- Eng won toss & bat
- Lunch Eng 56/1 (29 overs) (Compton c Southee b Martin 16)
- Tea Eng 113/3 (56 overs) (Cook & Trott fall)
- Stumps Eng 160/4 (80 overs) Bell fell
Much of the talk in the build-up to this Test has been about swing. The ball certainly did swing on the opening morning at Lord's, but it was spin that provided New Zealand with their one breakthrough of the session when Bruce Martin, only confirmed in the team today, broke a solid opening stand when he removed Nick Compton.
Four maidens preceded the breakthrough. Even though early wickets did not materialise, New Zealand ensured the run-rate stayed under control - then Compton tried something so out of character to the rest of his innings by advancing down to Martin and aiming a drive over cover. A wicket for spin, before lunch on day one of a May Test at Lord's, certainly fits into the bonus category.
And there should have been a second. In Martin's next over Jonathan Trott, who averages 74 at Lord's, drove a fraction early and offered a return catch to Martin's right but, despite making the ground, he could not hold on. It took Trott 18 balls to open his account, but when he did it was a well-timed cover drive off Martin - just the third boundary off the bat in the session.
Both captains had got what they wanted at the toss with Brendon McCullum saying he would have followed his preferred route of bowling first. They had resisted the temptation to play four quicks, meaning an unchanged side for the fourth Test in a row, with Doug Bracewell missing out.
The ball swung for Trent Boult and Tim Southee, but was largely well combated by Alastair Cook and Compton. Neil Wagner, not so renowned for swing, also found some movement but was a fraction less accurate. Boult did not concede a run off the bat until the last delivery of his fifth over; the first boundary of the day was a clip off the pads by Cook against Southee, but the England captain had to be watchful with Southee making the ball tail in towards off stump.
Compton, playing his first home Test, scored his first runs on the ground where one of the stands bears his grandfather's name with an early drive past mid-off. Timing did not appear easy on a slugglish pitch, while the outfield - relayed over the winter following last year's Olympic Archery - was not quite as pristine as is often the case. Martin, introduced at the Nursery End for the 21st over, spun his first ball, with the aid of the slope, past Compton's edge which could well have planted some doubts in the batsman's mind.
England's one selection decision had favoured Steven Finn as he retained his place ahead of Tim Bresnan despite an indifferent star to the season where he has taken seven wickets in three Championship matches. Finn's Test record on his home ground - 25 wickets at 21 - will have played a part, but there is clearly some uncertainty over the best way for him to approach his game with him now back on a long run.
Afternoon session: England 113/3 56 overs
Cook c †Watling b Boult 32 (67/2)
Trott c Brownlie b Boult 39 (112/3)
Tea report: England 113 for 3 (Bell 18*, Root 0*)
England's Test match season did not exactly burst into life at Lord's, rather it evolved sedately over the opening two sessions with New Zealand's bowlers - led by the impressive Trent Boult who struck twice in the afternoon session - keeping the batsmen on a tight leash.
England: Cook, Compton, Trott, Bell, Root, Bairstow, Prior, Broad, Swann, Finn, Anderson, Afternoon session: England 113/3 56 overs
Cook c †Watling b Boult 32 (67/2)
Trott c Brownlie b Boult 39 (112/3)
Tea report: England 113 for 3 (Bell 18*, Root 0*)
England's Test match season did not exactly burst into life at Lord's, rather it evolved sedately over the opening two sessions with New Zealand's bowlers - led by the impressive Trent Boult who struck twice in the afternoon session - keeping the batsmen on a tight leash.
Boult's wickets top and tailed the middle session and were both rewards for high-class, crafty and accurate swing bowling. Alastair Cook, who had problems against him and Neil Wagner in New Zealand, pushed at one side off stump and Jonathan Trott - shaping to play a significant innings on a ground where he averages over 70 - was brilliantly caught low at third slip five minutes before tea just as his stand with Ian Bell was building a position of relative strength for England.
Trott's dismissal will have left one New Zealander feeling especially relieved; Bruce Martin had given him a life before he had scored when he spilled a return catch. It also meant that Joe Root, who has never played at Lord's, emerged for his first home Test innings in a tricky situation.
Although the sun shone for the opening day of the international summer, batting was not a simple prospect. But both captains got their wish at the toss with Brendon McCullum saying he would have bowled. Firstly there was swing, the subject of much debate in the build-up, then there was a pitch on the sluggish side that made timing the ball difficult and an outfield - relayed over the winter following the Olympic Archery - which deflated value for shots on a ground where the ball normally races away. A tally of 10 boundaries by tea was testament to that.
