Ruthless England thrash woeful Ireland in first ODI

England began preparations for the Champions Trophy in June with a convincing seven-wicket win over Ireland in their opening match of the summer in the first one-day international at Bristol. Though the Irish are on the brink of being granted Test status, they failed to enhance their reputation in the game with a woeful display as Eoin Morgan's men strolled to victory.

Hopes Will Porterfield's side could repeat their successes over England in 2007 and at the World Cup in 2011 were over before the match had barely begun. The visitors won the toss and batted but were bowled out for just 126 as they were bamboozled by spin on a dry surface in the West Country.

Andy Balbirnie top scored with 30 but it was England spinner Adil Rashid who did the damage with the ball, taking five for 27 – his best career figures. Ireland were skittled out in 33 overs and led to them defending a pitiful total.

Ranked number five in the ODI world rankings, England underlined their recent improvement with a thoroughly professional chase. Jason Roy was out for a duck but a half century for Alex Hales [55] and a 49 for Joe Root on his first international appearance on home soil since being appointed Test skipper helped England over the line in 20 overs and before the lunch break.

The hosts take a 1-0 series lead into the second and final match at Lord's on Sunday [7 May].

"Very pleased, pretty convincing, we bowled one or two bad balls in the first 10 overs but it was a good wicket, probably the best Bristol wicket we've played on, so losing the toss wasn't a bad thing, said Morgan. "Adil today, it shows the threat leg spin poses, turning it both ways, he's very threatening.

"He's had a tough winter playing against high-calibre opposition, so to come back and show calmness and composure was great. I think we have a stiffer test with the SA series coming up, it's part and parcel of our preparation. Take nothing away from Ireland, they have the ability to beat any side, so we need to start again at Lord's."

Ireland captain Porterfield added: "The first five or six overs with the bat we looked like we could put a score on the board but we were in trouble once we lost Stirlo and [Ed] Joyce. We knew there would be a bit of nibble [batting first] but we thought we could build a platform for the lads at the end. When it comes to this stage, games come thick and fast, it's more of a mental thing, to put yourself back on track. We've had a lot of support here today and they'll be there at Lord's, so we've got to out in a performance for them."