Kent's Joe Denly top scored for England on his international debut as the side won their first game since the Ashes against Ireland at Belfast.

Denly opened the batting and hit 67 as England reached 203 for 9 off 50 overs in a rain-affected game. Ireland were set a revised total of 116 off twenty overs to win and threatened to produce a shock only to fall three runs short.

The Canterbury-born batsman has been in great form in the 50 over game this season and averaged over 51 for the Kent Spitfires in the Friends Provident Trophy.

The 23 year-old is in contention for England's one day series against Australia.