England captain Eoin Morgan hailed the “heart and soul” of David Willey after the left-arm paceman marked his return to the global arena b...
England captain Eoin Morgan hailed the “heart and soul” of David Willey after the left-arm paceman marked his return to the global arena by setting up the world champions’ six-wicket win over Ireland at Southampton on Thursday with his first five-wicket haul in one-day internationals.
Left-arm paceman Willey, appearing in his first ODI since being left out of England’s World Cup-winning squad for Jofra Archer, took 5/30 as Ireland were dismissed for just 172 in a match that marked the return of white-ball cricket from the coronavirus lockdown.
An unfamiliar-looking England, in the first of a three-match series that launches the new World Cup Super League to determine qualification for the 2023 50-over showpiece in India, slumped to 78/4 at the Ageas Bowl.
But Sam Billings, a late injury replacement for Kent team-mate Joe Denly, made 67 not out, including 11 fours.
Together with World Cup-winning skipper Morgan, he shared an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 96.
Former Ireland batsman Morgan completed a win with more than 22 overs to spare when he hit spinner Simi Singh for six.
But this victory was set up by Willey, who said being left out of the World Cup squad at “the eleventh hour” had been “difficult”.
The 30-year-old all-rounder, whose return surpassed his previous ODI best of...
