Gary Wilson, Ireland's batting coach, is hopeful that his crew's heightened give attention to approach forward of their one-off Test in opposition to England at Lord's can even support them of their bid to qualify for the 50-over World Cup in India this winter.

And whereas Wilson, who additionally performed in that match, recalled the optimism of that preliminary event, and the way it had appeared to suggest that Ireland "belonged" in Test-match cricket, he conceded that the circumstances are fairly completely different 4 years on.

Ireland haven't performed red-ball cricket at provincial degree for the reason that Covid outbreak in 2020, whereas their three Tests in opposition to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in April have been their first outings since that Lord's Test, and solely their sixth in all since being granted Test standing in June 2017.

And, with Ireland set to fly out to Zimbabwe subsequent month to participate in a troublesome qualifying match additionally that includes two former World Champion groups in West Indies and Sri Lanka, he echoed the opinion voiced by Richard Holdsworth, Ireland's excessive efficiency director, by saying that "white-ball cricket probably does take precedence".

"We obviously haven't played any domestic red-ball cricket for a few years now," Wilson mentioned. "But we identified back in January that we needed to do some red-ball practice, maybe once a week, and really commit to looking to improve our technique as well, because, with white-ball cricket, you play on generally quite flat pitches.

"Technique is not as essential in white-ball cricket as it's in red-ball cricket. But on the finish of the day, it is nonetheless a ball, whether or not it is white or crimson. So we began to throw some balls with the Dukes and the Kookaburra balls again in January, and speak in regards to the completely different eventualities you would possibly face in Test-match cricket - you understand, fast bowlers coming around the wicket with the leg aspect discipline, aggressive bowling.

"Even though white-ball cricket probably does take precedence, just by the nature of the fact that we've got two qualifying tournaments and hopefully a World Cup [coming up], red-ball cricket is a really good platform to hone your skills. And those skills are transferable into [ODI] cricket. There's still room for having a real good solid technique."

"Harry Tector's had a phenomenal 18 months, he's really able to take that confidence into Test cricket as well. The way Harry's played has been testament to that [focus on technique]. Quite often when he faces 20 balls, he might only be on 10 in a one-day international. So I think the experiences our guys have had in their white-ball international cricket [will help them in the Test]."

"That was a really pleasing day," Wilson mentioned. "I think the whole three days was very pleasing to be honest, we got a lot out of it. Our bowlers got overs under their belts, and the majority of our batters got a hit, bar a couple. So yeah, it was really pleasing for PJ and James. I'm sure they would have put pressure on themselves to get runs and hopefully that will have given them confidence to go into the Test match this week."

As for Ireland's hopes of inflicting an upset in opposition to Ben Stokes' high-flying England crew, Wilson was phlegmatic however optimistic.

"As with any Ireland side that ever takes the pitch, it's not a case of going there to simply enjoy the fact that it's the Lord's Test match, or that we're playing England," he mentioned. "We'll be working as hard as we possibly can to get a favourable result. And with the skill level they've shown, I've no doubt that they'll be able to handle even the toughest of opponents, which England will obviously be.

"There's at all times an opportunity, 100%. We are going into the Test considering nothing aside from that, we wish the win the Test match.

"England are obviously a very good side. They'll be a good side at Lord's in their own conditions, but we both have bats, we both have balls, it's a game of cricket.

"There's been a variety of chat about the way in which they're enjoying now, and their so-called Bazball, but when we attempt to play our recreation and again our talent degree, which the lads have proven, particularly individually during the last 18 months, I believe that we positively have an opportunity to get a beneficial end result right here."

Andrew Miller is UK editor of ESPNcricinfo. @miller_cricket