England v Ireland at Lord's, 24/7.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Only four days of course, so a little more likely to end in a draw.

4 days? Really.... why?

Ireland and Afghanistan are playing four day Tests. There is pressure for all Tests to go that way.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Everyone will be watching Roy closely to see it he can play lateral movement with a red ball. His fca is only 38. Actually opening seems quite exposing. Bairstow doesn't open of course and Roy doesn't open for his county. That's got to be a risk.

Denly comes in. Doesn't have the feeling of security that Trott coming in once did. Still, he scored a fifty in the WI.

Jennings played in that game which was England's last game. He's been dropped with little attention paid.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Guardian obo is describing this as a 'greentop'.

[sussexpob]

Got to back the new ball bowlers, that edge went to vacant third slip. Got the opposition one down inside 7 overs and the ball is doing something..... criminal not to have a man in there

[sussexpob]

Guardian obo is describing this as a 'greentop'.

The pitch is definitely green. New ball has seamed a bit, swing is in the air, and the odd ball that bites has jumped or stayed low a fraction. Dont think the Irish bowlers have the quality to exploit it fully, Murtagh is keeping it tight but a batsman with his eye on the ball isnt going to be greatly challenged by it. Adair is a bit more all over the place, but to be fair to him he's produced a couple of chances.

Denly has looked a bit ropey. When he thinks the balls in the slot, he really goes at it, couple of times the stroke wasnt there and hes been luck where the ball ended up

[sussexpob]

I posted that just as Denly got out

[Arthur Crabtree]

Ireland will have to go to their second string bowlers soon. It's a hot day... Might be some pain ahead.

Good spell by Murtagh though.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Denly out! That changes things. One more wicket and Ireland are through the specialist bats!

[sussexpob]

Burns goes now.... calamity this

Another batter simply not making the right choice, impatient, looking to dominate rather than see it out. Ali is listed to come at 6, so we are nearly into the tail.

[Arthur Crabtree]

This is it then Root and JB1.

Maybe a good toss to lose.

[sussexpob]

This is it then Root and JB1.

Maybe a good toss to lose.

I cant really understand why Root didnt bowl. The grass wont stay live in this heat for long, and when it dies it can have a habit of numbing a pitch down, but Root seemed to think that the pitch is dry and will break up.

If Ireland review this Root is dead

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well done to Irish-Tim on his wickets. Test bowling average of 17.5!

This is good news for people coming in from a hard day at work in Australia.

Still, doesn't feel likely Ireland will score many themselves.

[sussexpob]

Yep...Root fails, and England are looking hopeless again.

[bigfluffylemon]

42-4. Must be England day 1 of a test at Lord's.

And no Buttler or Stokes to bail us out.

[bigfluffylemon]

Yep...Root fails, and England are looking hopeless again.

The price of a World Cup trophy? A sh1t test batting line up.