By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Good start for Bethell as England beats Ireland by 4 wickets in 1st T20
preview.jpg
England's Jacob Bethell hits for six during the First Men's International Twenty20 match between Ireland and England, at Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin, Ireland, Wednesday Sept. 17, 2025. - photo by Brian Lawless/PA via AP
DUBLIN (AP) — Opener Phil Salt smashed 89 runs as England beat Ireland by four wickets with 14 balls remaining in the first T20 to give Jacob Bethell a winning start to his record-breaking captaincy on Wednesday. Ireland scored 196-3 in its 20 overs and England reached 197-6 in 17.4 overs in a victory for Bethell, who at age 21 became the youngest man to lead England in an international as he stands in for Harry Brook. Salt, less than a week after his remarkable 141 not out against South Africa, savaged his 89 runs off 46 balls — including 10 fours and four sixes — to take a decisive chunk out of a challenging target at Malahide.