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
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
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.
Ben Duckett leads the way with record hundred as England turn screw on Ireland
Ben Duckett marked his first Test innings on home soil with a chanceless and record-breaking 150 to help England reach lunch on day two on 325 for one with total control of the one-off Test with Ireland.
Duckett had closed the opening day on 60 not out but raced through to his milestone with a succession of drives to bring up his second red-ball century for his country from 106 deliveries.
In his 10th Test since his debut in Bangladesh in 2016, opener Duckett showed why he is the perfect fit for Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes’ aggressive ‘Bazball’ style to reach his 150 off the same amount of balls and in the process beat Australian great Don Bradman’s record for the quickest 150 at Lord’s.
Ben Duckett leads the way with record hundred as England turn screw on Ireland
Duckett plundered an unbeaten 161 off 160 balls, the fastest 150 in a Lord’s Test, on a wicketless morning for Ireland.
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne ‘as hungry as ever’ to score runs
Marnus Labuschagne is hungry to score runs ahead of Australia’s World Test Championship final against India and this summer’s Ashes series.
Australia’s packed summer schedule begins next week against India before they face England in a bid to retain the Ashes.
And Labuschagne admitted he is mentally ready for the upcoming challenges, having become a mainstay at number three in Australia’s batting line-up.
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne ‘as hungry as ever’ to score runs
Australia’s packed summer schedule begins next week against India before they face England in a bid to retain the Ashes.
LUNCH: England 325-1
England punished some weak bowling this morning to open up a lead of 153 despite starting the day 20 runs behind.
Ben Duckett recorded his second test match century before kicking on to pass 150, Ollie Pope meanwhile has 97 and should cross three figures early in the afternoon session.
LUNCH: England 325-1, Duckett 161, Pope 97
The sun has been shining, the fans are here, it’s been a perfect morning as far as England have been concerned.
Duckett and Pope have looked entirely unflappable at the crease, aside from one missed run-out opportunity and Ireland will be scratching their heads over the interval trying to work out how to breka the partnershpi.
Duckett has scored 100 runs in the morning session of Day 2, from 84 balls, an impressive feat from the 28-year-old, who has left 8 balls out of 605 since he re-joined the Test side under Stokes and McCullum.
Pope will go into the break agonisingly on 97, just three runs short of a century, but it’s been England’s morning.
England 323-1, Duckett 160, Pope 96, Hand 1-89 (15), lead by 151
Duckett has 100 runs in the session, never mind overall. It’s been lovely to watch.
Pope hits a two to move on to 94, and pulls down to fine leg for another two, edging closer and finishes the over on 96.
One more over before lunch.
England 315-1, Duckett 157, Pope 92, McBrine 0-41 (7), lead by 143
The question now is will Pope be stranded in the 90s at lunch?
England have been utterly dominant this session, they have broken records in a way that has come to define this team under Stokes and McCullum.
Admittedly Ireland haven’t bowled well, but everything slightly short or wide has been punished.
England 312-1, Duckett 155, Pope 91, Hand 1-82 (14), lead by 140
Duckett forced to take a single and move on to 149, but England rotate the strike and he has his chance to reach the milestone.
Clubbed into the leg side and it’s 150 for the England opener to a standing ovation as he raises his bat.
Duckett also broke the record for the fastest Test 150 at Lord’s.
England 301-1, Duckett 148, Pope 87, McBrine 0-38 (6), lead by 129
Duckett starts McBrine’s over with a boundary that just trickled over the cover boundary.
The ramp is out! Duckett ramps the spinner twice in the 50th over as England bring up the 300.
England 287-1, Duckett 135, Pope 86, Hand 1-71 (13), lead by 115
A fairly typical over from Hand, batters remain untroubled and England could not look more comfortable.
Could Ireland be running out of ideas?
England 284-1, Duckett 133, Pope 85, McBrine 0-24 (5), lead by 112
Pope finds the boundary with a bottom-handed drive into the overs to move on to 84, the first boundary off McBrine in the match.
Duckett finds his stride again, with a big boundary into the leg side, hitting across the line and over the top, a big over for England.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments