England begin Ashes rebuild with win over New Zealand in first Test

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. England begin Ashes rebuild with win over NZ Figure caption, Bethell takes a good low catch to end Conway's resistanceByStephan Shemilt Cricket Correspondent at Lord'sPublished7 June 2026, 12:51 BSTUpdated 18 minutes agoFirst Rothesay Test, Lord's (day four of five)England 140 (Brook 56; Jamieson 5-62) & 226 (Gay 57; N Smith 6-70)New Zealand 113 (Jamieson 38*; Robinson 5-39,) & 138 (Phillips 44*; Atkinson 5-30)England won by 115 runs, lead three-match series 1-0ScorecardEngland took less than a session on the fourth day of the first Test against New Zealand to begin their post-Ashes rebuild with a much-needed victory. In their first Test since their 4-1 defeat in Australia, England exploited the devilishly difficult batting conditions on a poor Lord's pitch to beat the tourists by 115 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. From 55-5 overnight in their chase of 254, New Zealand's disappointing week was complete when they were hustled out for 138, thanks chiefly to Gus Atkinson's 5-30.

After Saturday's third day was almost entirely lost to rain, England required only seven deliveries on an overcast Sunday to resume their wicket-taking -Josh Tongue getting one to skid into the prone pads of Tom Blundell. With the ball moving up and down, and side to side, Glenn Phillips began an overdue New Zealand counter-attack. Phillips and Devon Conway added 53 for the seventh wicket, helped by Harry Brook putting down Conway at second slip.

The Details

But after England captain Ben Stokes induced a miscue from Conway, the end came quickly. Nathan Smith edged behind, Kyle Jamieson clipped to mid-wicket and last man Matt Henry was bowled, all by Atkinson, giving the Surrey man yet another place on the Lord's honours board. The rapid, seam-dominated nature of this match followed a recent trend of matches involving England.

Two of the Ashes Tests were done in two days, while this was the first Test in this country without a single delivery of spin bowled by either team since 1988. The hope is the surface for the second Test at The Oval, beginning on 17 June, produces a more satisfactory contest. Any win will do for England Figure caption, Tongue gets an early breakthrough as Blundell goes for fourThe 150th Test at Lord's was a poor spectacle because of the pitch.

New Zealand were also uncharacteristically sloppy, missing five chances in the field. England will not care. After the dismal winter, the retained management structure needed any sort of victory to begin to justify the faith that has been shown in them.

What Experts Say

Before this match, Stokes said only the result mattered and now England have the opportunity to win the series at The Oval. Has much been learned in this match? Seamer Ollie Robinson was outstanding on his return to Test cricket, though his skills were never in doubt - particularly in conditions such as these.

His challenge is now to prove his durability.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.