Lord’s historic turf witnessed a breathtaking display of traditional Test match bowling England and New Zealand It clashed on Day 1 of the first Test in London on 4 June 2026. A tense twenty-two yard contest saw 16 wickets fall for just 201 runs on a dramatic opening day marred by rain delays and blackouts. While the visiting Kiwi bowlers initially put on a clinic to bowl England cheaply, the real headline of the day was England’s sensational, counterintuitive comeback. Ollie Robinson.
Ollie Robinson hit a sensational maiden thrice as New Zealand crumbled on Day 1
Defending just a paltry first innings, England needed an immediate spark with the new ball and Robinson delivered a masterclass that completely stunned the crowd and commentators. In the first game of the match, in the second of New Zealand’s innings, Robinson completely turned the competition on its head with a triple cap maiden (0, 0, W, 0, W, W) that threw the Black Caps’ top order into complete disarray.
The demolition started on his third delivery when he caught the opening batter Devon Conway (1) directly in front of the stumps. Conway tried to drive down the foul line, but the natural Lord’s slope inflated the move and crashed into his pads. Despite a desperate investigation, tracking showed him cutting the leg stump and forcing Conway to walk.
A ball later, Robinson shocked the stadium by dismissing New Zealand’s talisman. Kane Williamsonfor two ball ducks. Targeting a channel outside the off stump with a full delivery, Robinson forced Williamson into early defense with soft hands. The bat face turned slightly and sent a straight normal bat swing Emilio Gay at short leg, who caught it with difficulty.
With the roar of the crowd, the last ball created complete ecstasy. Robinson hit a sharp, incoming length ball to the newcomer Racine Ravindra. Caught completely flat-footed at the crease, Ravindra misses the defensive shot and takes the same hit on the back foot. Another over was in vain as ball tracking showed it clipped the top of the stumps, completing a three-wicket dream for Robinson and bringing New Zealand back to 2 for 3.
We present the video:
Point. Point. Goalkeeper. Point. Goalkeeper. Goalkeeper.
Every ball from that ridiculous Ollie Robinson is over 👇 pic.twitter.com/A5jhEgkV1p
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 4, 2026
Bowlers dominate Day 1 of Lord’s Test
The incredible collapse of New Zealand’s top order was a continuation of a wider theme on a day in which the ball completely ruled. After being put into bat under overcast skies early in the morning, England’s batting line-up crumbled against a ruthless pace attack led by New Zealand. Kyle Jamieson. Jamieson The Englishman destroyed his middle and lower order, finishing with stellar figures of 5/62 across 14 overs. Nathan Smith (3/38) and Will O’Rourke (2/25) provided excellent support.
Aggressive, run-a-ball 56 to the side Harry Brooke and one patient 19 Ben Duckettno other English batsman could handle the moving ball. England were bowled out for a disappointing 140 runs in just 39.4 overs.
However, England’s bowlers responded with equal ferocity. After Robinson’s initial three-wicket haul, Gus Atkinson Kiwi called out, pulling out his captain Tom Latham (3) before the leg, before Robinson returns to the cup Daryl Mitchell for 12. Josh Dil then clean-bowled Tom Blundell (4), shocked New Zealand for 29 for 6.
Fighting, invincible counterattack Glenn Phillips (34 off 31 balls) along with debutant Smith (6) took New Zealand to 61/6 in 19.2 overs. Trailing by 79 runs with just four wickets in hand, New Zealand face a struggle from both teams on Day 2 of this unpredictable Test match.
