Comeback hero Robinson helps England crush New Zealand in Lord's rain-hit Test

England sealed a commanding 115-run victory over New Zealand in a rain-affected first Test at Lord's on Sunday, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series as Ollie Robinson marked his return to Test cricket with a match-winning performance.

In Short

• Ollie Robinson starred with five wickets in his Test comeback
• Gus Atkinson took 5 for 30, while Tongue and Robinson also chipped in
• The second Test at The Oval starts on June 17 after England take series lead

Ollie Robinson marked his return to Test cricket in style as England thrashed New Zealand by 115 runs in a rain-affected first Test at Lord's on Sunday, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

England's pace attack once again proved too strong for the visitors on a challenging surface, needing less than two hours on the fourth morning to complete the formalities. Chasing 254, New Zealand resumed on 55 for 5 after rain washed out most of Day 3 but were bowled out for 138 before lunch.

Gus Atkinson led the charge with figures of 5 for 30, while Robinson and Josh Tongue picked up two wickets each. Glenn Phillips offered some resistance with an unbeaten 44, but New Zealand's innings never gathered momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals.

The victory was built on England's dominance with the ball throughout the match, with Robinson emerging as the standout performer on his comeback. Playing his first Test in nearly two years, the seamer ripped through New Zealand's first innings with a memorable triple-wicket maiden and finished with figures of 5 for 39 as the tourists were dismissed for 113.

New Zealand had made the perfect start after captain Tom Latham won the toss and opted to bowl. Kyle Jamieson exploited the conditions superbly, claiming 5 for 62 as England were bowled out for 140 in their first innings. Harry Brook's 56 was the only score of note for the hosts.

Yet England responded immediately. New Zealand struggled against relentless seam bowling and were restricted to 113, with Jamieson top-scoring with an unbeaten 38. Robinson's five-wicket haul handed England a crucial first-innings lead and shifted the momentum firmly in the hosts' favour.

England's batters then made the most significant contribution of the match in the second innings. Debutant Emilio Gay impressed with a composed 57, while Jamie Smith scored 39 and Ben Duckett added 33 as England posted 226. Nathan Smith kept New Zealand in the contest with excellent figures of 6 for 70, but the target of 254 always looked steep given the conditions.

Rain delayed England's push for victory, but only briefly. Once play resumed on Day 4, Atkinson and company wasted little time in wrapping up the chase.

The match lasted just around 167 overs across four innings, making it the second-shortest completed Test at Lord's. The pitch remained under scrutiny throughout, offering pronounced seam movement and variable bounce that heavily favoured the fast bowlers.

Four seamers finished with five-wicket hauls during the match—Jamieson, Robinson, Nathan Smith and Atkinson-but England's batting contributions from Brook in the first innings and Gay in the second ultimately proved decisive in a low-scoring contest.

New Zealand were also left to reflect on missed opportunities in the field, dropping five catches and squandering a review that could have removed Gay early in his innings.

In the end, Devon Conway's 41 and Phillips' unbeaten 44 were the only notable contributions in New Zealand's second innings. Eight batters failed to reach double figures as Atkinson, Robinson and Tongue completed a comprehensive win for England.

The second Test of the series will be played at The Oval from June 17.

- Ends