England bundled Ireland out for 38 to win the one-off Test against Ireland by 143 runs and avoid being on the end of a stunning upset.
Ireland, playing their third Test, were chasing 182 for a famous win, only to be demolished by Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad in perfect conditions for seam bowling.
In the damp and gloom and with the floodlights on at Lord’s, Woakes swung the ball both ways to claim 6-17 and Broad nipped it around for 4-19.
At one stage, three Irish wickets fell for no run and the last nine for just 18 as Ireland registered the seventh-lowest total in Test cricket history and the lowest at Lord’s.
Woakes and Broad bowled unchanged through an innings that took only 94 deliveries, the joint-second shortest in Test history.
Also, from England’s perspective, it was a bowling performance that masked the deficiencies of their batsmen, who collapsed in each innings and were reliant on 92 from nightwatchman Jack Leach on Thursday.
Indeed, their first-innings total of 85 was the lowest to win a Test match for 112 years.
Here’s how the cricketing world reacted on Twitter:
World class seam bowling from Woakes and Broad and an easy England win in the end, but Ireland can be very proud of their efforts on the first two days. They are a good side and with experience will only get better. #ENGvIRE
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 26, 2019
From 132-2 in their first innings, Ireland lost their last 18 wickets in the match for 113.
— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) July 26, 2019
After promising so much n their inaugural Test at Lord’s Ireland folded just as meekly..Test Crkt indeed is different..& red ball Crkt not only different..it’s difficult too..All in all..real stuff by a country mile..!!
— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) July 26, 2019
Great execution of skill on show from @englandcricket this morning. Clinical this from @StuartBroad8 and @chriswoakes in good bowling conditions.
— Tim Bresnan (@timbresnan) July 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/robkey612/status/1154730144143237121
THAT IS THAT – England win by 143 runs as Ireland are bowled out for 38. Woakes finishes with 6-17, Broad with 4-19 in a combined 15.4 overs. The joint second fastest Test innings of all time (94 balls)
— Dean Wilson (@CricketMirror) July 26, 2019
England bowl Ireland out for just 38!
They win the one-off Test by 143 runs.
Three fascinating days of cricket. #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/AFqIADUqMa
— ICC (@ICC) July 26, 2019
Hands up if you enjoyed that win! 🙋♂️@englandcricket pic.twitter.com/UzGrTzJPWC
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) July 26, 2019
WOAKESY!!!! INCREDIBLE!!!
We've bowled Ireland out for THIRTY EIGHT at Lord's to win by 143 runs!!! 😲👏 #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/CZCiM2dRpP
— England's Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) July 26, 2019
ENGLAND WIN!
Congratulations, @englandcricket! 👏
A dominating spell with the ball this morning has seen them win by 143 runs.#LoveLords | #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/l0EWLsExBb
— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) July 26, 2019
Welcome to the Lord's Honours Boards again, @chriswoakes!
What a sublime performance 👏👏👏#LoveLords | #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/rTo3Z0QOJn
— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) July 26, 2019
Lowest totals in a Test innings:
26 NZ v ENG, 1955
30 RSA v ENG, 1896
30 RSA v ENG, 1924
35 RSA v ENG, 1899
36 RSA v AUS, 1932
36 AUS v ENG, 1902
38 IRELAND v ENGLAND, 2019Previous lowest total in a Test inns at Lord’s—42 IND v ENG, 1974#ENGvIRE #ENGvsIRE
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) July 26, 2019
