The Riverside Ground is a cricket venue located in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, England.

Established in 1995, the Riverside Ground has a seating capacity of 5,000 for domestic games and 17,000 for international matches.

It is home to Durham County Cricket Club and has hosted several international matches.

The first noteworthy match played at the Riverside Ground was between Durham and the visiting New Zealanders in 1992. 

The Riverside Ground later staged its first international cricket match, a One-Day International (ODI) played between Pakistan and Scotland in the ICC Cricket World Cup in May 1999. Under the leadership of Wasim Akram, Pakistan won the match by 94 runs.

It also hosted the ICC Cricket World Cup 1999 game between Australia and Bangladesh.  

Since then, it has staged more than 20 One-Day Internationals so far. Let’s have a look at the Riverside Ground ODI records and stats:

Riverside Ground ODI records and stats

Highest total

The Sri Lanka national cricket team holds the record for the highest total at the Riverside Ground in ODI cricket. During an ICC Cricket World Cup match in July 2019, Sri Lanka posted 338/6 in their 50 overs against West Indies in Chester-le-Street, County Durham. Put in to bat, Sri Lanka rode on Avishka Fernando’s 104, along with contributions from wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Perera (64), Lahiru Thirimanne (45 not out) and Kusal Mendis�?39 to post a record ODI total at the venue. In reply, West Indies scored 315/9 in their allotted overs as Sri Lanka won the ODI by 23 runs.

Lowest total

The England cricket team registered the lowest total at the Riverside Ground in ODI cricket. Chasing 257, the hosts were bundled out for 99 in 26.1 overs in the second ODI of Sri Lanka’s tour of England in May 2014. Captain Eoin Morgan top-scored for England with 40 while Ian Bell added 12. For Sri Lanka, right-arm off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake bagged four wickets while pacer Nuwan Kulasekara picked up three scalps. Earlier, Tillakaratne Dilshan (88), Ashan Priyanjan (43) and wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Sangakkara (40) powered Sri Lanka to 256/8 in their 50 overs. Sri Lanka won the second ODI by a massive 157 runs in Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

Most runs

England’s Jonny Bairstow has scored the most runs at the Riverside Ground in ODI format. Between 2015 and 2022, the swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter has amassed 374 runs in five ODIs at an average of 93.50 and an impressive strike rate of 117.98. The hard-hitting right-handed batter has slammed one century and three ODI fifties at this ground. His teammate Joe Root features second on the list with 220 runs in six matches at an average of 44 and a strike rate of 94.82.

Most wickets

England’s Graeme Swann and David Willey share the record for the most wickets at this ground in ODI cricket. Former England right-arm off-spinner Graeme Swann claimed nine wickets in just three ODIs at an average of 13.66 and an economy of 4.39. Left-arm fast bowler David Willey has also bagged nine wickets in three matches at an average of 15.22 and a strike rate of 18. Legendary England pacer James Anderson is second on the list with eight ODI wickets in seven games at an economy of 4.48.

Highest individual score

South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen holds the record for the highest individual score at this venue in the ODI format. Batting at number three, Rassie van der Dussen slammed 134 off 117 balls in the first ODI of South Africa’s tour of England in July 2022. His scintillating hundred was laced with 10 fours. Rassie van der Dussen’s magnificent ton helped South Africa post 333/5 in their 50 overs. England were later bowled out for 271 in 46.5 overs as the visitors won the game by 62 runs.

Best bowling figures

Former England cricketer Graeme Swann registered the best bowling figures at the Riverside Ground in ODI format. Graeme Swann recorded match-winning figures of 5/28 against arch-rivals Australia in September 2009. The right-arm off-spinner dismissed captain Ricky Ponting, Cameron White, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee to bowl out Australia for 176 in 45.5 overs. Joe Denly (53) and captain Andrew Strauss (47) helped England chase down the target in 40 overs. Despite England’s four-wicket win, Australia clinched the seven-match ODI series 6-1. 