Spin, historically, does not play a major role in May Tests but there were signs that it could have an influential role in this match. Martin, who only had his place confirmed on the morning of the game when New Zealand resisted the temptation of an all-seam attack, tweaked his first ball past Nick Compton's edge which was just enough to plant a few doubts.
But it could not really explain Compton's dismissal when, completely out of character to the rest of his innings, he advanced down the pitch to try and drive over cover but only succeeded in toe-ending a catch to point. The shot came on the back of four consecutive maidens and although New Zealand did not collect regular wickets, the run-rate rarely nudged far above two-an-over. Martin should have made it two successes before lunch but shelled the chance, chest-height to his right, when Trott drove a fraction early.
The rare early boundaries that did come went to Cook - a clip and a cut - but he had to work hard to survive Tim Southee's opening spell from the Pavilion End. Southee and Boult found consistent swing and though it was not always on target it was enough to keep the batsmen wary. After lunch it was Boult's turn to harass Cook, the movement enough to make him unsure what to play and what to leave, and he found the outside edge which was superbly held by BJ Watling having realised the ball would not have carried to first slip.
Following his reprieve, Trott produced some of the best timing on show as he flicked strongly off his pads whenever the bowlers drifted and also drove strongly through the off side. But there was always a threat from the attack - whether through the guile of Boult, accuracy of Martin or energy of the tireless Wagner who pounded in when the batsmen began to look settled.
Unlike overseas, where the Kookaburra ball will stop swinging after about 20 overs, the Dukes offers encouragement for much longer and Boult, brought back for a burst before tea, made one jag across Trott which, although he tried to play with soft hands, just carried to Brownlie. In New Zealand, Brownlie had a 50-50 series in the slips but this was a cracking grab.
Evening session: Eng 160/4 80 overs stumps
157/4 Bell c Watling b Wagner 31
Stumps report: Eng 160/4 (Root 25*, Bairstow 3*)
Although the scoreboard only read four wickets, New Zealand could be highly satisfied with the opening day of the series at Lord's having restricted England to a run-rate of two-an-over. Each of the top four bedded in before being chipped out by a supremely accurate bowling attack who were again led astutely by their proactive captain.
157/4 Bell c Watling b Wagner 31
Stumps report: Eng 160/4 (Root 25*, Bairstow 3*)
Although the scoreboard only read four wickets, New Zealand could be highly satisfied with the opening day of the series at Lord's having restricted England to a run-rate of two-an-over. Each of the top four bedded in before being chipped out by a supremely accurate bowling attack who were again led astutely by their proactive captain.
It is fair to say that Brendon McCullum would have swapped one of the wickets today for that final scalp in Auckland six weeks ago, but New Zealand know the importance of backing up their performance at home with a strong showing overseas and they have ensured that England will not be sitting too comfortably overnight.
Trent Boult claimed two key scalps in the afternoon session, due reward for high-class, crafty swing bowling. Alastair Cook, who had problems against him and Neil Wagner in New Zealand, pushed at one side off stump and Jonathan Trott - shaping to play a significant innings on a ground where he averages over 70 - was brilliantly caught low at third slip five minutes before tea.
Family link of the day Among the trio of young cricketers utilised by England for 12th man duties was Billy Root, the 20-year-old brother of Joe. Billy, who has played second XI cricket for Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Worcestershire, Surrey, and Leicestershire, is currently with the MCC Young Cricketers having progressed through the same club, Sheffield Collegiate, as his older brother and Michael Vaughan and, along with two of his MCC YC colleagues, Adam Dobb and Adam Hose, was charged with bringing drinks and gloves to the batsman as required. Joe was actually the third of the family to play at Lord's this season, with Billy playing against his father, Matt in an MCC vs MCC Young Cricketers match earlier this season.
Trott's dismissal will have left one New Zealander feeling especially relieved; Bruce Martin had given him a life before he got off the mark when he spilled a return catch. It meant that Joe Root, who had never played at Lord's, emerged for his first home Test innings in a tricky situation five minutes before a break but was as assured as any of the England batsman while compiling a jaunty 25 during the final session before rain lopped off the last 10 overs.
Three down would have been a solid enough - if unspectacular - day for England but the removal of Ian Bell, 10 balls before the second new ball became available, ensured New Zealand could end the day the happier side. Bell had produced a display of considerable self-restraint before being drawn into pushing at a ball (his 133rd) angled across him. It was a poor shot at a poor time, but nothing less than Wagner deserved for pounding in on a fairly unforgiving surface.
Although the sun shone for the opening day of the international summer, batting was not a simple prospect. But both captains got their wish at the toss with McCullum saying he would have bowled. Firstly there was swing, the subject of much debate in the build-up, then there was a pitch on the sluggish side that made timing the ball difficult and an outfield - relayed over the winter following the Olympic Archery - which deflated value for shots on a ground where the ball normally races away. A tally of 15 boundaries in 80 overs was testament to that.
