James McCollum and Paul Stirling helped Ireland battle back to end the morning session 78-4 on Day 1 of their LV = Insurance Test Match against England at Lord’s.
England were looking dangerous with the ball as they put Ireland under pressure from the first ball. However, Peter Moor found the boundary with an excellent shot as Ireland grew into the game after McCollum had got Ireland up and running.
McCollum and Moor were ticking along nicely, and Ireland were 15-0 after three overs but the progress Moor was making with the bat would be cut short by Stuart Broad who trapped him LBW just as Moor was finding form.
Ireland’s captain Andrew Balbirnie came in at number three but was back in the changing room after just five balls after Broad tempted him into playing a shot outside his off-stump which was caught by Zak Crawley in slip. Broad would go on to claim two wickets in three balls when Harry Tector who was caught in leg slip by Matthew Potts whilst trying to flick the ball off his pads.
It felt like Ireland were collapsing once again under the pressure of a Broad onslaught but were able to breathe a sigh of relief when the experienced Stirling had his pads rattled by Broad and was given LBW but it was reviewed straight away and Stirling earned a reprieve when the replay showed the ball was missing leg stump.
McCollum then survived an unsuccessful England review for caught behind after the ball flicked his pocket rather than his bat. Stirling and McCollum began to steady the ship with the explosive Stirling letting loose, scoring five fours before being dismissed for 30 as the lunch interval approached. Stirling had gone to sweep the ball but slightly mistimed the shot as the ball looped up allowing Jonny Bairstow to take a routine catch behind the stumps.
Lorcan Tucker was next in, and he scored eight off nine balls as he and McCollum guided Ireland to 78-4 at Lunch and those of a Irish persuasion will be hoping they keep this partnership going as Ireland look to record a competitive first inning score.
