Robinson’s triple-wicket over caps a chaotic 16-wicket day at Lord’s
New Zealand bowled England out for 140 on a seam-friendly opening day at Lord’s, only to slump to 61 for 6 themselves as Ollie Robinson struck three times in a single over on his Test return.
Jun 5, 2026
Test cricket came back to Lord’s with a day that never sat still. Sixteen wickets tumbled on the opening day of England’s series against New Zealand, the ball darted around under a grey London sky, and by stumps the home side held a slender lead despite being shot out for 140.
New Zealand won the toss and bowled, reading the conditions perfectly. Kyle Jamieson led the charge with 5 for 62, his first Test wickets since February 2024, and found enough movement off a slow, nibbly surface to keep England guessing all morning. Nathan Smith chipped in with 3 for 38 and Will O’Rourke took 2 for 25 as the innings folded inside 40 overs.
Brook stands alone
Harry Brook was the one England batter who looked at ease. His 56 came off 71 balls, the fifty reached from 64 deliveries with ten boundaries, and it accounted for a large chunk of a total that had no other score above 20. He rode his luck too, dropped twice, including a straightforward chance to Rachin Ravindra at deep square leg when he was on 45. Once Brook fell the tail had little to offer, and England were all out for 140 in 39.4 overs.
A score like that can look below par or well above it depending on what happens next. Within an hour it looked a long way above it.
Robinson rips out the top order
Ollie Robinson had not played a Test since early 2024, his absence stretched out by fitness problems, and England recalled him as they looked to reset after a chastening Ashes defeat. His first over back was the kind that gets replayed for years. He pinned Devon Conway lbw, had Kane Williamson caught at short leg by debutant Emilio Gay, and trapped Ravindra in front off the final delivery, three wickets in four balls and not a run conceded.
New Zealand were 2 for 3 and reeling. Robinson kept probing from there and finished the day with 4 for 10 from six overs, the figures of a bowler who had lost none of his nagging accuracy in two and a half years away.
Phillips offers resistance
Glenn Phillips refused to join the procession. His unbeaten 31 from 34 balls was the only New Zealand score to pass 20, a counter-attacking knock that dragged the visitors back into the contest before the close arrived. He resumes on day two with Nathan Smith for company, the pair having steadied things at 61 for 6, still 79 runs behind.
For all the carnage, the match is finely poised. New Zealand will fancy that even a modest first-innings lead on this surface could prove decisive, while England know another quick burst on the second morning could blow the game open. On a pitch doing this much, nobody is getting comfortable.