New Zealand made the perfect start to the two-Test series against England with a solid opening session on Day 1 of the first Test. Debutant Devon Conway led the way with an assured unbeaten 43 after New Zealand called right at the toss, taking his side to 85 for 1 on Wednesday (June 2) as crowds – albeit a maximum capacity of 6500 – returned to Lord's.
Conway was one of the three debutants on the day with Ollie Robinson and James Bracey being handed respective their caps for England. Two of the three shone bright with Robinson picking the only wicket to fall in the session after a tentative prod from Tom Latham knocked him over. That, after James Anderson and Stuart Broad were negated by the opening pair, who were able to extract more seam movement than swing, with relative ease. They were controlled and even forced a couple of edges, but nothing threatening as Latham and Conway added 58 for the first wicket.
After the first hour where England would've liked more control after Robinson picked up Latham, Mark Wood was brought in as the pair posed pertinent questions to the batsmen. A good battle between Kane Williamson and Robinson ensued with testing lines and varied lengths resulting in plays and misses as he upped his pace. Wood, meanwhile, was up to full pace touching 95 mph, even striking Conway on the shoulder as he tried to duck a bouncer. The pair bowled with pace and accuracy to keep the pair circumspect. However, they couldn't dislodge the pair before lunch.
Brief scores: New Zealand 85/1 (Conway 43*; Ollie Robinson 1-17) vs England.