England win the First Test vs New Zealand at Lord's by 115 runs - Atkinson five-for does the damage - worth a look

[Solid Gary]

England beat New Zealand by 115 runs in the First Test at Lord's, June 4-7, to go 1-0 up in the three-match Rothesay Test series. Gus Atkinson took 5 for 30 in New Zealand's second innings to wrap up the match on the fourth morning. Ollie Robinson was the Player of the Match after taking 5 for 39 in the first innings. Emilio Gay scored a debut fifty of 57 in England's second innings that proved critical. Nathan Smith took 6 for 70 in England's second innings (226) and Kyle Jamieson took 5 for 62 in the first (140).

The pitch was highly criticised - a wicket fell every 24.9 balls, the quickest rate in a Test in England since 1907. 24 of 40 dismissals were either bowled or lbw. Neither captain used a spinner. The crowd at Lord's on day four were entitled to 50% ticket refunds due to the early finish.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/new-zealand-in-england-2026-1496491

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/new-zealand-in-england-2026-1496491

[Lazy Sentinel]

Atkinson and Robinson taking 5-fors in the same Test match is an embarrassment of riches for England's seam bowling. The question going into The Oval and Trent Bridge is how this pitch controversy affects preparation - those two grounds tend to offer very different surfaces

[HeartbreakKidCurtis18]

The Lord's pitch getting smashed in the coverage is warranted. Test cricket at 24.9 balls per wicket is not a contest - it is a lottery. The groundsmanship team at Lord's owe the paying crowd and both teams a better surface than that

[Amber Tiger]

England winning despite only scoring 140 in the first innings is the Bazball proof of concept. Under previous regimes a 140 first innings score at Lord's against quality opposition meant damage limitation. Under Stokes it meant attacking back immediately and winning