England clinches series against Ireland

England overcame a middle-order wobble to finish on 216 for six in 32.3 overs, in reply to Ireland’s 212 for nine, at the Rose Bowl here on Saturday.

After leg-spinner Adil Rashid scalped three for 34 runs to reach 150 ODI wickets, Bairstow equalled the record for the fastest 50 in this format by an Englishman off 21 balls.

Bairstow, Eoin Morgan (0) and Moeen Ali (0) were dismissed by Joshua Little (3/60) in a short span of time as England lurched from 131 for three to 137 for six. However, an unbroken 79-run stand between Sam Billings and David Willey helped the host go past the finish line with more than 17 overs to spare.

Billings finished on 46 not out while Willey followed up his two for 48 with an unbeaten 47. Earlier, Ireland overcame another poor start, with Curtis Campher leading the recovery. Campher, in only his second ODI, scored an 87-ball 68 before being dismissed by seam bowler Saqib Mahmood (2/45).

Brief scores: Ireland 212 for 9 in 50 overs (C Campher 68, A Rashid 3/34) lost to England 216 for 6 in 32.3 overs (J Bairstow 82, J Little 3/60).