England (524/4d & 12/0) defeat Ireland (172 & 362/9) by 10 wickets to win the Only Test at Lord's

[MenInG]

England (524/4d & 12/0) defeat Ireland (172 & 362/9) by 10 wickets to win the Only Test at Lord's

Squad announced for England Men’s Test match versus Ireland

England Men's selection panel have named a 15-strong squad for the LV= Insurance Test match against Ireland at Lord’s starting on Thursday 1 June 2023.

England Men's Test Squad:

Ben Stokes (Durham) Captain
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
Zak Crawley (Kent)
Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
Dan Lawrence (Essex)
Jack Leach (Somerset)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Matthew Potts (Durham)
Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Mark Wood (Durham)

Yorkshire wicketkeeper-batter Jonathan Bairstow is now fully fit, following his broken left leg and dislocated ankle, and is back with England for the first time since last August.

Warwickshire seamer Chris Woakes returns to the Test squad for the first time since March 2022, and if selected, this will be his first Test appearance on home soil since August 2020.

After taking a break from the tour of New Zealand, Durham fast bowler Mark Wood is back in the squad.

Surrey batter Ollie Pope has been officially confirmed as England’s vice-captain with immediate effect.

Sussex fast bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out for the rest of the summer after recent scans revealed he has sustained a recurrence of a stress fracture to his right elbow. He will now spend time with the England and Sussex medical teams, who will work on his injury management.

Commenting on the selected squad, ECB Managing Director for England Men's Cricket, Rob Key, said:

"We are looking forward to the summer ahead and getting into the swing of things, starting with a good test against Ireland.

“It was a seriously tough decision to leave Ben Foakes out of the squad. He has been excellent for England in the last year, but Jonny Bairstow is one of the best players in the world whose performances last summer epitomised what we are about.

“It has been a frustrating and upsetting period for Jofra Archer. He was making good progress until a recurrence of the elbow injury, which kept him out for an extended period previously. We wish him the best of luck with his recovery. I’m sure we will see Jofra back to his best and winning games for England, whatever the format. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.

"I would like to wish the players every success, especially those returning after some time away."

 

[MenInG]

Josh Tongue added to England Men’s Test Squad

Worcestershire seamer Josh Tongue has been added to the England Men’s Test squad for the LV= Insurance Test match against Ireland starting at Lord’s on Thursday 1 June 2023.

The 25-year-old has impressed for several seasons in domestic competition and was part of the England Lions tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year and featured prominently in the red ball part of that series.

Tongue has come through the Worcestershire pathways from junior ranks and represented the club at all levels.

Luke Wright, England Men’s National Selector, said:

“We have been monitoring Josh (Tongue) for quite some time and he deserves this call-up to the Test squad. It will be a great experience for him to understand and get used to the environment under Ben (Stokes) and Brendon (McCullum).

“It is important to have players ready to respond and with a big summer of Test cricket coming up, we will need that depth to our squad. We wish Josh and the rest of the squad well for the first international of the campaign.”

Tongue will join up with the rest of the squad this weekend.

Ends

England Men's Test Squad:

Ben Stokes (Durham) Captain
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
Zak Crawley (Kent)
Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
Dan Lawrence (Essex)
Jack Leach (Somerset)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Matthew Potts (Durham)
Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Josh Tongue (Worcestershire)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Mark Wood (Durham)

LV= Insurance Test match: England v Ireland, 1-4 June 2023, Lord’s Cricket Ground, London

 

[MenInG]

England will be without the services of two of their key pacers for the one-off Test against Ireland, starting 1 June at Lord's.

Pacers James Anderson and Ollie Robinson have been ruled out of the Lord's Test against Ireland but are on course to be fit for the Ashes.

Anderson had a groin strain while playing for Lancashire against Somerset while Robinson had an Achilles tendon irritation while featuring for Sussex against Glamorgan in the County Championship.

