Ireland warmed up for their one-off Test against England at Lord’s with a ten-wicket thrashing of Essex thanks to unbeaten centuries from James McCollum and Peter Moor.
The two openers put on Ireland’s highest stand for the first wicket in first-class cricket after they were set 232 to win in 50 overs on the final afternoon of this three-day fixture at Chelmsford.
McCollum hit the winning runs in the 43rd over and brought up his ton – finishing on 100 not out – by thumping Essex captain Nick Browne for six while Moor was more belligerent in his 118 not out off 126 balls.
In Ireland’s only red-ball warm-up before facing Ben Stokes’ side in a four-day Test, which starts on Thursday, Moor clubbed five sixes and 12 fours on a pitch showing occasional signs of variable bounce.
Four of Moor’s sixes came off Ireland team-mate George Dockrell – one of four players loaned to Essex for this fixture alongside Curtis Campher, Mark Adair and Matthew Foster.
While Adair was unable to make a breakthrough when Ireland batted, the fast bowling all-rounder earlier clubbed 85 off 66 balls while Will Buttleman struck 65 as Essex posted 307 for eight declared before allowing the tourists a generous opportunity at a morale-boosting victory.
