England and New Zealand created a new piece of Test history at Lord's during the first of their three-match series.
As the home of cricket celebrated its 150th Test, there were a combined 24 dismissals via bowled and LBWs in English Test history.
 |
| England's Ollie Robinson was awarded Man of the Match after a stunning return to the England teamCredit: Getty |
It was also the second-shortest Test match ever held at Lord's by the number of overs.
And after the Test, the MCC have issued a statement in which they apologised for the pitch's condition.
166 overs were bowled across three days and a bit, which works out as fewer than two full days of cricket.
And of all Tests to be played with all 40 wickets being taken, this was the third-shortest, with the other two being in 1888 and 1907.
Only two players scored 50s, and they were both English.
In the first innings, Harry Brook scored 56 as England made just 140.
But it proved to be equally difficult for the Black Caps to bat as well as they made just 113.
And Emilio Gay on his Test debut scored 57 to give England a big lead and a difficult target for New Zealand to chase, which they couldn't.
The visitors needed 254 to win and were bowled out for just 138, with bowlers well on top.
There wasn't a single over of spin bowled as the seamers totally dominated due to a friendly pitch and overhead conditions.
Ahead of the Test, the Lord's ground staff made a conscious effort to create a livelier pitch after years of slow ones at the home of cricket.
 |
| Robinson was named player-of-the-match on his England returnCredit: Getty |
There was even a new method used of steaming, which is something that happens at Wimbledon, but it was too much in the end.
In a statement from the MCC, they said: "We recognise that the pitch for this Test has shown more variable bounce than we would have wanted.
"We hold ourselves to the highest standards and are naturally frustrated when a surface falls short of those expectations.
“MCC invests significantly each year in the preparation of the Main Square at Lord’s, as well as in research, technology and expertise aimed at producing pitches that provide a fair and consistent contest between bat and ball.
"The unusually hot and dry weather during May, followed by wetter conditions in the lead-up to the match, presented a number of challenges in preparing the pitch.
“However, we fully recognise the need to act quickly. We will remain fully focused on applying all aspects of pitch development and improvement as outlined in our recently published MCC Cricket Strategy 2026-29.”
And speaking on talkSPORT's exclusive international commentary, ex-New Zealand star Jeremy Coney wasn't happy with the pitch.
He said: "No spinner has bowled a ball in this Test match and that was because of the movement up and down, variable bounce and seam movement.
"It was hard batting conditions and no one was really able to conqueror it.
"It worked out as a wicket every four overs, and of the 20 New Zealand lost, 14 of them were either LBW or bowled."
Speaking about it later on in the broadcast, he said: "The groundstaff aren't trying to produce a bad pitch.
"But if you are going to use a new method, test it out somewhere else first.
"Whatever they did, the result is unfortunate. It has produced a lopsided game.
"It was weighted too heavily on one side.
"No one wants to see weighted too heavily on the batting side either."
And England legend Steve Harmison also felt it was too favourable to the bowlers.
He also had his say after Tom Latham's speech.
"Tom has decided not to say anything there, but the head coach should come out.
"New Zealand's head coach should come out strong because they've got to condemn this pitch.
"This is one of the most iconic cricket grounds in the world, and year upon year, we seem to be getting a poor pitch.
"We have to do something about it, and the only way we can do something about is to talk about it in the right way.
"It has been sub-standard, and you have to call it as it is.
"The pitch was poor last year, and this year, it was actually a danger to the players, and that is the final straw."
 |
| There four five-fors across the Test, showing just how much the ball dominatedCredit: Getty |
Big positive
England needed to win, and they did, and the return of Robinson from the cold was huge.
The Sussex bowler hadn't played for England since 2024 due to concerns over his fitness and form, and it had looked as if his Test career was over.
But a brilliant start to the County Championship season saw him earn a shot in the Test team, and he claimed seven wickets across the two innings, including three in an over to put England in charge.
And after the first day, it was all a bit too much for his wife, who was very emotional.
Robinson will now look to cement his place in the team and ensure this isn't just a brief spell.
- Jack Cunningham
No comments:
Post a Comment