England skipper Eoin Morgan said Paul Stirling is as dangerous an opener as there is in cricket after the Irishman smashed 142 off 128 balls to help his team to a remarkable upset of the world champions in the third one-dayer on Tuesday.
Ireland-born Morgan scored a century of his own as England set the visitors an imposing victory target of 329 at the Rose Bowl but he sat out the second innings because of a minor groin injury.
He watched on from the boundary as Stirling, who was dropped on 95 and 139, and Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie (113) put on 214 for the second wicket to help the Irish overhaul the target for a second victory over England in 12 attempts.
"Paul Stirling had a day out and he's the ability to do that," Morgan told reporters.
"But we play against world class players all the time and you know when you do, you need to take those opportunities because they will hurt you.
"Ireland played really well and thoroughly deserved to win."
Morgan briefly overlapped with Stirling in the Ireland set-up before switching allegiance but knows him better from their time as team mates at English county Middlesex.
#ICYMI: “A win like this against England is a huge boost for cricket in Ireland,” said captain #AndrewBalbirnie after their record-breaking victory in Southampton.#ENGvIRE #EoinMorgan #PaulStirling #CricketIreland pic.twitter.com/0M8aXXiNYo
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) August 5, 2020
"He's as dangerous an opening batsman as there is around the world," he said of the 29-year-old.
"I know guys do not like bowling at him, he hits good balls for four or six and, on his day, he can take a game away from you."
Morgan, who was having a scan on the groin "tweak" but did not anticipate a long-term issue, said despite the seven-wicket loss, England would take plenty of positives out of a series they won 2-1.
"We don't take winning series for granted," he added. "I think today was a kind reminder of how easily you can lose games when you have an average day or an off day."
Andrew Balbirnie was effusive in his praise for opener Paul Stirling after a memorable win over England in Southampton #ENGvIRE https://t.co/ertrzoTEty pic.twitter.com/9U2yTRZKoO
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) August 5, 2020
Missed a great ODI? Here's a recap ⏪
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 5, 2020
Ireland beat England with one ball to go as Kevin O'Brien, the hero of Bangalore 2011, hit the winning runs after centuries from Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie laid the foundations ☘
