Watch: George Scrimshaw took his first international wicket against Ireland in the second ODI today (September 23), having conceded 35 runs off his first 11 balls of the match.
Subscribe to the Wisden Cricket YouTube channel for post-match analysis, player interviews, and much more.
England fielded an XI with four debutants in it at Trent Bridge, with all of their first choice ODI names rested ahead of the World Cup. Along with Scrimshaw, Jamie Smith, Sam Hain and Tom Hartler were also playing in their first senior international match, while Zak Crawley stood in for Jos Buttler as captain.
25-year-old fast-bowler Scrimshaw had a tricky start to international cricket. Opening the bowling after England set Ireland 335 to chase, his first over had four front foot no balls in it as well as two boundaries. He conceded another four off the second ball of his next over, before bowling a wide and another no ball off consecutive deliveries. His fifth ball was another no ball, and to add insult to injury, Paul Stirling whacked it for six over cover. Before the final ball of his second over, Scrimshaw had sent down 18 deliveries and conceded 35 runs.
However, the final ball drew Andrew Balbirnie into playing outside his off stump and took the outside edge. Ben Duckett took the catch low to the ground at first slip to give Scrimshaw his first international cricket. There was an anxious wait for him though, as bowlers’ end umpire Rod Tucker signalled that the TV umpire was checking the no ball.
Scrimshaw looked visibly nervous as the check was carried out, barely acknowledging his teammate’s congratulations, his eyes fixed on Tucker. The check came back that his foot was behind the line and the wicket could stand, Tucker even offering a reassuring pat on the shoulder to Scrimshaw after such a difficult start for the young bowler.
England’s fortunes continued to trend upwards from the following ball, with Matthew Potts bowling Paul Stirling with a beauty off the first ball of his next over. That left Ireland 46-2 in the fifth over of their innings.
Watch: George Scrimshaw takes first international cricket, Potts gets Stirling next ball, below
Consecutive balls 👌
1st ODI wicket for Scrimshaw 👏
1st ODI wicket for Potts 👏#ENGvIRE | #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/36cxQcftLl— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 23, 2023
