England vs New Zealand, 1st Test Commentary, Live Updates

Patience required - Shot-making is unlikely to get any easier as the ball loses its hardness. It is only a small sample size, but with just one over under his belt so far, Nathan Smith has already laid down a marker with the way he tested Jacob Bethell throughout a probing maiden. Fresh off an impressive outing in Ireland last week, the seamer looks to have a real spring in his step and could be one to watch out for throughout the series. The scheduled start time for the second session is 12.25 pm GMT, weather permitting. Until then, you can switch your attention to Lahore, where the series decider between Pakistan and Australia has just gotten underway. See you shortly.

Lunch on Day 1 - Just 10 overs were possible in the first session of the opening day of the English Test summer, but we hope for better fortunes going ahead. After what transpired here during last year's World Test Championship final and the England-India Test that followed, there was plenty of discussion around whether the surface would play any differently this time around. It did not take long for the answer to emerge, with the lack of pace and bounce evident from the very first ball. Ben Duckett shouldered arms as the ball barely got up and reached the keeper on the bounce.

11.30 am GMT -  We have some news. The match officials have decided to take the Lunch break at 11.45 am GMT, 15 minutes earlier than the scheduled break. With the rain showing little sign of easing, the officials have opted to bring forward the interval rather than wait for the scheduled lunch time.

11.07 am GMT - It continues to rain at Lord's, and it is quite a heavy downpour now. The radar does not make for particularly encouraging reading either, with plenty more rain expected through the afternoon. We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but rain is forecast on all five days of the Test, with interruptions possible throughout the match. All we can do is hope for the best.

Summarising the action so far - It still felt like both sides were feeling each other out before the rain arrived and brought play to a halt. After being asked to bat, England's batters have had to work hard for their runs, with the surface proving to be on the slower side. It was a brief stay for debutant Emilio Gay, who became Kyle Jamieson's first victim of the morning. The tall Kiwi took a few deliveries to find his radar, but once he did, he managed to prise out the left-hander. Usually one to take the game on, Ben Duckett has dialled back the aggression and adopted a more watchful approach, while Jacob Bethell has had a few plays and misses in his stay so far.

10.45 am GMT - As the umpires gather on the adjacent strip to discuss the looming weather threat, the downpour suddenly intensifies. The officials quickly suspend play and signal for the players to leave the field, prompting the ground staff to rush out with the hover cover. Michael Atherton reckons we could be in for a significant delay, with this band of rain expected to linger for the next hour or two. He remains optimistic about play resuming later in the day once the worst of the weather has passed.

Game stopped due to : Rain Stoppage

In the channel, on a length. Jacob lets it through to the keeper.

Nicely done. Jamieson bashes the hard length, over off. Bethell hops and gets on top of the bounce. He opens the bat face to beat the diving backward point fielder to his right and comes back for the second run.

Serves it full, on off. A bit of away movement off the surface. Duckett gets on the front foot and drops it with soft hands in front of point for a quick single.

Taken but no bat involved. Bowled on a length, on middle. Duckett stays back to defend but the ball jags back in to beat him on the inside edge. It pings him on the thigh before it is taken at second slip by Kane Williamson.

Goes a bit fuller now, on off. Duckett pushes it to mid on.

Fractionally short, just outside off. Duckett stays leg side of the ball and taps the ball on its head as he plays it to backward point.

End of a testing first over from Smith, a maiden. A bit fuller now, around off. Bethell shows the full face of the bat but the ball drops off the outer half beside the strip on the off side. Jacob is keen for a single but Nathan gets to the ball quickly and cuts it off.

Smith hurls it on a good length, in the channel. Bethell presses forward and shoulders arms.

Attacking the front pad, Jacob nudges this good-length ball to mid-wicket.

At 135 kph, on a short of a length, on the off stump. It keeps a bit low but Bethell manages to chop it down towards gully.

Fuller and angled in, on middle and leg. Bethell's head falls over a bit as he knocks it to mid on.

Smith starts with a beauty! In that testing corridor of uncertainty. Wobble seam ball, on a length. Bethell pushes out in front but the ball moves away with the slope to beat the bat.

