England lead this three-match ODI series 1-0, having beaten the Irish at Trent Bridge. Now, we move onto Bristol for the last game in the Ireland tour and we have, as always, previewed the occasion with a couple of suggested bets. 

Ireland (9/2) put on a late, spirited fightback in Nottingham that will have given England (1/7) a few jitters as they looked to defend a mammoth 338 first innings score.

From 137/6 and 188/8, the tourists managed to get all the way up to 286, courtesy of Barry McCarthy and Craig Young’s excellent tail-end heroics, but ultimately fell 48 runs short. Rehan Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers with 4-54.

Zak Crawley’s men can primarily thank opener Will Jacks (94) and debutant Sam Hain (89) for their terrific total that at one point looked like it would comfortably go 350+.

With the World Cup approaching fast and reserve spots yet to be nailed down, both men have given a serious prod to the selectors, in case one of the main-line batters in the squad succumbs to a late injury.

Bristol will give everyone in the blue of England one more chance to shine, before thoughts turn to India and a defence of the trophy they won so sensationally in 2019.

Team news:

England (probable): Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Zak Crawley (c), Ben Duckett, Sam Hain, Jamie Smith (wk), Brydon Carse, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Matthew Potts, George Scrimshaw.

Ireland (probable): Paul Stirling (c), Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), George Dockrell, Andy McBrine, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young, Josh Little.

Will Jacks top England run scorer – 16/5

Jacks can count himself unlucky to be born in a country that, at the time, has one of the strongest batting line ups ever seen in the game.

The 24-year-old Surrey opener would walk into many of the England teams of the past, and surely it’s only a matter of time before he does so in to the current set-up.

The game at Trent Bridge was only Jacks’ 3rd ever One Day International, despite being on the fringes of the squad since 2021. England selected him for the recent T20 series against New Zealand so clearly rate him highly.

Jacks batted with sense, class and power in Nottingham; his six to bring up his half century was something right out of the Harry Brook school of lofted off drives.

Yes, this is only Ireland, but Jacks has done this time and time again in the Blast, Hundred and franchise cricket abroad.

Another big score here will surely see him pack his bags for India as back up…

Craig Young top Ireland wicket taker – 4/1

The fast medium right-hander was really impressive in the 2nd ODI, dismissing Phil Salt and then captain Crawley in the space of three balls.

A provider of a beautifully-shaped seam, Young is able to move the ball either way and if he bowled a touch quicker he’d be a top-level bowler.

The 33-year-old made his debut some nine years ago and took a remarkable five wickets on his ODI debut.

He has 59 wickets at less than 27 for his country and I think he will give the top order some problems again here.