Set a tough target of 254, New Zealand resumed the day at 5/5 but never looked capable of a comeback. England’s bowlers quickly finished the job, taking the remaining five wickets in the first session to bowl out the visitors for 138 runs.
Fast bowler Gus Atkinson led the charge with impressive figures of 5/30, the best performance by an England bowler in the match. The Lord’s pitch favored the seamers throughout the contest, with 24 wickets either bowled or lbw. Notably, none of the spinners bowled a single delivery during the Test.
Glenn Phillips provided the lone bright spot for New Zealand with an unbeaten 44, ending as the tourists’ top scorer in what was a disappointing performance with the bat.
The series opener added significance for England after their difficult Ashes campaign in Australia, where they suffered a 4-1 defeat. Reports on the team’s preparation, tactical decisions and off-field conduct have been criticized on the tour, with captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum’s leadership group under additional scrutiny.
Early casting decisions for this latest version of “Bazball” paid immediate dividends. Opener Emilio Gay justified his inclusion with a match-high 57 in England’s second innings, while returning seamer Ollie Robinson excelled with the ball.
Robinson took seven wickets throughout the Test, taking 5/39 in the first innings and 2/38 in the second to play a key role in England’s victory.
England are now moving strongly across London as they prepare for the second Test of the three-match series at The Oval, starting on June 17.