Nathan Smith has been introduced into the attack.

Back to bowling it full, on middle, Duckett blocks it off by getting his bat out in front.

Oh, that took off. This will put the seed of doubt in the minds of these two batters. For the most part, the ball has stayed relatively low so far, but this one has kicked up sharply. On a hard length, over off. This rears up as Ben tries to fend it down. It dribbles off the shoulder of the blade towards gully.

Keeps the stumps in play but this is on a good length. Duckett keeps it out from the crease.

Bowled by going wide on the crease, fuller and at the sticks. Duckett hangs low and defends it watchfully.

Nipping back in, on a slightly back of a length, on middle and leg. Duckett shapes up to turn it square on the leg side but is beaten on the inside edge and gets hit on the thigh pad.

Serves it full, around off. Duckett leans into the drive nicely and plays it all along the ground through covers. Nathan Smith goes after it and cuts it off. Two runs taken.

Moving away off the deck, on a length. Jacob offers no shot.

Keeps it outside off, on a good length. Bethell makes the leave.

Fuller in length, on off. Bethell stabs it down on the off side.

As per Nasser Hussain on air, it has just started to rain a bit at the Lord's. But surprisingly, we can see the most amount of sunlight ever since the Test began.

Going away, on a good length. Bethell shoulders arms.

Nearly chopped it back onto the stumps! Just around the line of the off pole, on a nagging length. Duckett hangs back for the block but the ball jags back in to catch the inside edge. It catches Ben on the thigh before deflecting wide of square leg.

This is on a length, across the off stump. Duckett tries to cover the line but the ball leaves him to catch the outer half and it dribbles to gully.

Beaten! Closer to the off stump, on the shorter side. Bethell has a slight poke at the delivery before withdrawing his bat. The ball goes away off the deck after pitching to beat Jacob on the outside edge.

Drags the length back, on off. Bethell gets on his toes and rides the bounce nicely. He punches it through covers but the ball does not have enough legs to reach the fence. It is hauled in by a couple of fielders giving chase. Jacob opens his account with a couple of runs.

Jamieson pushes the length up and finds a hint of away shape. Bethell resists the tempation of going for the drive and makes the leave.

First wicket in the 150th Test match at the Home of Cricket goes to Kyle Jamieson as he picks up the debutant, Emilio Gay. Jacob Bethell comes in at 3 for England.

OUT! CAUGHT! Kyle Jamieson gets his radar right, and more than anything, the edge carries to the slip cordon. Jamieson hurls it on a back of a length, angled in at the off stump. Emilio Gay gets on his toes and presents a straight bat for the block. The ball angles in before straightening off the deck to catch the outside edge. It dies on Daryl Mitchell at first slip but he gets down on a knee and gets his hands out in front to take the catch above the ground. England lose their first wicket for 16.

Dishes it out on a length, in the channel, Gay shoulders arms.

Bowled full and wide on off, but Duckett can not cash in. This swings away a bit and Ben attempts the cover drive but one hand comes off the bat handle. It goes wide of cover and the batters cross over.

Cutting back in sharply off the surface, on a good length, on middle. Ben hurriedly nurdles it behind square leg and retains the strike with a single.

The sky overhead has darkened even more. Heavy clouds can be seen rapidly rolling in towards the ground. These conditions should further assist the pacers in the meantime.

Keeps it around the top of off pole. Ben taps it off the back foot to the right of the bowler.

Hits the top of off, does Henry, Duckett stays back and dabs it to backward point with an angled bat face.

Lands it on a good length, a bit too wide and Duckett offers no shot.

Going away and the length stays full, Duckett strides to the pitch of the ball but mistimes the drive towards mid off as the bat turns in his hand.

Shaping back into the pads slightly, on a length. Duckett brings his wrists into play and works it to the right of deep fine leg for a couple of runs.

Edged, but it does not carry! Kyle brings the ball back into the left-hander, on a good length, on off and middle. Emilio walks across to make use of the angle and clip it away on the leg side with a closed bat face. He is squared up as the ball lands and straightens to graze the outside edge and it lands well in front of first slip.

At the stumps, on a good length. Emilio Gay brings his bat out in front and is solid in defence.

