The Ireland paceman Tim Murtagh has said that he is ‘over the moon’ after bowling a dream spell at home of cricket Lord’s at Lord’s against hosts England on the opening day of the four-day Test.
England found themselves skittled out for a paltry 85 in just 23.4 overs in the first session on Wednesday, 24 July – just ten days after they were crowned the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 champions at the same venue.
With his 5/13, Murtagh became the first Irishman to take a five-for in Tests. It was also the most economical five-wicket haul by a bowler in a Test at the ‘home of cricket’.
“I’m not quite sure what’s happened over the last two hours, to be honest,” Murtagh told Sky Sports during the lunch break. “Obviously it’s the dream just to play here in the first place, but get on that honours board, and for all the bowlers to chip in and do really well, it’s a fantastic first session for us.”
Murtagh, who has spent more than a decade playing for Middlesex, is familiar with the Lord’s surface. “I should know how to bowl on this ground, I’ve been here long enough to know how to bowl there!” he said.
“But the key thing was just to get out there, try and let the pitch do a bit of work, find a little bit of nip sideways, both ways, and a bit of swing.
“Everything felt really good today. The ball came out nicely and just did a little bit off the wicket.
“I didn’t think I’d be on the away board when I first started playing, but I’ll take it wherever it goes,” he added. “It’s a dream for any cricketer playing a Test match here, so I’m just over the moon.”
Inputs From ICC