ENG vs IRE: Play of the day from Day 2

Ben Stokes-led England are all over their opponents, Ireland, as expected, in their one-off Test encounter at the iconic Lord's. While there isn't much riding on the game, it has been a contest of personal milestones for the English players, and England's debutant Josh Tongue also made great use of the opportunity, claiming his maiden Test wicket at the iconic venue. His delivery to get rid of Irish opener Peter Moor features in our Play of the Day.

The home side were in a commanding position from the very first session of the match, thanks to a menacing opening spell from veteran pacer Stuart Broad. Riding high on Broad's brilliant five-wicket haul, England restricted Ireland to a paltry total of 172 runs in the first inning. Although it was a dominant performance by the English pacers, debutant Josh Tongue failed to contribute with a wicket in the first innings.

Following a clinical bowling performance, the English batters put the visitors to the sword with some swashbuckling batting performances we have grown accustomed to in recent times. However, Josh Tongue's maiden international cricket was the highlight of the day as the Worcestershire pacer trapped Peter Moor plumb in front of the wicket to claim his first wicket for England. Moor wasn't able to gauge the pace and trajectory of the ball as he failed to bring the bat down in time.

England Cricket@englandcricket

a MASSIVE moment for Josh Tongue on debut! 😍 His first Test wicket for England ☝️ #EnglandCricket | #ENGvIRE

09:26 PM · Jun 02, 2023

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England in the ascendency after Pope's double ton

The 25-year-old pacer, who went wicketless in the first innings, ran riot in the second, sending back Ireland skipper Andrew Balbirnie in the very same over. Veteran Irish batter Paul Stirling became his third victim of the match as England are on the cusp of dispatching the hosts on the third day of the Lord's Test. Earlier, it was Ollie Pope's rollicking double-century and career-best innings that helped England to a daunting total of 524 runs.