Highest partnership

Former Zimbabwe cricketers Murray Goodwin and Grant Flower hold the record for the highest partnership at the Riverside Ground in ODI cricket. During a NatWest Series encounter in July 2000, Murray Goodwin and Grant Flower stitched an unbeaten 186-run stand for the fifth wicket to help Zimbabwe chase down West Indies�?287/5 in 49.1 overs. Chasing 288, Zimbabwe were reduced to 104/4 in 22.2 overs. Later, Murray Goodwin scored 112 not out while Grant Flower remained unbeaten on 96 to guide Zimbabwe to a six-wicket win in Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

Photo credit: Imago

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 began on February 17 and concluded on March 18.

Organised by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), as many as six teams played a total of 34 T20 matches across four venues in PSL 2024. 

Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators are the teams that were competing for the PSL 2024 title.

Some of the talented T20 bowlers including the likes of Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim, David Willey, Abbas Afridi, Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali participated in the Pakistan Super League.

Multan Sultans�?Abbas Afridi finished with the most wickets in PSL 2023. The 22-year-old right-arm pacer picked up 23 wickets in 11 matches in the 2023 edition.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz holds the record for the most wickets in PSL history. Between 2016 and 2023, the left-arm pacer bagged 113 wickets in 88 matches for Peshawar Zalmi.

Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan took the first wicket in PSL 2024. The star leg-spinner dismissed Lahore Qalandars�?opening batter Fakhar Zaman in the opening game of the T20 tournament. 

Peshawar Zalmi leg-spinner Arif Yaqoob became the first bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in PSL 2024. Arif Yaqoob recorded match-winning figures of 5/27 against Islamabad United to help his side win the game by eight runs at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Apart from Yaqoob, the likes of Mohammad Ali, David Willey, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed and Usama Mir were in contention to be the top wicket-taker in PSL 2024.

Here’s a look at the players with most wickets in PSL 2024.

Most wickets in PSL 2024: Know the top wicket-takers in Pakistan Super League

Player	Team	Matches	Wickets
Usama Mir	Multan Sultans	12	24
Mohammad Ali	Multan Sultans	12	19
Abrar Ahmed	Quetta Gladiators	10	16
David Willey	Multan Sultans	11	15
Akeal Hosein	Quetta Gladiators	10	15
Naseem Shah	 Islamabad United	 11	15
Shaheen Afridi	Lahore Qalandars	9	14
Hasan Ali	Karachi Kings	10	14
 Shadab Khan	 Islamabad United	12	14
Abbas Afridi	Multan Sultans	9	13

Photo credit: Alamy

India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi share the record for the most wickets in first over for a bowler in T20 cricket. 

Having made his name as an opening swing bowler, right-arm fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has already bagged 46 wickets in the very first over of T20 matches.

Pakistan’s current T20 international captain Shaheen Shah Afridi is joint-first on the list for the most wickets in first overs for a bowler in T20 cricket. The lethal left-arm pacer has scalped 46 wickets in the first over of T20 games.

The likes of Mohammad Amir, Sohail Tanvir and David Willey are some of the other bowlers who have claimed the most wickets in first over in T20 cricket across both the domestic and international level. Get the top five list.

Most wickets in first over for a bowler in T20 cricket

Player	Wickets
Shaheen Shah Afridi	46
Bhuvneshwar Kumar	46
Mohammad Amir	41
Sohail Tanvir	39
David Willey	37

Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 46 wickets

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been the most successful bowler in providing early strikes in the first over in T20 cricket. Since making his T20 debut in 2009, the Uttar Pradesh-born cricketer has bagged 46 wickets in the first over in cricket’s shortest format. Among full-member ICC nations, Bhuvneshwar is the bowler to have taken the most wickets (18) in first overs in T20Is. Apart from representing the Indian cricket team and Uttar Pradesh in the domestic circuit, Bhuvneshwar has played for Bangalore, Pune and Hyderabad in the Indian T20 League.

Shaheen Afridi | 46 wickets

Shaheen Afridi has the joint wickets in first over for a bowler in T20 cricket. Known to trouble the batters with his lethal pace bowling, Shaheen Afridi has scalped 46 wickets in the first over in T20 cricket so far. In his short career, Afridi has also donned the jerseys of several T20 franchises including Lahore Qalandars, Comilla Victorians, Welsh Fire and Desert Vipers to name a few. Following his success in the T20I format, he replaced Babar Azam as Pakistan’s new T20I captain. He has taken 13 wickets for Pakistan in his opening overs in T20Is. 

