Denly stars on debut as England edge past Ireland

ENGLAND“S cricketers, including Kent“s Joe Denly (pictured), were given a scare but eventually beat Ireland by two runs in a rain-hit one-day international in Belfast.

Denly, making his one-day debut, top-scored with 67 and all-rounder Luke Wright hit two sixes in his brisk innings but England could only manage 203-9 on a tough wicket.

Requiring a revised 116 from 20 overs, Ireland looked to be on course for victory before Owais Shah came to the rescue. The part-time spin bowler returned figures of 3-16.

Opener Denly looked assured on debut and batted well before he was trapped lbw.

England are back in action on Sunday when they play Australia in the first of two Twenty20 internationals.

Picture:Getty Images