IRE vs ENG 2025, 1st T20I Review: Phil Salt makes light work of 197 in Malahide

Published - 17 Sept 2025, 22:31 IST | Updated - 17 Sept 2025, 22:42 IST

Despite Ireland posting a competitive total and some late wickets, England took the opening game in the three-match T20I series by four wickets.

The match opened in a sunny but autumnal Malahide with England winning the toss and opting to bowl first against Ireland. The home side started well with openers Paul Stirling and Ross Adair putting on 49 together. But a wicket each for England spinners Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid then slowed Ireland’s progress.

Harry Tector and Lorcan then looked to rebuild, helping to get their side to 84 for 2 after 10 overs. The two then kicked on in the second half of the innings to help post a competitive 196 for 3. A first-ball six from George Dockrell from the final delivery also gave the home side total a crucial boost.

During the innings, Harry Tector passed 1500 runs in T20I cricket while Lorcan Tucker reached 3000 runs for Ireland across formats. The two batters also put on 123 runs for the third wicket - a record for Ireland Men in T20Is (beating the previous best of 82 between Gareth Delany and Kevin O'Brien).

England got off to the perfect start putting on 74 for the first wicket until Matthew Humphreys sent back Jos Buttler (28) with Curtis Campher taking a high catch just at the edge of the ring.

Garth Delany, who today played his 100th game for Ireland across formats, came into the attack in the 11th over and removed Rehan Ahmed with his third delivery, despite nearly having him caught by Graham Hume with his first ball of the match.

Hume then took two wickets in the 16th over to make things interesting, which included that of the explosive Phil Salt (89 off 46).

To add further drama, Humphreys prized out Tom Banton in his final over however Will Jacks and Jamie Overton held their nerve to get over the line and complete victory in the first-ever bilateral Men’s T20I between these sides.

Attention now turns towards the second game of the series in Malahide on Friday, September 19, 2025.

Ireland 196-3 (20 overs; H Tector 61*, L Tucker 55, P Stirling 34; A Rashid 1-36)

England 197-6 (17.4 overs; P Salt 89; G Hume 2-36, M Humphreys 2-44, G Delany 1-13)