‘Big tick’: Broad happy after England’s bowlers make short work of Ireland

Stuart Broad said England’s bowlers had blown away their doubters as well as Ireland’s batters on the first day of the Test summer at Lord’s, after England’s three-seamer attack, augmented by the spin of Jack Leach, bowled the visitors out for 172 before England raced to within 20 of their score in only 25 overs for the loss of one wicket.

“When you win the toss and bowl your aim is to try and bowl the team out in a day, so to have done that was a big tick for our bowling attack,” Broad said. “Then I thought the way the three guys played this evening was exactly the mindset that Baz and Stokesy want.

“It was positive, it was aggressive, it put the bowlers under pressure, and we’ll hopefully see a bit more of that on Friday.”

Broad led the way with the ball, taking five wickets for 51, his 20th five-wicket haul in Tests but his first at Lord’s for more than a decade.

“You can’t underestimate the feeling of seeing your name on the honours board here because it is the most famous in the world and it is very special to get on it,” he said.

“I’ve always loved playing here, it gives me such a buzz to walk through that long room and on to that pitch.

“A few of us were out there at tea when the sun was shining for one of the first times this season and we were all saying, ‘How good’s this? Blue sky at Lord’s, a crowd in, Test match, it’s as good as it gets.’

“I actually felt probably in the best rhythm of the summer so far. To come into the first game of the international summer and really hit my straps and feel like I was on the money is a great start for me.

“I don’t rely on confidence at my age, I know I can bowl well and where the ball is going, but it’s always a nice lift when you have some wickets behind you.”

Josh Tongue