Cricket - First Test - England v New Zealand - Lord's Cricket Ground, London, Britain - June 3, 2021 New Zealand's Henry Nicholls in action.Cricket - First Test - England v New Zealand - Lord's Cricket Ground, London, Britain - June 3, 2021 New Zealand's Henry Nicholls in action.
Less than a year after beating India at the same venue to claim the inaugural WTC trophy, New Zealand’s five-wicket defeat on Sunday left them seventh in the standings and another setback at Trent Bridge could prove terminal for their title defence. The top four produced only 50 runs at Lord’s, with captain Kane Williamson’s long-awaited return from a troublesome elbow injury falling flat with scores of two and 15.
Even with those deficiencies, New Zealand had the match in their hands on day three at 250 for four, only to lose their last six wickets for 34 runs and pave the way for century-maker Joe Root to guide England to an unlikely win.