England need late rescue mssion from debutant Ben Foakes to see off Ireland in worrying sign

England were staring at an incomprehensible defeat to Ireland until debutant Ben Foakes and Sydney Sixers star Tom Curran inspired a recovery that had plenty breathing a sigh of relief.

Ben Foakes was the hero for England against Ireland.

Ben Foakes’ unbeaten 61 on his debut helped England recover from a top-order collapse to beat Ireland by four wickets in a lone one-day international in Dublin.

England, the world’s top-ranked side in ODI cricket and the hosts of the 50-over World Cup starting later this month, collapsed to 5-66 chasing a modest 199 for victory.

They were still in trouble in a match at Malahide reduced to 45 overs per side by a wet outfield when teenage debutant left-arm quick Josh Little took his fourth wicket.

England were now 6-101 against an Ireland side who have not qualified for the World Cup.

Ben Foakes was the hero for England against Ireland.

But wicket-keeper Foakes and Surrey team-mate Tom Curran (47 not out) saw them share an unbroken stand of 98 as England won with 18 balls to spare.

Victory in their opening match of the season saw England avoid the embarrassment of a fresh defeat by a side controversially excluded from an upcoming World Cup now reduced to 10 teams following their shock loss away to Scotland last year.

And for Ireland this result meant they did not enjoy another win over England to set alongside their triumph at the 2011 World Cup.

“I thought the bowlers did a great job and three or four of us batted really poorly,” England captain Eoin Morgan said.

“But I thought Ben Foakes was absolutely outstanding on his debut.

“His and Tom Curran’s partnership really did get us over the line.

“And I think that’s brilliant, we went to Scotland last year and played brilliantly but got beaten. Today we found a way to win which is nice.”

Foakes’ 76-ball innings, featuring three fours and a six, saw him named man-of-the-match.

It was another composed display by the 26-year-old, who made 107 on Test debut, away to Sri Lanka in November.

Foakes, however, survived a close lbw appeal from veteran Middlesex paceman Tim Murtagh on 37, with Ireland opting against a review that might have gone their way.