Robinson rocks New Zealand as England fight back on 16-wicket opening day

LONDON: Returning pacer Ollie Robinson ran through New Zealand's top order to force England's comeback after the hosts were bowled out for a modest 140 on the opening day of the first Test here at Lord's on Thursday.

At the stumps on the pulsating Day 1, during which 16 wickets fell, New Zealand were 61/6 in 19.2 overs, trailing England by a further 79 runs with Glenn Phillips and Nathan Smith unbeaten on 31 and six, respectively.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand captain Tom Latham won the toss and elected to field first, and the decision paid dividends for the visitors as England were bowled out for a meagre 140 in 39.4 overs despite Harry Brook's half-century.

The middle-order batter waged a lone battle for the home side and top-scored with a valiant 56 off 71 deliveries with the help of 10 boundaries.

Besides him, Ben Duckett (19), Shoaib Bashir (14), Josh Tongue (10) and captain Ben Stokes (12) could amass double figures against a ruthless New Zealand bowling attack, led by Kyle Jamieson, who bagged a five-wicket haul.

Jamieson's brilliance was backed by fellow pacers Nathan Smith, who bagged three wickets, while Will O'Rourke chipped in with two scalps.

In turn, Robinson dismantled New Zealand's top order, comprising Latham, Kane Williamson, Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, and reduced the touring side to 12/4 in 6.4 overs.

New Zealand then suffered two more setbacks in quick succession in the form of Daryl Mitchell (12) and Tom Blundell (four) and slipped further to 29/6 in 13 overs.

Following the slump, Phillips and Smith batted valiantly to ensure New Zealand did not suffer another setback by putting together an unbeaten 32-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

For England, Robinson has thus far taken four wickets for just 10 runs in his six overs, while Gus Atkinson and Tongue claimed one apiece.