It was meant to be the tale of an exciting debutant in Jofra Archer but instead Friday's opening match of England's biggest summer was all about another player making his one-day introduction in Ben Foakes leading his side to the most nail-biting of victories. This looked sure to be a repeat of last year's upset against Scotland in Edinburgh when Ireland, inspired by a debutant of their own in 19-year-old business student Josh Little, reduced the No1 ranked side in the world to 66 for five chasing just 199 to win. Yet Foakes, England's fourth choice white-ball keeper-batsman and highly unlikely to be picked for the World Cup, spared depleted England's blushes with a display of old-fashioned, proper batting just when they needed it most. Ben Foakes made 61 not out as England chased down 198 to beat Dublin after a difficult star Tom Curran was also unbeaten at the end as England won by four wickets in Dublin on Friday First Foakes, who had earlier distinguished himself with an impudent stumping, put on 35 hard-earned runs with David Willey and then survived what should have been an lbw on 37 to make 61 off 76 balls and lead England home by four wickets in the company of Tom Curran, who finished unbeaten on 47, with 18 balls to spare. How close England came to what would have been a damaging defeat against a team who did not even qualify for the World Cup when Little took four wickets with his brisk left-arm during a tigerish, outstanding Ireland fielding effort. But they ultimately got out of jail at the end of a troubled week which saw Alex Hales thrown out of the squad at the will of captain Eoin Morgan and the senior players following his second failed test for recreational drug use. This still turned into a bad day for those fringe batsmen given the chance, with seven first choice players missing through injuries and involvement in the Indian Premier League, to compete for the demoted Hales Cup place. Admittedly, James Vince was the victim of a sensational catch by George Dockrell, Dawid Malan was impeded by what appeared to be a hamstring injury before he too was well caught by Gary Wilson and Joe Denly was also well snaffled by Kevin O'Brien. But this did little to suggest England really do have strength in white-ball depth after four years of meticulous planning towards a tournament that is looming ever closer. Paul Stirling (right) topscored for Ireland with 33 before being caught by Jofra Archer (left) Mark Adair was the only other Ireland batsman to surpass 30 and he was bowled by Archer At least England can be satisfied with their efforts with the ball with a small tantalising glimpse of what Archer can do in the bitter cold of Malahide seemingly bringing the best from those England bowlers most under threat for their own Cup places. There was just a supporting role in what became a chastening day on his much-anticipated England debut for the most exciting young talent in world cricket. Yet the silver bowling lining from a difficult start to England's World Cup and Ashes summer were the performances of the favourites to miss the cut when Archer is inevitably promoted later this month to Morgan's final cup squad. Liam Plunkett and Curran protected their patch by taking seven wickets between them as Ireland were dismissed for 198 in what became a 45 over match because of the sub-standard drainage at this otherwise excellent coastal venue. And Willey, who will probably survive the cut through providing a left-arm variation, bowled much better than figures of nought for 26 off six overs would suggest after Paul Stirling and William Porterfield had ridden their luck against the new ball. If that leaves the selectors with much still to ponder as England now embark on six white-ball matches against Pakistan before they must make their final World choices then they can at least be satisfied with the opening dividend from their investment in Archer. These were inauspicious circumstances for the first appearance of the Barbadian-born all-rounder with an English father and a British passport who the ECB seemingly reduced their qualification period from seven years to three to accommodate. Liam Plunkett (centre) took four wickets as Ireland were restricted to 198 all out after 43.1 overs Curran (right) took three wickets from his 8.1 overs of bowling at Malahide Cricket Club The Dublin skies were grey, the Malahide stands were half empty and the temperature barely touched double figures as Archer eased his way into what most expect to be an outstanding international career with his adopted country. His first ball loosener was smashed to the cover boundary by Middlesex's Stirling and it took him 21 deliveries before he touched the 90 mile per hour mark he seems to reach so effortlessly with a smooth, languid run up. But it was with his 38thdelivery for England that Archer, who had displayed his athleticism in the field by diving low in front of himself to catch Stirling off Curran, showed what all the fuss has been about since he turned his back on his native West Indies. The first yorker Archer attempted and the third fastest of his four 90 mph plus balls was too rapid for Irish debutant Mark Adair, who had just hit Curran for two sixes in an over, and sent his off-stump crashing out of the ground. In all likelihood the first of many. If that was the big moment for one England debutant then there was also a glimpse of pure class behind the stumps from Foakes, who brought his outstanding keeping to the white-ball game in the absence of Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow and Sam Billings. There may have been an element of opportunism when Foakes waited for Andy Balbirnie to lift his heel after missing an attempted sweep off Joe Denly before he whipped off the bails but this was still a sharp and perfectly legitimate stumping from a master. But it is with his heroics with the bat that Foakes will be remembered in this match as he provided another demonstration of the ability that sees him desperately unlucky not to be a regular member of England's white-ball side, let alone red. Captain Eoin Morgan was out for a duck as England made an unconvincing start to their chase But Foakes helped England reach their target with a well-made half-century in Dublin All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility