Stuart Broad got the ball rolling for England on the first day of their eagerly-anticipated Test summer with three wickets before Ireland regrouped to reach 78 for four at Lord’s.
Broad ripped through the top order to reduce the tourists to 19 for three before a review overturned the decision to give Paul Stirling out lbw for a duck.
Stirling then led the fightback for Ireland with a rapid 30 during a 45-run partnership for the fourth wicket with opener James McCollum but Jack Leach ended the white-ball specialist’s fun before lunch to ensure England narrowly edged proceedings on the opening morning.
England’s journey to Lord’s from their Kensington hotel had been delayed by five minutes due to Just Stop Oil protesters and enhanced security measures were put in place by the MCC to thwart any potential disruptions during the four-day Test.