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.
Wicket! Balbirnie caught behind, Ireland 18-2
Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie was off the mark straight away after his first-innings duck, but fell in the same over as his teammate, with Tongue claiming a second wicket.
Balbirnie just edged the ball behind to a diving Jonny Bairstow who made no mistakes with the catch.
Josh Tongue claims his first Test wicket. Ireland 16-1 Moor out!
Tongue claimed his first Test wicket, when he trapped Moor lbw, the batter elected to review the decision, but DRS upheld the decision.
After bowling mostly short in the first innings it will be a big occasion for the young seamer, who has been highly rated by England ahead of the Test.
Ireland 16-0, Moor 11, McCollom 5, Potts 0-10 (3), trail by 336
McCollom played a lovely cover drive to move on to 5, as Ireland have got through the first few overs here with little concern.
Ireland 12-0, Moor 11, McCollom 1, Broad 0-6 (3), trail by 340
Moor has taken a leaf out of England’s book there with a guide into the gap to the cover boundary off Broad’s third over.
The rest of the over is fairly comfortably seen out here, with the pitch looking a lot less lively than when Ireland batted in the first innings.
Ireland 8-0, Moor 7, McCollom 1, Potts 0-6 (2), trail by 344
Potts just beats the outside edge as McCollom prods forward, there looks like there’s just a hint of movement which will be encouraging for England.
There’s a big appeal from Potts after one strikes the pads, but Ben Stokes decided not to appeal.
Moor sees out the rest of the Potts over fairly comfortably.
Ireland 8-0, Moor 7, McCollom 1, Broad 0-2 (2), trail by 344
There’s a short midwicket in, as England are in the hunt for wickets, and Ireland just trying to survive.
Ireland 6-0, Moor 5, McCollom 1, Potts 0-6 (1), trail by 346
Matthew Potts with the new ball from the Nursery End, McCollom and Ireland claim their first run with a steer down to fine leg.
There’s an appeal with Potts’ second ball, but no review and the bowler heads back to his mark.
England’s pressure for wickets has seen Ben Stokes give away four overthrows with an attempt at the non-strikers end.
Moor off the mark with a very-pleasing 5 runs.
Ireland 0-0, Moor 0, McCollom 0, Broad 0-0 (1), trail by 352
England have come out to bowl, the first ball from Stuart Broad was down the leg side.
The second was defended by Peter Moor and the over was played out for a maiden.
ENGLAND DECLARE
Ben Stokes decided not to have a bat with the wicket of Pope and declared with a lead of 352.
200 and WICKET: Ollie Pope hits 200 and is stumped next ball
Pope has done it! His first ever Test double century - and it’s the fastest by anyone in England.
What a way to bring it up as well with a six down the ground.
Pope did not hang around and was stumped immediately next ball.
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