Paul Stirling warmed up in style for Ireland’s Test showdown with England as he helped himself to a century in their three-day clash with Essex at Chelmsford.
Stirling, who made 107, was ably assisted by Lorcan Tucker with the pair putting on 175 for the sixth wicket to help the tourists reach 419 after they had slumped to 65 for five.
They finished day two back in the field and leading by 17 runs having made early in-roads with the game finely poised ahead of Thursday’s date at Lord’s.
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Resuming on 38 for two in reply to Essex’s first innings total of 343, the tourists looked to be in trouble after Graham Hume, Harry Tector and opener Peter Moor all departed inside the first 10 overs of the day.
However, Moor’s exit for 37 brought Stirling and Tucker to the wicket and they had advanced the score to 240 when the wicket-keeper fell just three runs short of a hundred having plundered three sixes and 15 fours from the 102 balls he faced.
Joined by Andy McBrine, Stirling eased Ireland to and then beyond parity, completing his century before McBrine went for 67, but he had added just seven more to his tally by the time he became Jamal Richards’ fourth victim.
Number nine Fionn Hand was left stranded on 48 as Ireland were finally dismissed for 419, a lead of 76, with Richards’ five for 96 the pick of the bowling contributions.
Essex reached stumps on 59 for two in their second innings with Hume having accounted for openers Nick Browne and Josh Rymell.
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