New Delhi:
After upstaging New Zealand in 2019 World Cup Final, England team was up against Ireland for lone Test encounter at the Lord's in London. Many cricket pundits believed that a Test match against Ireland will be a good platform for Englishmen to prepare for all-important Ashes series against Australia which is scheduled to start on August 1. On a sunny day in London, Joe Root, English skipper asked the opposition to have a bowl. However, Tim Murtagh's 5/13 and Mark Adair 3/32 saw the England team all over the place as they were eventually bundled out for 85 runs, with Joe Denly being the highest run-scorer.
Jason Roy and Rory Burns started the proceedings for England but their partnership didn't last long as the debutant Roy was sent back to the pavilion for mere 5 runs with a dazzling out swinger by Tim Murtagh. Jason Roy tried to play away from his body and he eventually paid the price. Joe Denly and Rory Burns tried to stich a partnership in the middle but couldn't continue for long.
The wickets kept tumbling for the three lions as the middle-order saw three ducks in form of Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, and Chris Woakes. Ireland team took some time to wrap things up but in process didn't give away any easy runs. Having been able to restrict England team for a below par score at Lord's, this remains to be seen if Irelishmen can show the same class with bat in hand and score all-important runs on the board.
With the likes of William Porterfield, Paul Stirling, and Kevin O Brien in the line up, Ireland will be fancying their chances to score atleast 250-300 runs. Joe Root, on the other hand, will be expecting some heroics from his bowlers to eventually comeback into this game. From a distance, it looks a tough task for England bowlers.
Interestingly, this is England's third lowest total at Lord's. Two of which have come against Australia in 1888.
Here are the Statistics:
62 - vs Australia in 1888 (July)
53 - vs Australia in 1888 (July)
85 - vs Ireland in 2019 (July)
