If the rest of England’s Test matches this summer are like the New Zealand opener, it won’t just be Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss who will be in for a treat.
Fortunes swung like a hyperactive pendulum throughout the match, and that’s what exciting sport should be. When Southee, Boult and Henry had England struggling at 30-4 on the first morning, the Black Caps must have been scenting something special. Riding high at three in the ICC rankings, albeit just two points ahead of fifth-placed England, themselves in a bit of an identity crisis, could Brendon McCullum’s confident charges end the nine-game, 16-year wait for an away victory?
Excellent century stands between Joe Root and a forceful Ben Stokes, then Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali, turned the tables before Boult and Henry ended the innings as swiftly as they had started it. The visitors really turned the screw when Tom Latham and Martin Guptill produced a rare three-figure partnership, and the in-form Kane Williamson reached his fifth century in twelve months. It’s great to see the man from Tauranga progress from nervous youngster at Gloucestershire to accomplished Test batsman with an average of 47.
At the halfway stage, New Zealand seemed to be on top, taking their first innings past 500 and their lead to a handy 134 runs. Not just that, but debutant Adam Lyth, Gary Ballance and Ian Bell once more failed to make an impression at the second time of asking. Unlike Thursday, Alastair Cook stuck around and began the fightback with his likely successor Joe Root, whose stock has risen even further at Lord’s. The Yorkshireman fell on 84 but this just brought Stokes to the crease.
Having fumed at being bowled when shouldering arms two short of his ton in the first innings, the Durham all-rounder showed what may be the new attacking England ethos, cracking boundaries with joyous abandon. This time, he achieved his second Test century, the fastest ever at Lord’s, before edging an attempted slog sweep straight afterwards. It was now England’s turn to sniff not just a rescued draw but an unlikely victory. With Moeen Ali at eight, their batting looks stronger than ever, provided he and Stokes deliver the goods with the ball. Extending their score to 478 on the final morning, England had the upper hand.
Nevertheless, remembering their World Cup endeavours, New Zealand have hard-hitting players of the calibre of McCullum, Guptill, Taylor and Anderson and so any outcome was possible. However, they made a disastrous start, losing both openers without a run on the board inside seven balls. BJ Watling was promoted to five and he and Williamson steadied the ship for an hour or so. However, that man Stokes swung the game in England’s favour ripping out both Williamson and the skipper in consecutive deliveries. 61-5 and staring defeat in the face, Watling’s patience and Anderson’s aggression combined to recover NZ’s poise and salvage the match. Matt Wood’s extra pace and bounce did for Watling to end the partnership at 106, then Root trapped Anderson LBW three overs later. Southee, Henry and Boult made double figures but England polished things off in the final session. A great climax for the fifth day crowd, and a 1-0 lead for Cook et al.
So what have we learned? From England’s perspective, Joe Root is indispensible but that’s nothing new. Cook has rediscovered his mojo and Ben Stokes can deliver when allowed to let his attacking instincts have full rein. Moeen Ali is again showing he is a wicket-taking spinner who is a very capable run-scorer. Anderson and Broad looked poor in New Zealand’s first innings, but were pumped up on the final day. Of the two debutants, Matt Wood seemed to have the greater promise. He struggled a bit with the Lord’s slope yet unnerved some very good Test batsmen with his 90mph pace. He may never combine wicket taking and economy a la McGrath but a consistent fast bowler would do England’s attack a world of good. That’s the holy grail.
Adam Lyth deserves another chance before the Ashes squad is announced. I don’t see anyone else challenging him as Cook’s opening partner right now, so I hope England’s selectors stick to their guns. At least they go into the second Test with a 1-0 lead so, injuries apart, I’d expect an unchanged side at Headingley. Another game like this one and cricket will be the big winner.
