Result and latest updates from the first day of the Lord test

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Welcome to our live coverage of the first and only Test between England and Ireland at Lord’s. England have had a busy winter and a busy summer, with the Ashes kicking off later this month. Obviously getting the urn back will be the focus, but they will need to ensure they don’t underestimate Ireland in this encounter.

The last time these two teams met in the Tests England emerged victorious by 143, but that was after bowling 85 in the first innings. But they did, and then kicked Ireland out for the 38 themselves.

Meanwhile, England captain Will MacPherson writes, “Ben Stokes has warned Australia he has ‘worked like crazy’ to get back to his best for 2019 after it emerged the England captain had sought treatment for chronic tendinitis.

Stokes is confident that careful management and his time on the sidelines in the IPL has restored his fitness to the level of his golden summer four years ago, and will allow him to play a “full role” as an all-rounder in Thursday’s Test against Ireland and in the Ashes, which begin on 16 June.

The injury was at its worst on England’s tour of New Zealand in February, when he was only able to kick two goals in the defeat in Wellington. He only played 2 matches in IPL.

“Obviously the knee is in a much better place than it was in Wellington,” said Stokes. “I’ve been in India for the last nine to 10 weeks but what I’ve done is put myself in a position where I can’t look back and regret or say I didn’t give myself the best chance of playing a full part with the ball this summer.

“I’ve worked incredibly hard with the medical team in Chennai, who have been in touch with the ECB guys, and I’ve got a place where I feel I’m back in the space of 2019, 2020 in terms of my body and my physique.

“I made a promise to myself and my teammates, particularly my bowlers, that I would do everything I could to be in a position to fulfill this role. I did.”

Team and squad news will be updated soon and we’ll be here for additional updates throughout the day. It’s a bit cloudy and not all that warm in North West London today, so it could be a good day for bowling.

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