England vs Ireland LIVE: Test cricket score and updates as Josh Tongue picks up three wickets on dominant day
England are closing in on victory after a dominant display at Lord’s
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Your support makes all the difference.England are on the verge of a first victory of the summer after record-breaking innings by Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett almost saw Ireland defeated inside two days at Lord’s.
Duckett did the early damage and showed exactly why he is perfect for Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ style with a century on his maiden Test appearance on home soil.
The Nottinghamshire opener made it to 150 off the same number of balls to snatch the record for quickest Test 150 at Lord’s off Australian great Don Bradman before his fun was ended on 182 that came at a strike rate of 102.84.
Duckett had shared a 252-run partnership for the second wicket with Pope, who was not at his fluent best initially but freed up after reaching his fourth hundred and subsequently registered the quickest Test double-century in England.
When Pope was stumped after crashing 22 fours and three maximums in his 205 innings from 208 balls, Stokes declared on 524 for four with Ireland needing 352 to make England bat again but more pressingly required to bat through the evening session to force a third day of this one-off Test.
Three wickets for debutant Josh Tongue in a terrific spell threatened the possibility England could wrap up victory inside two days but Harry Tector stood firm to guide Ireland to the close on 97 for three, although opener James McCollum is unlikely to bat again after he retired hurt.
Stokes’ bold declaration was in keeping with England’s desire to go against convention but it does mean himself, Harry Brook and Jonny Bairstow are all short of time at the crease ahead of the Ashes opener on June 16.
Pat Cummins and co will not be as generous at Edgbaston as red-ball novices Ireland have been this week in only their seventh Test, but the emergence of Tongue makes this a worthwhile exercise.
Almost perfect start to big summer – Stuart Broad hails dominant England display
Stuart Broad toasted the near-perfect start to a big summer after his five-wicket haul helped England dismiss Ireland for 172 before the hosts finished only 20 runs behind on the opening day of the one-off Test at Lord’s.
Broad ripped through the Irish top order during the first hour on his way to figures of five for 51 from 17 overs to get himself on the Lord’s honours board for the first time since 2013.
James McCollum (36), Paul Stirling (30) and Curtis Campher (33) all made starts but could not kick on with Jack Leach helping himself to three wickets and Matthew Potts securing a brace of scalps.
Almost perfect start to big summer – Stuart Broad hails dominant England display
Broad’s five-wicket haul was followed by half-centuries for Zak Crawley (56) and Ben Duckett (60) at Lord’s.
England’s bowling options for the Ashes
With the Ashes on the horizon England willl have to choose which bowlers they think will take 20 wickets against Australia.
Stuart Broad is competing with Matt Potts, Ollie Robinson and Mark Wood to join James Anderson in the attack for the first Test against on 16th June but he says a squad of fast bowlers will be needed in the Ashes series.
“Not that there’s been any talk about the Ashes within our group at all, but we all know we’re going to need an armoury of bowlers,” said Broad.
“I love Ashes cricket, but I can honestly say to you whether I play the first, the second or the fifth my mindset is the same: try to change the momentum and look to put in the performance that wins the Test match.”
Bowlers will step up if Stokes isn’t fit says Broad
England’s bowling attack enjoyed a fruitful day against Ireland on Thursday as they skittled the visitors for just 172 with Stuart Broad taking another five wicket haul.
Ahead of the Ashes later this month there are questions remining over captain Ben Stokes’ fitness and whether he will be able to play a significant role with the ball - he did not bowl yesterday.
Broad spoke after Day 1 of the Ireland test match and said that whichever attack England choose will step up if the captain can’t bowl.
“It does change the dynamic,” said Broad. “Spells come around quicker. You have to front up and bowl more overs. I like it either way,
“I love bowling and that’s what I’m there for - you bowl more with only three seamers.”
Stuart Broad fires down Ashes warning as England dominate Ireland with bat and ball at Lord’s
For all the talk of England’s new young bowling attack, it was the experienced hand of Stuart Broad who provided the magic touch on the first day of the international summer against Ireland at Lord’s.
Broad took five for 51 to put his name on the honours board for the fifth time at the home of cricket, and the first since 2013, in England’s only Test before the highly anticipated Ashes.
Leading the attack for England, Broad ran through Ireland’s top order, as they were rapidly reduced to 19 for three at the start of the day. The tourists eventually rebounded to make 172, with England finishing the day on 152 for one in reply.
Broad fires down Ashes warning as England dominate Ireland at Lord’s
England close on 152-1 after Ireland make 172
England vs Ireland
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of this one-off test match between England and Ireland.
Ben Stokes’ men kicked off the summer in fine fashion at Lord’s in a display that saw them dominate Ireland on Day 1 of this four-day test match.
Stuart Broad took 5-51 to get his name on the honours board as England ripped through the Irish batting line-up to dismiss them for 172 runs. In reply Zak Crawley (56) and Ben Duckett took the hosts over 100 before Crawley chipped a drive back to bowler Fionn Hand to give the Irishman his first wicket in tests.
Ollie Pope (29*) joined Duckett at the crease and the duo took England to the close needing 20 more runs to overturn Ireland’s first innings lead. Duckett finished on 60 not out and will be hoping to convert his score to century this morning as England push on.
Play starts at 11 am and will be shown on Sky Sports Cricket with coverage beginning at 10 am. We’ll have all the updates and scores throughout the day so stick with us as England take on Ireland at Lord’s.
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