PICTURED: England trained at Lord's on Tuesday (May 30), ahead of the clash with the Irish, which will act as a warmup for the main event of the summer: the Ashes. James Anderson trained but is not expected to play against Ireland
England's Test stars ramped up preparations for their Ashes summer on Tuesday, as the squad trained at Lord's ahead of the upcoming clash with Ireland.
A four-day meeting with the Irish will act as the warmup for the main event against Australia, with the game set to get under way on Thursday (June 1).
Captain Ben Stokes and former skipper Joe Root were present at the session at the home of cricket on Tuesday.
Stokes has enjoyed a tremendous start to life in the role, having succeeded Root 13 months ago.
Chris Woakes answers the media's questions two days before the England-Ireland Test [Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images]
Joe Root attends training at Lord's [Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images]
Ben Stokes in training at Lord's [Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images]
A clean sweep of New Zealand was followed by victory over India in the rescheduled fifth Test from the 2021 tour. South Africa were also beaten on home turf, before England romped to a 3-0 whitewash of Pakistan in Pakistan.
A fascinating series in New Zealand was drawn 1-1 prior to a three-month break from the format.
Following the conclusion of the Indian Premier League, however, attention now switches to the red ball. England's Test summer is congested into just two months, with the Ashes series starting on June 16 and finishing on July 31 at the latest.
And a fast start against Ireland will be essential in teeing England up to regain the urn. Stokes is set to be without James Anderson and Ollie Robinson for the clash with Ireland, however, as the England medical team manage minor groin and ankle injuries.
Anderson was pictured at training on Tuesday, but head coach Brendon McCullum has suggested he will not be risked against the Irish.
The pair's absence opens the door for Chris Woakes to make a return to the England Test fold. Allrounder Woakes has not been seen in whites for his country since the ill-fated tour of the Caribbean in March 2022, and has not played a home Test for three years.
England seamer James Anderson [Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images]
Chris Woakes speaks to the media ahead of the Ireland Test [Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images]
Joe Root turns his arm over in practice ahead of the Ireland Test [Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images]
"It is an amazing feeling to be back in England colours and I am ready to give it my all," he said.
"Whenever you get the opportunity to put the shirt on it is an opportunity to impress and contribute to wins and with a huge summer ahead you want to be a part of that.
"You're always hungry to play for England.
"Going through the bad times, like last summer where I was desperate to play but my body didn't let me, reminded me you have to enjoy playing. Your career is a relatively short one so make the most of it.
"We have a very good pool of fast bowlers. There have been niggles around and you imagine you are going need to tap in to that pool of fast bowlers at some point."
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