England v Ireland Test Match

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

England off to a flying start, Ireland 19-3, all 3 wickets for Broad.

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64-4

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98-5

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104-6

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142-7

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172-9

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172 All Out

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England 152-1 from 25 overs.

[Mibbes Aye]

Takeaways from the Test so far, IMO

• This is hard to read too much into. Ireland not great, England more than good enough, but in Ashes terms, it doesn't tell us that much, but.....
• England were almost certainly right to rest Jimmy Anderson for this. However when you saw the conditions on the morning of day one, it's easy to imagine that Anderson and Broad would have skittled the Irish no later than half an hour after lunch!
• England won't be dropping Bazball, at least not voluntarily. They continue to play with an elevated run rate and that sets things up for a mouth-watering clash with the Aussie bowling attack. Something's gotta give!
• Like the final twist of a Rubik's Cube, England appear to have settled on their batting, both top order and middle order. They will face a much sterner test (or five) soon, but the opening pair seem welll-balanced, Pope looks like he could own number three, Harry Brook plays with the sort of style that you would be tempted to pick him even if he was averaging 10. Bairstow adds depth to the batting, but one has to feel sorry for Foakes who has done absolutely nothing wrong, he's just paid the price for being a great keeper who can bat, while England currently prefer a great batsman who can keep.
• Potts and Tongue sound like the name of a pushing-for-a-Michelin star restaurant on a wealthy Cotswolds high street, but are in fact English fast bowlers. It's hard to take too much from their performance here, but they provide some depth to the pace unit. They are both very young but have good first-class records to date. Potts was on really good form with the red ball for Durham last summer, hopefully he stays, because I would like to get back down to the Riverside next summer for some county action.
• Potts and Tongue sound like the name of an artisan butcher in Chalfont Saint Peter but are in fact English fast bowlers. Their chance has arisen through the misfortune of others. I am fairly confident England could name a Test XI comprised entirely of fit and unfit quicks who have Test caps. There's got to be something more to that.

Of course, this Test is very much a domestic version of playing the ACB President's XI or Victoria Bs, no disrespect intended to Ireland. Still, it gives us something to look at before the World Test Championship and the Ashes roll round very soon.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

England 524-4 declared.
Ireland 97-3

Only watched the highlights as I was sat out in the sun most of the day, tremendous display of batting against a sub standard test team by England. Game over before tea methinks.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

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England 524-4 declared.
Ireland 97-3

Only watched the highlights as I was sat out in the sun most of the day, tremendous display of batting against a sub standard test team by England. Game over before tea methinks.

Oh well, about an hour after tea, very decent batting in the second innings from Ireland. England win by 10 wickets.

[Mibbes Aye]

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Oh well, about an hour after tea, very decent batting in the second innings from Ireland. England win by 10 wickets.

I thought Adair and McBrine certainly impressed on England not to read too much into this match. If it had been Labuschagne and Smith they would still be batting!

Both Irishmen were unfortunate not to bag a 100 and get their names on the honours board at Lords.

[davy67 +]

The injury Jack Leach picked up during the game may have thrown a spanner in the works for the Ashes

[Mibbes Aye]

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The injury Jack Leach picked up during the game may have thrown a spanner in the works for the Ashes

Yup, out for the series. It leaves England with a dilemma as to who steps in.

Moeen has been there, done that, and can bat a bit. He also has a decent record against Australia. But he must be well into his mid-thirties now.

England did give debuts to some young spinners on the Pakistan tour a the end of last year, logic would suggest they go with one of those players. I suspect Will Jacks may feature. He's got more than a bit of Moeen about him. An alternative would be Rehan Ahmed, who also did well in Pakistan. He's only 18, doesn't turn 19 until after the series and would be a real vote for youth.