Report
Updates, analysis and colour from the opening day of the English Test summer at Lord’s
Welcome to day one of our live report of the first Test between England and New Zealand from Lord’s. Join us for updates, analysis and colour. You can find our traditional ball-by-ball commentary here
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10.15am: Lord’s, ladies and gentlemen…
The last year or so has been difficult. Needless to say, of course, but at the same time impossible to get past. There is plenty going in the world that matters more than cricket, and nothing much that will be changed by events here over the next few days. But nevertheless, here we are, at Lord’s for a Test match. The simple pleasures of peering out over that famously wonky greensward, taking in the 19th-century terracotta pavilion, watching the MCC members tootle about in their egg-and-bacon finery. England haven’t hosted a Test at this ground since the 2019 Ashes, and even with a capacity limited to 25% for this game, it’s going to feel like something of a homecoming. Throw in that their opponents, New Zealand, are currently one of the best sides in the world, and the fact both teams have a wee bit of history from 2019 here as well, and it’s a potent cocktail. What’s more, the sun is blazing down, there’s barely a cloud in the sky and after the UK’s May weather blowout we are set fair. Time to loosen the tie, drink in the rays, and get our Test match on!
Alan Gardner is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo. @alanroderick
Source: ESPN Crickinfo