That kept low. Bowled a bit into the surface, outside off. Emilio shapes up for the cut but the ball does not rise as much as the left-hander expected. Chops it down beside the strip on the off side off an inside edge.

Pitches it up, on off. Emilio Gay makes the leave.

Three scoring strokes so far and all of them have been boundaries. Two from the bat of the debutant and one from Ben Duckett.

Good comeback! More like it by Jamieson. Kyle hurls it on a good length, outside the off stump. Gay is drawn into the stroke as he pushes a bit away from his body. The ball whistles past the outside edge.

FOUR! Fine shot. Angled into the left-hander by Jamieson, a bit too full, in line with the off stump. Gay leans forward and presents the full face of the bat. Plays the drive with a high elbow past the bowler's left and it races away.

A bit of nip back into the left-hander, on a back of a length, on middle. Ben stays back to keep it out but the ball decks back in and beats him on the inside edge. Duckett wears it high on the thigh pad.

Pushes the length up now, on off. Duckett gets forward to block it off. Ekes out an inside edge onto the front pad.

In and around the off pole, on a nagging length,  Duckett is happy to let it through to the keeper.

It is not the first time that the ball has not carried on the full to the keeper. Does the keeper need to adjust his position and stand a few steps in front of where he is right now? We will find out as the game goes on.

That shot through. Henry drags the length back a bit and this goes across the left-hander. Ben shoulders arms and the ball goes on the bounce to the keeper, Tom Blundell.

FOUR! Easy pickings. Henry goes searching for the swing but ends up delivering a juicy half-volley, on off. Duckett is quick to transfer his weight onto the front foot and cracks the drive to the left of cover for his first boundary.

Serves it full, just outside the off stump. Duckett presses onto the front foot for the drive. The bat turns in his hand and he mistimes it to cover.

Jamieson bashes the hard length and gets the ball to jag back in sharply but it drifts down leg. Gay walks inside the line and lets it pass.

Jamieson is yet to get his radar right. This is well wide on off, on a good length. Gay offers no shot.

In the channel on off, bowled into the surface. Emilio leaves it alone.

Angled in and then nipping away a touch, on a back of a length, on the off stump. Gay is opened up as he leans across and brings the bat out in front. Gets it off the outer half to point.

A bit too wide on off, on a short of a length, Gay lets it be.

FOUR! Thank you, Kyle, says the debutant. Jamieson starts from around the stumps and goes full in search of swing. Ends up dishing out a low full toss, outside off. Emilio leans into the drive and plays it through point. Opens his account in Test cricket with a boundary.

A maiden to start the game from Matt Henry. Kyle Jamieson will be operating from the other end. Three slips, a gully and a leg slip as well for Emilio Gay.

Henry begins with a maiden. Matt attacks the stumps with a good-length ball. Duckett stays on the back foot and stabs it down watchfully on the off side.

Henry makes the batter play now. Honing in line with the off stump, on a good length. Duckett hangs back to deal with it. Gets squared up as the ball nips away a touch and the ball squirts off the outside half to gully.

Continues to push it across the batter, does Henry, on a good length. Ben makes a watchful leave.

A play and a miss! Closer to the off pole, full in length. Duckett has a fiddle at the ball and is beaten as the ball leaves him with the angle.

Fuller this time and angled across again. Duckett shoulders arms.

First sign of the lack of pace and bounce as early as the first ball. Angling across off, on a length. Duckett lets it be. The ball does not rise at all and goes towards the keeper on a bounce.

Time for the action to commence. The sun is out, which makes for a pleasant sight after all the concerns about the weather earlier in the morning. The two umpires make their way out to the middle, while Tom Latham leads his side onto the field. It will be the new English opening pair of Ben Duckett and Emilio Gay. Matt Henry will kick things off with the new ball. Duckett to face the first ball. Here we go...

We are moments away from the national anthems, but before that, there will be a moment of silence as a mark of respect for the former England cricketers who have passed away since the side's last home fixture. There is also a moment of remembrance at Lord's as we mark a decade since the passing of New Zealand great Martin Crowe. His daughter, Emma Crowe, has been given the honour of ringing the five-minute bell ahead of the start of play. It is time for the national anthems now. It will be New Zealand's first, followed by that of England.