Spin, historically, does not play a major role in May Tests but there were signs that it could have an influential role in this match. Martin, who only had his place confirmed on the morning of the game when New Zealand resisted the temptation of an all-seam attack, tweaked his first ball past Nick Compton's edge which was just enough to plant a few doubts.
But it could not really explain Compton's dismissal when, completely out of character to the rest of his innings, he advanced down the pitch to try and drive over cover but only succeeded in toe-ending a catch to point. The shot came on the back of four consecutive maidens with England finding it difficult to rotate the strike. Martin should have made it two successes before lunch but shelled the chance, chest-height to his right, when Trott drove a fraction early.
The rare early boundaries that did come went to Cook - a clip and a cut - but he had to work hard to survive Tim Southee's opening spell from the Pavilion End. Southee and Boult found consistent swing and though it was not always on target it was enough to keep the batsmen wary. After lunch it was Boult's turn to harass Cook, the movement enough to make him unsure what to play and what to leave, and he found the outside edge which was superbly held by BJ Watling having realised the ball would not have carried to first slip.
Following his reprieve, Trott produced some of the best timing on show as he flicked strongly off his pads whenever the bowlers drifted and also drove strongly through the off side. Unlike overseas, where the Kookaburra ball will stop swinging after about 20 overs, the Dukes offers encouragement for much longer and Boult, brought back for a burst before tea, made one jag across Trott which, although he tried to play with soft hands, just carried to Brownlie. In New Zealand, Brownlie had a 50-50 series in the slips but this was a cracking grab.
Amid the blocking and leaving there was the occasional gem; Bell's cover drive off Wagner was a particular highlight while Root, playing with a little more intent that others, took a rare boundary off Martin with a strong sweep. When a heavy shower arrived Root was with his Yorkshire team-mate Jonny Bairstow. They are the future of England's batting. This will be a good test of their credentials.
A third Root appears at Lord's
ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the opening day at Lord's
George Dobell at Lord's
Family link of the day Among the trio of young cricketers utilised by England for 12th man duties was Billy Root, the 20-year-old brother of Joe. Billy, who has played second XI cricket for Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Worcestershire, Surrey, and Leicestershire, is currently with the MCC Young Cricketers having progressed through the same club, Sheffield Collegiate, as his older brother and Michael Vaughan and, along with two of his MCC YC colleagues, Adam Dobb and Adam Hose, was charged with bringing drinks and gloves to the batsman as required. Joe was actually the third of the family to play at Lord's this season, with Billy playing against his father, Matt in an MCC vs MCC Young Cricketers match earlier this season.
Reward of the day
The wicket of Jonathan Trott was deserved reward for excellent bowling, catching and captaincy. The delivery, a beauty from left-armer Trent Boult that was angled in but then left Trott, would have been dangerous in any circumstances but, coming after a delivery that was slanted across Trott, found the batsman coming forward just a little tentatively. The edge, low and to the left of Dean Brownlie at third slip, was brilliantly held but the fact that New Zealand even had a third slip in the 54th over of the innings speaks volumes for the positive captaincy of Brendon McCullum and the level of control exerted by his bowlers that allowed him to attack throughout so much of the day.
The wicket of Jonathan Trott was deserved reward for excellent bowling, catching and captaincy. The delivery, a beauty from left-armer Trent Boult that was angled in but then left Trott, would have been dangerous in any circumstances but, coming after a delivery that was slanted across Trott, found the batsman coming forward just a little tentatively. The edge, low and to the left of Dean Brownlie at third slip, was brilliantly held but the fact that New Zealand even had a third slip in the 54th over of the innings speaks volumes for the positive captaincy of Brendon McCullum and the level of control exerted by his bowlers that allowed him to attack throughout so much of the day.
Shot of the day
This was not a day littered with pleasing strokes. 30 of the day's 80 overs were maidens and England only managed 15 boundaries. Only one of them came between mid-on and mid-off. But there were a couple of drives from Ian Bell that were almost worth the admission money on their own. One of them, sent through the covers off the bowling of Neil Wagner with Bell holding the pose with his right knee on the pitch, left Lord's purring with pleasure. He may not develop into the truly great player some once thought he might, but few can drive as sweetly as Ian Bell.
This was not a day littered with pleasing strokes. 30 of the day's 80 overs were maidens and England only managed 15 boundaries. Only one of them came between mid-on and mid-off. But there were a couple of drives from Ian Bell that were almost worth the admission money on their own. One of them, sent through the covers off the bowling of Neil Wagner with Bell holding the pose with his right knee on the pitch, left Lord's purring with pleasure. He may not develop into the truly great player some once thought he might, but few can drive as sweetly as Ian Bell.
