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'Ashes will continue to capture world's imagination' - Stokes
England cricket team hit the deck running in their first test of the summer with a brilliant performance on the opening day of their four-day test match against Ireland cricket.
Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bowl giving Stuart Broad the chance to utilise the helpful overhead conditions in the morning. Leading the attack Broad reduced the visitors to 19-3 before Jack Leach had the dangerous Paul Stirling caught behind for 30. James McCollum (36) and Curtis Campher (33) attempted to dig in for the visitors but England’s attack was potent with Broad finishing with 5-51 as Ireland were dismissed for just 172.
Despite only batting for an hour and 50 minutes England’s response was domineering. The opening pair of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley took Ireland’s less experienced bowlers to the sword and notched up a 100 partnership before Crawley (56) chipped a drive back to Fionn Hand who claimed his maiden test wicket. Ben Duckett (60*) and Ollie Pope (29*) saw England safely through to the close with the overnight deficit just 20 runs.
England will now look to extend their lead through Day 2. They will no doubt score runs at a quick rate and with a batting line-up looking for form ahead of the Ashes it could be a long day in the field for Ireland if they do not take early wickets.
Follow the action from Day 2 at Lord’s as England take on Ireland:
Ireland 85-3, Tector 27, Tucker 15, Leach 0-19 (6), trail by 267
A good probing over from Leach, who is denied a maiden by Tector’s scrambled single off the last to retain the strike.
Lawrence Ostlere2 June 2023 18:26
Ireland 84-3, Tector 26, Tucker 15, Broad 0-11 (4), trail by 268
Broad’s biggest problem is the crease, as he gives a couple of extras away via no balls. Tucker pinches a couple of singles too.
Lawrence Ostlere2 June 2023 18:24
Ireland 79-3, Tector 25, Tucker 13, Leach 0-18 (5), trail by 273
Tector pinches a couple of singles down to long leg from what is surely Tongue’s final over the day, having bowled eight, and Leach then puts in a maiden. Stuart Broad will take up the ball for these final 15 minutes.
Lawrence Ostlere2 June 2023 18:16
Ireland 77-3, Tector 23, Tucker 13, Leach 0-18 (4), trail by 275
Jack Leach keeps a tight control on his length apart from one ball in the middle of the over which is too full, and Tucker slaps it away through midwicket for a boundary.
Lawrence Ostlere2 June 2023 18:09
Ireland 73-3, Tector 23, Tucker 9, Tongue 3-25 (7), trail by 279
Lorcan Tucker is the man in next and he is quickly grounded by a bouncer which hits him flush on the helmet. After a check-up and a change of lid, he continues, and Ireland continue to play some expansive cricket as the evening draws in.
Lawrence Ostlere2 June 2023 18:04
Wicket! Stirling feathers behind off Tongue, Ireland 63-3
Paul Stirling gets tied up by a short ball veering down leg, and Tongue and Bairstow both celebrate passionately, convinced he edged behind. The umpire isn’t moved, but UltraEdge confirms the faintest of touches off the glove and Stirling walks.
Lawrence Ostlere2 June 2023 17:49
Ireland 58-2, Tector 19, Stirling 14, Tongue 2-23 (5), trail by 305
Tector is taking on Josh Tongue – first he whips through midwicket for four before pulling a short one for six! Ireland are going down with a fight.
Lawrence Ostlere2 June 2023 17:42
Ireland 48-2, Tector 9, Stirling 14, Leach 0-1 (1), trail by 304
Into the attack comes Jack Leach after Matthew Potts took a bit of a pounding in his last over. Tector is tentative against Leach’s spin at first but finishes the over with a quickly run single.
Lawrence Ostlere2 June 2023 17:36
Ireland 47-2, Tector 8, Stirling 14, Tongue 2-13 (4), trail by 305
Another wonderfully driven boundary by Stirling, who looks in the mood, crashing the ball through cover for four more. He adds a single and the over finishes with a flick off Tector’s hips for a single down at long leg to retain the strike.
Lawrence Ostlere2 June 2023 17:31
Ireland 40-2, Tector 6, Stirling 9, Potts 0-28 (6), trail by 312
A beautifully poised pair of boundaries by Paul Stirling, the first driven through cover and the second more square on the off-side, from his back foot. That’s lovely, and Ireland are getting into a bit of a groove here. Nice to see.
Lawrence Ostlere2 June 2023 17:27