Ollie Pope and Joe Root joined forces to usher England to 503 for 2 at Tea break on Day 2 thanks to an unbroken 142-run stand for the third wicket. The hosts lost the solitary wicket of Ben Duckett in the afternoon session, adding 178 runs in the process.
Resuming proceedings on 152 for 1, Duckett cut Graham Hume for a boundary off the very first ball, in keeping with the BazBall philosophy. He took his chances and helped England score at more than five an over in the first hour of the day.
He hit Mark Adair for a couple of boundaries just before raising the century stand of the alliance. Duckett brought up his ton with a flick to mid wicket, his passage to the milestone aided by a fumble. Three balls later, Pope was soaking in the applause having attained his 12th Test fifty.
England were cruising and Ireland looked devoid of ideas, with Pope and Duckett cutting loose against Andy McBrine, striking a couple of boundaries each. The southpaw then pulled debutant Fionn Hand for a couple to notch up his 150 – the fastest ever at Lord’s.
Some way to reach your 1️⃣5️⃣0️⃣
Stand and deliver, @OPope32 🫡
🤝 @IGcom
#EnglandCricket | #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/R0TJWUD9e4— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 2, 2023
