NEW DELHI: England registered an emphatic 115-run win over New Zealand before lunch on the fourth day of the opening Test at Lord’s on Sunday, giving an encouraging start to a new chapter under the much-discussed “Bazball” philosophy after their disappointing Ashes campaign in Australia.Starting the day at 55 for 5 and needing a further 254 for victory, New Zealand’s resistance soon collapsed. The visitors lost their remaining five wickets in the opening session and were bundled out for 138 runs.Fast bowler Gus Atkinson starred for England with figures of 5 for 30 on a pitch that consistently favored the seamers. The surface at Lord’s proved extremely difficult for the batsmen, with 24 dismissals coming either bowled or lbw, while the spinners failed to bowl a single ball throughout the match.Glenn Phillips remained unbeaten on 44 and was New Zealand’s top scorer, although he made it difficult for the visiting team.The series opener attracted considerable attention as England looked to move on from a tumultuous Ashes tour that ended in a 4-1 defeat to Australia amid criticism over preparation, tactics and off-field behaviour.Major selection calls for this latest phase led by coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes include the inclusion of opener Emilio Gay and the recall of paceman Ollie Robinson, both of whom have repaid the faith shown in them.Gay made the match’s top score with 57 in the second innings on his Test debut, while Robinson, playing his first Test since 2024 after concerns over his fitness and attitude led to his absence, took seven wickets in the game, returning figures of 5–39 and 2–38.Despite England’s dominant performance, the nature of the pitch made it difficult to draw broad conclusions. The match lasted just 166 overs, making it the second shortest full Test out of 150 played at Lord’s.New Zealand captain Tom Latham said it was a level we didn’t expect. “I don’t think anyone expected this level.”McCullum acknowledged the difficulties posed by the wicket but praised his team’s ability to adapt to the conditions and execute their plans.“We were brave at times and calculated at other times,” said the New Zealand-born England coach.The teams will now travel across London for the second Test of the three-match series at The Oval, starting on June 17.
