ENG vs IRE, One Off Test | Match Details, Predicted XIs, Fantasy Tips
England vs Ireland [Image- Twitter]
The 2023 English international summer of cricket will finally get underway on June 01, when England hosts Ireland in a four-day Test at Lord's.
The encounter is four years in the making, with the Irish set to make their first appearance in the UK since their thrilling low-scoring clash at the same venue in 2019.
Since then, the Andie Balbirnie-led unit has been fence-sitters in Test cricket, having featured just three times in the format, all of which came in Asia earlier this year.
While they are yet to win a Test, Ireland has shown plenty of promising signs and this match will be another opportunity for them to showcase their mettle against one of the top sides in the world in England.
As for England, this game serves as a perfect curtain-raiser ahead of the all-important Ashes
series, which will kickstart in Birmingham on June 15.
Team Previews:
England have been on a roll in Test cricket ever since the attacking leadership of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum took over last summer.
This Test match offers them another opportunity to stamp their authority, and it is something both Stokes and McCullum have vowed to continue in the lead-up.
The hosts have already named their starting XI, with Worcestershire seamer Joshua Tongue handed his maiden Test cap while Jonny Bairstow included as a specialist keeper-batsman.
There is no room for seam-bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes, who boasts off a brilliant record at Lord's, while the duo of James Anderson and Ollie Robinson have been rested as a precautionary measure after they picked up injuries during the county championship matches earlier this month.
The Irish had a decent hit out in the one-off warm-up game against Essex as their batsmen, particularly their opening duo of Peter Moor and James McCollum, feasted on a flat deck in Chelmsford.
Veteran batsman Paul Stirling also warmed up with a 1st innings hundred while pacer Thomas Mayes picked up a 4-wicket haul.
All eyes will, however, be on the young duo of Harry Tector and keeper Lorcan Tucker, both of whom were simply sensational during their recent trip to Asia.
Match Details
Date and Time: 01-04 June, 03:30 AM IST
Venue: Lord's Cricket Ground, London
Live Streaming and Broadcast: Sony Liv/Sony Sports Network
Pitch Report:
Lord's has proven to be a safe haven for seamers in the last 5-6 years. Since the start of 2018, pacers have taken 237 wickets @ 21.85 apiece as opposed to spinners, who average 61.05 per wicket.
The pitch bore a greenish tinge on the eve of the match, and it could very well prove to be a bowl first day tomorrow.
Predicted Playing XIs
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Ben Stokes ©, Harry Brook, Jonmy Bairstow (WK), Joshua Tongue, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, Matt Potts
Ireland: James McCollum, Peter Moor, Andy Balbirnie ©, Harry Tector, Paul Stirling, Lorcan Tucker (WK), Curtis Campher, Andy McBrine, Mark Adair, Thomas Mayes
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicket-Keeper: Jonny Bairstow, Lorcan Tucker, Ben Duckett
Batters: Joe Root, Harry Tector, Paul Stirling, Ollie Pope
All-Rounders: Ben Stokes
Bowlers: Stuart Broad, Matt Potts, Mark Adair
Captain: Joe Root
Vice-Captain: Stuart Broad
Prediction
Given their experience and their overall depth, we tip England to win this Test comprehensively.
 "Yash Mittal")
.jpg "'I Have Definitely Given Myself The Best Opportunity To Bowl This Summer' - Ben Stokes")