After a rocky few months owing to selection issues, England made a stunning comeback on the field by clinching the opening match of the two-match Test series against New Zealand at the Lord’s.
It never looked like England would challenge the Black Caps after they were trailing by 134 runs in the first innings. The match was within New Zealand’s grasp until the third day, and it looked a matter of time when the kiwis would complete the victory.
England, however, had other plans as they managed to turn the contest on its head and clinched the 1st Test by 124 runs on the final day. The hosts batted out of their skins in their second innings to post 478, in reply the visitors were bundled for a mere 220.
The English skipper Alistair Cook led from the front and ended up making a match-winning 162 and was involved in crucial partnership with Ben Stokes, who played a blinder and made the fastest hundred at the Lord’s.
New Zealand had to bat through the final day to save the match, which at one time they were dominating. This, however, didn’t happen as England seamers ripped through New Zealand batting order and the hosts completed a thrilling win.
Stuart Broad and James Anderson reduced the visitors to 12/3 at one point and New Zealand never managed to recover from initial jolts. Ben Stokes finished with three wickets as well, while Broad also dismissed three batsmen.
“I thought we played our part in a tremendous test match,” New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum said. “Great credit to England. Even when we were dominating they kept going and they played an enterprising brand of cricket.”
“The game was played in a tremendous spirit too,” he added. “We got over 730 runs in the test and still lost by more than 100 runs. It’s not every day that happens but we hold our heads high. It’s such a fine line between success and failure.”
