First Rothesay Test, Lord’s (day two of five)
England 140 (Brook 56; Jamieson 5-62) & 226 (Gay 57; N Smith 6-70)
New Zealand 113 (Jamieson 38*; Robinson 5-39, Tongue 3-40) & 36-3 (Atkinson 2-10)
New Zealand require 218 runs to win, England need seven wickets
England have a golden opportunity for victory in the first Test against New Zealand despite a chaotic collapse of four wickets for one run in 11 balls on the second day at Lord’s.
After 16 wickets fell on day one, another 17 came on Friday on a devilishly difficult surface for batting – an alarming amount of uneven bounce has been added to the sideways movement.
At the end of it all, New Zealand are 36-3 in pursuit of a victory target of 254. Captain Tom Latham was out to the third ball of the chase and, crucially, Kane Williamson was palpably lbw to Josh Tongue, before Gus Atkinson cleaned up nightwatchman Will O’Rourke.
Though the weather forecast for Saturday and Monday is poor, there will be a result in this match, with England strong favourites to secure a morale-boosting win following their heavy Ashes loss.
Ollie Robinson marked his comeback with best Test figures of 5-39, taking the final wicket as New Zealand were bowled out for 113 in their first innings – an England advantage of 27.
England, helped by Emilio Gay’s half-century on debut and more New Zealand dropped catches, steadily built what looked to be an imposing lead. Gay was put down and could have been out lbw in his 57.
When Gay eventually fell, it began the carnage. Harry Brook, Joe Root and Ben Stokes all followed inside two overs. While an England implosion was familiar, perhaps only Stokes was culpable for his dismissal.
England’s lead was 154, with four wickets in hand. They were in danger of handing the initiative to New Zealand, only for important runs from the lower-order. Jamie Smith made 39, Atkinson 14 and Robinson swiped 29.
The hosts were eventually bowled out for 226, New Zealand’s Nathan Smith outstanding for his six wickets.
England battle through Perth memories
In trying to move on from the Ashes, the last thing England needed was a reminder of the horrors of Australia, yet this had echoes of their capitulation in the first Test in Perth.
Just like at the Optus Stadium, England took lunch at Lord’s on day two 99 runs ahead and only one wicket down in their second innings.
In Perth, England lost three wickets for one run in six balls and were beaten inside two days. Here, another two-day finish was on the cards until England found the wherewithal to post a target that should produce victory – this pitch is much harder to bat on than the Optus, and New Zealand do not have Travis Head.
England have had some fortune. New Zealand have dropped five catches across the match and been hampered by a back injury to key bowler Matt Henry. In their defence, England can say they have had the worst of the ball misbehaving – Smith and Jacob Bethell were both bowled by shooters.
Whatever the outcome, it may be difficult to draw many conclusions on England’s post-Ashes progress, simply because of the conditions.
Still, given their winter, England will take a win of any kind. If Williamson had accompanied Devon Conway to the close, the Test would have been in the balance, but the England’s late double-strike has put them in the box seat.
Gay benefits to make immediate impact
In a contest when run-scoring has been so difficult, all contributions are magnified. In England’s first innings it was Brook’s half-century, followed by Gay in the second.
The debutant was at the crease for the second time in two days after New Zealand added 52 to their overnight 61-6. Kyle Jamieson smeared three sixes in his unbeaten 38 and was left stranded when Robinson bowled Henry for his fourth Test five-for.
How different might this match look had New Zealand taken their chances? Ben Duckett had 12 when Rachin Ravindra out down a simple chance at mid-wicket off the bowling of Jamieson. Duckett went on to make 33.
Gay had 20 when he edged towards first slip, where Daryl Mitchell moved too late. Gay also could have been lbw to Henry on 24, but New Zealand opted against using a review.
Reprieved, a feature of Gay’s innings was drives square of the wicket on the off side. The Durham man justified his inclusion to replace the dropped Zak Crawley by becoming the first England opener to score a half-century on debut in a home Test since 2004.
It was a sign of Gay’s composure that his exit began then rapid spiral towards the conclusion of this Test.
England closing in despite collapse
England engineered their own downfall in Perth in a blur of rash drives. This time they were undone by the skill of Nathan Smith who, like Jamieson in the first innings, stepped up to cover the limitations of Henry.
Mainly nipping the ball up the Lord’s slope, Smith took the edge of Gay, then pinned Root lbw for eight. In between, Brook got into a tangle against an O’Rourke full ball and was out for nought.
The decline of Stokes’ batting is a concern. After moving himself down a place to number seven, he essentially missed a straight one to be bowled by Smith, and looked bewildered that his stumps had been disturbed.
Jamie Smith and Atkinson each have work to do after indifferent performances in Australia, and their stand of 57 was vital. Smith, promoted to number six, played beautifully through the off side. With Atkinson in stout support, the Surrey pair halted New Zealand’s charge.
Atkinson eventually skied Jamieson, leaving Nathan Smith to take the last three for 6-70 – the third-best figures by a New Zealander in a Test at Lord’s.
Latham’s rash drive at Atkinson to the third ball of the innings was an awful stroke. Brook pouched the sharp catch at second slip.
England might feel aggrieved Conway survived a tight lbw review against Robinson, though there was no doubt when Tongue went full to Williamson before O’Rourke registered his second duck of the day.