Mohammad Amir | 41 wickets

Another Pakistan left-arm fast bowler, Mohammad Amir, is third on the list. Having made his T20 debut in 2008, Amir has picked up 41 wickets in the opening over in the shortest format. Amir finished as one of Pakistan’s leading wicket-takers in T20I format. Additionally, the experienced pacer played for numerous franchises across the globe. Bangla Tigers, Barbados Royals, Chittagong Vikings, Desert Vipers, Fortune Barishal, Galle Gladiators, Jamaica Tallawahs, Karachi Kings, Khulna Tigers and Quetta Gladiators are some of the teams that Amir has represented so far.

Sohail Tanvir | 39 wickets

Just like Shaheen Afridi and Mohammed Amir, another former Pakistan left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir features next on the list. Having tormented the batters with his unorthodox left arm bowling action, Sohail Tanvir took 39 wickets in the first over in T20 cricket. Along with a successful T20I career for the national side, Tanvir spearheaded bowling attacks for several franchises including Guyana Amazon Warriors, Kandy Tuskers, Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans, Quetta Gladiators, Team Rajasthan, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and St Lucia Zouks. His bowling played a key role in Rajasthan winning the inaugural Indian T20 League in 2008.

David Willey | 37 wickets

England’s David Willey completes the top five list. The talented left-arm pacer has been a wicket-taker for any side that he plays for in cricket’s shortest format. Since his T20 debut in 2009, Willey has scalped 37 wickets in the opening over of T20 matches. The bowling all-rounder has taken 15 wickets in his first overs for England so far. Having made his name as a T20 specialist, Willey has also donned jerseys of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Bangla Tigers, Team Chennai, Durban’s Super Giants, Multan Sultans, Perth Scorchers, Team Bangalore and Welsh Fire in the various T20 leagues. 

Photo credit: Alamy

Uncapped England cricketer Will Smeed currently owns the record for the highest individual score in the 100-ball League.

While opening the batting for his franchise Birmingham in the 100-ball League 2022, Smeed smashed an unbeaten 101-run knock off just 50 balls against defending champions Southampton at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground.

The swashbuckling right-handed batter surpassed England cricketer Liam Livingstone’s previous record, who hammered an unbeaten 92 off just 40 balls for Birmingham against Leeds during the inaugural edition of the 100-ball League in 2021.

During his record-breaking innings, Smeed became the first batter to score a hundred in the 100-ball tournament. The Cambridge-born cricketer’s impressive knock was laced with eight fours and six sixes.

Smeed’s ton powered Birmingham to 176/4 in their allotted 100 balls. In reply, Southampton were bowled out for 123 as the hosts won the match by 53 runs.

England international Liam Livingstone boasts the second highest individual score in the 100-ball League.

Chasing a target of 144 against Leeds during the 2021 edition, Livingstone scored an unbeaten 40-ball 92 to help Birmingham chase down the total in just 74 balls. 

Livingstone’s blitzkrieg innings included three fours and 10 maximums. The knock guided Birmingham to a commanding eight-wicket victory.

England cricketer David Malan comes in third on the list for the highest individual scorers in the 100-ball League.

While representing the Nottingham franchise, the flamboyant southpaw scored 88 not out against hosts Leeds in the 2022 edition.

Malan’s unbeaten 88-run knock helped Nottingham chase down 153 in 94 balls. The England international hit 11 fours and three sixes during his match-winning innings.

England all-rounder David Willey, South Africa cricketer Colin Ingram and English batter Will Jack are next on the list. All the three cricketers have played 81-run knocks in the 100-ball League.

Playing for Nottingham, David Willey scored an unbeaten 81 off 45 balls against Lord’s London at the iconic Lord’s. Proteas batter Colin Ingram smashed 43-ball 81 not out for Oval London against hosts Birmingham the very next day of Willey’s innings.

During the 2022 edition, Oval London’s Will Jack scored 81 off 45 balls against Cardiff to equal Willey and Ingram.

New Zealand wicket-keeper batter Glenn Phillips is the only other batter to touch 80 in the 100-ball League. Representing Cardiff, Phillips smashed a 35-ball 80 against Lord’s London in the 2021 edition.

