The first Test of an English summer is always an important week in the calendar of any cricket fan, especially when the prospect of an Ashes series is just around the corner. Before that, England have a tricky two-test match series with New Zealand to negotiate. In the reverse fixture over the winter, the black caps exceeded expectations by achieving a 0-0 draw. However, at home, England were expected to comfortably beat a side still ranked eighth in the world.
On what appeared to be a traditionally flat Lords wicket, Alastair Cook would have been looking for his batsmen to set an imposing total after he won the toss and elected to bat. However, this did not materialise as the first day proved turgid. The pitch played a lot slower than initially expected and England’s batsmen only reached 160 for 4, at a run-rate of less than 2 an over. A number of batsmen got themselves in but none could even pass 50 on a disappointing opening day for the home side.
Day two saw England’s hopes firmly rested on the shoulders of two young Yorkshiremen, Joe Root and Johnny Bairstow. In the morning the pair made steady, if slow progress. However, the impressive Southee managed to remove Root for 40, thus opening up an end for New Zealand to attack. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals as England were bowled out for 232, with Bairstow eventually top scoring with just 41.
New Zealand’s reply got off to a slow start as they lost both of their openers early. These wickets saw Jimmy Anderson become one of the great English bowlers, by becoming only the fourth Englishman to pass 300 Test match wickets; he is now only 84 behind Ian Botham’s all-time record. However, the highly rated Kayne Williamson and ex-captain Ross Taylor put a partnership of 93 together, as both passed 50. New Zealand looked well set to build a first innings lead at 100 for 2, but they began to lose wickets and the tail was quickly rolled over as the Kiwi’s were bowled out for 207, a deficit of 25.
As England began their second innings, the general feeling was that they would improve on their first innings total. Once again Cook and Compton got England off to a decent enough start, before falling in quick succession to leave the score at 36 for 2. With Ian Bell taken ill with flu, Joe Root was promoted to number 4. This did not faze the young man in the slightest as he put together a beautifully crafted 71, well supported by the ever-solid Trott.
Root, only 22, has been tipped as a future England star, and this performance certainly saw his stock rise, on a pitch that was still proving helpful for bowlers. However, once again, wickets fell in a flurry and having been 159 for 2, England finished day 3 on 180 for 6, a lead of 205. Tim Southee was New Zealand’s main protagonist once more, his late burst leaving the match finely balanced going into the penultimate day.
The fourth and ultimately final day proved compelling viewing. Southee and Williamson quickly wrapped up the English tail in the morning, as England were all out for 213 – Southee finishing with 10 wickets for the match, earning himself a place on the Lords honours board. This left New Zealand requiring 239 for victory; although not immediately imposing, it would have been the highest score of the match and the third highest fourth innings run chase at Lords.
England felt confident of victory, knowing that Graeme Swann would prove a handful on a turning pitch. However, he was not required, as James Anderson and Stuart Broad set about ripping the heart out of the New Zealand run chase. Broad produced a superb spell of fast bowling as he took 7 for 44 in just 11 overs. A fit and firing Broad is excellent news for England’s bid to retain Ashes, and he looked back to his best. One ball in particular stood out as it seamed up the Lords slope, sending Rutherford’s off-stump cartwheeling. New Zealand eventually limped to 68 all out, losing by 170 runs.
A victory in the first Test match of the Summer is exactly what was required of England. However, it was harder work than the margin of victory suggests. New Zealand were right in the game up until their second innings collapse and were even in the driving seat going into the fourth day. They will take heart from the performance of their impressive young seam attack, led by the ever-improving Southee.
England will need to improve on their first innings batting performance, as the Series moves to Headingly on Friday. Nonetheless, a victory at Lords in the first Test has started the process of momentum building that is required before the Ashes kicks off on the July 10 at Trent Bridge.
Alex Manning
exeposedev 