I'm really excited for these Ireland matches, you know. They may not be the side of the mid-00s, when they burst onto the international stage and were the finest minnows around, but that's largely because their squad is ageing and their best players are either on the hill or well over it. For years, the ECB were guilty of keeping Ireland at arm's length and not embracing associate cricket, but there's been a change in narrative now and a welcoming of Ireland, which is great. The matches are sell-outs and I'm hopeful for a great atmosphere. Really, it's a damning indictment of the ECB's outlook that this is the first time in 11 years Ireland have been invited over for a tour.
The future looks bright for Ireland. They have incorporated many grass-roots initiatives to boost the popularity of the sport. Subject to approval in June, the path will be cleared for them, and most likely Afghanistan, to apply for Test status and begin a new era at the top table. They have already achieved great feats, of course. They beat the Windies in 2007 and 2015, and England in 2011. William Porterfield, the O’Brien brothers, Boyd Rankin (absent this week through injury) and Ed Joyce – their greatest run‑scorer – are into their 30s. There is talent behind them – not least Paul Stirling - and the Irish have of course had to deal with their best players seeking to further their careers overseas, with Joyce, Rankin and Eoin Morgan all pursuing international careers with England.
Bairstow, meanwhile, warmed up for England’s one day international against Ireland with a career best 174 in 113 balls vs Durham as Yorkshire completed their highest successful one-day run-chase, scoring 339 for four to win by six wickets in the Royal London One-Day Cup. Alongside Root, who added 55 for Yorkshire, Bairstow led a stand 189 for the second wicket inside 26 overs after Durham’s Cook and Richardson both hit hundreds and Jennings scored 72 in their side’s 335 for five. Bairstow, who was dropped on 71, hit seven sixes and 16 fours before being caught off Weighell. And Morgan says Stokes will return to an England team with “all the attributes” to win the CT after an impressive IPL stint which has seen him pick up three man-of-the-match awards to date and score 103 not out against Gujarat Lions on Monday.
Even in the absence of several first-choice players, England will expect to win both games at a canter. Bairstow will need to impress now that Sam Billings has been earmarked to keep wicket in the absence of Buttler, in spite of Bairstow's solidity as the Test No.1. Bairstow's innings of 174 from 113 balls for Yorkshire vs Durham will stand him in good stead, while Ireland will back Murtagh to impress. At 35, he has barely featured for Middlesex in the RLODC so far, but he has good knowledge of English pitches and is a wise, old head. England will line-up with Roy and Hales, followed by Root, Morgan, Bairstow and Billings. You imagine they will deploy one spinner - Rashid or Mo - with Willey, Plunkett, Ball and Wood selected. O'Brien's return from a hamstring injury is a welcome boost for Ireland. That said, his brother, Niall, could conceivably give way to Andy Bilbirnie, with Gary Wilson taking the gloves.
Bristol is set to host its 14th ODI, and 16th international fixture all told, following two T20Is in 2006 and 2011. Of those, England have featured in 10 of the last 11 ODIs, dating back to 2001, but their record is inauspicious. The last of their three victories came against West Indies in 2009. The following year they lost to Bangladesh for the first time in their history. England's last two fixtures at Bristol have failed to be completed. The match against India was abandoned in 2014, while there was no result against Sri Lanka last year.