Both the quicks have failed to recover adequately in time for the Lord's Test against Ireland but will be ready for the first Ashes Test starting 16 June.

Confirming the injuries, England head coach Brendon McCullum told Sky Sports, "We've got a couple of niggles, so we're just monitoring those at the moment. Every team that goes into a series has got a couple of little things that you need to work through, but we're pretty confident we'll have a good squad to be able to pick from.

"For the first Ashes Test, I think [Anderson and Robinson] should be fit. They won't be fit for this one against Ireland. We'll just have to monitor it over this next sort of while, but we've got some great options right throughout the squad."

McCullum was also confident that skipper Ben Stokes would soon return to bowling in what is a big summer of cricket for England.

England add uncapped pacer to squad for Ireland Test
"Stokesy is progressing well too. He looks really fit as well, looks in great order and has a big smile on his face. He is delighted to be back around the group and as our leader, having that sort of energy he brings is fantastic, so again we'll monitor that and see what happens.

"I think he'll bowl at some stage throughout the summer, yeah, no doubt. He is a world-class allrounder and if he is able to bowl, fantastic. If not, we'll find a way," McCullum added.

England will first face Ireland in a four--day Test between 1-4 June before embarking on their Ashes campaign against Australia which will take place between 16 June and 31 July.

ICC

 

[MenInG]

Worcestershire seamer Josh Tongue will make his Test debut against Ireland at Lord's on Thursday in an England side that will also include Jonny Bairstow.

Tongue, 25, has been picked ahead of Warwickshire all-rounder Chris Woakes.

Yorkshire's wicketkeeper-batter Bairstow returns after missing five Tests with a broken leg.

Bowlers James Anderson and Ollie Robinson, who are nursing slight injuries, have been rested before this summer's Ashes series.

Tongue was added to England's squad for the first Test of the summer after impressing with the England Lions during February's tour of Sri Lanka.

The selectors have preferred the young seamer to Woakes, 34, who was fit to play after returning from knee surgery.

England head coach Brendon McCullum discussed Tongue's inclusion in Monday's media briefing, saying: "He's got some real skills, he's obviously a bit of rough diamond.

"We think he's got something a little bit exciting hence we brought him into the squad.

"He's another one who looks like he's got an immense amount of talent."

Tongue has taken 11 wickets in County Championship Division Two this season, including that of Australia's Steve Smith in a draw with Sussex.

He will be part of a three-pronged England seam attack alongside Stuart Broad and Matthew Potts.

"It's an amazing feeling," said Tongue. "[I'm] speechless really, even from when I got the first call-up to be in the squad. Now being in the actual team, it's just a dream come true really.

"Baz [McCullum] came up to me just before training finished today and gave me the good news. I bowled at some of the lads on Monday, I felt like I bowled nicely and obviously I must have bowled fairly well to get selected."

BBC

 

[MenInG]

 

[MenInG]

One more time a historic win is on the line as Ireland return to the Home of Cricket after a four-year hiatus eyeing their maiden Test triumph.

The last time Ireland made their Lord's appearance in the Test whites against England was in July 2019. Since then, Andy Balbirnie's side has featured in three additional Tests – one against Bangladesh and two against Sri Lanka – earlier this year.

They are yet to register their first-ever Test win or draw, having lost all their six encounters since becoming a Full Member nation despite their spirited performances.

Ireland's first Lord's appearance four years ago turned out to be a memorable affair. Despite losing the Test by a 143-run margin, they were dominant in the first session with both ball and bat. They would be hoping to replicate their first innings exploits as well as exhibit an improved second innings performance in their much-anticipated assignment.

However, Ireland have gone through significant changes in the last four years with some of their experienced players' retirement – Kevin O'Brien, former captain William Porterfield, wicket-keeper Gary Wilson, and experienced pacers Tim Murtagh and Boyd Rankin – who all were part of the previous Lord's Test.

