Happy returns for the quicks
By his own admission Ollie Robinson was “nowhere near ready” to play in the Ashes last winter. Yet his return after a two-year exile was a reminder that England were desperately short on new-ball nous during their 4-1 series defeat. Robinson provided it at Lord’s, making the ball breakdance during that triple-wicket maiden on day one. There was no need for him to go short, as proved by the 77mph bumper Daryl Mitchell brushed to the ropes. Wobbling it down on a length was lethal enough. It was the perfect surface for Kyle Jamieson, too, the hulking quick back for his first Test since February 2024, a back stress fracture keeping him away. His five-fer was a stirring sight, keeping those numbers nice and pretty: his bowling average sits under 20 after 20 Tests.
Gay’s fine start
Ben Foakes remains the last man to score a Test century for England on debut, in 2018 against Sri Lanka. Emilio Gay could not break the drought, but it was still a dreamy opening for the Durham left‑hander, right from the moment Jamieson gifted him a full toss first ball, allowing the arms to open up for a drive. Gay had a decent shout for being the player of the match, with his 95-ball 57 the highest score and the longest innings in terms of balls faced. He had some luck, but so did Harry Brook, who was dropped twice during his 56. No one was allowed complete fluency, but Gay had his moments through cover, ones that will stay with him whatever the length of his international career.
Pitch problem
This was a hollow start to the Test summer, the spectacle diminished by a pitch that threatened fingers and toes. There is definitely something to be gained by watching the quicks dominate, stumps knocked over and batters forced to get funky. It certainly beats a five-dayer that doesn’t go anywhere, à la Old Trafford last year. Still, this was effectively a two-day contest, acceptable if it happens once in a five-Test series, but deeply frustrating when you’ve got only three in the calendar. It could have been redeemed with a tight finish, but Glenn Phillips – who finished with more runs in the match than anyone else – needed more from his friends.
New Zealand’s rust
Run through that New Zealand XI and there is pedigree in all corners. The Lord’s side boasted four members of the team that won the World Test Championship five years ago. Mitchell and Tom Blundell were exceptional in England in 2022; Rachin Ravindra and Will O’Rourke will hopefully thrive for the next decade. But the tourists still walked into this Test slightly unknown, owing to their lack of recent gametime. Even by New Zealand’s standards, 2025 was a particularly fallow year as they played five Tests, facing Zimbabwe and West Indies, winning four comfortably and drawing the other. Their game against Ireland in May was their first since December. It had been a while since these players were properly tested and punished for drops in the field; England were sharp enough to take advantage.
No spin, same old strife
Proceedings should last longer at the Oval, where 600 has been breached twice in this year’s County Championship. A bit of spin would be handy, too; there was no chance to see Shoaib Bashir twirl away at Lord’s, to examine whether all those early-season overs at Derbyshire have improved his control. A return to complete normality is off the cards, though. The England and Wales Cricket Board released a statement on Monday evening to say it is investigating “a breach of team protocols”, adding that Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were at a nightclub in the early hours of Monday. What could still be a thrilling series – particularly with the attacks well matched – suddenly finds itself dealing with off-field drama.
