Cricket fans were treated to a spectacle at The Village in Malahide, Dublin, as England and Ireland kicked off their first-ever bilateral T20 International series on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. This much-anticipated clash marked a new chapter for both teams, with England embarking on a fresh journey under their youngest-ever international captain, Jacob Bethell, while Ireland, led by the experienced Paul Stirling, sought to defend their impressive head-to-head record in the format.
The match began at 6:00 PM IST, with the toss taking place half an hour earlier. The anticipation was palpable, not least because of the storied—if sparse—history between these sides. Remarkably, England had never beaten Ireland in T20Is, with their first fixture in 2010 ending as a washout and Ireland clinching a rain-affected victory in the 2022 T20 World Cup. This series, then, represented not just an opportunity for England to settle old scores but also a crucial tune-up ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
England’s squad, a blend of seasoned stalwarts and promising newcomers, reflected both necessity and ambition. Regular captain Harry Brook and pace spearhead Jofra Archer missed the series after a demanding summer, opening the door for fresh faces. The spotlight shone brightly on Jordan Cox, who had dominated The Hundred for the Oval Invincibles, racking up 367 runs and earning the Most Valuable Player award as his side secured a third consecutive title. Cox’s form made him a player to watch, and fans were eager to see if he could translate his domestic exploits to the international stage.
Another exciting addition was Hampshire seamer Scott Currie, who received his maiden T20I call-up, replacing the injured Saqib Mahmood. Currie’s inclusion was seen as a bold move, but with England’s bowling attack needing fresh impetus, it made perfect sense. Alongside them, familiar names like Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, and Phil Salt provided a backbone of experience and firepower.
Phil Salt, in particular, arrived in Dublin in blistering form. He had been England’s top scorer in their recent series against South Africa, amassing 141 runs in just two games. The right-hander’s ability to anchor and accelerate made him a crucial asset at the top of the order, and his role would prove pivotal in the opening encounter.
Ireland, meanwhile, entered the series with both pride and a point to prove. Their only previous T20I win over England—at the 2022 World Cup—remained a historic high, but recent results had been mixed. A home series defeat to the West Indies had dented morale, but with the return of key players and the advantage of home conditions, Stirling’s men were determined to put on a show for the Dublin faithful.
The pitch at The Village was expected to offer slow wickets but with short boundaries inviting aggressive batting. Captains were tipped to prefer bowling first, hoping to exploit any early movement before the batsmen could settle in. As the lineups were announced, Ireland’s probable eleven featured Stirling, Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben Calitz, George Dockrell, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Benjamin White, Jordan Neil, and Craig Young—an experienced core with a sprinkling of youthful exuberance.
England’s probable eleven, on the other hand, boasted Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Jamie Overton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood, and Saqib Mahmood (though Mahmood would ultimately miss out due to injury, making way for Currie). The blend of power, pace, and spin was designed to adapt to any condition Dublin might throw at them.
When play got underway, it quickly became clear that this would be no ordinary match. Ireland, backed by a vocal home crowd, started brightly, putting England’s bowlers under pressure and posting a competitive total of 197. England’s attack, despite the presence of seasoned campaigners, struggled at times to find their rhythm, with runs flowing freely on the lively outfield.
But the real story of the evening belonged to Phil Salt. Chasing 197—a daunting target in any conditions—Salt took charge with a masterful innings, scoring 89 runs that anchored England’s reply. His shot selection was impeccable, blending aggression with composure, and he seemed unfazed even as wickets tumbled at the other end. As one commentator put it, “Another week, another country, but it remained the Phil Salt show in Malahide.” Salt’s performance was not just a display of individual brilliance but a statement of intent from an England side eager to shed the baggage of recent series draws and defeats.
Captain Jacob Bethell, making his international debut as skipper, showed remarkable poise under pressure. While the bowlers had leaked a few too many runs early on, Bethell marshaled his resources well and kept the chase on course. His leadership was praised post-match, with many noting his calm demeanor and willingness to back his young charges—qualities that bode well for England’s future.
Jordan Cox, though not as explosive as in The Hundred, contributed valuable runs and energy in the field, while Scott Currie’s debut was marked by flashes of promise despite a tough initiation against a determined Irish batting lineup. For Ireland, Stirling led from the front, but the hosts ultimately found themselves outgunned by Salt’s heroics and England’s deep batting order.
With all three matches of the series scheduled at The Village, the action is far from over. The second T20I is set for Friday, September 19, and both teams will be eager to build on the lessons learned in the opener. For England, the win not only broke their T20I duck against Ireland but also injected much-needed momentum ahead of a busy international calendar. For Ireland, the challenge remains to harness their home advantage and strike back against a resurgent opponent.
Cricket lovers can catch every ball of this historic series live on the FanCode app and website, as there is no TV broadcast in India. As the series unfolds, one thing is certain: with young leaders, fresh faces, and a storied rivalry, the Ireland-England T20Is promise plenty of drama, skill, and unforgettable moments.
With the first match in the books, all eyes now turn to Friday’s rematch. Will Ireland bounce back, or will England’s new era continue to gather steam? Stay tuned for what promises to be an enthralling continuation of this burgeoning rivalry.
