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.
England 464-2, Root 31, Pope 179, Hand 1-98 (16), lead by 292
Ireland have completely scattered the field now. There are three fielders close in with the rest hugging the boundary ropes as Fionn Hand returns for a bowl.
A decent over is ruined as Hand bangs a short ball in with his last delivery. Pope leans onto the back foot and lifts a hook shot over the ropes for six!
England 455-2, Root 29, Pope 172, Campher 0-64 (9), lead by 283
England’s 450 is brought up with Ollie Pope cutting Campher away to the point boundary for two runs. He then lifts Campher through the line and over the fielder at wide mid-on for four!
Seven runs come from that over as England’s rate slows down.
England 448-2, Root 28, Pope 166, McBrine 0-86 (12), lead by 276
Ollie Pope now has 2000 runs in test match cricket. He’ll fancy a few more for himself before the innings is done.
McBrine drags one short and Pope pulls him away for four more in front of square on the legside.
England’s run rate for the last six overs is over 10. They’ve scored 61 runs in 36 balls.
England 438-2, Root 26, Pope 158, Campher 0-57 (8), lead by 266
150 for Ollie Pope! Curtis Campher returns and is greeted by a wonderful on-drive from England’s No. 3. The ball races away along the deck and brings up his landmark.
Pope cuts the next ball to the fence as well. Pope and Root then milk the rest of the over and take 11 runs from it.
England 427-2, Root 25, Pope 148, McBrine 0-76 (11), lead by 255
This is not the time Andy McBrine wants to bowl. Ollie Pope is looking to be aggressive as he shuffles down the pitch and launches the off-spinner into the stands for six!
Joe Root follows suit when he gets on strike and despatches McBrine over cow corner for a maximum!
England 411-2, Root 16, Pope 141, Hume 1-85 (17), lead by 239
Joe Root’s innings has been a strange one so far. He came to the crease wanting to increase England’s tempo but looked all out of shape and focus.
He’s since reset and is finding the gaps, a back foot punch sails for four to take him into double figures. A similar shot brings up the fifty partnership between Root and Pope as some quick running earns Root three more.
England 402-2, Root 8, Pope 141, Adair 0-119 (19), lead by 230
England bring up their 400 as Root guides the ball away for three runs. Pope dinks the ball into the gap at midwicket to collect another couple of runs as well.
Five from the over, England’s lead stretches to 230.
England 397-2, Root 5, Pope 139, Hume 1-77 (16), lead by 225
Pope is in full white ball mode. He reverse scoops Graham Hume over third man and takes 10 runs from the over. Joe Root has tried that shot a couple of times already but Pope is seeing it like a beach ball and pulls it off.
England 387-2, Root 5, Pope 129, Adair 0-114, lead by 215
Joe Root is keeping a watchful eye on the ball as he plays himself into his innings. He guides Mark Adair down to third man for three before Ollie Pope attempts to unleash.
He strides down the wicket and hacks Adair over midwicket for a couple.
England 377-2, Root 2, Pope 122, Adair 0-105 (17), lead by 205
Ollie Pope caresses the ball through the covers for another boundary as he puts England over 200 runs ahead of Ireland. The change of ball is really helping out Ireland.
There’s a lot more swing to deal with as Pope is pinned by an inswinger from Adair.
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