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England vs Ireland Only Test - Home batters likely to shine

By Sridhar Bhamidi

30 May 2023

Sridhar Bhamidi 30 May 2023

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England vs Ireland Only Test predictions to be played in London from Thursday afternoon time, IST
England have won 10 of their last 12 Tests
Ireland have lost all their 6 Tests
Joe Root top-scored for England in 2 of their last 3 innings
Can Ireland stay on par with England and stretch the hosts at Lord's?

Can Joe Root anchor England's batting charge? (Getty Images)

England vs Ireland Only Test

Right after the highs of IPL cricket, England and Ireland will signal the change of formats with a one-off four-day test. This match will be played at the iconic Lord’s from June 1.

England vs Ireland Only Test
Head to Head
England Form
England Team News
Ireland Form
Ireland Team News

This is the start of English summer where the biggest draw is obviously the Ashes. With this match more like a warm-up for the hosts for that big series, expect the big guns to come firing. There’s not a lot of value in backing England for the win, so I am digging into the individual markets. England’s all-weather batter Joe Root is my pick to be their top first innings batter.

England have won 10 of their last 12 matches (Tests)
Ireland have lost their 6 matches (Tests)
Joe Root top-scored for England in 2 of his last 3 innings (Tests)
Stuart Broad has taken at least 3 wickets in 4 of his last 5 innings at home (Tests)
Andy Balbirnie top-scored for Ireland against England last time they played at Lord’s (Tests)
Paul Stirling has a 100 from his last Test and the practice match (All Matches)

Head to Head

These sides have played each other just once, that too at this venue back in 2019. It was a fascinating match that started with England getting bowled out for 85 and conceding a 122-run first lead but ended with Ireland getting bowled out for 38 in the second innings enroute a 143-run loss.

England Form

England last played a Test match in New Zealand in February when they drew the two-Test series 1-1. It was another fascinating example of ‘Bazball’ as the second match was lost by a mere single run.

The hosts are in the midst of an encouraging spell of improvements in this format. They have won 10 of their last 12 Tests and are increasingly wowing the followers with their aggressive approach.

While all eyes will be on the upcoming Ashes series and the way England are likely to prepare, they can’t take Ireland lightly.

England Team News

England announced their playing XI with the uncapped seamer Josh Tongue set to debut. Matthew Potts and Jack Leach will assist Stuart Broad in the bowling department. Ben Duckett will be paired with Zak Crawley at the top of the batting order.

Ireland Form

Ireland have played three Tests in the month of April, when they toured Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. They lost their last two by an innings margin.

The visitors are looking at this match only as a stepping stone to improvements in the white-ball format. With qualification to the upcoming World Cups in ODIs and T20Is the main objective, Ireland will only look at this as a one-off chance to play a top team.

They did have a good warm-up to the Test though, defeating Essex in a three-day practice match by ten wickets.

Ireland Team News

Craig Young, Conor Olphert, and George Dockrell are likely to miss out with Ireland set to decide on whether to use an extra batter or play Curtis Campher as the all-rounder.

England vs Ireland FAQs

Where can I watch the England vs Ireland live stream?

Our live streaming calendar shows you where to watch the England vs Ireland live stream.

What time does England vs Ireland start?

This England vs Ireland only Test match is being played at the Lord's Stadium in London starting from June 1, Thursday at 3:30pm IST.

Verdict

There’s very little going for Ireland in this match, unless weather comes in and adds a new dimension. They have some exciting batters to add a bit of oomph, but England are far more ahead for the visitors to stop them.

I am putting my money in the individual player markets with Joe Root likely to be England’s top first innings scorer. There’s a very interesting accumulator around Root, Harry Brook and Jonny Baristow scoring 50+ each in the first innings.