England are close to winning the first Test against New Zealand after the bowlers took centre stage again on day two, but the tourists are still alive at Lord’s.
After 16 wickets fell on day one, 17 scalps were taken on the second day as New Zealand were 36-3 at stumps, requiring 218 runs to win, while England need just seven wickets on the bowler-friendly surface.
The Black Caps started day two on 61-6, but they were all out for 113 within the opening hour as Josh Tongue (3-40) quickly removed Glenn Phillips (34) and Nathan Smith (15), before Gus Atkinson (2-9) dismissed Will O’Rourke (1).
Ollie Robinson (5-39) took the final wicket of Matt Henry to claim a five-wicket haul on return, and England started their second innings on the front foot as Ben Duckett (33) and Emilio Gay (57) put on a 52-run partnership before the former edged behind.
The wicket of Gay proved costly too, as within the following 10 balls, Harry Brook (0), Joe Root (14) and Ben Stokes (0) were all sent back to the pavilion as England collapsed from 126-2 to 127-6.
Jamie Smith’s 39 gave England a defendable score, and Atkinson (2-10 in second innings) needed just three balls to dismiss Tom Latham (0) at the start of the final innings.
Tongue (1-10 in second innings) then trapped Kane Williamson (18) lbw before Atkinson sent nightwatchman O’Rourke’s (0) stumps flying with the final ball of the day.
Deja vu for McCullum’s England
This is the first time in men’s Test cricket that both sides have failed to reach 150 in their first innings since England and New Zealand last met at Lord’s, back in 2022.
The previous fixture in 2022 was Brendon McCullum’s first match, which England managed to win by five wickets as they chased down a target of 279.
New Zealand need 254 in their final innings to claim a famous victory at Lord’s, but the way the first two days have unfolded certainly favours England.
After Kyle Jamieson took a five-wicket haul on day one, Robinson and New Zealand’s Nathan Smith (6-70) both got their name on the honours board, too.
On average, a wicket has been taken every 25 balls across the first two days of this Test, which is very likely to end on day three.
The wicket of Williamson, who perhaps played his last Test at Lord’s, was crucial for the hosts, who will be thankful for Gay’s 57 on debut.
Story first published: Saturday, June 6, 2026, 1:18 [IST]
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