The first mistake was when skipper Root won the toss and decided to bat.
Looking at the clouds, the atmosphere and a greenish pitch - this was a cowardly decision - especially when you considered that this was likely to be the only time in the match when the fielding side might expect assistance from the conditions.
The Irish captain could not believe his luck!
The Irish seamers bowled an immaculate line and length and consequently, for the fourth time in as many years, England's batsmen were all dismissed in a single session.
It was appalling viewing.
One after another the England rabbits came out to the slaughter with hardly an ounce of batting intelligence to share between them. ALL OUT FOR 85!
As Ireland began their innings in conditions that were becoming more batsman-friendly by the minute, all the England bowlers had to do to wreak havoc was to bowl the same line and length as old man Murtagh and the callow Adair had done for the Irish.
Woakes and Broad were incapable of this basic, professional task in the opening overs and Ireland's batsmen were offered a platform on which to build. They 'dipped their bread'.
How many times has the brilliant Broad been incapable of bowling line and length at the start of a test in the last five years? - Answer - MANY.
When he did start to function in his second spell - poor positioning of slips by Root cost England two easy chances and Root himself dropped a straightforward chance at first slip!
Deficit of 122, England sent in a night watchman so Jason Roy would not be out twice, on the opening day, on his debut.
Credit to Ollie Stone on debut and young Sam Curran who showed the older bowlers the way forwards - and even persuaded Broad to finally show some of his best bowling.
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| Broad. |
Talk about 'after the Lord Mayor's Show!
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