England, too, have gone through a transformation under the leadership of coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes. The 'Bazball' approach has evidently made them a formidable side in Test cricket lately, having brought 10 wins from 12 Tests.

With a home Ashes series fast approaching, England will be looking to use this Test as a vital part of their preparations for the clash against their arch-rivals Australia.

England bring a wealth of experience to the table in Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Stuart Broad, and Jonny Bairstow, as well as promising young talents in Harry Brook, Ollie Pope, and Matthew Potts. They have also named uncapped Josh Tongue to their XI.

Recalling their previous Lord's encounter, Ireland will go into this Test against England with a lot of confidence. They headlined the action on the opening day of the 2019 Test by bowling England out for 85 in the first innings courtesy of Tim Murtagh's impressive 5/13 from just nine overs.

With the bat, they fought back with a score of 207 and a lead of 122. It was in the second outing that Ireland crumbled with the bat after England set them a target of 182. They could only manage 38 runs in response, falling short by 143.

Teams:

England XI: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Matthew Potts, Josh Tongue (Debut), Jack Leach.

Ireland squad: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Matthew Foster, Fionn Hand, Graham Hume, Tom Mayes, Andrew McBrine, James McCollum, PJ Moor, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.

ICC

 

[MenInG]

Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie said beating England in a Test would “easily be our best achievement in cricket” as the underdogs prepare to face Ben Stokes’ men at Lord’s this week.

The Irish have made their reputation on the back of their exploits in white-ball internationals.

They defeated Pakistan, England and the West Indies at the 2007, 2011 and 2015 50-over World Cups respectively and beat eventual champions England at the 2022 T20 World Cup.

Ireland, however, has played just six Tests in its history and is still searching for a first win in that format of the game.

Four years ago, in its previous Test at Lord’s, it dismissed England for just 85, only to suffer a 143-run defeat after it slumped to 38 all out in the fourth innings of the match.

“It didn’t play out the way we wanted to but we got a glimpse into what would happen if we were to win a Test,” said Balbirnie on Wednesday’s eve of the four-day Test.

“And, I think if we were to beat England, it would easily be our best achievement in cricket in the game.”

The odds, though, are stacked against Ireland, with England having won 10 of its 12 Tests since skipper Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum joined forces last year.

“We know that this England team is in a really good place leading to the Ashes,” said Balbirnie.

Ireland will be without Josh Little at Lord’s after the young fast bowler, who starred for the Gujarat Titans side that reached the recent Indian Premier League final, was rested for next month’s 50-over World Cup qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe.

Little also missed Tests against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka after his IPL exploits.

Ireland’s high performance director, Richard Holdsworth, defended the 23-year-old’s absence on the grounds a Test at Lord’s, a major landmark for most players, was not a “pinnacle event” for his side this year.

“Of course, we would have loved him here but I understand completely that he’s got to focus on resting up and getting ready for our World Cup qualifier,” said Balbirnie.

“Josh played in an IPL final in his first IPL appearance, I’m not stupid, he’s going to get picked up by other leagues and we are going to have this situation again, but he still wants to play for Ireland.

“I’ve spoken to him and he still loves playing for this team.”

https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cric...ew-high-for-irish-cricket/article66917169.ece

 

[MenInG]

England win the toss and will bowl

"It looks like pretty good conditions to bowl in. We're looking forward to getting out there as a group.

"It's an exciting time, all the build up towards the summer - and it starts here.

"We've got to take every day as it comes. This is another part of the journey before the Ashes."

[On debutant Josh Tongue]: "I'm excited to see him go out and see what he's got to offer.

"He's obviously a good enough player to be here in the first place, but it's a great opportunity for people around the world to see him. It's an exciting time for him."

 

[MenInG]

Balbirnie: We're only going to get better with this exposure
Ireland men's Test captain Andy Balbirnie:

"It's a bit overcast today. But the wicket looks pretty good.

