Overview
- England moved into a 27-run first-innings lead on Friday after New Zealand were all out for 113 on day two at Lord’s.
- Ollie Robinson took three wickets in his first over back and finished with a career-best five-for, earning a place on the Lord’s honours board.
- England’s own batting struggled earlier, with the home side bowled out for 140 inside 40 overs and only Harry Brook reaching a half-century.
- Overcast skies, rain breaks and the Lord’s slope produced seam-friendly conditions that saw 16 wickets fall on day one and a five-wicket haul for New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson.
- The performance strengthens Robinson’s place in the squad and shifts pressure onto England’s batsmen and selectors as the hosts prepare to bat again and press their advantage.