ENG vs NZ 1st Test Results

12:29 PM IST Catches win matches - You would expect the big names to deliver in conditions like these, but that wasn't the case. Joe Root managed just 9 runs across both innings, while Kane Williamson, likely in his final Test at Lord’s, could only muster 18. The real difference came in the field, with New Zealand spilling as many as five catches, including Harry Brook, one of only two half-centurions in the match, and missing a key LBW review against Emilio Gay, who made a vital maiden fifty. In a game dominated by the bowlers, with four five-wicket hauls shared between Kyle Jamieson, Ollie Robinson, Nathan Smith and Gus Atkinson, England’s batters did just enough to edge ahead. As Michael Atherton noted on air, this 150th Test at Lord’s also turned out to be the second-shortest in the venue’s history, with a record 24 dismissals coming via bowled or LBW, a brutal, fast-moving contest from start to finish.

12:22 PM IST The captain of New Zealand - Tom Latham says that the bowlers dominated this Test entirely. He says that they started well but failed to form partnerships, and that is what hurt them. He reckons that they weren't able to get through that tricky phase on day 1, and the dropped catches is something they need to work on, especially in a low-scoring game. Further says that the surface was difficult to bat on and the ball was moving sideways. The bowlers exploited the conditions well. Ends by saying that they could have done some things in a better way and that they will bounce back stronger, as they have a lot to work on.

12:21 PM IST PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Ollie Robinson wins the award on his return to Test cricket for his excellent figures of 7/77 in the match. Robinson says it was his dream to come back, and there was a time he genuinely thought he would never play for England again. He admits the nerves were probably the worst he has ever felt before a game, with anxiety through the roof and no feeling in his legs through that first over. When being reminded about his triple-wicket maiden, Ollie says that was something he had never done before, and he adds there are no words to describe what it felt like with the crowd behind him. He adds that they bowled well as a unit with real clarity of plans, hitting the stumps constantly from both ends, and generating good seam movement. He then singles out Emilio Gay for a really fine debut, and then praises Gus Atkinson for once again thriving at Lord's. On Josh Tongue, he says he is simply unbelievable, rarely missing his lines and lengths. He says it was a really enjoyable week to be part of that seam attack and hopes they can carry it through the summer. He closes by saying he knows this is just the start and there is plenty of hard work still ahead.

12:18 PM IST The victorious skipper of England - Ben Stokes calls it a good result and also highlights how much has happened away from the field coming into this Test. Mentions that to put in a performance like this under such circumstances means a great deal. He says England identified the conditions quickly and it worked in their favour, though he is quick to note that Test cricket is tough and you never quite know what you are getting. On the two-day finish and the team's approach, he says the conversations in the dressing room this week were clear and quick. With a lot of people and a lot of ideas, he stresses that clarity matters. Notes that the wicket challenged them as a batting unit, but they knew what they had to do, and had clear plans against the New Zealand batters, and executed really well. On Emilio Gay's debut, Stokes points out that fifty at the top was on the top end of Test cricket. He calls it a monumental contribution that gave England the lead, and a tough introduction to the format, which Emilio handled exceptionally well. On Robinson's bowling, he says the skill Ollie possesses has never been in question. Says he is relentless with his lines and lengths, incredibly competitive in attitude, and a phenomenal bowler who led the attack really well alongside Atkinson. He adds that the bowling unit as a whole was great, and chuckles that he himself just chipped in at the backend every now and then. On any broader concerns, Stokes keeps it simple. Says that they just want to play their best brand of Test cricket, and that is all they are concentrating on.

12:14 PM IST That's all from the Home of Cricket - That is it from this opening Test, with England taking the early lead while New Zealand are left with a few things to rethink. The Crowe-Thorpe Trophy now moves to The Oval, London, for the second Test starting on 17th June, Wednesday. The first ball is scheduled for 10 am GMT, but you can join us early for all the build-up. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

12:12 PM IST The Lord's bully strikes again - It didn't take long for England to strike on Day 4, with Josh Tongue trapping Tom Blundell plumb in front to set the tone. Glenn Phillips then injected some energy into the chase, playing with intent as he and Devon Conway added 53 valuable runs, before Conway's resistance ended on 41 off 91 balls. Gus Atkinson then tore through the innings with a quick double blow, continuing his remarkable record at Lord’s, reaching 25 wickets in just three Tests at the venue. With only one wicket left, Phillips was forced to farm the strike and go after the bowling, managing to keep things alive briefly, but he eventually fell, and fittingly, it was Atkinson who sealed the deal with a memorable five-for as the Kiwis folded under pressure, remaining winless in Tests at this venue since 1999.