'Perfect start to a big summer' - Stuart Broad after his five-wicket haul on Day 1 against Ireland

England had a terrific start to their summer as they bundled out Ireland for 172 on Day 1 of the only Test on Thursday, June 1, at Lord’s. After England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bowl first, seamer Stuart Broad vindicated his decision with a splendid five-wicket haul which broke the back of the Irish batting unit. After restricting Ireland to a paltry total, England got their innings off to a flying start as openers Zak Crawley (56) and Ben Duckett (60*) added 109 runs for the first wicket in just 99 balls.

England finished Day 1 on 152/1 at stumps with Duckett and Ollie Pope (29*) at the crease. After the end of the day’s play, Broad reflected on the perfect start to the summer for England and praised the batters to get the team off to a great start playing aggressive cricket.

“When you win the toss and bowl, your aim is to bowl the team out in a day, so to have done that was a big tick. I thought the way the three guys (batsmen) played this evening was exactly the mindset that Baz and Stokesy want. It was positive and aggressive, put the bowlers under pressure, and we’ll hopefully see a bit more of that tomorrow… It is almost the perfect start to a big summer,” Broad was quoted as saying by News18.

Broad was the only experienced bowler in the attack, with James Anderson and Ollie Robinson rested ahead of the Ashes. The 36-year-old veteran could also see himself getting rotated in the upcoming series starting on June 16 at Edgbaston. Talking about the same, Broad said that whether he plays the first Test or the second, his mindset is going to be the same.

I love Ashes cricket: Stuart Broad

“I love Ashes cricket, but I can honestly say to you whether I play the first, the second or the fifth (Test), my mindset is the same, just have an impact on the game, change the momentum and look to put in a performance that will win the Test," he added. 

Broad finished his spell with figures of 5/51 in 17 overs, while Jack Leach picked up 3/35 in 14 overs, and Matthew Potts picked up 2/36 in 12.2 overs. England are trailing by 20 runs at 152/1 and will look to get a big lead in the first innings on Day 2.