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Stokes insists nothing is impossible as England target 500 runs in a day and a plethora of records against Ireland...
IT is not whether England win this first test of the summer against Ireland, but how quickly they do so. It is as simple and brutal as that. to win here at Lord’s as emphatically and rapidly as possible is the first challenge in ‘ Bazball, Season two’.
Nothing is impossible, suggested captain Ben Stokes at Lord’s yesterday and, if England have their way, that will extend to beating Ireland in the quickest possible time, while perhaps finally expunging Gilbert Jessop’s 76-ball century from their test record books.
Certainly, anyone with tickets for the last day of this four-day test might be best advised making alternative plans because, if the forecast for dry weather is correct, it is difficult to see anything other than a crushing and rapid England victory.
Not that Stokes would be drawn into any rash predictions — ‘just win,’ he said when asked what his target is from this Ashes warm-up — but England’s intent as they look to follow up their extraordinary first year under Stokes and Brendon McCullum is clear.
‘It would be all right, wouldn’t it,’ said Stokes when asked if England would try to emulate their achievement of scoring 500 runs in a test day at the start of their winter victory in Pakistan. ‘Anything is possible if you have the backing to go out and do it.
‘What we have seen over the last year is players going a lot higher in terms of their potential and them understanding they might be better than they thought they were. I think that is totally down to the mindset switch.’
All this positive talk is not to underestimate and disrespect Ireland, who have shown England what they are capable of by beating them in 50-over and twenty20 cricket, most recently at the t20 World Cup in Melbourne last year.
tests, though, are a different matter. Ireland have not only lost all six of their tests since becoming full members of the ICC in 2017, but they have rested their best player in Josh Little today from what should be one of the biggest matches in their history. they are not exactly giving themselves the best chance of what would be a huge upset.
to hear Ireland’s high performance director Richard Holdsworth say this test ‘is not a pinnacle event’ this week was a depressing sign of the times and, worse, it appears Little agrees with him. Instead, he has prioritised the IPL and, a little more understandably, Ireland’s two sets of World Cup qualifiers that follow this test later this month.
One bowler delighted to be here is Josh tongue, unexpectedly given a chance to make his test debut in his first ever game at Lord’s ahead of Chris Woakes and now with an opportunity to force his way into Ashes contention.
‘He has been talked about ever since he first came on the scene with Worcestershire,’ said Stokes.
‘ It’s always great to have someone in your side able to bowl with that extra pace and X-factor. I’m looking forward to getting him involved.’
tongue, 25, joins Stuart Broad and Matthew Potts in a pace attack Stokes admitted has been selected with an eye on Australia because England did not want to risk the probable first Ashes test line-up of Jimmy Anderson, Ollie Robinson and Mark Wood.
‘ It would be a completely different looking team if this was Australia tomorrow,’ said the captain. ‘We have had to look at risk versus reward and I didn’t feel this game was worth taking that risk, particularly with Jimmy and Robbo. they’re coming back from little niggles and it’s the sensible thing to leave them out now.’
the same policy will probably apply to the sensitive subject of
Stokes’ left knee. He is unlikely to bowl in this match as a precaution, but talked confidently of his chances of taking an all-round part in the Ashes after working on his fitness during the IPL.
Stokes played only two matches for Chennai Super Kings after his £1.3million signing, injuring a toe and then not even being selected, but insists he used his time on the sidelines wisely and joked of having a ‘ John terry role’ — and pocketing what is believed to be a sizeable win bonus — in their IPL winning celebrations.
‘I would much rather have been playing at the IPL, but I was able to turn a disappointing situation into a positive one by concentrating on properly training,’ he said. ‘I actually think only playing two games could have been a blessing in disguise.’
that preparation for bowling in the Ashes does not appear to have included much, if any, bowling in the nets in India.
‘the thing about me is I don’t need much bowling for the rest of my body to tick over,’ said Stokes. ‘I can have quite a lot of time off and then build up quickly. It’s not doom and gloom if I don’t bowl in this match and I know I’ve given myself the best possible chance of playing a full role this summer.’
When Ireland played their inaugural test against England here four years ago it proved to be a real World Cup hangover, England being bowled out for 85 before being rescued by a second innings 92 from nightwatchman Jack Leach and then dismissing Ireland for just 38.
this should be an equally eventful test — but the probability is it will be very onesided and possibly a very short game.