curran (2 matches, 38 runs; 1 wicket, ave 104)

A quiet campaign from the Surrey allrounder, who had to sit out the second match. Showed plenty with the bat, not so much with the ball.

C+

Adil Rashid (3 matches, 3 runs, ave 3; 5 wickets, ave 24.2)

Brilliant in the first two matches, when the Irish batsmen looked utterly bewitched by his variations. Upped his pace from last year, showing his shoulder injury has healed, and was confident to throw in a handful of loopy deliveries too. Stirling took him on in the third ODI to great effect. 

A-

Saqib Mahmood (3 matches, 12 runs, ave 12; 4 wickets, ave 34.75)

Raw pace was exciting at times, and a little loose at others. In his best format, this was a reasonable effort. 

B

Reece Topley (1 match, 1 wicket, ave 31)

Four years after his last appearance in an England shirt, simply making it onto the pitch was a huge achievement for the Surrey quick. A slight muscle strain kept him out of the third ODI. 

B

^{England captain Eoin Morgan}

IRELAND

Paul Stirling (3 matches, 156 runs, ave 52)

Two poor returns gave way to a dominant innings which helped Ireland to famous victory in the final match of the series. When Stirling bats like he did that evening - with confidence and willingness to take the attack to the opposition - he is among the most destructive openers in the limited-overs game.

B+

Gareth Delany (3 matches, 34 runs, ave 11.33; 1 wicket, ave 41)

Disappointing return with the bat, mediated by some useful contributions with the ball.

C-

Andrew Balbirnie (3 matches, 131 runs, ave 43.66)

Dug himself out of a mighty hole in form with a workmanlike century in the third ODI. Captained superbly throughout. 

B

Harry Tector (3 matches, 57 runs, ave 28.5)

Showed gumption in the final match to see the chase home. Never looked totally at home, but this was a baptism of fire at the home of the world champions.

B-

Kevin O’Brien (3 matches, 46 runs, ave 23)

A meagre return, even if he was once again at the wicket when a win over England was achieved. 

C-

Curtis Campher (3 matches, 127 runs, ave 127; 5 wickets, average 28)

Ireland’s find of the series. Turned potential embarrassment into near-respectability in the first game, upped his tempo at the crease in the second. Bowled with discipline and incision. 

A

Lorcan Tucker (3 matches, 21 runs, ave 10.5)

Few runs, but not much to complain about behind the stumps.

C

Andy McBrine (3 matches, 64 runs, ave 32; 1 wicket, ave 141)

Was more impactful with the bat than the ball. 

C+

Simi Singh (2 matches, 25 runs, ave 12.5; 0 wickets)

Did not make much of an impression on the series as a whole. 

C

Josh Little (2 matches, 5 wickets, ave 24.4)

Came into the side after injury to McCarthy and added genuine aggression. Went at quite a click in the second match during Bairstow’s ballistics but troubled English batsmen often.

B+

Barry McCarthy (1 match, 3 runs, ave 3)

Walked off injured after five balls of his only spell.

N/A

Mark Adair (1 match, 1 wicket, ave 45)

Only got the one match as he continues to recover from injury. 

B-

Craig Young (3 matches, 13 runs, ave 13; 6 wickets, ave 29.5)

Ireland’s most consistent bowler throughout. Pace and control, and frequently caused issues to England’s top order. Unheralded but a very important part of the Irish setup.

A-

 

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