Willey shines as England thump Ireland INJURY PRONE McDERMOTT QUITS AGED 29
Southampton, July 31: David Willey celebrated his return to the England team with a maiden oneday international fivewicket haul as the world champions drew first blood in the Royal London series against Ireland at the Ageas Bowl.
In England’s first home ODI since winning their first 50-over World Cup, Willey’s 5-30 restricted Ireland to 172 all out in 44.4 overs, a total the hosts overhauled with six wickets to spare.
“It was just special to be out there playing for England again. I’ve gone away and worked quite hard to get back near my best. It’s been a rollercoaster, but I was just out there enjoying my cricket today. I’m moving in the right direction and I feel like my best cricket is still to come,” Willey said.
England had lurched to
78-4 but Sam Billings, included after Joe Denly’s withdrawal due to a back injury, settled the team’s nerves with a 67 not out off
54 deliveries in an unbroken 96-run stand with Eoin Morgan.
England got over the line with 22.1 overs still remaining at the start of a three-ODI series that marks the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League, forming part of the qualification process for India 2023.
After the players took a knee to support Black Lives Matter, Ireland were saved from free fall by international debutant Curtis Campher, a South African-born all-rounder who qualifies through his mother’s passport.
The 21-year-old showed no lack of patience and fortitude in his 59 not out from 118 balls in front of the vast swathes of empty seats, before Willey returned to the attack and ended the innings.
Campher had accounted for Tom Banton for South Africa’s Under-19 side a couple of years ago and history repeated itself when the Somerset batsman top-edged a pull, with Ireland wicketkeeper Tucker taking a challenging catch.
Morgan had demoted himself to six but came to the crease to join Billings, who twice reverse swept Singh for four and seemed more confident on a surface that had given his toporder teammates trouble. A crisp pull for his ninth four took him to a 41-ball 50 before Morgan (36no) thumped Singh back over his head to finish the game in style.
Agencies BRIEF SCORES
Ireland 172 in 44.4 overs (Curtis Campher 59 n.o; David Willey 5/30) lost to England 174/4 in 27.5 overs (Sam Billings 67 n.o, Eoin Morgan 36 n.o).
Melbourne, July 31: His body ravaged by recurrent injuries, Queensland fast bowler Alister McDermott, son of former Australian pacer Craig, has brought about a premature end to his career at 29.
He called time on his career following another injury-hit 12-month period.
McDermott went on to win Sheffield Shield and one-day titles with his side and was a part of the title-winning Brisbane Heat team in the second edition of the Big Bash League. He achieved them all before turning 22.
However, he suffered a broken arm and stress fracture, which delayed his comeback to firstclass cricket.
“The first seven months of the ’19-20 season threw an onslaught of challenges at me,” McDermott wrote on his personal website.