England eventually declared at 524-4, amassing a commanding lead of 352 runs. Although Ireland fought valiantly in their second innings, debutant Josh Tongue’s impressive performance and James McCollum’s injury have left the visitors facing an impending heavy defeat.
Pope’s Milestone Moment
Ollie Pope etched his name in the annals of Test cricket as he achieved his maiden double hundred. The young batsman reached this significant milestone in style, dispatching a magnificent six over wide long-on. Alongside his 22 boundaries, Pope’s audacious strokeplay entertained the spectators.
Unfortunately, his innings was cut short as he was stumped on the very next delivery after completing his double hundred, prompting England’s declaration. Now he averages around 50 at number 3 for England which is most in the past 50 years by any batter.
Tongue Makes an Impact
Making his Test debut, Josh Tongue made an immediate impact with an impressive bowling display. Tongue claimed three crucial wickets in Ireland’s second innings, including the prized scalps of Peter Moor and skipper Andy Balbirnie.
His very first delivery trapped Moor lbw, while Balbirnie fell victim to a well-directed delivery that found the edge. Tongue later dismissed Paul Stirling with a well-executed bouncer, further compounding Ireland’s woes.
During Ireland’s second innings, opener James McCollum was forced to retire hurt due to an ankle injury. The extent of his injury remains uncertain, leaving a question mark over his ability to resume batting on day three. McCollum’s absence will be a blow to Ireland, as they strive to salvage a difficult situation against a dominant England side.
Root and Pope Consolidate England’s Dominance
Joe Root, the England skipper, initially struggled to find his rhythm against a challenging Irish bowling attack. However, he eventually settled into his innings, partnering with Ollie Pope to propel England’s lead.
The duo displayed a flurry of attacking strokes, including consecutive sixes off spinner Andy McBrine. Root also achieved a personal milestone, surpassing 11,000 Test runs on the final ball before tea. The century partnership between Root and Pope was achieved in just 79 balls, marking it as the third-fastest for England.
With their score already surpassing 500 and a substantial lead secured, England opted for an evening declaration. However, the decision to declare quickly paid dividends for Ireland, as Andy McBrine dismissed both Root and Pope early in the second innings.
Despite the setbacks, Ireland showcased resilience in their batting performance during the late evening session. Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker displayed composure and skill, offering a glimmer of hope for Ireland amidst the impending defeat.