Fresh off dismantling South Africa with that monstrous unbeaten 141, Phil Salt’s recent performance continued to sparkle yesterday as England faced off against Ireland in Malahide. This wasn’t just another win—it was a T20 spectacle. The Ireland vs England 1st T20I highlights reel is going to get a lot of replays, and rightly so. With fireworks from Salty and a composed debut by England youngest captain, Jacob Bethell, this match had all the makings of a summer classic.

Ireland vs England 1st T20I Highlights

Sent in to bat under bright skies and a green-tinged pitch, Ireland wasted no time showing intent. Skipper Paul Stirling looked sharp, smacking Liam Dawson into the hospitality tent early on. Ross Adair added 26 before misjudging a slog-sweep, but the real story unfolded with Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker. Their 123-run stand for the third wicket was pure entertainment. Tector’s clean striking and Tucker’s improvisation had England’s bowlers scratching their heads.

Lorcan Tucker passes 3000 runs in all 3 formats for Ireland 🍀

WATCH (Ireland/UK): TNT 1 (410)

SCORE: https://t.co/cMkGA12bcO#BackingGreen #TokenFi pic.twitter.com/pyk3HrkN15

— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) September 17, 2025

The final overs were all Ireland, with the last three going for 45 runs. Tector finished unbeaten on 61, Tucker on 55, and Dockrell made sure the innings ended on a high, smashing the final ball for six. At 196 for 3, it was a respectable total, but not quite enough.

Related Match：IRE vs ENG 2025 1st T20I – England Gear Up for Victory Drive Without Harry Brook

England beat Ireland in the first of three T20 internationals 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/P8O20wfjFh

— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) September 17, 2025

Salty Stays Hot

Then came Salty. It’s almost unfair at this point. Phil Salt’s recent performance has reached that scary stage where even mistimed shots find the boundary. He belted a 20-ball fifty, launched sixes like he was hitting throwdowns, and brought that same ferocity he showed against South Africa into this Irish attack.

Run machine! 🔥

Box office from Phil Salt 🤩 pic.twitter.com/nSsE3MLqqt

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 17, 2025

Teaming up with Jos Buttler for a 74-run Powerplay blitz, Salt was in full control. Even after Buttler’s dismissal, he kept calm, guiding England towards the target with brutal efficiency. One standout moment came when Salt, on 51, was dismissed off a high full toss, only for replays to show it was a no-ball. He reset, refocused, and carried on smashing. Though he fell for 89 (from just 46 balls), he had done more than enough. It’s clear now that Phil Salt’s recent performance isn’t just a purple patch; it’s becoming a habit!

Bethell’s Big Day：England’s Youngest Captain Shines

But the loudest cheer may have been reserved for the man wearing the captain’s armband for the first time. At just 21, Jacob Bethell became the England youngest captain ever in international cricket, breaking a record that stood since the 19th century. And he looked like he belonged.

🚨 HISTORY BY JACOB BETHELL 🚨

– Bethell becomes the Youngest England Captain to win a match. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/H4hol2LNyK

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 17, 2025

His decision at the toss to bowl first was gutsy. His field placements showed maturity. And his batting? A cool 24 with a slog-sweep six for good measure. But more than runs, it was his composure under pressure that stood out. In his first press conference as skipper, Bethell was refreshingly honest:

“It’s maybe just a bit of trust. Another aspect might be, just chuck me in the deep end and see how I go. It will be nice to see how I go under pressure – I’m sure the guys that have made those decisions would like to see that as well.”

He added,

“The feeling is excitement (with) a few nerves kicking around, both from wanting to lead the boys well, and get a win under our belt.”

Well, mission accomplished. The Ireland vs England 1st T20I highlights will forever mark the beginning of what might be a very special leadership journey.

More Than Just One Good Knock：Salt’s Run of Form

Let’s not pretend this was a one-off. Phil Salt’s recent performance has been absolutely monstrous. In the last week alone, he’s torn through two international attacks like they were county second XIs. That unbeaten 141 against South Africa? Now followed by 89 off 46. Salt is not just in form; he’s redefining England’s T20 approach at the top. He summed it up after the match:

“I’m really pleased to finish the job off in the way we did.”

Understated, sure, but anyone watching knows how much damage he caused. Whether it’s crushing Powerplay records or rotating strike sensibly after the blitz, Salt’s batting is evolving fast. The England dressing room surely knows they’ve got a top-order anchor who can also play destroyer-in-chief.

Wrapping It Up：A Win, A Record, A New Era

So, the Ireland vs England 1st T20I highlights gave us a little bit of everything: explosive batting, a historic debut for the England youngest captain, and yet another reminder of Phil Salt’s recent performance being in a league of its own.

“Me and Jos both try to take it on fairly early, and when it works, it looks really good.” 📈

Player of the Match Phil Salt’s fine form continues, as he reacts to England’s victory over Ireland 🔥

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— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) September 17, 2025

For Ireland, Tucker and Tector can hold their heads high. Their partnership showed grit and skill, and there’s still time in the series to hit back. But for England, this match was more than a win; it was a statement. The youth are ready, the form players are firing, and leadership is in good hands. Two more matches to go. If this was just the opening act, we’re in for a cracking series.