Cox fifty leads England to comfortable win over Ireland

Led by Jordan Cox's 35-ball 55, England cruised to a comfortable six-wicket win in the third T20I against Ireland at the Village in Dublin, and secured a 2-0 series victory.

Put in to bat, Ireland got off to a quick start with Ross Adair taking apart Sonny Baker in the third over. He started the over by thumping a short delivery down the ground for a six before drilling a couple of boundaries. However, England hit back by dismissing the openers in quick succession.

Once Adair fell to Rehan Ahmed in the seventh over, Ireland suffered a brief collapse with Lorcan Tucker and Curtis Campher failing to make an impact, and reducing the hosts to 58 for 4. Benjamin Calitz and Harry Tector steadied the innings briefly, giving the odd charge, but Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid again put breaks to their momentum with three quick strikes.

Even as there wasn't much contribution from Ireland's lower order, Gareth Delany's unbeaten 29-ball 48 took the hosts to a respectable total. He also took down Baker, smashing a boundary and two sixes off successive deliveries in the 17th over. Baker had an off day and eventually conceded 52 runs from his four-over spell as Ireland managed to cross the 150-run mark.

A spell of rain ensured a late start to England's chase, but no overs were lost. Ireland made an impressive start with Campher taking a sensational catch at short cover to send back Jos Buttler in the second over. Jacob Bethell, who made a promising start, by cracking three boundaries, was also sent back early as he dragged a pull to the square leg fielder early in the fifth over.

Nonetheless, England didn't allow Ireland to impose themselves with Cox going after their bowlers from the start. He helped Craig Young's short delivery over fine leg off the second ball and then cover drove the pacer for a boundary. In the next over, he meted out a similar treatment to Campher.

Cox was declared legbefore soon after the PowerPlay ended, but he had the decision overturned with a review. He ensured there was no break in the pace with which the runs flew from thereon. In the next over, Benjamin White was put away for 19, and by the time Phil Salt was dismissed edging one to the 'keeper in the 10th over, England were left needing less than run-a-ball.

Ireland couldn't pose enough threat to the visitors as Tom Banton and Cox continued the charge. The latter brought up his maiden T20I half-century with a six over deep mid wicket. Even as he was cleaned up by White in the 16th over, England had little trouble overhauling the target.