Published: May 21, 2015, 05:41 PM (IST)
Edited: May 21, 2015, 11:22 PM (IST)
Joe Root and Ben Stokes revived England‘s first innings after the hosts’ top-order stumbled against New Zealand on Day One of the first Test at Lord’s on Thursday. Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Matt Henry ran through England’s top-order, as the side were four down with only 30 runs on board at one point. Live Updates: England vs New Zealand, 1st Test, Lord’s, Day 1
However, Stokes and Root held their nerves and put on more 83 runs partnership as England were 113 for four at lunch. Stokes was 36 not out and Root was 49 not out. Stokes and Root led an inspiring fightback. Stokes hit six fours and played good shots, which the earlier batsmen were not able to. A similar delivery to which Gary Ballance got out was bowled to Stokes. However, the all-rounder brilliantly dug in the ball as it ran for four. Batting coach Mark Ramprakash looked contained as the duo led the English fightback. Live Scorecard: England vs New Zealand, 1st Test, Lord’s, Day 1
Root, on the other hand, was one short of his half-century. He hit eight fours. There was a chance in the 23rd over for New Zealand to break this partnership when Mark Craig almost trapped Root. However, review showed that impact of the delivery depended on umpire’s call.
Cook and debutant Adam Lyth opened the batting, as the Yorkshire batsman faced the first ball of the match. He got off the mark from the first ball of the match. However, Lyth’s luck ran out, who looked restless to get on strike and off it as quickly as possible. Southee bowled a beautiful in-swing as Lyth edged it and wicketkeeper BJ Watling took the catch. There was a mild discussion between Lyth and Cook, as to whether they should take the review. However, Lyth, who looked slightly unconfident after nicking the ball, decided to walk off. Lyth scored 7 from 17 balls.
Ballance was the new batsman. He replaced fellow county cricketer at the other end. However, he did not last long at the crease. An awful stance to play a drive followed by a brilliant delivery by Boult and a good catch by Southee at slips, as he dived towards his right side. He scored 1 from 9 balls. Two overs later, England had lost their second wicket.
The next over, Henry removed the skipper. A good out-swing and again a slight edge from Cook and the skipper was on his way back after scoring 16 from 36 balls. In a gap of three overs, England had lost their three wickets. England very soon had two new batsmen at the crease. Root, the England cricketer of the Year and experienced Ian Bell were at the middle. Bell, who scored 114 against West Indies in Antigua, was bowled by Henry two overs later. Another out-swing and Bell walked back disappointed.
McCullum has been very active on the ground as he made plenty of changes in the middle, not only changing his bowlers, but making regular fielding changes. New Zealand’s Test match at Lord’s against England is their 400th
New Zealand are playing their 400th Test match, whereas, England and the visitors are locking horns for the 100th time. England lead the charts, having won 47 matches till now and New Zealand winning only eight. Forty four matches have ended in drawn. England-New Zealand play 100th Test
New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum won the toss and elected to bowl as Alastair Cook also expressed interest of bowling first at a slight green Lord’s wicket.
Brief scores:
England 113 for 4 (Joe Root 49*, Ben Stokes 36*; Matt Henry 2 for 32) vs New Zealand.
(Sudatta Mukherjee is a reporter with CricketCountry. Other than writing on cricket, she spends penning random thoughts on her blog. When she is not writing, you will catch her at a movie theatre or watching some English television show on her laptop. Her Twitter handle is @blackrosegal)
