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England took a 1-0 lead in their three-Test series against New Zealand after a 115-run win on a tricky pitch at Lord’s. While the bowlers dominated, the plaudits weren’t reserved for just them – here’s how Ben Stokes’ side rated.
England player ratings
Ben Duckett – 7
Batting: 52
A solid if unspectacular first Test outing of the summer for the Nottinghamshire left-hander.
Ben Duckett was trapped leg before by Nathan Smith shortly after lunch on day one
A touch unfortunate to be trapped leg before for 19 in the first innings after a promising start, but succumbed to a loose drive outside off in the second dig. Missed out on a half-century after a promising 52-run opening partnership with debutant Emilio Gay and also being dropped on just 12.
Emilio Gay – 8
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Emilio Gay scored his first Tes half-century in England’s second innings
Batting: 65
Plenty to be optimistic about England’s newest opening batter.
Got off to the perfect start on debut with a juicy full toss from his first ball, which he dispatched for four through the covers. The first of many in the Test to be dismissed by an excellent piece of bowling as he edged Kyle Jamieson to first slip for 8.
Second innings was a real delight to watch his excellently-compiled 57, which would probably have been worth more than a ton on most other Test pitches. His eight fours saw him play exquisite shots on both sides of the wicket including a nonchalant clip through midwicket the ball after reaching his maiden half-century.
Also took a smart catch at short leg on his first day as a Test cricketer to help Ollie Robinson dismiss Kane Williamson for a second-ball duck.
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Emilio Gay reflected on an incredible first two days where he made his England Test debut
Jacob Bethell – 6
Batting: 20
Not a lot to write home about for the man who was declared fit to play after an injury-scare curtailed his IPL campaign in the build-up to this Test.
Jacob Bethell was bowled twice by Matt Henry at Lord’s
Did little wrong with the manner of his dismissals at times when batting was tricky, particularly the pee-roller that bowled him by his boot laces from Matt Henry in the second innings.
The potential has already been displayed thanks to his efforts in the winter and more profitable days will come.
Took an impressive low catch at gully on the last day to dismiss Devon Conway to set his side on the way to victory.
Joe Root – 6
Batting: 9
See above.
Like Bethell, was dismissed twice by two pieces of impressive bowling when batting was proving most difficult.
Not a Test that will live long in the memory for the former England captain but nobody will be criticising him too much on this occasion.
Harry Brook – 7
Batting: 56
A mixed bag for England’s vice-captain.
A first-innings 56 included 10 fours but also saw him dropped twice on eight and 45.
Was the only batter on either side to mix discipline with opportunism on the first day before he was finally dismissed caught at long leg trying to add a six to those 10 boundaries.
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Harry Brook escaped two dropped catches in England’s first innings but his luck ran out on 56 when he was finally caught at long leg
Second innings he succumbed to a spell of impressive bowling by Will O’Rourke to be pinned leg before for a four-ball duck as England’s middle order crumbled again.
Gets enough credit for the counter-attacking nature of his first-innings knock.
Jamie Smith – 7
Batting: 40
A Test of two halves with the bat for England’s wicketkeeper.
Made the move up to No 6 but found himself in the midst of a middle-order collapse in the first innings as he offered no shot to a Kyle Jamieson nip-backer and was bowled for just one.
Jamie Smith was bowled by Kyle Jamieson as he offered no shot in England’s first innings
Second innings saw him compile a vital 39, which included an eighth-wicket partnership of 57 with Gus Atkinson. It helped lift England out of a perilous position and displayed how valuable a batter he can be helping marshal the tail.
Little to do with the gloves in terms of taking chances in a Test where the majority of dismissals were either bowled or leg before.
Ben Stokes – 6
Batting: 12; Bowling 1-32
Blink and you’d have missed both his contributions with the bat.
Spectacularly caught in the first innings by a one-handed beauty from Kane Williamson but comprehensively cleaned up for a duck in the second by a rampant Nathan Smith.
Conversations will no doubt continue over his recent lack of runs but again a tough one to judge on such a surface.
Had little to do with the ball on an occasion where his fellow seamers did the heavy and impressive lifting – until he dislodged a dogged Devon Conway on the last morning to end the New Zealand opener’s resistance.
Smart captaincy when rotating the bowlers and setting fields, albeit in helpful conditions, but delivered the win that was so badly needed to start the summer.
Gus Atkinson – 8
Bowling 7-39; Batting: 18
Exactly the return to the side he would’ve been hoping for with the ball after injury curtailed his Ashes series and recovery from concussion also briefly threatened his participation in this match.
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Gus Atkinson took the final wicket when England defeated New Zealand in the first Test at Lord’s
Played second fiddle to Robinson’s new-ball exploits in the first innings but came through to deliver in the second with yet another five-wicket haul at Lord’s. Just three men now have more in Tests at HQ than him: Ian Botham, Fred Trueman and James Anderson.
A second-innings 14 was his contribution to the aforementioned crucial partnership with Jamie Smith and gave his side the little bit of extra breathing space they would’ve craved.
Ollie Robinson – 9
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Ollie Robinson inspired England’s comeback against New Zealand after sensationally taking three wickets in his first over back in Test cricket
Bowling 7-78; Batting: 30
A dream return to Test cricket after all the talk that went with his recall on a pitch he’d no doubt love to roll up and carry around the country with him for the rest of the summer.
Started off with a triple-wicket maiden on the first evening and never looked back.
Perhaps a case of ‘what might’ve been’ had there been foresight to select him in the winter on pitches he no doubt would’ve excelled on in Australia. For now though, he will be thrilled to have contributed a man-of-the-match display on his return.
The challenge ahead will be for him to maintain his consistency and fitness. Weighed in with a useful 29 off 30 balls in the second innings to push New Zealand’s target past 250.
Josh Tongue – 8
Bowling: 5-88; Batting: 15
May have been less economical than his fellow seamers but few will argue with his contribution in both innings.
Highlight of his performance was undoubtedly removing Glenn Phillips with the first ball of the second day.
Another one who will be hoping to maintain his form and fitness through the rest of the summer, but once again an encouraging performance as his Test career continues to flourish.
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England’s Josh Tongue revealed his bowling techniques ahead of the fourth day of the first Test against New Zealand
Shoaib Bashir – 6
Bowling: N/A; Batting: 14
Almost a case of ‘thanks for coming’!
Difficult to give him a fair rating in a match where he was not required with the ball, but his first-innings 14 will go down as extremely valuable in the overall context of the match.
His time to weigh in with crucial spells and hopefully wickets will come at The Oval and beyond.
England vs New Zealand fixtures
- First Test (Lord’s): England won by 115 runs
- Second Test (Wednesday June 17-Sunday June 21) – The Kia Oval, London (11am)
- Third Test (Thursday June 25-Monday June 29) – Trent Bridge, Nottingham (11am)
Watch all of England’s home international summer live on Sky Sports as the three-Test series against New Zealand continues at The Oval from June 17. Not got Sky? Stream cricket contract-free on NOW.