PITCH REPORT - Nasser Hussain says the weather looks fine for now, although a glance at the radar suggests heavier rain could arrive around the middle of the day. Mark Butcher feels it is a very good-looking surface. There is plenty of hardness in the pitch, with only a tiny amount of moisture still present. He adds that the ground staff have worked hard to ensure the surface retains good pace and bounce.

The captain of England - Ben Stokes says they would have bowled first as well, given the conditions. He describes Emilio Gay's debut as a special moment, not only for the left-hander but also for his family, and adds that seeing someone receive their first cap is always one of the most rewarding parts of being involved with the side. On the team selection, Stokes informs that Sonny Baker misses out from the 12-man squad named in the lead-up to the game.

A no-brainer - The captain of New Zealand, Tom Latham, says the decision to bowl first was a straightforward one, given the overcast conditions and the possibility of extracting some early assistance with the new ball. He adds that it looks like a good surface underneath, and it was firm when they inspected it a few days ago.

9.39 am GMT - Unfortunately, it has started to drizzle, and the ground staff are quick to spring into action with the hover cover. Let's hope it blows through quickly and allows us a prompt start.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tom Latham (C), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (WK), Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry and Will O'Rourke.

England (Playing XI) - Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay (On debut), Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (WK), Ben Stokes (C), Gus Atkinson, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue and Shoaib Bashir.

TOSS - Time for the coin to go up in the first Test of the English summer. It is overcast but, importantly, dry. Ben Stokes and Tom Latham are out in the middle. Latham calls correctly, and New Zealand elect to BOWL first.

Debut confirmed - Left-handed opener Emilio Gay has been presented with his maiden England cap by the legendary Sir Alastair Cook. If, as an opener, there is anyone you would want handing you your first cap, Cook would be right near the top of the list. A special moment for the 26-year-old, with his family present to witness him receive his maiden Test cap.

Bazball, green tops, and summer drama - Under Brendon McCullum, England’s promise is simple - attack first, ask questions later. No matter the risk, this side wants to set the tempo from ball one. The Lord’s pitch adds to the theatre. The early visuals gave a hint of green grass, offering early joy for the seamers, making the toss feel like a mini-match in itself. The forecast does not look great for today, but let's hope for the best. Will Stokes and his reshuffled lineup dominate at home and launch the English summer in style? Or will New Zealand’s pace trio crash the party and remind everyone why they’re one of the toughest touring sides? Let the battle begin.

New Zealand arrive with momentum - The Kiwis land in England full of confidence after dismantling Ireland by an innings just days ago, with Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell piling on the runs. But the real headline is their bowling arsenal. The big three pace attack is back in full force. Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and Will O'Rourke are ready to exploit any hint of movement. With the likes of Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips also present, New Zealand bring a balanced, battle-hardened squad brimming with match-winners. They aren’t here to make up numbers.

England begin their summer redemption - After the bruising 1-4 Ashes loss Down Under, this team feels fresh, reshaped, and hungry. New selector Marcus North has wasted no time making bold calls. Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope make way, and Durham opener Emilio Gay is likely to earn a Test debut alongside the aggressive Ben Duckett at the top. All eyes swing to captain Ben Stokes, too, who is back and smiling after that scary facial injury in the nets over winter. Fit, fired up, and leading from the front, he will be keen to set the tone for a summer built on intent and reinvention.

Hello from the Home of Cricket - Welcome to the pinnacle of red-ball cricket as the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy 2026 officially gets underway. This highly anticipated three-match series marks the start of the English Test summer, with England entering as the holders of the trophy. There is added significance to the occasion as well, with this being the 150th Test match to be played at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground. Named in honour of the late legendary batters Martin Crowe and Graham Thorpe, this series carries immense emotional weight and prestige. Both nations are eager to assert their dominance early in the English conditions, setting the stage for an unforgettable summer of Test cricket.

... MATCH DAY ...

