England captain Eoin Morgan praised the visiting Irishmen, especially opener Paul Stirling, for putting his team under pressure and scripting one of their finest wins in recent years in the third and final ODI of the series in Southampton this Wednesday (August 5). 

Chasing a mammoth 329-run target, Ireland had Stirling (142) and skipper Andrew Balbirnie (113) scoring magnificent centuries in their team's remarkable seven-wicket victory which, even though came a tad too late from the series' perspective, gave Ireland 10 points from a trip they weren't expected to take back any in the ICC ODI Super League. 

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Talking to reporters after the game, Morgan didn't seem surprised that Stirling could come up with an innings of this quality, having seen his former Ireland teammate's growth as a player over the years. 

"Paul Stirling had a day out and he has the ability to do that," he said.

"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."

Stirling's 128-ball effort was glint with nine fours and six maximums. It helped him bag the most deserving of the 'Player-of-the-Match' awards. 

"He’s as dangerous an opening batsman as there is around the world," Morgan added. "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."

Despite the 2-1 series result, Ireland has given Morgan and the team management a little bit to think about regarding their plans and selections. 

"We don’t take winning series for granted," the skipper said. "I think today was a kind reminder of how easily you can lose games when you have an average day or an off day. Today was also an insight on a better wicket what 50-over international cricket is like. It can be cruel."

(Inputs from Reuters)