Last Update: June 03, 2023, 18:29 IST
England’s Ben Stokes with head coach Brendon McCullum in the Lord’s balcony (AP)
England’s Ben Stokes, who has been suffering from a long-standing knee injury, faltered after taking a catch to dismiss Curtis Campher but stayed on the ground.
England captain Ben Stokes appeared to be battling a fresh injury problem as he faced some determined resistance from Ireland in their Ashes warm-up at Lord’s on Saturday.
Star all-rounder, who has been suffering from a long-standing knee injury, staggered after taking a catch to dismiss Curtis Kaempfer but stayed on the ground.
Ireland, in a Test being played over four days instead of the standard five, thwarted England’s hopes of a quick victory by reaching 215–6 at lunch in their second innings.
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Andy McBrine was 19 not out and Mark Adair 32 not out, although Ireland were still 137 runs behind and in danger of an innings defeat.
Ireland, in their seventh Test and still looking for a first win at this level, resumed on 97–3.
Ollie Pope’s 205, the fastest double century in a Test in England, and Ben Duckett’s 182, the fastest 150 in a Lord’s Test, helped England to a total of 255 runs.
They were dealt a further blow before the start of play on Saturday when it was announced that James McCullum – who had scored a blistering 172 in his first innings – was “unlikely” to feature in the match again on Friday His right arm was twisted due to a retired hurt. Uncle Josh is trying to pull out the tongue.
Ireland lost just one wicket in the opening hour on Saturday, with left-arm spinner Jack Leach dismissing Lorcan Tucker for an attractive 44, before two wickets fell for 162.
Harry Tector, after completing an attractive half-century in 97 balls, was dismissed for point to hand England debutant pacer Tongue his fourth wicket of the innings.
Kampfer then swept part-time spinner Joe Root to short fine leg, where Stokes, suffering from a long-standing knee injury, fumbled after taking a simple catch.
The dismissal was Stokes’ first direct involvement in a match where he has not yet batted or bowled.
England will want to do everything possible to maintain the all-rounder’s fitness ahead of the first Ashes match starting at Edgbaston on June 16, while capitalizing on the leadership skills of the all-rounder, who has led the team to 12 Test matches since then. Has helped us win 10 Tests. Last year the coach joined forces with Brendon McCullum.
Root’s six overs cost him 45 runs, however, as McBrine and Adair struck.
