An improbable career-best knock of 92 from nightwatchman Jack Leach underpinned England’s fightback against Ireland at Lord’s but the visitors remained in the hunt for one of Test cricket’s biggest upsets.

Losing just the wicket of Rory Burns, who scored just six runs, England got back into the game.

Joe Root insists England must beware of “sleep walking” into their inaugural Test against Ireland at Lord’s today.