World Cup favourites England face Ireland on Friday, their first fixture of an exciting World Cup/Ashes summer.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at some of the key issues ahead of the one-day international.

All eyes on Alex

Alex Hales' dramatic removal from the England squad presents the team with a huge, unwanted distraction. Captain Eoin Morgan has said the team were united in their verdict that the batsman must go after reports emerged that he had failed two recreational drug tests but Nottinghamshire have decided to reintegrate him immediately. That means he will be in action – and hungry for runs – against Durham during England's ODI against Ireland.

Archer sets his target

Former Surrey and Derbyshire wicketkeeper-batsman Gary Wilson faced an uncertain future when he missed the recent Afghanistan series due to concerns over his eyesight. At the age of 33 he must have feared for his international future but he has recovered sufficiently to reclaim his place in the middle order and will win his 100th cap.