While wickets were a-falling in the morning dew across England, it was the run-makers making late summer hay in two of cricket's British Isles outposts. North of the border, Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh helped themselves to useful centuries as Australia's one-day team demolished Scotland by 200 runs. However, the major action was taking place across the Irish Sea.
An incredible crowd of almost 10,000 flocked to the new stadium in Dublin to cheer the men in green against England's second-string ODI Eleven. Much was made beforehand of the nation-switching players and almost inevitably they were the ones making the headlines. Dublin-born Eoin Morgan struck 99 on his ODI debut for Ireland against the Scots seven years ago but today he was the captain of England. Boyd Rankin, son of Londonderry, began his international career for Ireland versus Bermuda but he, too, was representing the old enemy across the water in this contest. Even more complications were provided by Ed Joyce, once of Ireland, then England and then Ireland once more!
Much to the local fans' irritation, it was Rankin and Morgan who essentially won the game for the visitors. Ravi Bopara's 101 not out was another excellent contribution as he shared a record England fifth wicket partnership with Morgan. However, England didn't have it all their own way. Will Porterfield's name has been a reassuring one at the top of the Irish scorecard for several years, and has not disgraced himself as Rankin's team-mate at Warwickshire either. This afternoon, the home skipper produced a beautifully crafted century, number six in a 65-game career, to boost Ireland's total to a creditable 269-7. Then, with the estimable Tim Murtagh (born in London) and Trent Johnston (New South Wales) ripping through the top order inside fifteen overs, an upset really looked on the cards.
England debutants Michael Carberry and Gary Ballance failed to take their chances, the latter caught behind for a second-ball duck. Then Morgan found an ally in Bopara first to steady the ship then steer it home at such a rate of knots that the target was reached with seven overs in hand.
So what have we learnt? Ireland do have a useful squad, especially now that Middlesex's Murtagh has used his ancestry to represent the land of his grandparents. They still have the capacity to cause upsets, as they did so memorably in the World Cup. But will they be Test material by 2020? Not if they can't retain talent like Morgan or Rankin, they won't be. As for England, I certainly wouldn't discard Carberry and Ballance on the basis of one match. Indeed, I'd rather keep the Hampshire opener than Luke Wright in the 50-over set-up, although Bell, Cook and Pietersen should remain first picks when available. Tredwell performed well as prime spinner, but Steve Finn was again disappointing with the new ball. Anderson, Bresnan, Broad and even Rankin need not be too concerned in the future. Australia won't be too traumatised either at facing the reserve attack in the coming fortnight.
