Now you know how it feels bro: Conway greeted by skipper Williamson on historic debut hundred

Devon Conaway was the star of the day in the first Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s. He was not only the first non-English debutant in 25 years to score a century at the Lord’s, but also went on to become the highest scorer in a debut innings at the iconic ground. The best part is he carried the bat to the dressing room and will come back again on day two to continue from where he had left.

It was when he went to the dressing room that he was greeted by his captain Kane Williamson in a manner, which the South Africa born might remember all his life. Describing the situation, Conway said, “It’s a pretty special feeling. When we arrived at Lord’s a couple of days ago, we walked into the change room and had an opportunity to have a look at the names of the legends on the honour’s board. Funny enough, I had a conversation with Kane and asked what it feels like to see his name up on that board.”

“When I walked in the change room today, the first thing he said, ‘Now, you know what it feels like bro’,” added the left-hander who is unbeaten at 136.

Talking about his knock, Conway believes that it will take a day or two for him to let that special feeling sink in. “A special, special day you know. I don’t think I could have dreamt of something like that happening and it will certainly take a few days for me to let it sink in,” he said.

New Zealand had a brilliant start to their first session, after having elected to bat first on a sunny day at the home of cricket. Conway, who put on a 58-run partnership with Tom Latham was grateful that a batting-friendly condition was available to him. “We started off in a beautiful sunny condition and a lot of the guys say that when it’s nice and sunny at the Lord’s, it’s a batting day. So I tried to make the most of it,” said the 29-year-old.

However, for the first three overs, the Wellington Firebirds player didn’t get to strike thanks to Tom Latham who played all the deliveries. Conway was actually pleased that he did not take strike for that long.

“I was actually pretty grateful. It gave me the opportunity to sort of watch from the non-striker’s end as to how the ball was holding and what it was doing off the wicket,” he said. “And I got a chance to have those conversations with him [Latham]. It git a bit nerve-wracking and we probably joked, ‘gee is it the longest that someone hasn’t faced a ball on Test debut?’,” added the man who has an average of more than 50 in all three formats so far.

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ENG vs NZ | 1st Test Day 1: Ton-up Devon Conway, disciplined Henry Nicholls put Blackcaps in front

A magnificent debut ton from opening batsman Devon Conway and an unbeaten partnership between him and Henry Nicholls has put New Zealand in the driving seat of the first Test match at Lord’s. Devon Conway batted with superb discipline around his off stump and did not get rattled even as England asked the fiery Mark Wood to test his height and backfoot game. The opener got hurt on few occasions but was equally to task on most of the challenges thrown by the England bowling attack that struggled for penetration on a pitch offering not much assistance. He became the 12the Blackcaps batsman to score a debut century in Test cricket. England would have hoped for a comeback after the fall of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor in a short period of play but Henry Nicholls led riposte from another end and played a perfect second fiddle role to combat England bowling line up that had both James Anderson and Stuart Broad in it after a long long time. Anderson provided England with probably the most prized wicket of Kane Williamson when the Blackcaps skipper played far too late at an incoming delivery and the ball trickled on to his stumps. Both England and New Zealand fielded debutants in the first Test and the first sequence of action began from their arsenal only. Conway got New Zealand going with some crisp shots while England’s bowling debutant Ollie Robinson started off his career and opened England’s account with the wicket of Tom Latham after the Blackcaps duo had put on a 58-run partnership. He came back in the afternoon session to trap an uncomfortable-looking Ross Taylor in front of the wicket. The next man in, Nicholls batted with exemplary patience to not allow England any more breach as Conway continued on his merry way punishing boundary balls and pushing his nose towards the three-figure. The moment came with a six that came in perfect presentation of Conway’s flair throughout the day as he deposited Robinson over square leg boundary with a wristy whip off his legs. The pitch appeared to be flat overall except for a phase in the afternoon session when all England bowlers particularly Broad found some help. He changed his angle of attack to round the wicket to sow seeds of doubt in the batsmen’s minds but the surface was not that helpful for him to have a full go with all his tricks. England did not pick any spinner and Joe Root trusted his off-spin to produce respite to the pace quartet however the move did not pay dividends as England started to look ragged in the field in the face of a resilient and solid partnership between Nicholls and Conway. Joe Root would be hoping for an early breakthrough tomorrow with the second new ball or else they will be in for a long day in the field and a challenging few days ahead with the bat in hand against a bowling attack comprising of Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Kyle Jamieson and also a spinner in the form of Mitchell Santner who can come in handy in the last innings if the sun continues to shine in London over the next four days.