Wicket of the day
Anyone watching the highlights and seeing Ian Bell's dismissal - bat pushing limply well outside the off stump - may conclude that his downfall was the result of poor batting. But, while this was not a stroke that will fill Bell with any great pride, a great deal of credit was also due to the bowler and his team-mates. As is so often the case, it was not just the delivery that claimed the wicket, but the consequence of many of the deliveries that preceded it. Not only had Martin rendered Bell near to strokeless at one end - he scored off only three of the 50 deliveries he faced from Martin - but Neil Wagner had bowled from over and round the wicket, swinging some back into the batsman and seeing others carry on across them. It does not excuse Bell's poor shot, but it does explain why he was drawn into the stroke. The timing of the wicket, just 10 deliveries before the second new ball became available, was awful for England.
Anyone watching the highlights and seeing Ian Bell's dismissal - bat pushing limply well outside the off stump - may conclude that his downfall was the result of poor batting. But, while this was not a stroke that will fill Bell with any great pride, a great deal of credit was also due to the bowler and his team-mates. As is so often the case, it was not just the delivery that claimed the wicket, but the consequence of many of the deliveries that preceded it. Not only had Martin rendered Bell near to strokeless at one end - he scored off only three of the 50 deliveries he faced from Martin - but Neil Wagner had bowled from over and round the wicket, swinging some back into the batsman and seeing others carry on across them. It does not excuse Bell's poor shot, but it does explain why he was drawn into the stroke. The timing of the wicket, just 10 deliveries before the second new ball became available, was awful for England.
Review of the day
If the introduction of the Decision Review System has taught us anything, it is that the best umpires really are very good indeed. In Aleem Dar this match has one of the best so it was something of a surprise when New Zealand utilised the system after Alastair Cook had been adjudged not out following a leg before appeal off the immaculate Boult. Sure enough, replays showed that, while the ball pitched in line, it would have passed some way over the top of middle stump. It was proof, once again, that it rarely pays to review Dar's decisions.
If the introduction of the Decision Review System has taught us anything, it is that the best umpires really are very good indeed. In Aleem Dar this match has one of the best so it was something of a surprise when New Zealand utilised the system after Alastair Cook had been adjudged not out following a leg before appeal off the immaculate Boult. Sure enough, replays showed that, while the ball pitched in line, it would have passed some way over the top of middle stump. It was proof, once again, that it rarely pays to review Dar's decisions.
New Zealand: Fulton, Rutherford, Williamson, Taylor, Brownlie, McCullum, Watling, Martin, Southee, Wagner, Boult.
A match preview courtesy of ESPN Cricinfo: England versus New Zealand; the world's second best team against the eighth best; walkover. Those who said the same thing ahead of the series in New Zealand were left feeling sheepish by the fight New Zealand showed. They came oh-so-close to a momentous upset that was utterly inconceivable given the shambles of a side that was destroyed in their previous Test series in South Africa at the turn of the year.
The fact New Zealand recovered from such embarrassment to nearly beat England suggests coach Mike Hesson has been able to quickly restore stability and create an environment where their capable squad have a chance of putting in competitive performances. They come into the first Test at Lord's in healthy shape and if their batsman can find some runs, they have a bowling attack capable of causing England problems.
New Zealand's batsmen will have to fight harder in more bowler-friendly conditions than what they encountered in March. The Dukes ball will swing more and for longer, and England's attack, far better prepared for this series with some county cricket behind them, will be eager to assert the dominance that was expected of them in New Zealand. They can be deadly on home soil, and the Kiwis' batting remains brittle.
For that reason, and given a firm kick up the backside, it is still a value bet that England will win comfortably. Their batting cannot be as lethargic as it was in New Zealand - a series they did not want after the main business was done in India. Most of the order have found form in county cricket and they are comfortable against the swinging ball, shown in the sizable totals England have racked up in Test matches in May in recent years.
The challenge is there for New Zealand to upset the odds again, and if they show as much desire as was on show in March, they will ask England to produce their best cricket to beat them. But England had a sharp reminder of what happens when they are not fully focussed and know they are playing for places in the Ashes. If England do find their best form, they should be too much for plucky New Zealand.
Also looing at some stats:
| Tests | Eng won | NZ won | Drawn | |
| Overall | 97 | 45 | 8 | 44 |
| In England | 50 | 27 | 4 | 19 |
| In England since 2000 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Team | Tests | Innings | Runs | Bat Ave | 100s/ 50s | Wickets | Strike rate |
| England | 6 | 88 | 2801 | 41.56 | 8/ 15 | 109 | 56.9 |
| New Zealand | 6 | 127 | 3050 | 29.11 | 5/ 15 | 72 | 76.6 |
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