England have warmed up for the upcoming Ashes with a 10-wicket victory over Ireland at Lord's.
On the same day that it was announced that England would take an unchanged squad into the first Test with Australia on June 16, they encountered problems with seeing off the minnows of the long format of the game.
Resuming on 97-3, it appeared to be a foregone conclusion that Ireland would suffer an innings defeat, that opinion being strengthened when they were reduced to 162-3.
Despite Josh Tongue and Joe Root taking those wickets, that pair and their teammates were left frustrated as Andy McBrine and Mark Adair put together the biggest partnership for Ireland in Test cricket.
Ireland's highest partnership for any wicket in Tests - a superb effort from Adair and McBrine 👏 #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/hCPu2C9IQ7
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 3, 2023
McBrine (86*) and Adair (88) put on a magnificent 163 - 48 more than the previous highest stand - to take Ireland to 325 before Adair was dismissed by Matthew Potts.
Tongue picked up his fifth-wicket haul on debut soon afterwards, eventually finishing with figures of 5-66, and the wicket of Graham Hume (14) left McBrine unbeaten but short of his century.
With Ireland being bowled out for 362, it left England requiring 11 runs, that total being achieved in four balls as Zak Crawley hit three boundaries in quick succession.
Player of the Match went to Ollie Pope courtesy of his 205 from 208 balls in the first innings, edging out Ben Duckett who made 182 from 178 deliveries.
Darren Plant