"I think if we can get through that tricky first hour, we can have a pretty good day with the bat.

"We're only going to get better with these experiences and this exposure.

"The main message has been to just enjoy the occasion. It's obviously a very special place to play cricket.

"We've got to try our best to combat what they have and enjoy the four days."

 

[MenInG]

Ireland (Playing XI): James McCollum, Peter Moor, Andrew Balbirnie(c), Harry Tector, Paul Stirling, Lorcan Tucker(w), Curtis Campher, Andy McBrine, Mark Adair, Fionn Hand, Graham Hume

England (Playing XI): Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Ben Stokes(c), Harry Brook, Jonny Bairstow(w), Stuart Broad, Matthew Potts, Josh Tongue, Jack Leach

 

[MenInG]

Essex and England batter Dan Lawrence has been released from the Men's Test squad to play two Vitality Blast T20 fixtures this week.

Thursday 1 June: Sussex v Essex, Hove.
Friday 2 June: Essex v Hampshire, Chelmsford.

He will return to the Test squad on Saturday.

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

Just tuned in, So good to have test cricket back, at last !
Ireland will be soaking in the experience to play @ Lords but with all due respect to the Irish, good prep and warmup for Eng for the Ashes.

With names like Root, leach, brook, potts, broad, wood, stone etc - a certain Earthy feel to the Eng team

 

[Champ_Pal]

Ben Stokes is unfit to play for CSK, but he comes right back to captain England in a Test match.

Well played Stokes. You collected a million dollars to watch IPL from a balcony.

 

[Saj]

Ireland hanging in there against a strong opponent.

Credit where it's due - I thought they were going to be 150 all out.

 

[MenInG]

172 AO

 

[MenInG]

England in command at Close of Play on Day 1 (of 4)

 

[MenInG]

England in command at Close of Play on Day 1 (of 4)

Stuart Broad pressed his case for inclusion in the first Ashes Test by taking five wickets as England dominated Ireland on the first of the four-day Test at Lord's.

Broad claimed 5-51 and was supported by 3-35 from left-arm spinner Jack Leach in Ireland's 172 all out.

That represented something of a recovery from the Irish, who at one stage were 19-3 before James McCollum battled to 36, Paul Stirling countered for 30 and Curtis Campher added 33.

On an ideal day for England, opener Zak Crawley ended a run of eight Test innings without a half-century, riding a degree of good fortune to make 56.

Crawley added 109 for the first wicket with Ben Duckett before being caught and bowled by Ireland debutant Fionn Hand.

Duckett continued his fine form in moving to 60 not out, joined by Ollie Pope, who is unbeaten on 29.

England closed on 152-1 from only 25 overs, just 20 behind and already well placed for a ruthless and swift victory.

England start huge summer in ideal fashion
While this is very much a tune-up for the huge summer ahead, England would have been aware of their mixed history against the Irish - beaten in both versions of the World Cup and bowled out for 85 the last time they met in a Test.

But the only sign of a hiccup for the home side came before they even got to Lord's, when Just Stop Oil protesters delayed the team bus for a short period of time.

And, when Ben Stokes won the toss on a cool morning, England's Broad-led attack exposed the gulf in class and some uncertain Irish footwork.

It is to Ireland's credit that they did not completely subside - they were bowled out for 38 on their way to defeat here four years ago.

Still, as the chill wind gave way to warm sunshine, it became apparent that the pitch offers no great pace and holds an opportunity for runs to be scored.

On a glorious evening, England rattled along at more than six runs per over, laying a platform to have Ireland batting again at some point on Friday.

Broad makes Ashes case

Broad will know he is competing with Ollie Robinson and Mark Wood for the two spots alongside James Anderson in England's pace attack for the first Test against Australia at Edgbaston on 16 June.

Here he staked his claim with his first five-wicket haul at Lord's for 10 years and first in a home Test for almost three.