Highest individual scores in 100-ball League

Player	For	Against	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	Venue	Match Date
Will Smeed	Birmingham	Southampton	101*	50	8	6	Birmingham	10 August 2022
Liam Livingstone	Birmingham	Leeds	92*	40	3	10	Leeds	17 August 2021
David Malan	Nottingham	Leeds	88*	49	11	3	Leeds	9 August 2022
David Willey	Nottingham	Lord’s London	81*	45	3	6	Lord's	3 August 2022
Colin Ingram	Oval London	Birmingham	81*	43	8	4	Birmingham	4 August 2022
Will Jack	Oval London	Cardiff	81	45	7	4	Cardiff	7 August 2022
Glenn Phillips	Cardiff	Lord’s London	80	35	5	7	Cardiff	18 August 2021
Quinton de Kock	Southampton	Leeds	72*	45	9	1	Southampton	7 August 2021
Jonny Bairstow	Cardiff	Southampton	72	39	5	5	Cardiff	27 August 2021
Josh Inglis	Lord’s London	Cardiff	72	45	7	3	Cardiff	18 August 2021

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Featured photo: Edgbaston

After getting the better of Pakistan in the Test series, England will be hoping for another series victory over the tourists in the upcoming three-match T20I series. Players from both teams will be eager to make an impression as the action returns to Manchester following two Tests at Southampton. With the first T20I between the teams slated to begin from Friday, we have a look at a few potential difference-makers from both sides.

Tom Banton

One of the most exciting youngsters to have emerged from English cricket since the days of Kevin Pietersen, Tom Banton will be keen to show the rest of the world what he is capable of in the T20Is against Pakistan. Blessed with an abundance of talent, Banton has all the shots in the book and comes with a similar batting style to that of Pietersen’s.

A top-order batsman, he enjoyed a breakthrough season with Somerset in 2019. However, he still needs to translate his county performances for country and will be confident in his ability to do the same after scoring 58 in his last outing in national colours during England’s final ODI against Ireland.

David Willey

The English all-rounder will be looking to kick on and re-establish himself in the limited-overs setup after making a successful return to the team in the recent ODI series against Ireland. Willey, who was an agonising last-minute exclusion from England’s World Cup-winning squad last year, has looked like a man on a mission ever since his return to the team and proved what he can do with the bat as well as the ball against Ireland.

He took eight wickets in three games against the Irish, including a career-best of 5-for-30. Willey will also be a threat while batting, having looked solid with the willow in hand and whacking an unbeaten 47 and 51 in his two innings against Ireland.

Babar Azam

Unsurprisingly, Babar Azam will be Pakistan’s most prized wicket against the English on Friday. Azam managed to get starts in all three matches against England in the Test series but failed to convert any of them into a century. However, the change of approach to his batting in the T20Is could suit Azam’s style.

He scored an unbeaten 63 in his last outing for Pakistan in the Tests and will be confident about being amongst the runs in the T20Is at Manchester, having scored 69 in the first innings of the only Test between the teams at the same venue earlier this month.

Mohammad Amir

The left-arm fast bowler has always enjoyed bowling in England and thrived in those conditions in the past. After retiring from Tests in July of last year to prolong his limited-overs career, Mohammad Amir’s focus has been on the shorter formats of the game.

One of the best exponents of swing, Amir will be relishing the opportunity of bowling in England and keeping things tight, at the very least. He’s already played T20 matches this season having participated in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) earlier this year. Amir, though, wasn’t always at his rhythmic best in the last edition of the PSL and will look to make amends with Pakistan’s national team at the expense of the English batsmen.

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Feature image courtesy: AFP / Mike Hewitt

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White-ball cricket marked its comeback with the three-match ODI series between England and Ireland which the hosts won 2-1. 

England were without a few of their stars who stayed back in the bio-bubble in Manchester ahead of the first Test against Pakistan, which commenced on August 5th, which gave some of their fringe players an opportunity to shine. 

Did they take that opportunity or let it squander? We assess the key learnings from the series:

David Willey’s terrific all-round display  

In the absence of Ben Stokes, David Willey filled in as the seam all-rounder in the England lineup and performed brilliantly in all three matches.

The southpaw picked up five wickets in the series opener as England bundled out Ireland for just 172 and chased the total with ease. 

