By
SABC Sport
5th June 2026
The Black Caps went to stumps on 36-3, chasing a target of 254, after England were bowled out for 226 in their second innings with debutant Emilio Gay hitting an impressive 57.
The Kiwis resumed the second the second morning on 61-6 and added another 52 runs to the total to be bowled out for 113 and concede a lead of 27 runs.
England opening pair of Gay and Ben Duckett then put on 52 to ease some nerves but the latter was caught in the gully off the bowling of Will O'Rourke for 33.
The home team though suffered an almighty collapse, losing four wickets for just one run, to slip to 127-6 and the game definitely there for the taking for the visitors.
Jamie Smith though hit 39, Gus Atkinson 14 and a crucial 29 from Ollie Robinson took England's lead beyond the 250-run mark and favourites to go 1-0 in the three-match series.
New Zealand seamer Nathan Smith, playing just his sixth Test, had a day to remember with figures of 6-70 tp put his name on the Lord's honours board.
The favoured odds for the home side were emphasised further when Atkinson got rid of Tom Latham in teh first over before Kane Williamson and Devon Conway looked to have weathered a attack.
Williamson, however, was trapped lbw for 18 by beanp-pole fast bowler Josh Tongue with 10 minutes of play remaining before Atkinson ripped the stumps of nightwathman O'Rouke for a duck before the players headed off the field.