Bowling a very full length, his opening spell at one stage yielded 3-0 in eight balls. Peter Moor was lbw playing across the line, Andy Balbirnie poked to second slip and a charging Henry Tector turned his second ball to leg slip. Broad could have had a fourth in nine balls, but Stirling overturned being given out lbw.

After lunch, Broad returned to have McCollum edge to first slip and completed his haul by finding movement up the slope to bowl Mark Adair through the gate.

Leach, playing a vital role in England's attack as all-rounder Stokes manages a knee injury, took advantage of Ireland's eagerness to be aggressive to claim his three wickets.

Matthew Potts' movement was rewarded with two scalps late on, while debutant Josh Tongue touched 90mph, but was too often asked to bowl too short.

Crawley misses chance to silence doubters

With England taking the decision for Jonny Bairstow to return behind the stumps in place of Ben Foakes, the major lingering doubt about their Ashes line-up is the form of Kent's Crawley.

He has been unequivocally backed by Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum but, though these runs were welcome, it was not an innings to silence the doubters.

Crawley's first half-century since the first Test against Pakistan in December came from only 39 balls, yet he was often unconvincing as 15 of his runs came via the inside edge, including two escapes in the same Adair over.

He had the chance to return on Friday for a big score, only to chip back to medium-pacer Hand, who held the catch at the second attempt.

In contrast to Crawley, Duckett is entirely at home at the top of the order. In this, his first England appearance in any format on home soil, the left-hander went past 50 for the sixth time in 11 innings since returning to the Test side.

Against an Irish attack lacking pace, Duckett slashed through the off side and clipped off his toes, with his fluency matched by newly-installed vice-captain Pope.

BBC

 

[MenInG]

Highlights of Day 1

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZXSSrmGfmyQ" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[MenInG]

IRE 172
ENG 191/1 (33) CRR: 5.79
Day 2: 1st Session - England lead by 19 runs

Looks to be a 3-Day Test by the time England are done.

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

I wish india had played a test against Ireland before WTC finals 2021.
I wish India had played a test against Ireland before WTC finals 2023.

instead of the useless never ending IPL.
BCCI you suck....Big time !

 

[Markhor]

The Irish bowling attack unfortunately looks County Div 2 standard. 41 yr old Tim Murtagh would probably do a better job on his home ground.

 

[MenInG]

Almost amounting to torture now!

 

[Champ_Pal]

This Test match must be stopped. Ireland has no business playing Test cricket.

 

[MenInG]

This Test match must be stopped. Ireland has no business playing Test cricket.

The Mismatch

 

[MenInG]

England declare on 524-4, lead Ireland by 352

Feel bad for Ireland!

 

[MenInG]

Two-day win for England?

There are 30 overs left in the day - The tourists should extend this game into Saturday but there will be tired bodies and minds after chasing leather for 82.4 overs.

 

[Saj]

Records galore

 

[Saj]

*Statement on McCollum*

From Mark Rausa, Head of Physiotherapy & Medical Services at CI:.

Looking at the initial footage, James suffered a high velocity ankle injury as he landed on a twisted ankle at the crease.

James was assisted off the field by the Ireland Physio and England doctor.

James has been taken by ambulance for further investigations.

We will update further as we receive more information.

 

[MenInG]

Ireland done well to survive Day 2, question is will the game end before Lunch or Tea tomorrow.

 

[MenInG]

Ollie Pope crashed his maiden Test double hundred and Ben Duckett helped himself to 182 on a completely one-sided second day of England's Test against Ireland at Lord's.

Pope's 205 from 208 balls is the fastest Test double ever made in England, while Duckett missed out on becoming only the fifth man to make 200 in fewer than 200 balls.

With Joe Root helping himself to 56 at almost a run a ball, England pulverised the Ireland attack in perfect batting conditions.

England racked up 524-4 declared, passing 500 inside 80 overs, the second-fastest in Test history behind their own stunning 506-4 on the first day of the first Test against Pakistan in December.

