Twitter Reactions: Game-on in the England-Ireland Test as hosts take a 181-run lead

After the embarrassment on the first day of the play against Ireland, England fought their way back on the second day. Quite early in the day, the hosts lost the wicket of their opener Rory Burns for just six runs. However, the nightwatchman Jack Leech and debutant Jason Roy stitched together a wonderful partnership. While Leech took his time, Roy played in his usual aggressive style.

The left-hander nearly scored a Test hundred at Lord’s but missed out on getting his name on the honors board by a whisker. When he was batting on 92, Jack Leech edged one off the bowling of Tim Murtagh and thus had to walk back to the pavilion. Earlier, he got two lives but he couldn’t really make the most of it. Yet, it was a massive contribution given the context of the game.

Jason Roy bats aggressively

Jason Roy, who got out a while before Leech, tried to play his natural game. Unlike the first innings, he lashed out at every loose ball and put the pressure on the bowlers. In the process, he also got to his maiden Test half-century. While it’d have been nice for him to score a hundred, he was dismissed on 72. He took just 78 balls to score these runs.

Joe Root scored 31 runs while the likes of Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali failed yet again. Bairstow registered his second duck in the game while Moeen got out after getting 9 runs. Joe Denly was run out when he was batting on 10. The lead was 126 for England when the 8th wicket fell. At this stage, Ireland seemed to be on the top. However, Sam Curran, with an excellent 37 and Stuart Broad with an unbeaten 25 extended the lead to 181 runs.

Nine wickets fell on the day and the game is evenly poised at this stage. The pitch is getting better as the game progresses and England will look to push the lead past 200. Ireland, though, have done really well to be at this stage. They will surely fancy their chances and try to pull off a historic win. The third day of play could potentially decide the ultimate winner of the match.

Here is how Twitterati reacted at the end of the second day’s play:

Harsh call but Rory Burns looked like he was the night watchman. Don’t think he will be playing the Ashes.

— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) July 25, 2019

Just woken up….. when did we sneak @Trescricket into the team….? #ENGvIRE

— Alan Butcher (@abutch58) July 25, 2019

Why would I worry DT? I think it would be awesome if he scored a double.#ENGvIRE https://t.co/6XwUJpZpdp

— Jason Gillespie ???????? (@dizzy259) July 25, 2019

At least England have sorted the opener issue out. #leach @finnysteve https://t.co/BVuqewgWsj

— Ravi Bopara (@ravibopara) July 25, 2019

Test batting is about adapting to conditions and situations.
It’s easy to say the pitch is not what you expected. All you are saying as a player is you cannot adapt to different conditions.#bebetter #DontMakeExcuses

— Jason Gillespie ???????? (@dizzy259) July 25, 2019

Who’s at the Test tomorrow ? Great game brewing …

— David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd (@BumbleCricket) July 25, 2019

Those that are not thinking of going to Lords tomorrow I reckon you should … Cracking days play on the cards … #OnOn

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 25, 2019

Not happy …….. https://t.co/5GyRzgFIi7

— David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd (@BumbleCricket) July 25, 2019

Finally we have found a replacement for Alastair Cook …. #Leach

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 25, 2019

If his bowling improves a bit he might be a allrounder.????

— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) July 25, 2019