Veteran England pacer Stuart Broad bagged another five-wicket haul during the one-off Test against Ireland at the Lord's on Thursday, June 1, as the visitors were restricted to just 172 before the openers followed the usual ritual of the English batters to take the team to just 20 runs behind the lead on Day 1.
The score read 152/1 at stumps, with opener Ben Duckett on 60 off 71 balls and Ollie Pope on 29 at nearly a run a ball. This was after Zak Crawley (56 off 45) and Duckett set up a partnership of 109 runs in 99 balls.
Broad was the best bowler for his team with figures of 5-51 as Ireland were bowled out in 56.2 overs, just after the tea break. This was Broad's 20th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, but just his third at the Lord's and first at this ground in a decade. He was ably complemented by offspinner Jack Leach, who bagged with 3-35.
Surprise debutant Josh Tongue bowled 13 overs for 40 runs without taking a wicket while Matthew Potts took two in 12.2 overs, conceding 36. For Ireland, opener James McCollum was the top scorer with 36 runs to his name.
Facing a team back on the rise in Test cricket, Ireland always had a tough task on their hand in search of their first win in their seventh match in Tests. However, they could not contain the English top order as they went on the attack, much in accordance with the Bazball that captain Ben Stokes and co. demand from their team.
Crawley smashed 56 off 45 balls before he was caught by debutant seam bowler Fionn Hand off a powerful straight drive. His opening partner Duckett stayed at the crease till the end, this time forging a 43-run partnership with Pope.
In another boost to the side, Jonny Bairstow returned as a wicketkeeper for his first international game since August, having missed five Tests after suffering a broken leg.
Ireland has World Cup victories over England in the 50-over and T20I tournaments but have never beaten their neighbouring country in Test cricket. In their only other Test matchup in 2019 at the Lord's, Ireland gave England a scare after dismissing the home side for 85 in the first innings.
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