Ireland’s Murtagh strikes as England collapse to 43-7

London (AFP) – Tim Murtagh took five wickets on his Lord’s home ground before lunch on the first day as Ireland made a sensational start in their first-ever Test against England by reducing the home side to 43 for seven on Wednesday.

The 37-year-old Murtagh, who plays at the ground for Middlesex, had the sensational figures of five wickets for 13 runs in nine overs after England captain Joe Root had won the toss.

On a ground where they won the World Cup just over a week ago, England were in deep trouble despite Root’s insistence they did not want to “sleepwalk” into the match ahead of the Ashes series, starting next week.

A green-tinged pitch promised to offer Ireland’s quicks some assistance but few could have foreseen the flurry of England wickets that followed, with Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes all out for nought on a sunny day.

Test debutant Jason Roy, the latest batsman to be given a chance at filling England’s problem position of opener, had made just five when he might have been lbw to Test debutant Mark Adair, only for a no-ball to be called by the umpires.

But five was all the World Cup-winner made, with Murtagh squaring Roy up before the Surrey batsman edged a low catch to Paul Stirling at first slip.

Joe Denly (23) offered a degree of resistance before he became Adair’s maiden Test wicket, lbw going across his stumps.

Rory Burns, Roy’s Surrey teammate, saw his first Test innings on home soil end on six when he nicked the medium-pacer Murtagh low to wicketkeeper Gary Wilson, with England now 36-3.

Adair then captured the prize wicket of Root, plumb lbw for two to a ball that would have hit middle stump, although Ireland had to first review umpire Aleem Dar’s original not out decision.

The cascade of wickets continued as 42-4 quuickly became 42-5, with Jonny Bairstow bowled for a duck off an inside edge by Murtagh as he attempted a booming drive in a deperate bid to hit England out of trouble.

Woakes then became Murtagh’s fourth victim, lbw on umpire’s call before the vetreran seamer ensured he would have a place on the honours board for all those who take five wickets in a Test innings at Lord’s when he had Moeen caught behind, with England seven down inside 15 overs.

This one-off match was only scheduled for four days, rather than the traditional five.