England thumped New Zealand by 115 runs in the first Test at Lord's as they began their post-Ashes rebuild on a winning note England secured a dominant 115-run victory over New Zealand in the first Test at Lord's, marking a significant step forward in their efforts to rebuild after a challenging Ashes campaign. The match, played on a pitch that drew widespread criticism for its difficulty for batting, saw England dominate both innings. The hosts finished at 226 all out in their second innings, while New Zealand were bowled out for 138 in their second innings, falling short of their target of 254. The result provided a much-needed boost to England after a winter marred by poor results and off-field controversies. The victory was sealed on the fourth day when Gus Atkinson, making his Test debut, delivered a masterclass with five wickets for 30 runs. His crucial breakthrough came when he clean-bowled Matt Henry to dismiss New Zealand for a meager 138 in 40.3 overs. England’s first innings, though not without its struggles, saw them post 140 all out in 39.4 overs, with Harry Brook scoring 56 and Kyle Jamieson taking 5 wickets for 62. New Zealand’s first innings was equally unimpressive, as they were bowled out for 113 in 29.5 overs, with Ollie Robinson (5-39) and Josh Tongue (3-40) leading the charge. In the second innings, England’s batting lineup showed resilience, with Emilio Gay scoring a debut half-century of 57, supported by Jamie Smith (39) and Ben Duckett (33). Nathan Smith’s bowling was pivotal, taking 6 wickets for 70 runs, while Will O’Rourke chipped in with 2 for 46. New Zealand’s second innings was a tale of missed opportunities, as they were bowled out for 138 after resuming at 55-5.#new_zealand #england #lord_s #kia_oval #trent_bridge
