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Robinson strikes at Lord’s
Persistent rain on Saturday at Lord’s left only 9.4 overs possible on day three of the first Test between England and New Zealand, with Ollie Robinson taking two key wickets to keep the hosts close to victory.
“Rain chaos stalls England at Lord’s as New Zealand slumps to 55-5 chasing 254 Rain chaos stalls England at Lord’s as New Zealand slumps to 55-5 chasing 254 LONDON (AP) — Rain frustrated England’s charge to victory against New Zealand in their test series opener at a damp Lord’s on Saturday”
Robinson removed Rachin Ravindra and then trapped Daryl Mitchell lbw, leaving New Zealand 55-5 in their second innings while chasing 254.
England were five wickets away from taking a 1-0 lead in the three-test series as play was repeatedly delayed and then abandoned in the late afternoon.
The BBC said fewer than 10 overs were possible because of persistent rain, but Robinson still moved to seven wickets in the match on his comeback to Test cricket.
The BBC also reported that dry weather was forecast for Sunday, when England were expected to complete a win.
Lunch row and quotes
As rain chaos disrupted the day, Sky Sports presenter Ian Ward called the timing of an early lunch “ludicrous,” saying “There is heavy rain forecast from about 1pm, certainly from 3pm, and no action is going to take place while the sun is shining.”
Nasser Hussain also questioned the decision, telling Sky Sports that “[It was a ] bizarre decision, really, for the umpires to take lunch at 12.20,” and adding that “Basically, when the weather was good, we were eating.”
Sky Sports said New Zealand resumed on 36-3 when play finally got under way at 1pm, after the entire morning session was lost to sharp showers and the outfield needing time to dry.
The BBC described how the players yo-yoed on and off the field over the next 70 minutes, with two delays before the weather had the final say at 14:10.
By the time the day ended, New Zealand were still 199 runs adrift of the 254 target, with Robinson’s wickets leaving them struggling on 55-5.
What’s at stake next
With New Zealand reduced to 55-5 chasing 254, England’s immediate task on Sunday is to take five more wickets to win the first Test and go 1-0 up in the three-test series.
“Robinson rocks New Zealand again as rain frustrates England at Lord's London (AFP) – Ollie Robinson continued to prove a thorn in New Zealand's side, taking two quick wickets, as England moved closer to victory in the first Test during what little play was possible at Lord's on Saturday”
The BBC framed the situation as a much-needed victory over New Zealand in the first Test at Lord’s, noting that Robinson’s two wickets moved him to seven wickets in the match on his comeback to Test cricket.
AP reported that England was five wickets away from taking a 1-0 lead, and that New Zealand’s chase was undermined when they were 36-3 by stumps on Friday.
RFI said the match was the 150th Test staged at Lord’s, with New Zealand needing 199 more runs to reach the victory target of 254.
As the forecast for Sunday turned drier, the BBC said England would surely complete a win to begin their post-Ashes rebuild on a positive note.
