Toss England selected to bowl vs Eire

England gained the toss and selected to bowl beneath overcast skies of their one-off Take a look at towards Eire at Lord’s.

Josh Tongue, the Worcestershire seamer initially drafted into the squad as damage cowl, was introduced with England cap No. 711 by James Anderson, whose Ashes preparations are being rigorously managed together with these of Ollie Robinson after the duo not too long ago suffered groin and ankle points respectively.Jonny Bairstow makes his return to worldwide cricket after 9 months, having recovered from a horrific leg fracture sustained in a freak fall whereas taking part in golf. His stellar efficiency throughout 2022 was a trademark of England’s Bazball resurgence.Ben Stokes, England’s captain, stated: “It seems fairly good situations to bowl in, we’re trying ahead to getting on the market as a bunch. I am excited to see him [Tongue] exit and see what he is received to supply, he is clearly a ok participant to be right here within the first place. It is a fantastic alternative for us to see him.”Eire, taking part in simply their seventh Take a look at, have handed a debut to Fionn Hand as their third seam bowler, with Craig Younger lacking out. Hand, 24, performed a key position in Eire’s T20 World Cup victory over England in Melbourne final yr, claiming Stokes’ wicket with a nice supply that bowled him via the gate.

The final time these sides performed a Take a look at at this floor, the hosts acquired a scare, bowled out for 85 within the first innings earlier than operating via Eire for simply 38 within the fourth innings to win by 143 runs.

Andy Balbirnie, Eire’s skipper, stated Hand was “fired up” about making his debut. “He is a fantastic character, he is earned that debut and hopefully he can get pleasure from himself. The wicket seems fairly good. If we will get via that tough first hour hopefully we’ll have an excellent day with the bat.”

England: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Ollie Pope, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ben Stokes (capt), 7 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Matthew Potts, 10 Josh Tongue, 11 Jack Leach

Eire: 1 James McCollum, 2 PJ Moor, 3 Andy Balbirnie (capt), 4 Harry Tector, 5 Paul Stirling, 6 Lorcan Tucker (wk), 7 Curtis Campher, 8 Andy McBrine, 9 Mark Adair, 10 Fionn Hand, 11…

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