England completed a comprehensive 115-run victory over New Zealand before lunch on day four of the first Test at Lord's, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Gus Atkinson was the star with the ball, claiming five wickets for 30 runs as the home side bowled out the Black Caps for 138 in their second innings.
Morning Session Decisive
New Zealand resumed on 55 for five, still requiring 199 runs for an unlikely victory after a rain-affected third day. England struck early when Josh Tongue trapped Will Blundell lbw for just four in the first full over of the morning, leaving the visitors in deep trouble at 56 for six.
Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips then mounted a brief resistance, adding more than 50 runs for the seventh wicket. Conway looked solid on his way to 41 before England captain Ben Stokes made the breakthrough, with Jacob Bethell taking a fine diving catch at gully to dismiss the left-hander.
Atkinson's Five-Wicket Haul
Gus Atkinson then took control, removing Nathan Smith for four and Kyle Jamieson for six. Jamieson chipped a loose delivery straight to Ben Duckett at midwicket, leaving New Zealand at 120 for eight. Atkinson struck again to dismiss Matt Henry for a duck, finishing with figures of five for 30 and sparking celebrations among the home team.
Glenn Phillips fought valiantly, remaining unbeaten on 44 from 51 balls, but he ran out of partners as England wrapped up victory before the lunch interval. The win was set up by England's first-innings total of 140 and second-innings 226, while New Zealand managed only 113 in their first innings.
The second Test of the series gets underway at Trent Bridge on Friday, with England looking to build on this dominant performance.
