England vs Ireland: Josh Tongue claims maiden first class wickets

The Worcestershire bowler had impressed in the first innings but was unable to make the breakthrough he so craved on what was his first-ever match at the home of cricket. 

But there was no stopping the 25-year-old on day two of the test with Ireland as he took the three wickets to leave the visitors 98-3 at the close on Friday.

Tongue then completed his five-for on day three before some resistance from Mark Adair and Andy McBrine made England have to bat again for the win.

Ireland's 163-run partnership between tailenders Adair and McBrine helped Ireland reach 362 all out, giving England just 11 runs to win, which Zac Crawley did himself to give the home side a convincing victory. 

Predictions before the third day started ranged from whether England would have victory wrapped up in this one-off Test by lunch or by the time the FA Cup final got under way at 3pm.

Ireland needed 255 runs to force Ben Stokes’ side to bat again and were without injured opener James McCollum, but Harry Tector (51) and Lorcan Tucker (44) ensured 118 runs were scored in the morning session for the loss of only three wickets.

Adair and McBrine then upped the ante after lunch, launching astonishing attacks on Stuart Broad and Jack Leach before Matthew Potts bounced out number nine Adair for a 76-ball 88 that included 12 fours and two sixes.

Tongue continued his fine debut by picking up his fifth scalp, that of Fionn Hand, before McBrine helped Ireland make it to tea in the lead, only to be stranded on 86 not out when last man Graham Hume was bowled by Broad to leave the tourists on 362 for nine.

It gave England a victory target of 11 and Zak Crawley needed only four balls to secure a 10-wicket success to make it 11 wins in 13 Tests in the ‘Bazball’ era under Stokes and Brendon McCullum, but the sternest examination of their aggressive brand of cricket will start on June 16 when the Ashes get under way.