Twitter Reactions: New Zealand's late comeback on day one keeps the Lord's Test well poised

England dominated most of Day one’s play while the second hour of the final session completely changed the game on its head and has given a slight range of hope for New Zealand, at Lord’s Test. The visiting side succumbed to a low total in their first innings despite the lower order fight and England had the chance to end on a high unless their batting faltered again.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand opted to bat first after winning the toss and veteran swing bowler James Anderson answered his critics with an excellent comeback straightaway, by providing early breakthroughs. Will Young (1) was removed with an excellent low catch from Jonny Bairstow while Tom Latham (1) followed him soon as well, both in the bowling of Anderson. Devon Conway and skipper Kane Williamson could not last longer as New Zealand was in trouble at 12 for 4.

Daryl Mitchell (13) and Tom Blundell (14), tried to steady the partnership but the debutant Matty Potts removed both the batters in quick succession. The Kiwis looked like getting folded up soon at 45 for 7 until Colin de Grandhomme (42*) and Tim Southee (26) got a useful partnership going for the eighth wicket. Handy lower-order contributions from Trent Boult (14) helped New Zealand recover into a decent position and were bundled up for 132 in 40 overs.

Matt Potts impresses on debut with a four-wicket haul

In the bowling attack for England, Potts was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 13, while Anderson picked up a four-wicket haul as well. Ben Stokes and Broad picked up one wicket each as it looked a daunting ask for the New Zealand side to make a comeback. In reply, England’s new opening combination of Alex Lees and Zak Crawley provided the perfect start with 59 for no loss in the 14th over.

However, Jamieson went through a good spell and picked up the important wicket of Crawley for 43 and removed Ollie Pope for just seven as well. All eyes were on Joe Root as he came out to the middle with a huge ovation and all he could manage was 11 of 15 deliveries until edging one to the slips. Southee came back into the attack to dismiss the skipper Stokes for just 1 while Bairstow (1) followed him as well with a beauty from Trent Boult.

A flurry of wickets fell towards the end of the day and it meant that England went into stumps at 116 for 7 in 36 overs, trailing by 16 runs. Ben Foakes (6*) and Broad (4*) are at the crease, and an exciting second day awaits at Lords.

Here’s how the Twitter reacted to the first day’s play

if this was a rank turner … in india .. 17 wickets on first day… u wld have been crying in all places right now… 🤷‍♂️ #ENGVNZ

— Rohit Pungalia (@RohitPungalia) June 2, 2022

Ben Stokes’ first difficult bit. Explaining how we lost 7 for 41. Against the bloody Test world champions. The Kiwis are not reading the #jubilee #RedballReset scripts. Same batters. Same outcome. Long, hard summer beckons. #ENGvNZ

— Ralph Brooker 🇺🇦 (@ralph_brooker) June 2, 2022

Year 2053 and these two will still be troubling batters! 😂

Absolute legends. 🤌👏#ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/mvG5XjuK0h

— Barbados Royals (@BarbadosRoyals) June 2, 2022

17 wickets 250 runs in One day of Test cricket!
The pitch must be very awful it needs to be rated badly! Oh wait it's England and not any subcontinent pitch, That's fine I guess #ENGvNZ #LordsPitch

— Vismay Phanse (@vismayphanse) June 2, 2022

17 wickets fell on day one at #LordsTest , no comments by the “greats “ on the pitch, ya ya they reserve their comments only for Indian pitches #ENGvNZ #JustSaying

— Niraj Mehta (@nirajum) June 2, 2022

Again an ordinary collapse for English men 🤦‍♂️#ENGvNZ #testcricket

— Het Patel (@HetPatel_o7) June 2, 2022

Pleasantly surprised to wake up to watch the end of day 1 at Lords when it’s 92-2 and see 5 wickets fall. #ENGvNZ

— Jeremy Jupiter Jones (@jeremy_pm) June 2, 2022

17 wickets on day 1 and still 14 overs remaining in the day. Had this happened in India, all the cricket pundits would have started blowing the trumpets about dust bowls and spinning tracks. Would be interesting to see what they have to say? #ENGvNZ #NzvsEng

— Bavirisetty Sairam (@b_s_a_i_r_a_m) June 2, 2022

I think we can now safely say the short format game has well and truly put the final nail in the coffin of Test #cricket #ENGvNZ 😒

— Rob Underwood Media 🎬🎧🎙 (@itsrobunderwood) June 2, 2022

England vs New Zealand
Day 1 At Lords –
James Anderson – 4 Wickets
Stuart Broad – 1 Wicket
Matty Potts – 4 Wickets
Ben Stokes – 1 Wicket
Tim Southee – 2 Wickets
Trent Boult – 2 Wickets
Colin de Grandhomme – 1 Wicket
Kyle Jamieson – 2 Wickets
17 Wickets on Day 1#ENGvNZ #NZvENG

— Pratik Sonawane (@PratikSonawanev) June 2, 2022