Ireland's dismal season reached its nadir at 11.05 a.m. yesterday when two deliveries into their second Triple Crown match against an England XI they had achieved a remarkable 100 per cent record in losing two wickets.

Left-arm seamer Chris Batt did the damage with a couple of inswingers that earned lbw verdicts against Andy Patterson and Peter Davy - the first plumb, the second possibly missing leg-stump as was the hat-trick ball that struck Dom Joyce on the foot.

Attempting to play nine versus 11 against a strong team of minor county players was unlikely to prove a winning tactic, but just to make sure Ireland quickly surrendered Andy White's wicket as well, run out for three.

Joyce showed the necessary technique to counter a ball swinging and jagging around on a helpful pitch at Stirlands and his 43, which ended with a loose slice to gully, was easily the top score. Only skipper Kyle McCallan followed him into double figures and wides claimed second highest score with 16 as Ireland were dismissed for 109 in the 38th over.

With any hope of victory gone it was left to Conor Armstrong and Adrian McCoubrey to restore some pride with a wicket each from their opening spells, and Richie McDaid made the English batsmen hurry with a rapid spell towards the end which accounted for their captain Steve Foster.

But England had 25.1 overs to spare when they completed a six-wicket victory, and faced with the prospect of collecting the wooden spoon if his side don't beat Scotland today, McCallan was in no mood for excuses.

He said: "It's quite clear that we're not competing at this standard and questions have to be asked as to why. It's no good continually pointing the finger of blame at the players and coach because the talent is most definitely there in Irish cricket.

"We need to sit down this winter and work out why we're not getting the most out of it - I believe our domestic structure needs to be radically changed."