It might be coming up to the end of the season here in England, but in a match that had “mid-season filler” written all over it, Ireland reverted to the mean (“the centre of a list of numbers”) while England reverted to the mean (“threatening and dangerous”), the latter winning so easily that this so-called “day-night” fixture was over before the night bit even really began.

There was perhaps one moment of almost-jeopardy towards the end, with England down to the last of their “proper” batters, before you get down to their long tail of “bowlers who bat a bit” with Charlie Dean next in. But given that by that stage England only needed 40-odd off almost 35 overs you’d think the likes of Dean and Mady Villiers would have had the nous to nurdle it around for the remaining runs, even if it had taken a bit longer.

In the end though they were not required to even pick up their bats, as the “Finish Fam” of Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson romped home, scoring just one run fewer in the Middle Phase than Ireland had done – the difference being that Ireland’s Middle Phase lasted 10 overs, while England’s lasted 3!

Of course, they were only in that position because Maia Bouchier had got them off to another smashing start, though in very on-brand fashion she managed to do so in such a way as to raise again all the old doubts about her ability to concentrate. First she ran out Sophia Dunkley by calling her through for what Cricinfo’s ball-by-ball correspondent nicely referred to as a “psychedelic single”, as in… “Are you on drugs?!?!”

It feels like this happens a lot, so I ran the numbers and they are pretty bad – she has now run out 9 partners in 72 matches, at a rate of 12% – a rate rivalled in the professional era (since 2014, counting players who have played more than 10 internationals for England across formats) by only Fran Wilson (7 in 54 matches, at 13%) and a certain Charlotte Edwards (4 in 31 matches, also at 13%). (And honestly, I think we can let Lottie off for this one, as the professional era was right at the end of her career, when her knees were shot!)

As if this wasn’t enough silliness, after pushing on towards a half-century Bouchier then managed to not only chase a ball she should have left well alone half way back to Leicester, but then plant it straight into the hands of short fine leg. She must have known the fielder was there, so we can only assume she had a total brain-fade, and her reaction – almost impaling herself with her own bat as she slumped to the floor – suggested she knew it too. Is there any other player in England that gets themselves out this often? (Yes – I know what you are going to say – it’s Grace Scrivens; but… any other player?)

Fortunately, England’s job with the bat had already been made easy, thanks to an Irish batting performance that was a bit of an ordeal for all concerned. Amy Hunter probably actually played a little bit better than 64 off 96 balls might suggest – she tried to play shots, but England’s fielding was pretty sharp and with big boundaries and an outfield that was slower than my 5k time up New Walk in Leicester this morning, the runs didn’t quite reflect the adventure! Hunter is one of those who would massively benefit from being able to play county cricket as a domestic player, and as a British citizen born in Belfast it is a travesty that she is unable to do that. (Honestly, she should sue the ECB; but it probably feels like a big scary thing to do, so I understand if she doesn’t want to be the one to make that move.)

Issy Wong was the key beneficiary of Ireland’s slump, picking up a first international 5fer largely by sticking to the basics. Less variations; no trying to bowl away-swingers; just honing-in on the stumps and waiting for the batters to make the mistake, which you can do in longer-form cricket. It is never going to get her picked ahead of Bell; but unless Lauren Filer suddenly actually does start regularly pushing 80mph, rather than just talking about it, it might be enough for Wong to get the nod as the second quick going forwards – it isn’t dissimilar to the Marizanne Kapp approach, and that hasn’t done her too badly!

Tilly Corteen-Coleman had a better outing with the ball than she did in Leicester, and picked up a couple of wickets; but she also stood out as England’s weak link in the field. I remember Lydia Greenway once saying that you need two of the three skills – batting, bowling and fielding – to play international cricket these days, so it has to be a concern that she is another “Genuine No. 11” but without the basic fielding skills that at least the likes of Bell and Filer offer. Of course, she is only just 19; but maybe international cricket isn’t the best place to be learning the basics of boundary-riding?

With the series wrapped-up, England could make changes for the 3rd ODI on Sunday, but I hope that Grewcock gets one more chance and is not swapped straight out for Pavely; though that would probably mean a rest for Villiers, who certainly doesn’t deserve to miss out either. (My guess however is that it will be Pavely for Grewcock.) I’d also like to see England bat first if they have the chance; though obviously that might not be their decision to make, and if you’re Ireland winning the toss you are probably batting again, I’d imagine. Ireland will doubtless be with me in hoping for a more interesting game; but England won’t care – if they win again, it will be job done.