Middlesex CCC

4 day test (sensible, because it gives Ireland incentive to fight for a draw, when 5 days would probably be beyond them)

Ireland have named squad, and as expected, Paul Stirling and Tim Murtagh are included.


[www.bbc.co.uk]



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 27/07/2019 13:59 by BarmierKev.

Good to hear, 3 others in the squad that are ex-Mx

Surprised Joe Denly is in England squad and Dawid Malan isn't.

Roy and Burns also in squad.

[www.bbc.co.uk]

Struggle with Roy's inclusion to be honest. He's done exceedingly well in the one day team but I dont believe he's a regular 4 day opener. Often batting at 5 or 6. Rest of the squad is interesting, is Dawid consigned to history despite his glittering form of late?

The England middle order is batting wise their strongest area and Mala competes in that area. Alex Stewart reckons the first three for Ashes will be Roy. Burns. Bairstow whose elevation looks to create a vacancy.

I'm surprised by the inclusion of Gregory, presumably as cover for Stokes. Not much point giving him one cap then dropping him for the Ashes.

Ireland 1-0 Mexico

Middlesex 3 Surrey 0

If Ireland had been 43-7 after 75 minutes, we would have said they weren't good enough for test cricket.

Prediction- Tim Murtagh will be one of Wisden's five Cricketers of the year.

98 overs a day, so a 4 days and one session test match.

58-8.

Could be bowled out in one session.

If I’m not mistaken the current 3rd wicket partnership for Middlesex, I mean Ireland is worth more than the entire England score. This helped by some great Middlesex , sorry corrected again , Ireland bowling.

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Barmy Kev
I'm only here for the tele

So good to see Andrew Balbirnie make some runs. He seemed to make tons of quick runs for the 2nds and was arguably the preeminent batsmen in the 2nds at the time although I know success at 2nds level guarantees you nothing and I can't remember who the other nippers were at the time.

I seem to remember he had a slightly shaky debut in a big T20 derby at Lords. Shame that he then got injured and was gone.

Anyway. good luck to him. Future (imminent) Ireland captain, I imagine.

Tim Murtagh scored more than all the World Cup heroes put together.

Four players with Middlesex connections (Rankin a bit tenuous but never mind) taking most of the wickets and scoring most of the runs.

I see a decent opener has gone out for the second innings...


Adelaide

Today will must rank as one of the greatest days of Tim Murtagh’s career. For many years, he has built up a great reputation on the county circuit, but today he announced himself on the Test stage by taking five wickets against the World Champions (albeit of a different format) at one of the world’s most famous cricket grounds. He must be delighted that he took Ed Joyce’s advice a few years ago to research his family history to see whether he would possibly be eligible for Ireland, as that has given him the opportunity to play Test cricket.

I spent a lot of today cheering on Ireland’s Middlesex players.

I imagine that some people will have expected England to have a comfortable match and generate some momentum ahead of the Ashes. However, Ireland’s performance today means that the match has panned out differently. If England bat well over the next few sessions, then they can turn the match around. However, if not, then Ireland can secure a sensational victory. Ireland’s collapse from 132-2 to 149-7 at least meant that one phase of play today went England’s way, as it thwarted Ireland's hopes of a truly massive first innings lead.

The fact the ODI format saw Scotland beat England last year and Ireland give England a scare in May 2019, while the Test format saw Ireland dominate England today makes a mockery of ICC’s decision to have only 10 teams at the 2019 and 2023 World Cups.

Superb day of test cricket at Lord's. Glad I was in the shade today! Tim bowled well, exploiting the movement in the pitch that was there as he's done for years. Suddenly all the pundits were highlighting the skill of such bowling where they often decry it.

England need to bat a lot better 2nd time around. To concede a deficit of 122 is a lot in any form of cricket.

I was there today, in the shade in the Warner Stand, but even there it was blisteringly hot.

Tim was brilliant this morning (although his batting introduced a few new shots later, which I don't recall being covered on my coaching courses) and it was really good to hear so many people willing him on and then to see him given a standing ovation when he led the side off.

Well done and well deserved.

Tim Murtagh earned himself a place on an honours board at Lord's, which is something which has eluded a few more illustrious cricketers. However, despite the fact Lord's is his home ground, he won't get much opportunity after this match to see this board, as I think it is located in the away dressing room.

Agreed

Hoping Burns stays in the team for the Ashes, our pace will dust up this shoddy technique

And Athers just pointed out the obvious flaws on Sky

Surely Robbo must be close for a recall with his recent 140?!

England lost their nightwatchman after about half an hour, but the good news is Jack Leach is still there.

Bairstow uses up another review trying to save his own skin.

England should get 'Power of Attorney' and tell the umpires Bairstow doesn't have the mental capacity to call for a review.

Edit- As it was umpires call, on this occasion he didn't lose a review, but it looked out in real time, and was correctly given out.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 25/07/2019 15:03 by chunkyinargyll.