England fail to impress

England’s one-day trials and tribulations continued today, as they laboured to a 38-run win over Ireland, who were playing their first official ODI. Marcus Trescothick’s eleventh ODI hundred, 80 from Ian Bell and three wickets for the returning Steve Harmison were the only bright spots in a shaky performance.

England racked up 301-7 in their 50 overs, but despite the high run rate, no batsman besides Trescothick ever really looked settled at the crease. Even Ian Bell, who was into the side at number five as Kevin Pietersen was rested, looked nervy in accompanying Trescothick through the middle overs. Trescothick’s 113 was exactly what could be expected from a man with 10 previous ODI hundreds, against an attack who have only been playing regular List A cricket since the beginning of the season.

Selected to open the innings with Trescothick was Middlesex’s Ed Joyce, whose brother Dominick opened the innings for Ireland in a rare occurrence. Two brothers making their ODI debuts in the same game, but on different sides. England’s Joyce made a negligible impact on the game, making only ten before being caught at midwicket.

Andrew Strauss and Paul Collingwood came and went – Collingwood to a fantastic diving catch by John Mooney – before Bell arrived at the crease wih the score on 93-3. He never really looked settled, but he and Trescothick proceeded calmly until the 41st over, when Trescothick was caught at long-on.

The lower-middle order folded with little resistance, debutants Jamie Dalrymple and Glen Chapple making 17 and 14 respectively. Ireland’s bowlers plugged away admirably, keeping to a good line and length – John Mooney picked up three wickets, although was the most expensive of the six bowlers used in conceding 79 runs from his ten overs. Medium-pacer Dave Langford-Smith also picked up 3-53 in a tidy spell.

England’s bowlers made the task of dismissing Ireland considerably harder than it should have been. Steve Harmison claimed 3-58, but his radar was way off in the early stages. Sajid Mahmood and Liam Plunkett bowled straight, but claimed only one wicket between them, while Chapple was innocuous having been given the new ball. Five wickets were shared between the part-timers – Dalrymple claimed one on debut, while Collingwood and Ian Bell claimed two each.

Andre Botha was the standout batsman for Ireland, making a solid 52 – and the tailenders provided stubborn resistance, Andrew White making 40 before edging Bell to Geraint Jones behind the stumps. Ireland never looked like chasing a challenging target, but they made a great fist of a tough task. England’s young side clearly has a lot of improving to do before next year’s World Cup.

England 301-7 (50 overs)
Marcus Trescothick 113, Ian Bell 80; Dave Langford-Smith 3-53, John Mooney 3-78

Ireland 263-9 (50 overs)
Andre Botha 52; Steve Harmison 3-58

England won by 38 runs