In the second match, Willey bowled a good spell of 2-48 and scored 47 off 46 balls to guide England to victory after coming in to bat with England needing 75 with four wickets in hand. 

The all-rounder scored another half-century in the final game and picked up a wicket with the ball to finish a brilliant series on a high note.

Willey has increased his stock with his performances and could feature prominently in England’s upcoming series. 

Sam fits the billing 

Wicketkeeper batsman Sam Billings also enjoyed a good series, scoring 132 runs in three matches, with game-winning contributions in the first two ODIs.

Billings scored 67 off 54 balls in the first ODI to guide England to victory and played another gritty knock in the second ODI, scoring 46 off 61 to help the hosts avoid an upset. 

The 29-year-old could not do well with the bat in the third ODI, however, two excellent displays should definitely make him a contender to retain his place in the next series. 

Moeen and Vince woeful

Two of the senior statesmen in the side, Moeen Ali and James Vince had three forgettable outings during the series.

Ali scoring just one run in two outings with the bat while Vince could muster more than 20 runs just once in his three innings during the series. 

If the duo do not bounce back in the next series, England might be forced to assess their options for the future. 

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A scintillating performance in the second ODI against Ireland on Saturday saw Eoin Morgan’s England clinching the three-match series, this time defeating their opponents by four wickets. So as the final ODI looms, Ireland would undoubtedly want to end their tour on a high when they square off against their opponents on Tuesday at the Ageas Bowl.

For what it’s worth, the visitors have had their moments of brilliance. If not for the collective effort, there have been a few impressive performances on an individual front.

Having said that, we look at two players from each team who will be in the spotlight in the final ODI of the series.

Jonny Bairstow

After a rather quiet outing in the first ODI, opener Jonny Bairstow showcased what he does best by smashing a 21-ball half-century to equal Morgan's mark against Australia at Nottingham two years ago. The right-handed batsman went on to hit 82 off just 41 deliveries that included 14 boundaries and two maximums. Till the time he was on the crease on Saturday, England looked in decent shape. However, his exit sparked a mini-collapse that saw three wickets lost for six runs.

Meanwhile, his blitz also saw him crossing the 3000-run mark in ODI cricket, becoming the joint-fastest England batsman alongside Joe Root. Bairstow will be keen on capitalising on the opportunity in the final ODI after facing the axe from the Test squad.

David Willey

All-rounder David Willey has turned out to be an absolute thorn in Ireland’s pursuit of finding anything positive in the series. The 30-year-old started off with a maiden five-wicket haul in the first ODI and followed it up by picking two wickets and scoring an unbeaten 47 off 46 balls in the second.

Returning to England’s ODI setup after a long time, Willey has certainly made a stern impact in the ongoing series. His case has been further helped by the fact that Ireland are relatively inexperienced in facing left-arm seam bowling. 

Curtis Campher

Only one player has scored more runs than Curtis Campher in the debut ODI for Ireland, and that player now captains England’s ODI side. Middle-order batsman Curtis Campher has been an absolute revelation for Ireland, notching two half-centuries in as many ODIs for his team. 

In a rather underwhelming outing for Ireland, Campher has scored 127 runs across both ODIs - highest in the series so far. The simple fact that he has come out to bat in wrenching moments in both ODIs (28/5 and 78/5) further outlines his importance in the team. Furthermore, he has been equally brilliant with the ball, having struck twice on Saturday, while picking one in the opening ODI.

It is safe to say that he will be keen on adding similar numbers on Tuesday.

Joshua Little

With Barry McCarthy suffering a knee injury just ahead of the second ODI, Ireland turned to Joshua Little, a 20-year-old left-arm bowler who made his ODI debut against England at Dublin in May 2019. Little hammered his first blow by plucking Jonny Bairstow from the crease and followed it up by sending the likes of Eoin Morgan and Moeen Ali back to the pavilion on ducks.

He revived Ireland’s pursuit out of nowhere, and regardless of the result, the 20-year-old remained one of the positives from the game.

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SportsAdda.

David Willey and Sam Billings guided world champions England to a six-wicket win over Ireland at Southampton on Thursday in the first one-day international.

