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Tim Murtagh 'unplayable' in incredible day for Irish cricket

"The look of shock on the faces of England fans was something to behold." - the words of Nick Ro...



Tim Murtagh 'unplayable' in in...
Other Sports

Tim Murtagh 'unplayable' in incredible day for Irish cricket

"The look of shock on the faces of England fans was something to behold." - the words of Nick Royle on Tim Murtagh's "unplayable" performance at Lord's today.

The Times Ireland writer, who was at Lord's to watch Ireland's incredible performance against England, where they bowled out for 85 runs before lunch in their first-ever Test encounter.

"He was just unplayable. He took four wickets for one run in eleven balls at one stage. The look of shock on the faces of England fans was something to behold."

Drink it in.

"Tim Murtagh plays his county cricket for Middlesex at Lord's, and he is one of the best exponents of swinging the ball.

"This is home pitch and there was a feeling that if Ireland were to do anything then Tim Murtagh would have to step up - and, my, he really has stepped up.

"He doesn't bowl 90 miles per hour - he's a Jofra Archer of England or Mitchell Starc of Australia. He bowls about 75 miles per hour, but he just bowls it in the same place every ball, and it is so difficult to deal with."

It is a day of firsts at Lord's, and Murtagh will be up in the annals of English cricket's home for some time, as he will be placed on the honours board at the ground.

"There are all kinds of records. He got onto the honours board after forty or fifty balls.

"All kinds of records have fallen today. More wickets fell today than any other day at Lord's since 1896."

But it was a certain irony that underpinned Tim Murtagh's performance today, as he was considered for England

"In 2008, he was very close to getting an England call-up, but they looked at him and decided that he was not fast enough.

"There is a bit of vindication and revenge for Tim Murtagh today."

Long may it continue...

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Cricket Cricket Ireland England England Cricket English Cricket Ireland Cricket Irish Cricket Lords Murtagh Tim Murtagh