England have won the only previous Test match between the nations which was also played at Lord's.
England vs Ireland | One-off Test | Thursday 1 June – Sunday 4 June 2023 | Lord’s, London | 12:00
England 1/8 | Tie 13/2 | Ireland 20/1
England will be hoping to get back into the swing of Test cricket ahead of the Ashes as they prepare to host Ireland.
Having only alloted four days to get the job done, England might be keen to make quick work of Ireland to avoid the embarrassment of a four-day stalemate.
England will remember that it took a rearguard 92 from Jack Leach to stave off humiliation the last time Ireland visited Lord’s.
James Anderson and Ollie Robinson are in the squad but following injury scares they might well be rested leaving the seam job to Stuart Broad, Matthew Potts and Chris Woakes.
The form of middle order stars Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker might bolster Ireland at the home of cricket where batters that get in can make a bowling unit pay.
Tucker got a Test ton on their recent trip to Bangladesh but will face a different challenge in the seam-friendly conditions of England.
Ireland seamer Mark Adair looks their best bet to get among the English batters early on and put them right on the back foot.
Ireland must find a way to put England under pressure and take advantage of their ‘Bazball’ approach to the game.
Verdict: England
Even with some stars absent England should have too much for Ireland and even with one eye on Australia should win comfortably.
