This cricket craic is easy. After only becoming a test nation in 2017, Ireland are taking part in their first ever test match at Lord's this afternoon, the home of the sport.
England were the opposition, and this was seen as a major step forward for Irish cricket. This being only our third ever test match, nobody gave Ireland much of a chance of securing a positive result.
What happened next would blow everybody away.
Ireland would bowl out the English for only 85 runs, ending their first innings before we even reached lunch on the first day.
It was an incredible performance against a team who were recently crowned world champions at ODI level.
A quick recap of that first hour from England.#ENGvIREpic.twitter.com/8plqEPfL2k
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) July 24, 2019
It looked like Ireland were on course to smash all sorts of records for much of the innings.
England's lowest scores at the fall of the 7th wicket in a home Test:
26 runs vs AUS, Lord's, 1888
43 runs vs IRE, Lord's, Today#ENGvIRE— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) July 24, 2019
While England would manage to get a few more runs on the board before being bowled out, it was still a historically poor performance from the home side.
It would England's fourth ever lowest score for an innings in Lords.
Clearly, the Irish cared little for their opposition's title as world champions.
#ENGvIRE England vs Ireland
England: " We are world champions"
Ireland: pic.twitter.com/3HukHdU3fZ— How Football Saved Humans - Great Book to Read (@HowHumans) July 24, 2019
Much of Ireland's charge was led by bowler Tim Murtagh. The Middlesex bowler is very familiar with today's surroundings, with this being the ground he plays his county cricket in.
He put that knowledge to good use, putting in one of the most dominant bowling displays ever seen in test cricket.
In all, he would end the innings with an eye-catching tally of 5-13 off nine overs.
Hello, 911? I'd like to report a Murtagh #ENGvIRE
— Daniel Brettig 🏏 (@danbrettig) July 24, 2019
Tim Murtagh pitched an astonishing 69% of his deliveries on a good line AND a good length. The average for a fast bowler in Test cricket is 34%. Supreme accuracy from the Middlesex seamer. #ENGvIRE
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) July 24, 2019
Tim Murtagh has taken 383 wickets at Lord's. Since 2000, no bowler has more wickets at a single venue. #ENGvIRE
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) July 24, 2019
Legend 👏#BackingGreen | #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/t2oNlD5mFr
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) July 24, 2019
A standing ovation around Lord’s for @tjmurtagh following an outstanding spell of bowling this morning!#BackingGreen ☘️ pic.twitter.com/Vm2nwcniZa
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) July 24, 2019
Unsurprisingly, there were a few subtle digs thrown at some well-known Brexiteers.
I do hope Nigel Farage made it along to Lords today #ENGvIRE
— Matthew O'Toole (@MatthewOToole2) July 24, 2019
This is just the latest instalment in what has been an incredible few days for Irish sport.
Golf, athletics, football, crickets, even on Love Island, we don't do too bad for ourselves.
An lrish man captains England to win the world cup, Amber picks Greg on love Island, Shane Lowry wins the British Open on lrish soil, Rhasidat ADeleke wins gold in 100m and now today Ireland bowl England out for 85 at Lords what a summer we are having 🇮🇪 #ENGvIRE #BackingGreen
— Glen Archbold (@glenarchbold) July 24, 2019
Shane Lowry Open Champion, Rhasidat Adeleke taking gold in the Youth Olympics, Ireland dominating England at Lord's and Irish U19s with a chance to reach a European Final this afternoon. Not a bad few days for Irish sport. #BackingGreen 🇮🇪
— caoimhín (@okeydoke90) July 24, 2019
England are well and truly on the WC hangover while Ireland are riding on the wave of Shane Lowry's success at the Open. What a time to be Irish 🇮🇪 #ENGvIRE #Lords
— Clint Stevens (@clintstevens123) July 24, 2019
I'm assuming @Irelandcricket will have @ShaneLowryGolf opening the batting #Lords #ENGvIRE
— David Cahill (@docaithil) July 24, 2019
There's a long way to go on this one, but we're well on the way to pulling off a huge shock. To sum it all up:
Getting on the cricket bandwagon @Irelandcricket @ballsdotie #BackingGreen pic.twitter.com/onuGQ3N2ey
— Daniel Buckley (@DanielBuble) July 24, 2019
