Not sure what Ireland gained from the match with Essex 2nd XI?? Yes they got back in to 'competitive' cricket again and refired that 'muscle memory' to an extent, but I think that Essex (that included three of the Irish squad in Campher Adair and Dockrell) were somewhat going through the motions, and Ireland missed the 'intensity' of the battle, Particularly when you consider that England - even with their team not being anything like the one that will start the ashes - will possess an attack from a different world compared to the Essex unit!
So what did we learn?? Firstly (and this is something that I have thought for a while now) Stirling should not open, and he can occupy the #5/6 role to better effect. In addition, and this was something that the comms team seemed to be likely, Adair not a certain starter. Really?? at Lords?? from the Pavilion end specifically?? I hope that this does not turn out to be the case (don't forget his batting)!! Dockrell didn't appear to be bowling with rythm either?? mostly just placing the ball rather than working to a plan! I am uncertain what benefit there was to the Irish batting line - up facing him??
Perhaps Balbernie is an opening partner to McCollum (shapes up a bit like his dad back in the day - Rossco as he was known) so he seems to be a long term occupant of the #1 position. I know that Moore scored a ton chasing down the target, but I again am not sure how much the Essex side were putting in at that point?? so #3 for him??
A word for a couple within the Essex ranks! Das was known before this game to a number of people who follow closely, and showed his class with a quality ton in Ess 1st knock. The big find for me (yes he has a long road to travel and he is only 19) was Jamal Richards. This guy is the full package, and with proper handling, should go far (maybe best to let some fitness team other than England backroom look after him though)
^^ Surprised this had First Class status, ok, it didn't go down the route of using more than the 11 per side during the match batters & bowlers, but they worked around this by allowing 3 to play for Essex. this surely undermines this as a proper contest. nothing more than a practice match. Essex have their own agenda, with 6 Championship matches under their belt, this was an opportunity to refresh any players not involved in the T20 Blast, which sadly included ex England skipper Cook, what great practice that would've been for the Ireland bowlers to have to prize him out. Although how that would compare with Duckett & Crawley playing a shot a ball. Essex had only one familiar name in Nick Browne, the whole exercise amounted to nothing more than an extended net session, a meaningless practice match, which has served only to shake off any rust & put a few miles in their legs.
The truth is that the priorities of Ireland are the World Cup, & the reason given for resting their best bowler, Little.
(29-05-2023 13:40 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote: [ -> ]^^ Surprised this had First Class status, ok, it didn't go down the route of using more than the 11 per side during the match batters & bowlers, but they worked around this by allowing 3 to play for Essex. this surely undermines this as a proper contest. nothing more than a practice match. Essex have their own agenda, with 6 Championship matches under their belt, this was an opportunity to refresh any players not involved in the T20 Blast, which sadly included ex England skipper Cook, what great practice that would've been for the Ireland bowlers to have to prize him out. Although how that would compare with Duckett & Crawley playing a shot a ball. Essex had only one familiar name in Nick Browne, the whole exercise amounted to nothing more than an extended net session, a meaningless practice match, which has served only to shake off any rust & put a few miles in their legs.
The truth is that the priorities of Ireland are the World Cup, & the reason given for resting their best bowler, Little.
All true Booms. Makes you wonder why thursdays match is going ahead at all?? I am less concerned with the status of the match versus Essex, than the benefit (or otherwise) to Ireland! In fairness, practice is exactly the reason the match was arranged. As I stated in my own comment, was it adequate practice for a first class match against England (NOT a test match) even allowing for Robinson and Anderson now being pulled from it?? I suggest not, and with the World Cup qualis around the corner, and Ireland stating that is their priority - even more the case I believe. The only outcome might be injuries to key players who double up for Ireland in First Class - and crucially in this context, ODIs
If Ireland are to take on England at all, it has to be arranged properly with a gap either side of it, so that it can justify a higher status if labelled as such, and both teams get some benefit. This can only be part of that long standing quid pro quo agreement. Financially?? do Ireland even come away from this on the upside of that equation??
Really poor day for Ireland at the start of this match! I was critical of the match being called a Test match when only 4 days, but at this rate, even four days may be optimistic with Ireland already backs against the wall!
I don't think that the most one eyed England follower (leaving aside the comms box that all day have forgotten that there are actually two teams playing - that is, when they moved away from 'the ashes are coming' - incessant it has been, to concentrate on the matter at hand!) could claim that more than 3 of the Irish wickets were bowled for and got! Some truly shocking thought process and shot selection. Stirling capitulating close to lunch being just one example, and that after working to establish a decent partnership with McCollum - much needed after losing 3 for nothing effectively!. He is batting in the right position now, but still can't control himself to play the necessary innings if the top order have failed to give him the platform to play a natural knock of a #5. Currently, England have just lost Crawley with the score on 109, but the run rate is way out of control!
