Tim Murtagh Takes A Fifer; England Bundles Out Within 85

As the ICC World Cup 2019 has done and dusted, all focus has shifted t the ICC World Test Championship. As the Ashes will take place from August, the newly 50-over World Cup winner England have been playing a one-off Test match against Ireland. The game will be of 4 days.

The game started at Lord’s with England opted for bat after winning the toss. Opener Jason Roy has made his debut, although he would love to forget his debut. Ireland, on the other hand, has a dream start. Roy survived a leg before in the second over of the game but failed to utilise the chance. Tim Murtagh provided with the first breakthrough as Jason Roy departed for 5 in his Test debut when he was caught in the first slip.

Mark Adair took his maiden Test wicket while Joe Denly was trapped leg before for 23. While England put up 36 runs in 10 overs with the loss of 2 wickets, Murtagh took a very little time to dismiss Rory Burns, Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali. Murtagh took his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

With the fall of wickets in quick succession, England registered their lower scores at the fall of 6th and 7th wicket. Adair, on the other hand, took another two wickets. Boyd Rankin, who became the first player to play Test cricket for and against England in over seven decades, joined the party and drew the last blood and bundled England within 85 on board.