It was good while it lasted, but England ran though the Irish second innings on the third day at Lord's as the visitors were skittled out for just 38, giving England a 143-run win in this one-off Test match.
Credit to Ireland for making a match of it, but the conditions on day three favoured the English attack of Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes (six wickets), as heavy early morning rain gave way to cloudy overhead conditions
It certainly favoured England's top line swing bowlers and Ireland’s batman just couldn’t cope with some outstanding line and length bowing.
Well played to our hosts England who win the Test match.
— Cricket Ireland (@Irelandcricket) July 26, 2019
A very tough first session this morning for the lads.
Thank you to our amazing fans for your wonderful support throughout the match!#BackingGreen ☘️ pic.twitter.com/JmViftYpRZ
There was a dramatic start to the day when Ireland's Stuart Thompson removed Olly Stone with the first ball of the morning, Stone clean bowled, which left Ireland needing 182 to win
Rain came early in Ireland's reply, but play resumed at 12.30 and the Irish capitulation began as captain William Porterfield was beautifully caught behind by wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow off the bowling of Chris Woakes for 2 with the score on 11.
That brought Andrew Balbirnie to the crease, however the Dubliner, who crafted a 55 ball 50 in the first innings, was caught at slip for 5 and Paul Stirling was out for a duck not long after as a ball from Woakes clipped off his bails.
In truth it was a poor shot by the experienced Stirling, playing at his home county ground.
Ireland's 38 all out is the 7th lowest total in Test history and the first time a team has been all out for less than 40 in a Test match since 1955 #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/v7ZdBtFZKi
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) July 26, 2019
Woakes prdouced a spell of brilliant bowling in swing conditions, his deliveries far too good for the Irish batsmen.
He removed James McCollum for 11, and then had Gary Wilson out for his second duck of the week, given out LBW after a review as Ireland fell to 24 for 5.
That became 24 for 6 when Kevin O'Brien was LBW to Stuart Broad and then 32 for seven when Mark Adair was cleaned bowled by Broad.
Woakes took his fifth wicket of the Ireland second innings when Joe Root snapped up a chance at first slip to remove Stuart Thompson. It was Root's fourth catch in the slips.
Andy McBrine was out for a duck with Ireland on 36 before Woakes took his sixth wicket, removing Tim Murtagh for 2, and Ireland were beaten by 143 runs
The lowest ever test match score was some 26 runs registered by New Zealand in 1955 against England in Auckland and Ireland at least avoided that ignominy.
But they can hold their heads high even in defeat against a side gearing up for the Ashes series against Australia.
