- Over-by-over coverage of England’s first Test against Ireland
- Day two report: Ireland remain in hunt for Test win
- Andy Bull: Leach makes up for England’s lack of leadership
- Email rob.smyth@theguardian.com with any thoughts
We will probably have a delayed start, as there has been heavy rain in St John’s Wood this morning. The forecast is better from around midday, with the temperature expected to be a chilly 26 degrees.
Hello. It’s really quite simple. Ireland could win a Test match for the first time today, by beating England, at Lord’s. Modern life is infected by hyperbole – I just had the tastiest dry toast of my entire life – but this, truly, would be one of the most unlikely victories in Test history. If Ireland pull it off, 26 July will join 24 February, 2 March and 12 June as a de facto St Patrick’s Day, burned into the memory as a cultural and religious celebration of stuffing the English.
This match has been so life-affirming, not to mention surreal, that it could have been directed by David Lynch. Given all that has happened, it’s easy to forget this is only the third day. England will resume on 303 for nine, a lead of 181, with Stuart Broad and Olly Stone aiming to slog the target past 200. There are no obvious demons in the pitch. If Ireland hold their nerve, they should win. But that, cliché fans, is easier said than done.
Written by Rob Smyth (now) and Simon Burnton (later)
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2019/jul/26/england-ireland-lords-test-day-three-live-cricket under the title “
“. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