The Crowe-Thorpe Trophy arrives in England - The Crowe-Thorpe Trophy makes its maiden journey to English soil this week, carved from wood taken from bats belonging to Martin Crowe and Graham Thorpe, two of the game's most gifted batters, both gone too soon. The taonga now rests in the Lord's dressing room, waiting to be contested for the very first time on English soil. For England, this series represents the first step in a long road back from the humiliation of a 4-1 Ashes drubbing. For New Zealand, currently sitting second in the World Test Championship standings, it is an opportunity to tighten their grip on a place in the final. And for Kane Williamson, it is the last time (as hinted by him in the pre-match conference), he will walk through the Long Room and out onto the Lord's turf as a Test cricketer - his 'last dance' at the Home of Cricket . Picking up the pieces after Australia - The 'Bazball' era began with a 3-0 whitewash of New Zealand in 2022. Four years, one 4-1 Ashes thrashing, and countless press conferences later, England are picking up the pieces . Head coach Brendon McCullum survived the post-Ashes review by the slimmest of margins and has been tasked with rebuilding a side that looked lost in Australia. The squad selection tells the story of a team in transition. Zak Crawley, the long-standing opening pillar of the Bazball revolution, has been dropped after averaging just 20.54 with no fifties in 6 County Championship games. Ollie Pope, who was replaced mid-Ashes, is also absent. In their place come fresh faces and forgotten men, though Harry Brook remains the one constant, his blade as devastating as ever. England's recent Test record at Lord's, however, offers genuine hope. They have suffered just one defeat at the Home of Cricket since 2023, and New Zealand have not beaten England there since a nine-wicket victory back in 1999. Joe Root, who has scored more Test runs at Lord's than any other batter, will be central to any home success. A revamped top order with something to prove - Emilio Gay, the Durham left-hander, is set to make his Test debut at the top of the order. His numbers this county season demand selection - 552 runs at an average of 78.85 and his ability to score at a brisk pace fits the Bazball template perfectly. Alongside him, Ben Duckett has bounced back from a poor Ashes by piling on 503 runs at 83.83 for Nottinghamshire. Jacob Bethell, despite a finger injury suffered at the IPL, has been cleared to bat at No. 3. The 22-year-old represents the next generation of England's batting, and this series offers him a platform to establish himself in the hardest format. Ollie Robinson's return - England's pace attack in the Ashes lacked control. Balls were served short and wide, easily despatched to the boundary. Ollie Robinson, recalled after two years in exile, brings exactly what was missing, accuracy, discipline, and the ability to challenge both edges of the bat. Robinson has 76 Test wickets at an average of just 22.92, numbers that place him among the most effective seamers of his generation. His fitness has always been the question mark, back spasms and a drop in pace saw him sidelined. But as Sussex captain this season, he has 'grown up', in his own words, and forced his way back through weight of performance. His presence allows England to build pressure in a way they simply could not in Australia. Jamie Smith's promotion - McCullum has hinted that wicketkeeper Jamie Smith could bat above Stokes at No. 6, allowing the captain to drop to No. 7. Smith's aggressive stroke-play and composure make him an ideal candidate for that role, and it reflects England's desire to lengthen their batting order. Ben Stokes' batting form - The captain's form with the bat has become a major talking point. Stokes has scored just one century in his last 26 Test innings and averages less than 30 over that period. For a player who has produced some of the most iconic knocks in English cricket history, this is a significant dry spell. Moving him down to No. 7 could ease some of the pressure, but England need their talisman firing if they are to challenge New Zealand's disciplined attack. A green pace attack - Beyond Robinson, England's seam bowling options are inexperienced. Gus Atkinson, brilliant at Lord's with 19 wickets at just 10.94 has only two home Tests under his belt. Josh Tongue, impressive when he has played, has battled injuries . And if Sonny Baker debuts, he will walk onto the Lord's turf having never taken an international wicket. Baker's white-ball outings were expensive - 76 runs from seven overs against South Africa, 52 from four against Ireland but McCullum has backed him to learn from those experiences. Still, there is a significant gap between county cricket and a Test match at Lord's. Shoaib Bashir, controversially left out of the entire Ashes tour despite being fit, has been restored as England's primary spin option. McCullum insists the decision was tactical, conditions in Australia were not conducive to spin and that the 22-year-old remains a long-term investment. The absence of big guns - Jofra Archer is in Barbados, resting after six months on the road. England are managing his workload carefully, but his absence from a home Test series is frustrating nonetheless. Brydon Carse is also sidelined with a fractured wrist. The quiet achievers - While England are scrambling to rebuild, New Zealand are flying. They currently sit second in the World Test Championship standings, having won two of their three matches in the current cycle. Last week, they warmed up for this series by dismantling Ireland by an innings and 79 runs in Belfast. Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell both scored centuries in that match, Blundell's 186 marking a return to form after a lean run while seamers Nathan Smith and Blair Tickner picked up five-wicket hauls. With Tom Latham's solidity at the top and Devon Conway's class alongside him, the Black Caps have momentum, squad continuity, and a clear understanding of their best XI. One more chapter for a modern great - Kane Williamson will earn his 110th Test cap on Thursday. His record at Lord's, averaging just 32 from eight knocks, does not do justice to the occasion. But he has his name on the honours board, 132 in the 2015 summer, a knock that helped reignite interest in English Test cricket. Now 35, operating without a national contract, and with no certainty about when New Zealand may next tour, Williamson will savour every moment. He has six more Lunches to enjoy at Lord's, all being well. Expect him to make them count. A world-class seam attack - New Zealand's pace attack is the envy of most Test nations. Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and Will O'Rourke form a trio that combines height, bounce, accuracy, and movement. All three missed the Ireland Test to focus on preparing for England, meaning they will arrive fresh and ready Jamieson's record in England is particularly notable, his height and ability to extract awkward bounce have troubled home batters in the past. Experience returns at the right time - Mitchell Santner has recovered from the shoulder injury he picked up at the IPL and rejoins the squad. His Test record against England is impressive - 274 runs at 54.80, including a century in 2019. If selected, he offers a spin-bowling all-round option that provides balance. Tom Blundell, meanwhile, has rediscovered his touch. After averaging just 18.68 in his last 20 Tests dating back to 2023, his big hundred against Ireland was a timely return to form. He also averages 59.8 against England in nine matches and was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2023 after scoring 383 runs at 76.60 the previous summer. The fragile underbelly - Beyond Blundell and Daryl Mitchell, New Zealand's lower-order batting lacks proven Test depth. If the top order fails, there may not be enough runs coming from Nos. 8-11. Whether Santner gets the nod over Glenn Phillips remains uncertain. Phillips is more of a batting all-rounder, while Santner offers greater control with the ball. The final decision will depend on how much the Lord's pitch is expected to turn. The Lord's factor - Lord's becomes the first cricket ground to host 150 Test matches when this game begins on Thursday. The ground's famous slope, a drop of around 2.5 metres from one side to the other, offers seamers a unique challenge. Batting has proved tricky at Lord's in recent years. Just one score of 400-plus has been made in 15 Test innings since the start of 2024. The average first-innings total hovers around 300, and totals in the 250-300 range have been competitive. The weather forecast is unsettled, with rain and grey skies predicted across the five days. Those conditions could 'swing' the contest decisively in favour of the bowlers. But the recent heatwave has also baked the pitch. If the sun breaks through, spinners could extract more turn and bounce as the match wears on. Team Form (Last 5 Test matches, recent first) - ENG - LWLLL | NZ - WWWDW. The stakes could hardly be higher - England arrive at Lord's knowing the stakes extend far beyond the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy. The Ashes campaign was a humbling experience, and another home series defeat, particularly against a New Zealand side they swept aside just three years ago, would inevitably bring renewed scrutiny on the leadership of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. The hosts need a response, and they need it quickly. New Zealand, meanwhile, travel with far fewer questions hanging over them. Sitting near the top of the World Test Championship standings, they have momentum, confidence and a settled core that knows how to win in challenging conditions. Add the emotional backdrop of Kane Williamson's final Test appearance at Lord's, and the Black Caps have every reason to believe they can spoil England's plans. One side is fighting to silence the noise, the other is looking to strengthen its legacy. That contrast should make for a compelling start to the series.