Ireland claim initiative on bowler’s day out at Lord’s
Making their Lord’s long-format debut, Ireland were completely unawed in the opening session, bowling with incision and accuracy to bowl out the hosts in record-breaking fashion. Never before had England lost all 10 wickets before Lunch at the Home of Cricket, and never before had they played out such a short completed innings there.
Tim Murtagh, who plies his trade here in county cricket for Middlesex, was the architect of Ireland’s success, claiming 5/13 – Ireland’s maiden men’s Test five-for, and the least runs conceded in a spell which won a place on the Lord’s honours board.
He was ably supported by debutant Mark Adair, who claimed three wickets, among them Joe Denly, England’s top scorer, whose dismissal set in motion a collapse of six wickets for seven runs, and England’s captain Joe Root. Boyd Rankin also chipped in with two against his former side.
England were punch-drunk, and the hangover continued after the interval. Captain William Porterfield and James McCollum laid the platform, and though neither passed 20, Andy Balbirnie and Paul Stirling cashed in. They attacked from the off, bringing up their fifty stand at better than a run a ball, and by tea Balbirnie had his second Test fifty and Ireland had a lead, with eight wickets still in the bank.
Only in the final session did the hosts finally get their act together. Stuart Broad created the opening, removing Paul Stirling LBW, and Olly Stone, on debut, burst through it with two wickets in an over, bowling with frightening pace and moving the ball away late. Ireland attempted to dig in, but the hosts continued to chip away, and were eventually bowled out for 207, securing a lead of 122.
Kevin O’Brien was the only batsman to offer lengthy resistance, batting out 73 balls for his unbeaten 28, while Murtagh entertained in his merry 10-ball 16. With just over 10 minutes left in the day when Ireland were dismissed, England were forced to begin their innings for the second time. Nightwatchman opener Jack Leach managed to survive, but England have plenty more work to do if they are to secure a come-from-behind win.