London (AFP) – Ollie Robinson continued to prove a thorn in New Zealand's side, taking two wickets in quick succession, as England moved closer to victory in the first Test during what little play was possible at Lord's on Saturday.
Issued on: 06/06/2026 - 16:54
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England's Ollie Robinson (R) appeals successfully for lbw against New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell during the first Test at Lord's © Glyn KIRK / AFP
Rain and bad light meant fewer than 10 overs were bowled before tea on the third day.But that was enough time for the 32-year-old Robinson to take two wickets for no runs in four balls as New Zealand slumped to 53-5 in their second innings before adding two more runs prior to the interval.At 55-5, the Black Caps needed 199 more runs to reach a victory target of 254 in what is the first of a three-match series and the 150th Test staged at Lord's -- the most at any ground.New Zealand were struggling at 36-3 at Friday's close after England paceman Gus Atkinson struck twice and Josh Tongue dismissed key batsman Kane Williamson. England's strong position in their first Test since a 4-1 Ashes series loss in Australia also owed much to debutant Emilio Gay.The opening batsman top-scored with 57 in England's second-innings total of 226 -- a valuable contribution in a low-scoring game where the pitch has favoured the fast bowlers throughout.New Zealand had been bowled out for just 113 in their first innings, with recalled seamer Robinson taking his Test-best figures of 5-39 following more than two years of England exile.
