Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett compiled record-breaking centuries before debutant Josh Tongue took his first wickets in test cricket as England continued to dominate their Ashes warm-up against Ireland on Friday's second day at Lord's.
Pope's 205, the fastest double hundred in a test in England, and Duckett's 182, the quickest 150 in a test at Lord's – were the cornerstones of a huge first innings total of 524-4 declared.
That left England 352 runs ahead on first innings.
Ireland then slumped to 18-2 before reaching 97-3 at stumps, with fast bowler Tongue, who struck twice in an over – taking all the wickets in a return of 3-27 in eight overs.
Harry Tector (33 not out) and Lorcan Tucker (21 not out) held firm on a good pitch but Ireland were still 255 runs away from avoiding an innings defeat.
Worcestershire quick Tongue had gone wicketless on Thursday.
But in another selection coup for coach Brendon McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes, he struck with his first ball on Friday when Peter Moore was plumb lbw for 11.
a MASSIVE moment for Josh Tongue on debut! ??
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 2, 2023
His first Test wicket for England ??#EnglandCricket | #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/QPEIVxp4MN
Five balls later, Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie – who had avoided the embarrassment of a 'pair' at the Home of Cricket – was caught behind carelessly chasing a wide ball from Tongue.
Ireland now risked being beaten inside two days in a match scheduled for four rather than the usual test maximum of five.
James McCollum, who had top-scored for Ireland with 36 on Thursday, then retired hurt on 12 after twisiting his right ankle trying to pull a Tongue short ball.
Tongue then had Paul Stirling out gloving down the legside to wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow.
DUCKETT SURPASSES BRADMAN RECORD
Earlier, Duckett and Pope ran riot against an outclassed attack lacking the experience of the Ireland bowling unit that reduced England to 85 all out in a corresponding Lord's clash four years ago.
Both batsmen scored a hundred runs in a session on Friday, left-hander Duckett achieving the feat in the morning's play and Pope in the afternoon.
??
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 2, 2023
Ben Duckett in cruise control at Lord's ??
?? @IGcom #EnglandCricket | #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/FZn0YyAvQ3
And Duckett, by making a run-a ball 150, surpassed Australia great Don Bradman's record of 166 balls for the fastest test 150 at Lord's, in what was also the England opener's first test on home soil.
Ireland, in just their seventh test and still searching for a first win at this level, had few answers to the run-spree, with seamers Mark Adair and debutant Fionn Hand both conceding over 100 runs each.
Joe Root helped himself to 55 as he became just the 11th batsman, and second Englishman after Alastair Cook, to score 11 000 test runs before giving his wicket away.
Pope, went on to a maiden test double century after tea in style by driving offspinner Andy McBrine six to reach the landmark in just 207 balls faced.
But the next delivery saw a charging Pope stumped compfortably, with Stokes then declaring.
????
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 2, 2023
? First Test double hundred
? Got to 200 with a maximum
? Highest score in an England shirt
? Going at just under a run-a-ball
Oliver John Douglas Pope ?? #EnglandCricket | #EngvIRE pic.twitter.com/sIo4kxTo9q
England had resumed just 20 runs behind, after veteran seamer Stuart Broad had taken 5-51 in Ireland's first innings 172 on Thursday.
Duckett was 60 not out, with England vice-captain Pope unbeaten on 29.
A morning and wicktless run spree took England to 325-1 at lunch.
But a replacement ball did the trick for Ireland, with Duckett playing onto medium-pacer Graham Hume having faced just 178 balls, including 24 fours and a six.
The first Ashes test at Edgbaston starts on 16 June but before then Australia face India in next week's World Test Championship final at The Oval.
ENGLAND: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jonny Bairstow (wkt), Stuart Broad, Matthew Potts, Josh Tongue, Jack Leach
IRELAND: James McCollum, PJ Moor, Andy Balbirnie (capt), Harry Tector, Paul Stirling, Lorcan Tucker (wkt), Curtis Campher, Andy McBrine, Mark Adair, Fionn Hand, Graham Hume