England moved into a commanding position in the first Test at Lord’s despite a dramatic middle-order collapse, leaving New Zealand needing 218 more runs with only seven wickets remaining.
On a pitch offering uneven bounce and significant movement, 33 wickets fell across the opening two days. England recovered from losing four wickets for one run to post 226 in their second innings, with debutant Emilio Gay top-scoring with 57 and Jamie Smith adding valuable lower-order runs.
New Zealand’s Nathan Smith claimed six wickets, but the tourists struggled again with the bat, ending the day at 36-3 in pursuit of 254.
Early dismissals of captain Tom Latham, Kane Williamson and nightwatchman Will O’Rourke handed England the advantage, with Ollie Robinson’s five-wicket haul and Gus Atkinson’s late breakthroughs putting the hosts firmly in control heading into day three.
Stumps
England vs New Zealand, 1st Test. New Zealand tour of England
- NZ 113 & 36/3 (11.5 ov, T:254)
- ENG 140 & 226
- Devon Conway* 12(27)
- Gus Atkinson 2/10 (3.5 ov)
- Day 2 – New Zealand need 218 runs.
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