England beat Ireland to seal 2-0 T20I series at Malahide

DUBLIN — England wrapped up the three-match men’s T20I series against Ireland with a six-wicket win at Malahide on Sunday, sealing the inaugural bilateral T20I meeting between the sides 2-0 after the second game was abandoned because of rain. England chased a revised target of 155 in 17.1 overs as Jordan Cox and Tom Banton put on the backbone of the victory, while Adil Rashid’s three wickets stifled the Irish innings.

Ireland were held to 154 for 8 after a disciplined bowling display from England, Rashid finishing with figures of 3 for 29 and spinners claiming six of the eight wickets. Gareth Delany’s late counterattack, an unbeaten 48 off 29 balls that included three sixes, gave Ireland momentum late in the innings but left them short of a defendable total on a slower Malahide surface. England reached 155 for 4, Cox top-scoring with 55 off 35 balls and Banton unbeaten on 37 from 26, as the tourists completed the chase with 17 balls to spare.

The series had opened in similar high-scoring fashion on Wednesday, September 17, when England chased down 197 to win by four wickets. Phil Salt produced a blistering 89 off 46 balls to lead that reply, while Ireland’s Harry Tector (61) and...