One-off Test

Ireland's Murtagh strikes as England collapse to 85 all out

July 25, 2019 00:00:00

Ireland's Tim Murtagh (C) celebrating with teammates after bowling out England's Jonny Bairstow on the first day of the first cricket Test match between England and Ireland at Lord's cricket ground in London on Wednesday — AFP

LONDON, July 24 (AFP): Tim Murtagh took five wickets on his Lord's home ground before lunch on the first day as Ireland made a sensational start in their first-ever Test against England by bowling out the home side for 85 on Wednesday.

The 37-year-old Murtagh, who plays at the ground for Middlesex, finished with five wickets for 13 runs in nine overs after England captain Joe Root had won the toss.

Only three England batsmen made it into double figures -- Joe Denly (23), Olly Stone (19) and Sam Curran (18) -- in an innings that was finished inside 24 overs.

But of those only Denly is a top-order batsman, with fast bowler Stone making his Test debut.

This was the third time in three years that England, who have long struggled with their top-order batting, had lost all 10 wickets in a session having not done so previously since 1938.

It was also their lowest score in a home Test innings since they were dismissed for 77 by Australia at Lord's in 1997 and came hot on the heels of their 77 all out away to the West Indies in Barbados in January.

This match was only scheduled for a maximum of four days rather than the usual five alloted to a Test but now the prospect of play on Saturday was far from certain.

On a ground where they won the World Cup just over a week ago, England were in deep trouble despite Root's insistence they did not want to "sleepwalk" into the match ahead of the five-Test Ashes series, starting next week.

A green-tinged pitch promised to offer Ireland's quicks some assistance but few could have foreseen the flurry of England wickets that followed, with Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes all out for nought on a sunny day.

Test debutant Jason Roy, the latest batsman to be given a chance at filling England's problem position of opener, had made just five when he might have been lbw to Test debutant Mark Adair, only for a no-ball to be called by the umpires.

But five was all the World Cup-winner made, with the admirable Murtagh, far from express pace but remorselessly attacking the top of off stump, squaring Roy up as the Surrey batsman edged a low catch to Paul Stirling at first slip.