Gus Atkinson added another five-wicket haul to help England start their Test rebirth with a 115-run win over New Zealand at Lord’s, as Josh Tongue’s early breakthrough and Ben Stokes’s dismissal of Devon Conway ended the visitors’ chase for a shock victory.
England’s Test rebirth began on a day the pitch looked like it could still bite back. New Zealand resumed on 55 for five at Lord’s needing 199 more runs for what would have been the unlikeliest of victories, and yet the fourth morning belonged to England’s seamers.
Gus Atkinson. continuing his “love affair” with Lord’s. produced another devastating spell with the ball as England wrapped up a 115-run win over New Zealand. The decisive work came in the fourth morning’s early burst: Josh Tongue made an immediate breakthrough in the first full over of the day. and Ben Stokes then ended Devon Conway’s near three hours of resistance.
The context for the effort couldn’t be clearer. England were trying to move on from last winter’s woeful Ashes tour. and England coach Brendon McCullum had promised a more refined style. In a bowler-dominated match. debutant Emilio Gay offered a bright individual moment by registering a maiden 50. but it was the attack—led by Atkinson and the returning Ollie Robinson—that turned this game into an England statement.
Tongue struck first on the day by pinning Tom Blundell in front with one that ran back down the Lord’s slope. That left the Black Caps 58 for six and immediately sparked a counter-attacking response led by Glenn Phillips. Stokes then brought himself on from the Nursery End. and before long he was celebrating as a delivery turned round left-hander Conway and was pocketed by Jacob Bethell at gully. Conway’s resistance had held for almost three hours, but once Stokes removed him, the momentum shifted.
After New Zealand’s biggest partnership of the match—a 53-run stand—was broken. the remainder of the chase became a matter of formality. Nathan Smith nicked his third ball, and Kyle Jamieson timed one on the up for four through point. Atkinson then delivered the finishing blow: middling another off him proved fatal as the ball sailed into the hands of short midwicket.
Atkinson completed his spell with figures of five for 30, taking his overall tally to 26 wickets in three Tests at Lord’s. He sealed the victory by castling last man Matt Henry’s stumps, sending England to a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Even with the damp gone from the air and no need for floodlights, cloud cover left England’s seamers licking their lips. It was conditions that helped the bowling plan that was supposed to define the rebirth—and on this fourth morning, England’s attack delivered exactly when it mattered.
England vs New Zealand Lord's Test Gus Atkinson Ollie Robinson Josh Tongue Ben Stokes Devon Conway Emilio Gay Test cricket 115-run win
Lord’s curse got them again I guess.
So England just like… remembered how to bowl? Because the Ashes last winter was rough. Atkinson really loves Lord’s huh. I’m surprised NZ even had a chance after 5 down.
Tongue got Tom Blundell out and then Stokes dismissed Devon Conway and that was basically the whole game? Idk I thought New Zealand was gonna pull off the shock win for sure but yeah once you’re chasing 199 with rain/cloud or whatever it’s over. Also “pitch looked like it could still bite back” like it’s a horror movie.
England “test rebirth” lol. Last Ashes they couldn’t buy a wicket and now suddenly Atkinson is doing five-fors like it’s a routine. I don’t even get why Stokes was coming on from the Nursery End, is that like a special bowling lane? And if the damp was gone but it’s still cloud cover, how does that work? Anyway congrats I guess, but I’m still not convinced until they beat them in a match where England doesn’t get all the conditions.