For a brief moment when Jos Buttler was spectacularly caught at covers by Curtis Campher for a naught in the first over of Ireland’s defence of 155, there was hope.
However, it was soon dissipated into the thin Malahide air as England bossed their way to a 2-0 series win as they chased down 155 with six wickets in hand in the third T20I.
The Hundred 2025 MVP, Jordan Cox, celebrated his return to the international stage with a match-winning knock of 55 (35), while Phil Salt (29) and Tom Banton (37) provided able support as the visitors cruised to their target with 17 balls to spare.
The hosts, Ireland, were put into bat and could manage an under par 154/8 from their 20 overs. Losing Paul Stirling early, opener Ross Adair made a quick start to the innings with 33 from just 23 deliveries before being dismissed. Harry Tector had to drop anchor as Jamie Overton’s twin strikes of Lorcan Tucker and Campher ripped out Ireland’s innings.
If not for Gareth Delany’s quickfire of 48* (29), innings including three sixes helped Ireland to post the 150-mark. Apart from Overton’s double blow, spin duo Liam Dawson (2) and Adil Rashid (3) shared five wickets between themselves that punctured Ireland’s innings at crucial intervals.
Rain played its part at the halfway stage, delaying the restart of the game, with a packed Malahide fearing another wash out. With the clouds clearing, the full house roared as the Irish players took the field with 154 to defend.
Ireland captain Paul Stirling reflecting on the series said, “There were a lot of good things in both games. We were probably 15 short no matter what today, but I’m proud of the lads. We’ll take each step as it comes, looking ahead to Bangladesh.”
Rashid was named the Player of the Match for his 3 wicket haul and in-form England opener Salt was awarded the Player of the Series for his 118 runs.
