London, England’s bowlers produced a world class performance as they bowled Ireland out for the lowest-ever Test score at Lord’s, to win the one-off test by 143 runs and ensure they go into next week’s Ashes on a high.
Chris Woakes (6/17), who played a vital role in England’s 50-over World Cup win, and veteran Stuart Broad (4/19) took all ten wickets between them to skittle Ireland for just 38 runs in less than 16 overs, with only one Irish batsman reaching double figures.
Ireland had a fair chance to script a historic victory after dominating much of the four-day Test since bowling England out for 85 inside one session on the first morning. In reply, they managed 207 and then bowled England out for 303 to chase 181 for victory.
But the hosts ran amok with Woakes and Broad not letting Ireland batsmen settle at all.
It rained for one over of the Irish chase, and after that, they fell apart like a pack of cards. James McCollum was their top scorer scoring 11 runs.
On the first day, Ireland, led by veteran pacer Murtagh’s maiden five wicket haul in international cricket, stunned the cricketing world with their performance as they ended day 1 with a 122-run lead over England who lifted the 50-over World Cup here earlier this month.
London-born pacer Murtagh, 37, returned spectacular figures of 5/13 in nine overs as Adair (3/32) and Rankin (2/5), who became the first player in over seven decades to play Test cricket for and against England, supported him well. England were bundled out for 85 in 23.4 overs after opting to bat.
Ireland, in reply, were dismissed for 207 as Andrew Balbirnie top-scored with 55 off 69 balls (10×4) with pacers Sam Curran (3/28), Olly Stone (3/29) and Broad (3/60) taking three wickets apiece.
Brief scores: England 1st innings: 85 all out (Tim Murtagh 5/13), 2nd innings: 303 all out (Jack Leach 92, Jason Roy 72; Mark Adair 3/66); Ireland 207 all out (Andy Balbirnie 55; Stuart Broad 3/60; Olly Stone 3/29, Sam Curran 3/28), 2nd Innings 38 all out (Chris Woakes 6/17, Stuart Broad 4/19)
