England vs New Zealand Test debutant ratings: Ollie Robinson returns dreams, Emilio Gay debuts on tricky pitch | Cricket news
England took a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series against New Zealand after a 115-run victory on a tough pitch at Lord’s. While the bowlers dominated, the bravado could only be reserved for them – here’s how Ben Stokes’ team measured up.
England player ratings
Ben Duckett – 7
Hitting: 52
A solid if unspectacular first Test outing for the Nottinghamshire left-hander.
An unlucky touch was trapped leg before 19 in the first innings after a promising start, but lost a loose drive without the second dig. He missed out on a century after a promising 52-run partnership with opener Emilio Gay and was dismissed in just 12 overs.
Emilio Gay – 8
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Emilio Gay scored his first Test half-century in England’s second innings
Hitting: 65
There is a lot to be optimistic about for England’s new opening batsman.
He got off to a good start by rolling his first ball, which he took through four covers. The first of many in the Test produced a brilliant piece of swing as he cut Kyle Jamieson to slip for 8.
The second innings was a real treat to watch for his well put together 57, which might have cost more than a ton on other Test pitches. His eight fours saw him play some good shots on both sides of the wicket including some unbeaten cricket between the balls after reaching his maiden half-century.
He also made a smart catch at short leg on his first day as a Test cricketer to help Ollie Robinson dismiss Kane Williamson with a second-ball duck.
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Emilio Gay reflected on the incredible first two days on which he made his England Test debut
Jacob Bethell – 6
Hitting: 20
There is not much to write home about the man who was declared fit to play after an injury curtailed his IPL campaign in the build-up to this Test.
Jacob Bethell was bowled twice by Matt Henry at Lord’s
He’s done nothing wrong with his dismissals in tough times, especially the pee-roller he threw through his bootlaces to Matt Henry in the second innings.
Strength has already been shown thanks to his efforts over the winter and more profitable days will come.
He made a superb low catch at gully on the final day to dismiss Devon Conway to set his side on the road to victory.
Joe Root – 6
Hitting: 9
See above.
Like Bethell, he was dismissed twice for two pieces of impressive bowling when the batting became very difficult.
It is not a test that will live long in the memory of the former England captain but no one will be critical of him in this event.
Harry Brook – 7
Hitting: 56
A mixed bag for the England vice-captain.
The first innings of 56 included 10 fours but also saw him fall twice at 8 and 45.
He was the only batsman from either side to combine character and opportunity on day one before he was eventually dismissed caught at long leg trying to score a six in those 10 boundaries.
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Harry Brook missed the two wickets he left in England’s first innings but his luck ran out on 56 when he was caught at long leg.
In the second innings he succumbed to a spell of good bowling by Will O’Rourke to be bowled leg before he got four balls as England collapsed again.
He gets enough credit for the counter-attacking nature of his first innings knock.
Jamie Smith – 7
Hitting: 40
Test of two halves by hitting the England wicketkeeper.
He moved up to number 6 but found himself in the middle in the first innings as he did not give back to Kyle Jamieson and was bowled just one.
Jamie Smith was bowled by Kyle Jamieson as he did not deliver in England’s first innings
The second innings saw him amass an important 39, including an eighth-wicket partnership of 57 with Gus Atkinson. It helped lift England into a dangerous position and showed how important a batsman can be to help the tail marcher.
There is little to do with the gloves in terms of taking chances in Tests where most of the dismissals were bowled or leg-struck earlier.
Ben Stokes – 6
Hitting: 12; Bowling 1-32
Blink and you wouldn’t miss both of his hits with the bat.
He was caught spectacularly in the first innings by a one-handed beauty from Kane Williamson but was completely bowled for a duck in the second by the lively Nathan Smith.
Discussions will no doubt continue about his lack of runs but it will also be difficult to judge this way.
He didn’t do anything with the ball when his teammates tried to lift it hard – he even dogged Devon Conway in the early hours of the morning to end the New Zealand opener’s opposition.
Smart captaincy while rotating the bowlers and setting pitches, albeit in a useful situation, but provided a much-needed win to start the summer.
Gus Atkinson – 8
Bowling 7-39; Batting: 18
Returning to the team he had been waiting for with football after injury stopped his Ashes series and recovery after a bad knock again threatened his participation in this game.
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Gus Atkinson took the last wicket as England beat New Zealand in the first Test at Lord’s
He played the second game of playing Robinson’s new ball in the first innings but was successful in the second with a five-wicket haul at Lord’s. Only three men now have more Tests at HQ than him: Ian Botham, Fred Trueman and James Anderson.
His second innings of 14 was his contribution to the aforementioned crucial partnership with Jamie Smith and gave his team the extra breathing room they could have wished for.
Ollie Robinson – 9
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Ollie Robinson fueled England’s comeback against New Zealand after taking three wickets on his debut back in Test cricket.
Bowling 7-78; Hitting: 30
A dream return to Test cricket after all the talk surrounding his memories on the field he would no doubt like to roll around the country with him all summer.
He started with a three-wicket maiden on the first night and never looked back.
Perhaps it is a case of ‘what might have been’ if there had been the foresight to select him in the winter on the grounds he would have undoubtedly been successful in Australia. For now, though, he’ll be more than happy to put in a man-of-the-match display on his return.
The challenge ahead will be for him to maintain his consistency and fitness. He scored a useful 29 off 30 balls in the second innings to push New Zealand’s target to 250.
Josh’s language – 8
Bowling: 5-88; Hitting: 15
He may have been economical compared to his fellow bowlers but few would dispute his contribution in both innings.
The highlight of his performance was undoubtedly his dismissal of Glenn Phillips with the first ball on the second day.
One who will be hoping to maintain his form and fitness throughout the summer, but also put in an encouraging performance as his scouting career continues to grow.
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England’s Josh Tongue revealed his bowling techniques ahead of the fourth day of the first Test against New Zealand
Shoaib Bashir – 6
Bowling: N/A; Hitting: 14
It’s almost a ‘thanks for coming’ story!
It’s hard to give him a fair rating in a game where he wasn’t even needed with the ball, but his first 14 innings will go down as the most important in the game’s total.
It’s his time to measure up with some important spells and hopefully the wickets will come at The Oval and beyond.
England vs New Zealand matches
- The first test (of the Lord): England won by 115 runs
- Second Test (Wednesday June 17-Sunday June 21) – Kia Oval, London (11am)
- Test Three (Thursday June 25-Monday June 29) – Trent Bridge, Nottingham (11am)
Watch all of England’s summer internationals live Sky Sports as the three-Test series against New Zealand continues at The Oval from June 17. Not got Sky? Stream cricket contract NOW.
