Stirling knew 329 may be on

Southampton – Paul Stirling (above) insisted he always believed Ireland could beat England after his brilliant century inspired a record Irish run-chase in a shock seven-wicket win over the world champions in the third one-day international at Southampton on Tuesday.

Both Stirling, with 142, and Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie (113), scored centuries during Ireland’s ultimately successful pursuit of 329.

It was Ireland’s highest successful chase in ODIs, after they reached a target of 328 in a dramatic 2011 World Cup win over England in Bangalore.

When both Stirling and Balbirnie were out in quick succession, however, it looked like Ireland might falter but Kevin O’Brien – their hundred hero in India nine years ago – helped see them to victory in the company of novice international Harry Tector with just one ball to spare.

“We’ve chased over 300 a number of times, so we knew we could do it,” said opener Stirling, the Player-of-the-Match.

Balbirnie added: “We absolutely thought we could chase it, we just knew we had to bat well up top.

“We are delighted with how it finished. We obviously didn’t perform with the bat in the first two ODIs.”

Ireland’s win was all the more impressive as they had lost the first two matches in a three-game series after making lowly totals of 172 and 212/9.

And that’s why although England were without several World Cup winners including Test skipper Joe Root, all-rounder Ben Stokes and pace bowlers Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Chris Woakes because of overlapping red and white-ball commitments – the first Test against Pakistan in Manchester started yesterday – few would have given the Irish much hope.

This was Ireland’s first ODI win over England in England and their first against a major nation since the 2015 World Cup.

Earlier England captain Eoin Morgan, a former Ireland batsman, made 106 against his native country after being dropped by opposing skipper Balbirnie on 67. – AFP