Left-arm paceman Willey, appearing in his first ODI since being left out of England's World Cup-winning squad for Jofra Archer, took a career-best 5-30 as Ireland were dismissed for a modest 172 in a match that marked the return of white-ball cricket from the lockdown.

But an unfamiliar-looking England, in the first of a three-match series that launches the new World Cup Super League to determine qualification for the 2023 50-over showpiece in India, slumped to 78-4 at the Ageas Bowl.

6 - 6 of James Vince's last 7 dismissals for England (across all formats) have come about when he's played a mis-timed drive. Repeat. #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/MjOwbUvMcn

�?OptaJim (@OptaJim) July 30, 2020

Sam Billings, a late injury replacement for Kent team-mate Joe Denly, made 67 not out including 11 fours at better than a run-a-ball.

Together with World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan, a former Ireland batsman, he shared an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 96. Willey took 4-12 as Ireland slumped to 28-5 after losing the toss.

Curtis Campher held firm with an unbeaten 59 on debut. Together with Andy McBrine (40) he shared a stand of 66 after Ireland were in danger of being dismissed for under 100 at 79-7. 

50 - Curtis Campher is the first man to claim a half-century on ODI debut for @Irelandcricket since Eoin Morgan (August 2006). Happy. #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/aAZ5Bws8vt

�?OptaJim (@OptaJim) July 30, 2020

Willey struck with just the fourth ball of the match when Paul Stirling chipped him to Morgan at midwicket. Ireland were 7-2 when skipper Andy Balbirnie was caught behind driving at Willey. Gareth Delany hit five fours in his 22 before he struck Willey straight to backward point.

Next ball, the 30-year-old Willey, the son of former England batsman and umpire David Willey, had Lorcan Tucker lbw for a duck to leave Ireland 28-5.

- Campher carries on -

The 21-year-old Campher, a former South Africa youth international qualified for Ireland through his mother, survived the hat-trick delivery and went on to complete an admirable 103-ball fifty.

Kevin O'Brien, whose stunning 50-ball hundred set up a remarkable Ireland win over England during the 2011 World Cup, made 22 before he holed out off leg-spinner Adil Rashid.

McBrine pulled Tom Curran to deep square leg before Willey dismissed last man Craig Young to end the innings. Willey's return was his best in 47 ODIs, surpassing his 4-34 against Sri Lanka in Cardiff in 2016.

Ireland suffered a blow in the first over of England's reply when Barry McCarthy walked off after bowling five balls with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

3 - Adil Rashid claimed 3 maidens today against Ireland; the first time an @englandcricket spinner has managed this feat in a men's ODI at home since 1983 (Vic Marks v Sri Lanka). Tidy. #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/wCcrJKMjMO

�?OptaJim (@OptaJim) July 30, 2020

Off-spinner McBrine, however, had Jonny Bairstow lbw for two before fellow opener Jason Roy fell leg before to Young.

As happened before each of the recent England-West Indies Tests, players from both sides took a knee before play in support of the Black Lives Matter campaign.

This was England's first home ODI since they beat New Zealand in last year's World Cup final at Lord's.

England's red and white-ball fixtures are overlapping in a season cut short by the outbreak and they are maintaining two separate squads, meaning several World Cup winners including Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Archer won't feature against Ireland.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Mike Hewitt

After the culmination of the three-match Test series between England and West Indies, the 50-over format returns following a lengthy lay off due to the global pandemic. England will be hosting a three-match ODI series against Ireland at Southampton, starting from Thursday. This series launches the World Cup Super League �?the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) qualifying tournament for the 2023 Cricket World Cup.

Here, we have a look at a couple of players from each team who can make a difference in the first of the three-match ODI series.  

Moeen Ali

Named as vice-captain for the series, Moeen Ali will be keen to put in some good displays against Ireland. The English all-rounder looks like he’s in good nick and will want to carry his form into the three-match ODI series. He recently starred for Team Moeen in a warm-up match against Team Morgan, scoring a 45-ball 85.

• England vs Ireland: Squads, Probable XI, Forecast and Prediction

Moeen’s barnstorming 85 helped post more than 300 on the scoreboard and set up an easy victory for his team. More than capable of making a difference with his right-arm off-breaks, Moeen will also be a threat with the ball and can cause problems for the Irish batsmen with his spin and guile.      

