Jordan Cox’s first international fifty propelled England to a series-sealing win over Ireland in the final T20l at Malahide – after Sonny Baker suffered another chastening debut.
Jacob Bethell’s side reached their target of 155 with 17 balls to spare to secure a 2-1 triumph having won the opening game by four wickets before the second fixture was entirely wiped out by rain.
Jos Buttler (0) and Bethell (15) fell early – Buttler to a superb one-handed catch from Curtis Campher in the covers – but Cox (55 from 34 balls) impressed in his first England knock in over a year, cracking four sixes and the same number of fours as he cantered past his previous top-score of 17 across five white-ball innings for his country.
Earlier on, Hampshire quick Baker shipped 52 runs from a wicketless four overs – conceding six fours and three sixes – having been spanked for 0-76 from seven overs on his one-day international bow against South Africa at Headingley earlier this month.
Ireland posted 154-8 after being inserted with Ross Adair (33 off 23) pummelling Baker in the powerplay and Gareth Delany (48no off 29) doing likewise at the death, the latter hitting back-to-back sixes, after the hosts slipped from 52-1 to 102-7.
Adil Rashid (3-29), Liam Dawson (2-9) and Jamie Overton (2-17) impressed for England with the ball and it was a surprise that Dawson only bowled two overs, not his full quota of four.
Cox – who had hobbled off the field after jarring his knee taking a catch late in the Ireland innings – successfully overturned an lbw dismissal on 24 in the chase and shared important stands of 57 and 49 with Phil Salt (23) and Tom Banton (37no off 25) respectively.
More to follow.
England’s schedule for remainder of 2025
T20 series in New Zealand (October)
- First T20: Saturday October 18 (7.15am) – Hagley Oval, Christchurch
- Second T20: Monday October 20 (7.15am) – Hagley Oval, Christchurch
- Third T20: Thursday October 23 (7.15am) – Eden Park, Auckland
ODI series in New Zealand (October and November)
- First ODI: Sunday October 26 (1am) – Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
- Second ODI: Wednesday October 29 (1am) – Seddon Park, Hamilton
- Third ODI: Saturday November 1 (1am) – Sky Stadium, Wellington
The Ashes in Australia (November 2025-January 2026)
- First Test: Friday November 21-Tuesday November 25 (2.30am) – Optus Stadium, Perth
- Second Test: Thursday December 4-Monday December 8 (4.30am) – The Gabba, Brisbane
- Third Test: Wednesday December 17-Sunday December 21 (12am) – Adelaide Oval
- Fourth Test: Thursday December 25-Monday December 29 (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground
- Fifth Test: Sunday January 3-Thursday January 7 (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground