ENG vs NZ | 1st Test Day 1 | Astute bowling brings Blackcaps back after horror-show with bat

"You can't write off Kiwis", and that has been the story of Day 1 of the opening Test between England and New Zealand. 

England enjoyed a terrific start as their bowlers kept New Zealand on extreme backfoot to take the early advantage on Day one of the first Test at the Home of Cricket, Lord's, on Thursday (June 2). 

The old horse, James Anderson, made a sound comeback to the team as he took four wickets and led the bowling attack along with the debutant Matthew Potts, who too bagged four wickets as the Blackcaps' batting collapse meant that they registered a below-par first innings total of 132 after taking a startling call of batting first at a green top. 

However, the Kiwi bowlers, in reply, made sure the hosts didn't enjoy the advantage of the Kiwi's disastrous batting as they picked seven wickets before the stumps, leaving England languishing at 116 after the host openers provided a solid 59-run stand. 

Colin De Grandhomme's quick fightback 

New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first. However, they did not have the best of starts with their top four batters – Tom Latham (1 off 17), Will Young (1 of 2), Kane Williamson (2 off 22) and Devon Conway (3 of 7) getting dismissed cheaply. 

Daryl Mitchell (13 off 35) and wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell (14 off 39) gave the visitors a glint of hope before Matthew Potts bowled out the duo.

At one stage, New Zealand was reeling at 7/45, and it looked like they wouldn't even cross the three-figure score, but thanks to Colin de Grandhomme, who remained unbeaten for the score of 42, the Kane Williamson-led side crossed the hundred run-mark. 

Tim Southee (26 off 23) played a quick cameo knock down the order and stitched 41 run partnership with de Grandhomme for the 8th wicket to empower them to a three-figure score.

Anderson, Potts back-To-back assaults   

England fast foxes, especially the old one and the newest one – Anderson (4-66) and Potts (4-13) wreaked havoc with their fiery display of accurate fast bowling as they polished off the entire batting lineup of the visitors.  

The 39-year-old pacer gave England an excellent start dismissing New Zealand openers Will Young and Tom Latham early in the morning session, putting the visitors on the backfoot. Later in the innings, he picked the wickets of Kyle Jamieson and Southee to claim his four-wicket haul.

Debutant Potts also justified his selection, scalping the precious wickets of New Zealand skipper Williamson, Mitchell, Blundell and Ajaz Patel before the newly appointed captain Ben Stokes hit the final nail in the coffin as he dismissed Trent Boult to restrict the visitors for the score of 132.     

New Zealand's resurgence 

England started their inning in style as their opener Alex Lees (25 off 77) and Zak Crawley (43 off 56) made an alliance of 59 runs for the first wicket. 

However, it took minutes for England after the tea break to return to their vintage self as they lost wickets in clusters and ended up with a score of 116/7 at the end of the day's play.

New Zealand's 6-feet-8-inch tall paceman, Jamieson, ended the day with two wickets, removing Crawley and Ollie Pope shortly after the tea. 

In quick succession, de Grandhomme and Southee attacked to dismiss England's leading men Root (11 off 15) and Lees. 

Southee then dismissed England skipper Stokes (1 off 9) before Boult struck twice in an over to dismiss Jonny Bairstow (1 off 9) and Potts (0 off 2). 

Brief Score on Day One: 

New Zealand - 132-10 (40.0) [1st innings]

Colin de Grandhomme 42*, Tim Southee 26 (23);

Matthew Potts 4-13 (9.2), James Aderson 4-66 (16)

England - 116/7 (36.0) [1st innings]

Zak Crawley 43 (56), Alex Lees 25 (77); 

Trent Boult 2-15 (10), Jamieson 2-20 (7)

England trail by 16 runs.