Twitter Reactions: England snatches away the ‘Maiden Test victory’ opportunity from Ireland

England started the third day of play in the Test match against Ireland with an overnight score of 303/9. Ideally, the hosts would have looked to push the lead past 200 before they were bowled out. But Stuart Thompson had other ideas. All he needed was one delivery to clear up Olly Stone and put curtains on England’s innings. He got through the gate and bowled the batsman for a duck as he finished with a three-wicket haul.

Ireland had a wonderful opportunity in front of them to win their first-ever Test match. And winning it against a side like England would have meant the world to them. All they needed to do was to score 182 runs in the fourth innings of the game. There was plenty of time left in the game and that wasn’t a constraint. Moreover, the pitch was good enough to bat on and they had a chance to hog all the limelight.

England doesn’t take too long to wrap things up

Ireland would have fancied their chances at the innings break. They had to apply themselves well. However, their batsmen had no answers to the spells from Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes. They kept queuing back to the pavilion one after another as if it was a race. Their skipper Ed Pollock gave up early and got out for just 2 runs.

Another important player, Andrew Balbirnie couldn’t withstand the fiery English bowling and perished after scoring 5 runs. Both Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes managed to extract a great deal of swing with the new ball. They were literally unplayable and moved the ball both the ways. Most of the Ireland batsmen failed to see the new ball off and kept gifting the opposition their wickets.

Opener James McCollum was the only batsman in the line-up who managed to get past 10 runs. However, he also got out to Woakes after scoring 11 runs. Ireland was bowled out for 38 runs in no time. Broad and Woakes picked up 4 and 6 wickets each as England won the match by a massive 143-run margin. Twitterati was shocked with this performance from Ireland. They expected them to put up a better fight. The England fans rejoiced after this fabulous comeback and were all praise for Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes.

Here is how Twitterati reacted to England’s win:

From 132-2 in their first innings, Ireland lost their last 18 wickets in the match for 113.

— Tim (@timwig) 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 RSA v ENG, 1902
38 IRELAND v ENGLAND, 2019

Previous lowest total in a Test inns at Lord’s—42 IND v ENG, 1974#ENGvIRE #ENGvsIRE

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) July 26, 2019

2006-2016 in England
Average Swing: 1.20°
Average Seam: 0.59°

2017-2019 in England
Average Swing: 1.06°
Average Seam: 0.70°

There’s been a huge increase in seam movement but swing has actually decreased. #ENGvIRE https://t.co/5W9o2c3Nlh

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) July 26, 2019

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

What an amazing test match @HomeOfCricket Well played @Irelandcricket & great support @IREcricketFans You made England work hard for it. #ENGvIRE

— Mr Benn (@therealmrbenn) July 26, 2019

Deservingly, Woakes takes the last wicket for a six-for, bowling Murtagh at this home ground. Ireland all out for 38, England win by 143, having essentially been on the back foot (or at the very most, playing catch-up) in all but this last session #ENGvIRE

— Paul Keenan (@paulrkeenan) July 26, 2019

Ireland produced the Lowest Team Total in test cricket since 1955 (64 Years ????)

26 -NZ – 1955
30 – SA – 1896
30 – SA – 1924
35 – SA – 1899
36 – SA – 1932
36 – AUS – 1902
38 – IRELAND – 2019#ENGvIRE

— Aqeeb (@Aqibmzm) 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

Nice of us to give u some hope @niallnobiobrien

— Rob Key (@robkey612) July 26, 2019

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

Ireland were bowled out in 15.4 overs – which makes that the fourth shortest innings in terms of balls faced in the history of Test cricket. Their total of 38 runs is the seventh lowest in Test history, the lowest at Lord’s & the lowest since 1955. #ENGvIRE

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) July 26, 2019

Jack Leach outscored two teams in this Test.

— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) July 26, 2019

Bloody hell. Heartbroken for Ireland. That didn’t reflect how they well fought in this Test. A bonkers match #ENGvIRE

— Paul Muchmore (@paulmuchmore) July 26, 2019