Tim Murtagh claimed a magical five-for to put Ireland in dreamland, before England roared back in the final session to leave the historic Eng v Ire Test finely poised heading into day two. Not how England's World Cup winners would've imagined their first day back at international cricket. Tim Murtagh and Mark Adair have sliced through their batting order at Lord's.


Seven years after qualifying for Ireland, Murtagh found his name in the away honours board before lunch. “I should know how to bowl on this ground…” Murtagh reflected on his superb figures of 5-13 after Ireland bowled England out for 85 at Lord's.

Tim Murtagh has nearly 300 first-class wickets at Lord's, and grew up wanting to play for England. Murtagh , who represented England in U19 World Cup in 2000, ripped through English batting line up.



England were bundled out for 85 in 23.4 overs after opting to bat.

Ireland, in reply, were dismissed for 207 as Andrew Balbirnie top-scored with 55 off 69 balls (10x4) -- the only fifty on either side so far in the match -- with pacers Sam Curran (3/28), Olly Stone (3/29) and Stuart Broad (3/60) taking three wickets apiece.

At stumps, England openers Jack Leach (0 batting) faced six balls from star of the day Murtagh without scoring a run with Rory Burns (0 batting) at the other end.The day belonged to Murtagh who bagged his 14th first-class five-for at Lord's - but the first to get him on the honours board.


For England, Joe Denly top-scored with 23 while 25-year old fast bowler Stone played an entertaining 18-ball 19, his cameo laced with four good looking boundaries.

England, failed collectively as the Irish ran riot at lunch on Day 1 of the four-day affair.Ireland were at it from the word go with Adair having debutant Jason Roy plumb in front in the second over itself, only for the umpire to call it a no ball.

The five World Cup winners in the England team managed just seven runs among them as Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes all failed to trouble the scorers.

Ali's wicket was Murtagh's fifer as he and his Ireland teammates rejoiced their finest day yet in Test cricket. Sam Curran scored a quickfire 18 before Rankin got his back.

In the end, Jack Leach remained not out on 1 as veteran pacer Stuart Broad (3) also failed to make the most of his batting skills.Ireland lost their openers, skipper William Porterfield (14) and James McCollum (19) were removed by Curran before Balbirnie and Paul Stirling joined hands for an 87-run stand for the third wicket.

At tea, Ireland were 127/2.

England pulled things back just after the break, with Broad trapping Stirling (36) in front. Stone then sent Balbirnie's middle stump cartwheeling to remove the dangerman.

Veteran Kevin O'Brien remained not out on 28 but around him wickets fell in a cluster. Murtagh swung his bat around for a 10-ball 16 helping Ireland cross the 200-run mark.