329 Reasons to Celebrate: Ireland’s Historic Win Over England

On August 4, 2020, at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, Ireland pulled off one of the most remarkable victories in One-Day International (ODI) history. In the third and final match of the ODI series against England, Ireland chased down a mammoth target of 329, thanks to breathtaking centuries from Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie. This incredible win not only sealed a seven-wicket triumph but also etched Ireland’s name in the annals of cricketing glory.

Background of the Series

The Ireland tour of England in 2020 was part of the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League—a competition designed to determine qualification for the 2023 Cricket World Cup. England, the reigning World Champions, had already clinched the three-match series by winning the first two games. However, for Ireland, the third ODI was not just a matter of pride but an opportunity to leave their mark against one of the strongest cricketing nations.

England fielded a squad comprising a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talent, while Ireland was determined to prove they could compete with the best. Prior to this match, Ireland had only defeated England once in ODIs—an iconic victory during the 2011 World Cup when Kevin O’Brien’s blistering 113 off 63 balls stunned the cricketing world.

Toss and First Innings: England’s Dominant Start

Ireland won the toss and elected to field first—a bold decision considering England’s formidable batting lineup. The English openers, Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow, began aggressively, laying the foundation for a substantial total.

Powerplay Brilliance: England raced to 66/1 after 10 overs, capitalizing on the fielding restrictions.
Jonny Bairstow’s Blitzkrieg: Bairstow hammered 82 off just 41 balls, his innings laced with 14 fours and 2 sixes, reaching his fifty in just 21 balls—the joint-fastest by an English batsman in ODIs.

However, Ireland fought back with crucial breakthroughs:

Craig Young dismissed Jason Roy (1) and later removed the dangerous Tom Banton (58 off 51).
Joshua Little kept the pressure on with disciplined bowling, removing Sam Billings (57 off 56) and claiming the prized wicket of Jonny Bairstow.

England captain Eoin Morgan led from the front, scoring a magnificent 106 off 84 balls, including 15 boundaries and 4 sixes. Despite losing wickets in the middle overs, England posted an imposing total of 328 all out in 49.5 overs.

Bowling Highlights for Ireland:

Craig Young: 3/53 (9.4 overs)
Joshua Little: 4/45 (10 overs) – his best ODI figures.

Ireland’s Chase: The Stirling-Balbirnie Masterclass

Chasing 329 against the world champions was a daunting task. Ireland needed a mix of aggression, composure, and partnerships to pull off the impossible.

Ireland’s innings began cautiously, losing Gareth Delany early for 12 runs. But what followed was a batting masterclass from Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie:

Record Partnership: Stirling and Balbirnie stitched together a sensational 214-run stand—the highest partnership for Ireland in ODIs.
Paul Stirling’s Power Play: Stirling unleashed an array of strokes, scoring 142 off 128 balls, including 9 fours and 6 sixes—his second-highest ODI score.
Andrew Balbirnie’s Captain’s Knock: The skipper held the innings together with a fluent 113 off 112 balls, striking 12 fours. This was his third ODI century.

By the time Stirling was run out in the 47th over, Ireland needed 50 runs from 28 balls. The pressure mounted, but Ireland remained composed.

The Final Over Drama

The match reached a thrilling crescendo in the final over. With Ireland needing 13 runs off 6 balls, the experienced Kevin O’Brien was at the crease—famous for his historic 2011 World Cup century against the same opposition.

First Ball: O’Brien smashed a crucial boundary, reducing the equation to 9 off 5 balls.
Calm Under Pressure: Rotating the strike and capitalizing on loose deliveries, O’Brien maintained composure.
The Winning Moment: With 1 ball to spare, O’Brien guided a boundary through the off-side, sealing Ireland’s second-ever win against England.

Ireland finished on 329/3 in 49.5 overs, pulling off one of the most memorable chases in cricket history.

Key Performers of the Match

Paul Stirling: 142 (128 balls, 9 fours, 6 sixes) – 8th ODI century.
Andrew Balbirnie: 113 (112 balls, 12 fours) – 3rd ODI century.
Kevin O’Brien: 21* (15 balls, 2 fours) – Sealed the chase under pressure.
Craig Young: 3/53 (9.5 overs) – Provided crucial breakthroughs.
Joshua Little: 4/45 (10 overs) – Best bowling figures in ODIs.
Eoin Morgan (ENG): 106 (84 balls, 15 fours, 4 sixes) – 14th ODI century.
Jonny Bairstow (ENG): 82 (41 balls, 14 fours, 2 sixes) – Joint-fastest ODI fifty for England.

Impact and Legacy of the Match

Ireland’s victory had a profound impact beyond the scoreboard:

World Cup Super League Points: Ireland earned 10 crucial points, strengthening their case for direct qualification for the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
Historic Chase: This was Ireland’s highest successful chase in ODIs and the third-highest against England by any team.
Batting Milestones: Stirling became Ireland’s leading ODI run-scorer, surpassing 4,500 career runs.

For England, the match exposed vulnerabilities in defending large totals and highlighted areas for improvement despite having a powerful batting lineup.

Quotes from the Match

Paul Stirling (Player of the Match): “It was one of those days where everything clicked. To beat the world champions in their backyard is a dream come true.”

Andrew Balbirnie (Ireland Captain): “This win means everything to us. We knew we had to bat deep, and I am proud of how the boys delivered.”

Eoin Morgan (England Captain): “Full credit to Ireland—they deserved the win. We need to reflect and learn, especially on defending big scores.”

Conclusion

The 3rd ODI between Ireland and England on August 4, 2020, will forever be remembered as a David vs. Goliath tale in cricket history. Ireland’s breathtaking chase of 329 against the world champions showcased their resilience, skill, and belief.

Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie’s centuries were the pillars of an extraordinary victory, while Kevin O’Brien’s finishing touch added yet another chapter to his legacy. For Irish cricket, it was a day of pride and a testament to their growth as a cricketing nation—proof that even the mightiest can be toppled when heart and determination align perfectly.