By Arlo White Five Live cricket reporter in Belfast

It's fairly clear that England's one-day form lags behind the top nations in the world.

Steve Harmison's first international cricket since he left the tour of India was encouraging

With a minimum of 20 ODIs to go until next year's World Cup, I'm not sure coach Duncan Fletcher will have gleaned much from an historic day in Stormont, where the 'Blarney Army' outnumbered their Barmy counterparts.

Sure, Marcus Trescothick was right back on form with a century and his punching cover drives clattered the advertising boards at regular intervals.

Perhaps even more encouraging was Steve Harmison's first international cricket since he left the tour of India.

His 10 overs went for 57, but his three wickets were important and came from short, quick, aggressive deliveries that the Irish batsmen couldn't handle.

More consistency with line and length will surely come with time, as he re-acquaints himself with the international game.

Maybe throw in Ian Bell's 80 in a stand of 142 with Trescothick, and I think we've covered the positives.

On the flip side, were a few loose shots from the top order, a general slackness in the field and a lack of penetration from the other frontline bowlers.

Of the new boys, Ed Joyce will be disappointed to have skied a pull shot when on 10 against the side he helped reach the World Cup.

There'll be more to come from him.

England must improve every aspect of their cricket to avoid another embarrassment by Sri Lanka

Glen Chapple was unable to get through his overs because of an injury - he was withdrawn as a precaution - but he did chip in with a useful 14 from seven balls late on.

However, Jamie Dalrymple's off-breaks were fairly harmless, and more is needed from all three to convince that they are international class performers.

As for the Irish, from 135-6 they refused to lie down and, despite never being at the races, the final margin of 38 runs is a credit to them.

Their best player was making his debut for England, and the next best (Eoin Morgan) was filling the gap left by Joyce at Middlesex.

Ireland appear to have the tools to beat Zimbabwe in their opening World Cup match, but can they unearth another crackerjack player between now and then, to shock the West Indies or Pakistan to make the Super-8s?