Chris Woakes Takes a Six-wicket Haul; Ireland Bundles Within 38

Before the ICC World Test Championship starts from August 1, 50-over World Champions England have played a one-off Test against Ireland at Lord’s. The first day undoubtedly went to Ireland’s name where Tim Murtagh made the things worst for England by taking a five-wicket haul. If the first day went to Murtagh, the third day surely went to Chris Woakes who took a six-wicket haul.

After bowled out for 85 on the very first day, Ireland put up 207 runs in their first innings where Andrew Balbirnie scored a half-century. Stuart Broad, Olly Stone and Sam Curran took 3 wickets each. However, Jack Leach’s 92, Jason Roy’s 72 and Sam Curran’s quickfire 37 off 29 helped England to put up 303 on board.

Ireland had a great chance of winning their third Tests as they had to chase 182 runs but England bowlers had some other plans in mind. It took mere 4 overs for England to take their first wicket. William Porterfield got an outside edge off Chris Woakes where Jonny Bairstow took a stunner behind the stumps and he fell for mere 2.

Alongside Woakes, Stuart Broad also joined the business. Exactly after 3 overs, Andy Balbirnie who was the top scorer in the first innings became the victim of Broad for 5 runs. The following over was seen the dismissal of another key player of Ireland Paul Stirling.

However, Chris Woakes didn’t have any intention to give room to the batsmen. The 10th over was seen his excellence. While the first ball dismissed James McCollum, the third ball trapped Gary Wilson before the stumps for a two-ball duck. If that was not enough, Stuart Broad trapped Kevin O Brien for 4 and left Ireland struggled at 24-6 after 10.1 overs.

Mark Adair became Broad’s third victim as he was trapped before the stumps for 8. After that, it was just a matter of time for England to wrap up the show. Both of them sealed the deal for England within 15.4 overs where Chris Woakes took a six-wicket haul and Stuart Broad ended up with 4 wickets.