Ben Stokes had seen enough. Once Ollie Pope was stumped the very next ball after sealing the fastest Test double-century on English soil with a six, the captain called time on an innings as one-sided as Blackadder’s battle of Mboto Gorge and Ireland’s batting lineup was sent back into the bright sunshine at Lord’s.
Faced with a deficit of 352 runs, still dizzied by the 524 for four England amassed through Pope’s 208-ball 205 and Ben Duckett’s 182 from 178, the visitors held as firm as they could, reaching 97 for three at stumps. This looks likely to be four down in effect, however, opener James McCollum forced to retire hurt after getting his studs caught in the pitch while evading a short ball and twisting his ankle.
