TRAPPED ENGLAND SETTLE FOR A DRAW

Lords, The Home of Cricket has had it’s gates shut for nearly two years. There’s been cricket resumption but a match at Lords is yet due ever since the dramatic ICC World Cup 2019 final. A two year break and Lord’s is finally back to live cricket as England host New Zealand for a two test series.

New Zealand batting first put up a massive 378 on the board. Devon conway the man on debut scored 200 with sheer patience and grit. Henry Nicholls scored a comfortable 61 and was out looking to accelerate. A cameo from Niel Wagner scoring a quick 25. Devon Conway fails to make it to his crease and the Kiwis are all out for 378. Doble hundred at lords on debut is the highlight. The bowling had been good but England failed to get the early reward. Ollie Robinson on debut was very impressive picking up 4, pace man Mark wood had 3 to his name and a couple to Anderson.

England’s batting being inexperienced had themselves in all sorts of trouble. Rory Burns held one end but wickets kept tumbling on the other at a quick succession. Skipper Joe Root and debutant Robinson both scored fine 42. Rory Burns scores a promising 132 taking him team to a respectful 275. Southee swings down the English middle order claiming 6 wickets and was all over the minds of English batters.

Washed out day 3 force New Zealand to accelerate and score at a quick rate on day 5 giving themselves a fair time to scalp 10. Was a slow start but Ross Taylor scored a quick 33. A couple of scores in 20’s and Lathan at the top with a slow 36. New Zealand get to 169 and decided to declare with the lead of 103 get them to a deciding 273 giving them a chance to victory. The bowling was improved by the English men and Ollie Robinson again at the top of wicket table. 1 each for the Root, Wood and Broad.

Right then it’s down to the final innings where England require 273 to win. New Zealand require 10 wicket else it will be a draw. 75 overs of play to decide which way the match ends.

England start with patience indicating play to draw, where they had a good chance to win but the inexperienced batting lineup is costing them a lot. Sibley stood strong all day holding his end for a 60* and Root adds 40 to the tally but never looked to chase down the target. Ollie pope scored a quick 20 where there was some intent. The Kiwi bowlers failed to pick up wicket, had created good pressure and Wagner bowled his heart out and had a couple to his name. 70 overs have been bowled and there’s no life left to drag further as players shake hands and make their way back to the dressing rooms.

Highlight of the match remains Devon Conway with a magnificent 200 on debut at the Home of cricket gets on the honours boards. New Zealand don’t require a lot to think on post this good team performance but England need to sit to a whiteboard and map down some theory to win games after many batting failures. On a good batting track England should have looked for a win but trapped in head settle for a draw.