‘Ireland showed grit, determination’

LONDON: Following his side’s 10-wicket win over Ireland in the one-off Test, England Test skipper Ben Stokes lauded Ireland for showing “grit and determination” and the match gave the side an insight into what they have to do against Australia in The Ashes.

Pacer Josh Tongue took a fivewicket haul on his Test debut as the hosts England clinched an easy win against a spirited Ireland side on Day 3 of the one-off Test match at Lord’s on Saturday.

“Though Ireland came out and showed grit and determination. It gives us a little insight into what we might have to do against Australia. It got flatter as it went on. Trying to take the game on in our own way allowed us to potentially bowl them out without batting again. Ireland had to get a really good score to put us under pressure. Good test and credit to Ireland today,” said Stokes in a postmatch presentation.

Josh Tongue made the most of his late call-up to the Test side to take a five-wicket haul to help England wrap up Ireland’s second innings on Day 3, with the visitors setting a target of just 11 runs.

It took quite an effort from Ireland to avoid an innings defeat. Ireland was bundled out for 172 in the first innings. England crossed 500 in the second innings to gain a lead of 352 runs.

In Ireland’s second innings, when they needed to overcome this gigantic lead, Tongue took four of the top five batters out to reduce the visitors to 126/4. Harry Tector put up a fight with a halfcentury, a knock of 51 in 98 balls, but the real aggression came from lower down the order.

Mark Adair and Andy McBrine took Ireland from 162/6 to 325 before Adair fell 12 runs short of a century. McBrine remained unbeaten on 86 as Ireland finished on 362/9 with opener James McCollom, who was out, retired hurt, unable to bat.

Brief scores: England: 524/4 and 12/0 beat Ireland: 172 and 362/9 (Mark Adair 88, Andy McBrine 86, Josh Tongue 5/66).