England are back to being sharks. Ben Stokes and co kicked off a new era with five wickets inside 18 overs vs New Zealand. The two sides play the first of the three Tests at the Lord’s Stadium, London.
Debutant Matty Potts went for a back of a length delivery outside off stump to Daryl Mitchell. The batter tried to defend off the back foot but ended up dragging the ball onto middle and off. The stadium applauded the bowler, who had two wickets against his name in five overs.
After opting to bat, New Zealand were reduced to 36/5 in 19 overs of the first session.
The fall of the Kiwis started with England’s aggressive startegy. Stokes employed as many as six slips early on. Some of his best fielders, including himself, were ready in the cordon to gobble a few nicks.
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The show started with a two-ball old Will young edging a 39-year-old James Anderson to see Jonny Bairstow take a brilliant one-handed catch low to his left at second slip. New Zealand were 1/1.
Anderson then managed to get a wild slash out of a frustrated Tom Latham, Bairstow completing the proceedings in the slips.
Lord’s double centurion Devon Conway was again caught by Bairstow, this time off Stuart Broad. New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson was Matthew Potts’ first Test wicket.
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Bowling the fifth ball of his Test career, the Durham quick induced a push out of Williamson’s bat with a full delivery. Wicketkeeper Ben Foakes holding a good low catch. Tom Blundell was Potts’ third wicket.
New Zealand were 36/6 after 22 overs.
England: Zak Crawley, Alex Lees, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Matty Potts, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, James Anderson
New Zealand: Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, Trent Boult
