Phil Salt again starred for England as they beat Ireland by four wickets in the first match of a three-game T20 series in Dublin.
The England opener smashed 89 off 46 deliveries but came up short of what would have been his second consecutive century when he was caught by Ross Adair with the final delivery of the 15th over.
By then, however, Salt had broken the back of the chase for England, who finished the job of chasing Ireland’s 196-3 with more than two overs to spare.
Travelling without their all-format stars, England were captained by Jacob Bethell for the first time, with the 21-year-old hitting 24 off 16 balls before a tame swipe to extra cover just as he appeared to be going through the gears.
In what was their first international of any kind since a T20 win over West Indies on 15 June, Ireland will have felt their tally, which included half-centuries for both Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker, was a competitive one.
But just five days after their stunning 304-2 against South Africa on a record-breaking night in Manchester, a much-changed England began their reply in emphatic fashion before Ireland battled back for some late wickets.
The win represented England’s first victory over Ireland in the format in what was their second completed game, and the two sides will meet again at Malahide on Friday and Sunday.