Faced with an enormous deficit of 352, Ireland's primary target was not to suffer the indignity of defeat inside two days.

That became a real prospect when England debutant Josh Tongue took his first and second Test wickets - Peter Moor and Andrew Balbirnie - in his first over.

Tongue, 25, was also the bowler when James McCollum injured his right ankle trying to evade a bouncer, effectively leaving the Irish 25-3.

In a hostile spell, Tongue then had Paul Stirling caught down the leg side, but Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker dragged Ireland to 97-3 at the close, still 255 behind.

With England 152-1 overnight, 20 behind Ireland's first-innings 172, it seemed nailed on that the home side would pile on as many runs as they pleased.

Sure enough, carnage ensued. On a flat pitch under warm sun and against an inexperienced attack lacking any sort of cutting edge, England's batters gorged themselves.

This was Test cricket in name only, as England were able to add 372 runs at nearly seven an over with minimal effort. It was hard to not feel sympathy for the Irish, whose task of stopping the England juggernaut has proved beyond much stronger sides.

The mismatch continued when England took the ball thanks to Tongue's venomous spell of 3-27.

Moor was lbw to Tongue's first ball before Balbirnie cut behind. In Tongue's second over, there was the worrying sight of McCollum, swivelling to avoid a short ball, collapsing to the floor in obvious distress before being helped off the field and taken from the ground by ambulance.

Stirling at least steadied with Tector before a review detected a glove down the leg side and Tongue's viciousness continued when he struck Tucker on the helmet. Somehow, Tector had battled to 33 and Tucker to 21 when the mercy of the close came.

Pope and Duckett are two of the many success stories in this era of the England Test team - Pope since his elevation to number three last summer, Duckett after his recall to open the batting during the winter.

Duckett cut the first ball of the day for four, setting the pattern for the next two sessions. England scored 173 before lunch, then another 178 between lunch and tea.

Duckett cut and clipped the seamers, then swept and slog-swept the spin of Andy McBrine in his second Test hundred. In moving from his overnight 60 to 161 at lunch, the left-hander became the first batter since 1924 to score 100 runs before lunch in a Lord's Test.

He was on course for the fastest double hundred in a Test in this country before he inside-edged a drive at Graham Hume onto his own stumps, ending a stand of 252 with Pope.

The record instead went to Pope, who played gorgeous cover drives and hared between the wickets. His hundred partnership with Root, who was playing reverse-scoops as early as the 12th ball he faced, came from only 79 balls - England's third-quickest of all time.

When Root got to 52, he became only the second England batter after Alastair Cook to reach 11,000 Test runs.

He was bowled after tea, charging at McBrine, leaving Pope to go to 200 with a loft over the long-on boundary - his third six.

Pope was stumped next ball, prompting the declaration. England's overall run-rate of 6.34 is their highest ever in a home Test innings lasting more than 20 overs, and second-highest anywhere for an innings of at least 50 overs.

'I don't think we learned a great deal' - what they said

England batter Ben Duckett, speaking to Test Match Special: "Back garden as a kid you dream of moments like that. It really hasn't sunk in yet - it's been an incredible day. My family have been here so it was special to do it and have them here to watch it. It was fantastic to bat with Popey in that partnership."

Ireland spinner Andy McBrine, speaking to TMS: "The way Ben [Duckett] and Ollie [Pope] played took the sting out of the game. We have a lot of work to do over the next two days.

"We love playing Test cricket - it is what everyone wants to play. You could ask so many people who would love to be here. We will cherish every moment."

Former Ireland wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien on TMS: "It was difficult viewing. I give credit to England, they are ruthless - runs are hard to come by most of the time in Test cricket."

Former England captain Michael Vaughan on TMS: "England have been excellent - very professional. They have played the style of cricket I completely expected. With the bat in hand I knew they would try to score over six runs per over.

