Riding on blistering centuries from Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett and a triple strike from Josh Tongue after declaring on a massive 524 for 4, England dominated the proceedings at Lord’s for a second day in a row. Having reduced Ireland to 97 for 3 after sending them on a leather hunt, the hosts still hold a massive 255-run lead.
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. He went from strength to strength, submerging Ireland under a mountain of runs to give England potentially irrevocable control of the four-day game.
England’s declaration came on the heels of Pope’s dismissal, and Josh Tongue compounded Ireland’s worry lines by picking up two wickets in an over. The writing is on the wall for the visitors.
G💯💯D MORNING! 👋
Who's in the mood to re-live yesterday's action? 🤔
Go on, treat yourself 😉 #EnglandCricket | #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/NOKZdhhFFA
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 3, 2023
