Cricket: ‘Moving day’ comes early for Black Caps in first England Test
Moving day came early in the first cricket Test between England and New Zealand, but the tourists aren’t counting themselves out despite a difficult opening day.
The series opener at Lord’s started well for New Zealand who dismissed England for 140. The Black Caps decided to bowl first on a wicket that turned out more helpful for the bowlers than expected.
However, after dismissing the home side New Zealand then had to bat in probably the most difficult conditions of the day and went to stumps at 61 for 6.
“Moving day has shifted from three to one,” said Black Caps bowler Kyle Jamieson, who spearheaded the attack after Matt Henry went down with back spasms early in the day.
Jamieson was impressive in his first Test in more than two years, finishing with five for 62 from 14 overs.
Harry Brook was the difference with the bat, his half century getting England through to a respectable score.
As cloud covered the ground and the Lord’s lights were turned on the New Zealand batters found themselves facing an English attack that got the ball moving.
Ollie Robinson ripped through the New Zealand top order taking three wickets in his first over, and being four wickets down inside 14 overs the game was moving far too quickly for the Black Caps and Jamieson.
“I was in the ice bath and I was thinking, jeez I’ve got to get out of this thing pretty quick, but thankfully I didn’t have to go out there and bat.”
Daryl Mitchell scored 12, while Glenn Phillips is unbeaten on 31 and Nathan Smith 6.
“Daryl, GT and Smudge (Smith) settled things a little bit and hopefully us bowlers can chip in tomorrow and we can find some parity.”
With 16 wickets falling on the first day the game is well advanced and what part Henry will play should be known in the morning.
A team official said he received treatment throughout the day and they would know more on Friday (UK time).
“It’s a shame for him to go down and hopefully we’ll get him back at some point during this Test match,” Jamieson said.
“Potentially if the sun gets out it will flatten out a bit, you’ve seen when the cloud cover comes across it does a little bit more.”
A number of overs were lost early in the day because of rain and cloudy conditions with some showers forecast for the rest of the Test.
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