Josh Tongue’s five wickets help England secure Test win over spirited Ireland

A sparsely populated pavilion betrayed a belief among MCC members that England would wrap up a quick kill on the third day. As it was, the hosts were made to toil for their latest victory, Ireland pushing proceedings well into the second half of the FA Cup final and underlining why a nation holds its breath over the fitness of Ben Stokes.

Mark Adair and Andy McBrine were the source of English graft in bright sunshine, coming together before the break lunch and producing a seventh-wicket partnership of 163 from 27.3 overs. An overall record for their country, it was packed full of impish fun and had both men dreaming of a place on the honours boards.

Neither made it, however, Adair removed for a 76-ball 88 and McBrine left high and dry on 86 not out, the signwriters instead switching their attention to Josh Tongue and sparkling figures of five for 66 on debut.

Ireland were bowled out for 362, setting England 11 runs to win, and swiftly beaten by 10 wickets. For Stokes and Brendon McCullum, this was an 11th win from 13 Tests as a leadership pairing.

Stokes did not bat or bowl and it is the latter that remains the concern; without his overs, the request for fast, flat Ashes pitches becomes a touch more questionable. The all-rounder said before the match his troublesome left knee – understood to be chronic tendinitis – had improved but the grimace and instinctive grasp at the joint upon holding a catch on the third morning told a different story.

The dismissal, Curtis Campher falling to a sweep off Joe Root’s tweakers for 19, left Ireland 162 for six, 191 runs away from making England bat again. They were effectively seven down, too, opener James McCollom sporting a moon boot and on crutches after the nasty ankle twist