"I don't think we learned a great deal, even though it was fantastic from the batters. The Irish attack is poor."

BBC

 

[MenInG]

Update on James McCollum

James underwent assessment and imaging last night at a nearby orthopaedic hospital. X-rays have revealed no fracture is present and we are awaiting on the reports from his MRI which is likely to show injury to his ligaments.

He is currently in an orthopaedic boot and crutches and it is unlikely that he will take any further part in the match.

 

[Saj]

Ireland seem to be a pale shadow of the team that had the likes of Porterfield, the O'Brien brothers etc.

 

[MenInG]

At Lunch - the end is nigh

 

[MenInG]

Lovely fightback by Ireland

 

[Fenrir]

Ireland didn’t bat well in first innings.Had they scored 300+ the match would not have been one sided.Ireland need to arrange more tests with WI,Zimbabwe,BD and Afghanistan preferably in England.The grounds and weather are much in England than Ireland.

 

[MenInG]

'England didn't have a plan'

More from Morgan, on England's struggles...

"I certainly got the impression for a period of time that they didn't have a plan.

"It's very rare while Ben Stokes has been captain over the last 12 months to have that thought."

 

[MenInG]

In the end an easy 10-wicket win for England - expected but Ireland fought back well to take the game to the end of the 3rd Day

 

[MenInG]

Hussain: Job done for England ahead of Ashes
Sky Sports Cricket’s Nasser Hussain:

“I said before the Test that Ireland deserved respect because they bowled England out for 85 four years ago and England definitely respected them.

"I also said England needed to have an eye on the future with more difficult tasks ahead – The Ashes – and to get the pieces of the jigsaw in place. They have done that, while finding another talent in Tongue.

"The only thing is that the middle order of Stokes, Brook and Bairstow did not get time in the middle but I don’t think they will be that bothered.

"It was job done although [Ireland's success on the final day] is a realisation for England that conditions change and that you need an attack to change with those conditions."

==

Butcher: Ireland showed heart and skill
Sky Sports Cricket’s Mark Butcher:

"Ireland were entirely outgunned but they showed some character and they have a couple of players there in Tucker and Tector who look like they are going to be fine players going forward.

"McBrine's innings was fantastic and Adair, who had a shocker with the ball, came out and bristled with the bat.

"Ireland put a smile back on the faces of their supporters and showed they can play. They lack experience but have real heart, spirit and skill."

 

[MenInG]

Josh Tongue took a five-wicket haul on Test debut as the hosts romped home to an easy win against a spirited Ireland side on Day 3 of the one-off Test match at Lord's.

Tongue made the most of his late call-up to the Test side to take a five-wicket haul to help England wrap up Ireland's second innings on Day 3 with the visitors setting a target of just 11 runs.

After Pope and Duckett had fired England to a massive total on Day 2, it took quite an effort from Ireland to avoid an innings defeat. Tongue took four of the top five batters out to reduce the visitors to 126/4. Harry Tector put up a fight with a half-century, but the real aggression came from lower down the order.

Mark Adair and Andy McBrine smothered the England attack for more than a session, putting on the highest partnership by Ireland in Test cricket to launch a late fightback.

The duo took Ireland from 162/6 to 325 before Adair fell 12 runs short of a century. Matthew Potts broke the threatening partnership to end Adair's stirring 76-ball 88 before Tongue completed his five-wicket haul with the wicket of Fionn Hand.

McBrine remained unbeaten on 86 as Ireland finished on 362/9 with opener James McCollom, who was out retired hurt, unable to bat.

Zak Crawley went on to smash three fours in four balls to take England to an easy win as they began their summer on a positive note despite the injury cloud around the quicks that had hit them right before the Test match.

England have less than two weeks before the first Ashes Test of the next ICC World Test Championship cycle in Birmingham. They also named a strong 16-member squad for the first two Tests of the series earlier in the day.

ICC