London: England’s Ollie Robinson marked his first Test for more than two years with four wickets, including three in a sensational opening over, as New Zealand collapsed to 61-6 at stumps at Lord’s on Thursday.
This is the 150th Test at Lord’s and rarely in the long history of the London ground can the first day have been quite so dramatic, with 16 wickets in total falling before bad light cut short play.
Recalled Sussex seamer Robinson had remarkable figures of four wickets for 10 runs in just six overs at the close in what is England’s first Test since their humiliating 4-1 Ashes series loss in Australia concluded in January.
England, in the first of a three-match series, led by 79 runs at stumps despite being dismissed for just 140 themselves after losing the toss. Batsmen on both sides struggled in the overcast, bowler-friendly conditions, with even New Zealand great Kane Williamson, blessed with one of the best defensive techniques of his generation.
Robinson’s previous 20 Tests had yielded 76 wickets at an impressive average of under 23. But doubts about his stamina and attitude, if not his skill, mean that this is his first Test since February 2024.