David Willey

Left-arm pacer David Willey will be eager to prove a point on his return to England’s ODI setup after being dropped from the team just before their World Cup triumph last year. Part of the English squad for most series prior to the World Cup, Willey will be eager to make up for lost time. Tailor-made for cricket’s shorter formats, Willey offers the team something with both bat and ball.

A natural competitor, his aggression with the ball and innovation with the bat will be something for Ireland to worry about. Interestingly, his first-ever cap for England came against Ireland in 2015 and the feisty Englishman will be looking to make an impact as he returns to the international arena against the same opponents.    

Paul Stirling

The Irish opener will have a big say in his team’s fortunes as he looks to set the tone of their innings at the top of the order. A naturally attacking player, Paul Stirling likes to dominate opposition bowlers and leave his mark on the game. His ability to frequently find the boundaries makes him a threat against any side and England will want to see his back sooner rather than later.

Stirling offered us a glimpse of what he’s capable of in Ireland’s practice match against England Lions on Sunday. He scored 53, hitting four fours and three sixes along the way. Furthermore, his experience of playing 10 seasons of county cricket for Middlesex at Lords stands him in good stead to navigate English conditions.

Andy Balbirnie

The Irish skipper also had a good outing during their practice match against England Lions. Andy Balbirnie scored 60 after coming to the crease following the loss of the first wicket and looked comfortable out in the middle, for the most part, hitting seven fours along the way.

Like Stirling, Balbirnie is another Irishman to follow the path to Middlesex and has an idea of what to expect in England’s seam-friendly conditions. Balbirnie has also been in good form of late and got his fair share of runs against the likes of West Indies and Afghanistan in both ODIs and T20Is earlier this year. He will be hoping for more of the same come Thursday.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Geoff Caddick

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SportsAdda.

Left-arm pacemen David Willey and Reece Topley were recalled to the England one-day international squad announced Monday for the three-match series against Ireland.

The pair were included in a 14-strong group for three games at Hampshire's Ageas Bowl headquarters.

Willey, 30, missed out on England's triumphant World Cup campaign last year after a change in qualification rules saw him make way for Barbados-born fast bowler Jofra Archer.

Topley, 26, last played international cricket in 2016 but has since suffered several back injuries.

The England group contains eight players who were members of the World Cup squad, with captain Eoin Morgan joined by experienced white-ball campaigners Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy and Adil Rashid.

Kent batsman Joe Denly, who was dropped from the Test side after the series opener against the West Indies, has now joined the England one-day "bubble".

The Ireland series will be played under similar bio-secure regulations, with all the matches taking place behind closed doors.

The second and third matches take place on August 1 and 4, also in Southampton.

England's red and white-ball fixtures are overlapping in a season cut short by the coronavirus outbreak and they are maintaining two separate squads, with a Test series against Pakistan to follow the ongoing West Indies series.

That means Test skipper Joe Root and fellow World Cup-winners Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes and Archer will not feature against Ireland.

"We are developing excellent strength in depth in white-ball cricket," said England selector James Taylor. "Even though a number of Test players are unavailable, there is great competition for places.

Thursday's opening ODI will be the first match of the ICC's new World Cup Super League, which will determine qualification for the 50-over World Cup in 2023. 

England squad

Eoin Morgan (Middlesex, capt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire, wkt), Tom Banton (Somerset), Sam Billings (Kent, wkt), Tom Curran (Surrey), Liam Dawson (Hampshire), Joe Denly (Kent), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Reece Topley (Surrey), James Vince (Hampshire), David Willey (Yorkshire)

Reserves: Richard Gleeson (Lancashire), Lewis Gregory (Somerset), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire)

Ireland Squad 

Andrew Balbirnie (c), Paul Stirling (vc), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Peter Chase, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Jonathan Garth, Tyrone Kane, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, Kevin O'Brien, William Porterfield, Boyd Rankin, Simi Singh, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Gary Wilson, Craig Young.

Fixtures:

July 30: 1st ODI; Rose Bowl, Southampton

August 01: 2nd ODI; Rose Bowl, Southampton

August 04: 3rd ODI; Rose Bowl, Southampton

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Ian Kington