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 273-1, Duckett 127, Pope 80, Hand 1-68 (12), lead by 101
The flow of boundaries has steadied in the last half an hour or so, with Ireland slightly gaining more control with their line and length today.
The runs are still coming relatively easily and they are rotating the strike, but we haven’t seen the big-hitting of earlier in the innings.
Pope perhaps looking a touch frustrated as he comes down the wicket but picks out the fielder at mid off.
England 269-1, Duckett 126, Pope 78, McBrine 0-13 (4), lead by 97
There’s a lot of tinkering with the field by McBrine, looking to bring in some fielders as Ireland continue to search for their second wicket.
England 265-1, Duckett 124, Pope 76, Hand 1-65 (11), lead by 93
Pope drives a straight one back onto the non-strikers stumps as Hand returns to bowl from the Pavilion End.
A first sign of variable bounce as well as one kept low, Pope swings and misses as the ball skidded under the bat, but too wide to really trouble the batter.
A big appeal next ball, and Ireland have reviewed, potentially out of desperation after Pope was struck on the pad when on 76, but DRS showed the ball going over.
England 265-1, Duckett 124-1, Pope 76, McBrine 0-9 (3), lead by 91
McBrine has yet to concede a boundary in his three overs so far today, a semblance of control that has been disctinctly lacking from Ireland’s seam attack.
But he’s bowling and two very set, comfortable-looking batters, although questions will be raised over why he was not introduced earlier/
England 262-1, Duckett 123, Pope 74, Campher 0-46 (7), lead by 90
Duckett with a beautiful drive towards the pavilion for four to move on to 120 and looking so comfortable out in the middle here today.
England 254-1, Duckett 116, Pope 73, McBrine 0-6 (2), lead by 82
I wouldn’t say McBrine is causing England problems with his off-breaks, but they are finding it harder to score off the spinner, perhaps the lack of pace is playing a part.
Just four off his second over, which sounds like a lot but is below the run-rate.
England 250-1, Duckett 116, Pope 69, Campher 0-38 (6), lead by 78
There’s a half appeal from Campher after Pope is struck on the pads, but the bowler was already walking back to his mark as the DRS timer counts down.
That’s the 250 up for England, who are making batting at Lord’s - which has caused many teams problems in the past - look very easy today.
England 246-1, Duckett 114, Pope 67 McBrine 0-2 (1), England lead by 74
Ireland have introduced a spinner for the first time in the game, probably with a desire to force something here with England motoring along.
Andy McBrine has just bowled the least expensive over for a while, if not the entire morning with just two from his first over of the match.
England 244-1, Duckett 113, Pope 66, Campher 0-34 (5) England lead by 72
That’s drinks after the first hour of play and it has all gone England’s way this morning.
Ireland are struggling here, with Duckett and Pope full of confidence and motoring along, all eyes will be on the run rate, to see how much England could lead by at lunch.
Duckett has left just one ball today and is going at absolutely everything.
England 236-1, Duckett 107, Pope 64, Hand 1-65 (10) lead by 64
Ireland can’t get control of the game. Duckett and Pope are full of confidence and are picking out the gaps at will. They milk Fionn Hand and rotate the strike before Pope opens the face and guides the last ball of the over down to the vacant third man for four.
Eight runs from the over.
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