It's Jos! the job!

IRISH TONGUE LASHED

- GARY FITZGERALD

BEN STOKES revealed there is plenty of "fun" on the agenda before he and his men have to get stuck into the serious business of trying to regain the Ashes.

The captain also shrugged off fresh concerns over his damaged knee to claim it is all systems go for the opening Test at Edgbaston in 12 days' time for him and his team.

Apart from taking a catch yesterday - when new boy Josh Tongue's five-wicket haul helped England complete a harder than expected 10-wicket victory over Ireland Stokes took a firm back seat at Lord's in a bid to help his problem knee's recovery.

At one stage, however, he was in pain when twisting his knee in taking that catch but then claimed England won't be undercooked in Birmingham.

England were made to work hard for their win but eventually polished off the 11 runs needed for victory after Ireland's battling 362 forced them to bat again.