On the positive side, James McCollum is a steady opener for the long term, as he showed against Essex 2nds (never adequate practice for this match) while Curtis Campher is now established, and one of the first names on the sheet. Hume - in addition - is showing a decent pace and the ability to 'shape' the ball early in his stint!
^^ Whilst there was some mistakes made, the England bowlers applied pressure & gave few boundary options. Stokes had the right bowler on (maybe by necessity) to Stirling who prefers pace. The only way he was going to get him out was a bad shot, & he duly obliged. Campher can be excused for his slog as he had run out of partners. Tucker was unlucky to be given out lbw, but 3 wicket for Leach on a day one wicket was a real bonus. With stokes saving himself for bigger things, Ireland could've sat in & milked Leach & got the quicks to keep coming back for more spells in the hope that they would be less effective.
Ireland offered more scoring shots, but by the nature of the way they play the openers played more shots than Ireland. Both Crawley & Duckett had some luck.
Finally, again over-rate was poor from both sides, with 6 overs lost despite an extra 30 minutes.
(02-06-2023 06:03 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote: [ -> ]^^ Whilst there was some mistakes made, the England bowlers applied pressure & gave few boundary options. Stokes had the right bowler on (maybe by necessity) to Stirling who prefers pace. The only way he was going to get him out was a bad shot, & he duly obliged. Campher can be excused for his slog as he had run out of partners. Tucker was unlucky to be given out lbw, but 3 wicket for Leach on a day one wicket was a real bonus. With stokes saving himself for bigger things, Ireland could've sat in & milked Leach & got the quicks to keep coming back for more spells in the hope that they would be less effective.
Ireland offered more scoring shots, but by the nature of the way they play the openers played more shots than Ireland. Both Crawley & Duckett had some luck.
Finally, again over-rate was poor from both sides, with 6 overs lost despite an extra 30 minutes.
I agree with most of that, but I still believe the majority of the wickets fell to poor thought processes and shot selection! Your point about Leach is - in fact - a case in point Booms. Again, poor innings management in this regard. The torture continues today too, with England in total control, save for immediately post lunch and the ball change, although I think Ireland should be credited for utilising it with greater accuracy and discipline. As I left it a short time ago, however, the same flogging and backs against the wall.
As a side note, the comms hasn't improved, with that series to come taking up most time. Oh and the thoroughly irritating 'one opinion only' Butch continuing to irk! I wish they would - at least - seek to be constructive instead of continuous derision and dismissiveness. They can't be bothered to even be accurate - cherry picking scores from the last time Eng V Ire in a longer form match, and taking selective stats from Irelands series in Bangladesh, where in alien conditions, they actually posted good test totals (yes also falling in a heap) Maybe the two division Test format is the way to go, but how then do Ireland (Afghanistan also) continue to make improvement??
^^ Yesterday on Sky the said it was important that England showed Ireland respect, yet haven't backed that sentient themselves by constantly switching their attention to the Ashes.
England took what was on offer, & never really resorted to out & out slogging, 6+ an over was easily achieved with a four-ball served up in most overs. In almost 83 overs Ireland managed just 4 maidens.
The declaration as well timed, giving the bowlers a session & an overnight rest. Tongue deserved his 2nd innings wickets after bowling well without any luck 1st up.
I can remember a documentary around the time that Ireland were starting out in Tests. I believe they had a plan/vision for their own First Class set-up, without this they are doomed to fail as the change in status in the England domestic game has resulted in the counties moving away from Irelands players. The group of players that earned the reward of Test Match status included 10 or more who had County contracts & featured in Championship Cricket, despite the fact that England cherry-picked their best in Morgan & briefly Joyce & Rankin.
You have to wonder what England wanted to get out of this one sided series.
The first objective is to give all the batsmen and bowlers a chance to get some form.
The wicket is good and the weather is going to be fine so I can't understand why England declared. Surely they could have given Johnny Bairtow and Ben Stokes a run out with the bat. Especially since England probably won't having a second innings.
I'd have batted for the rest of the day and into Saturday.
But if Ireland had rallied in their second innings and managed to survive for say 5 sessions it would have left Stokes looking a bit silly.
^Isn't the sole purpose of this test to prepare for the Ashes.
As it stands the game will end in the first session tomorrow with several players untested.