Former England captain Michael Vaughan branded England’s astonishing battling collapse against minnows Ireland at Lord’s as “embarrassing” after the hosts were skittled for 85 on the first day of the four-day Test on Wednesday.
In their first Test match in a summer dominated by the one-day World Cup, England could not even muster three figures against a nation playing its third Test match ever.
A week before Joe Root’s side take on Australia in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, Ireland’s London-born seamer Tim Murtagh exposed the fragility of England’s batting, taking five for 13 in nine superb overs on a pitch that, while offering some movement, should not have held terrors for a top nation.
England lasted 23.4 overs as they were bowled out before lunch on the first morning of a Lord’s Test for the first time.
“When the ball does anything you shut your eyes and hope England get through it,” Vaughan told the BBC’s Test Match Special.
“There were some good balls but there was also some timid play and poor strokes.
“Let’s be honest, it’s an embarrassment – you’re at the home of cricket, in a Test against Ireland and you’re all out for 85, there is no other word to describe it.”
It was England’s lowest Test innings score at home since they were dismissed for 77 by Australia in 1997.
