As the preparation of the forthcoming Ashes England took Ireland to play one off test match at Lords. England already played test against Ireland back in 2019, after 2 years Irish got another chance to showcase their skills against the top tier nation.

Winning the toss, England chose to bowl first. Broad wad penetrative with his right line and lengths from the starting. He generated a good amount of swing and nipped out three quick wickets in the first hour. Irish opener James McCollum fought hard and showed enough grit and determination but was unabe to make his innings long. He and Stirling added 45 runs for the 4th wicket stand but spinner Leach took the wicket of latter.

Stuart Broad returned and outsmarted resilient McCollum. Curtis Campher then took the onus on his shoulders and played a decent knock of 33 of 79 balls before being bamboozled by Jack Leach. Andy McBrine and Mark Adair in the lower contributed with their handy 19 and 14 respectively which helped Ireland finish their innings for 172-10.

Stuart Broad was breathing fire as he had another five wicket haul. While sole English spinner Jack Leach picked up 3 wickets and Matthew Pots got 2.

Coming out to bat, England had a flying start and their bazball mantra kept going. Opener Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett came with all guns blazing as they added 109 runs from only 16 overs in a test match. Crawley raced to 56 off only 45 balls. And then Duckett and Ollie Pope started to take on the Irish bowlers. Duckett brought up his fifty and his unbeaten. The duo added 43 runs together.

Duckett and Pope both are well settled in the crease. England are 152-1 and will be aiming for massive scores tomorrow. On the other hand, Ireland have to regroup themself and come with more intentions and accuracy with the ball to wrap England as soon as possible.