Morgan hails Rashid after win over Ireland

It’s a learning curve, the leg-spinner says after maiden 5-wicket haul laid foundation for huge win

Eoin Morgan hailed Adil Rashid’s “magnificent effort” as the leg-spinner’s maiden five-wicket haul laid the platform for England’s rapid victory over Ireland.

Rashid took five for 27 as Ireland, playing England in England for the first time, were shot out for just 126 in 33 overs during Friday’s opening One Day International at Bristol.

Alex Hales (55) and Test captain Joe Root (49 not out) then saw England to their victory target of 127 for the loss of three wickets.

So lopsided was the contest, with barely more than half the day’s overs — 53 out of a maximum 100 — bowled, there was no need for the standard 45-minute break between innings.

Rashid’s 23 wickets during England’s 4-0 Test series defeat in India late last year came at a costly average of nearly 38 apiece.

But it’s one thing bowling to Indian batsmen renowned for playing spin, especially in home conditions, and quite another doing so against Ireland, for all that several members of their top order have English county experience behind them.

Second-best figures

Friday saw the 29-year-old Rashid take the second-best ODI figures by an England specialist spinner, behind Vic Marks’s five for 20 against New Zealand at Wellington in 1984.

Victory left England 1-0 up in the two-match series, with Ireland needing to bounce back quickly if they are to avoid further embarrassment in today’s showpiece finale at Lord’s.

“It was Adil’s day today,” said Morgan, England’s Dublin-born ODI captain. “I thought he put in a magnificent effort with the ball.

“He had a tough winter and has learnt a huge amount to come back today with confidence to bowl his variations and show how threatening he can be.”