England kicked off the summer a superb performance on the opening day of their four-day test match against Ireland. With the clouds hanging overhead in this morning Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bowl.
In the absence of James Anderson, Stuart Broad led the attack and gave England the early initiative reducing the visitors to 19-3. James McCollum (36) dug in but couldn’t stop the host from running rampant. Jack Leach was backed once again by his captain and was rewarded with three wickets while Matt Potts chipped in with a couple but it was Broad’s day. He took 5-51 to get on the Lord’s honours board as Ireland were dismissed for just 172.
In response England’s opening pair made hay in the early evening sunshine. Zak Crawley rode his luck on his way to 56 before chipping a drive back to Fionn Hand who claimed his maiden test wicket for Ireland. Ben Duckett (60*) and Ollie Pope (29*) saw England safely through to the end of the day with the deficit just 20 runs.
Relive the action from Day One at Lord’s as England take on Ireland:
