England's new chapter under head coach Brendon McCullum got off to a deflating start as New Zealand picked apart their vulnerable batting lineup on day one of the first Rothesay Test at Lord's. Five months after a 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia, McCullum's side appeared to be suffering from an extended hangover, stumbling to 118 for eight at tea.
Early Promise Fades for Debutant Gay
Debutant Emilio Gay, called up from county cricket as Zak Crawley's replacement after a prolific run for Durham, received his cap from former England captain Sir Alastair Cook before play. He was thrust into action after New Zealand won the toss under gloomy skies. Gay started brightly, punching his first ball in international cricket through point for four and adding another boundary with a crisp on-drive. However, his big day turned sour when he nicked a delivery from 6ft 8in seamer Kyle Jamieson to first slip, departing for eight.
Rain Delay and New Zealand's Striking Response
Rain soon arrived, stalling the scoreboard on 24 for one after 10 overs. After a two-hour delay and an early lunch, the skies cleared and New Zealand seized the initiative. In the first five overs after the restart, they took three wickets for 10 runs, despite missing Matt Henry due to back pain. Ben Duckett, unusually patient in leaving the ball, was pinned lbw by Nathan Smith for 19. Jacob Bethell, fresh from a brilliant 154 in Sydney but returning after two months at the Indian Premier League, lasted just 22 balls before being trapped lbw by Will O'Rourke. O'Rourke quickly added the prize wicket of Joe Root, who managed just a single before feathering a lifter behind.
Brook's Resistance and Collapse
By the time Jamie Smith fluffed his promotion to number six, offering no shot as Jamieson dragged one back up the slope to flatten off stump, England were in trouble at 55 for five. Harry Brook batted with intent, racking up 10 boundaries in a frenetic knock. He was dropped by Devon Conway at backward point on eight and again on 45 by Rachin Ravindra, but his luck ran dry when he flicked Smith wildly to fine leg for a half-century. Jamieson claimed two more wickets to finish with four for 50 on his first Test outing since February 2024. Ben Stokes was brilliantly caught by Kane Williamson for 12 on his 35th birthday, and Gus Atkinson was plumb lbw, leaving England in disarray.
