6 talking points including Potts’ dream debut and McCullum’s mammoth task

Matty Potts starred on debut as New Zealand were bowled out for just 132, but England lost seven wickets for just 41 runs after a decent start as the visitors dragged themselves back into the game

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McCullum outlines reasons for taking England job

England’s new era under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum got off to a brilliant start on day one of the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s as the visitors were skittled for just 132.

However, New Zealand fought back well with the ball and reduced England to 116-7 at the close of play. New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and decided to bat first, something Stokes admitted he would have done as well.

The visitors got off to a nightmare start as the returning James Anderson and Stuart Broad picked up three early wickets with the new ball. Anderson dismissed both openers for one, while Broad got Devon Conway caught in the slips for three

Despite Anderson and Broad making an instant impact on their returns to the side, they were overshadowed by debutant Matty Potts, who picked up a stunning 4-13. In his first ever over in an England shirt, Potts got Williamson caught behind for just two and then followed that up with the wickets of Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell and Ajaz Patel.

Colin de Grandhomme top scored for New Zealand with a crucial 42 not out that helped rescue New Zealand from 45-7 to 132 all out. In response, England made a solid start as Zak Crawley and Alex Lees put on a fifty-run opening partnership.

However, once Crawley was caught behind for 43, England’s batting collapsed. Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Lees, Stokes, Jonny Bairstow and Potts all fell before the close of play to leave England 116-7 and trailing New Zealand by 16 runs.

Here are six talking points from the day’s play…

Stokes’ touching Thorpe tribute

At the toss, Stokes paid a touching tribute to former England batter Graham Thorpe, who is ill in hospital at the moment. Thorpe played 100 Test matches for England and has also worked with the current side in a coaching capacity, only leaving his role as assistant coach in February after the Ashes.

And Stokes wore an England shirt with Thorpe’s name and cap number on it instead of the traditional blazer at the toss. “Everyone is aware that Graham Thorpe is unfortunately very unwell in hospital at the moment,” Stokes told Sky Sports.

“I’ve spoken with his wife, Amanda, and she has been very grateful and thankful for the respect and privacy that her family has received. Wearing this shirt is just me, on behalf of the England cricket team, showing support to him at this tough time because we all love Thorpey and he means a hell of a lot to us.”

The Shane Warne commentary box

The late great Shane Warne was also honoured, with this Test dedicated to his memory following his untimely passing at the age of just 52 back in March. Following his retirement from playing, Warne became a much loved member of the Sky Sports commentary team and they have renamed their commentary box at Lord’s after Warne.

There was also a round of applause for Warne after 23 overs were bowled. Warne famously wore the number 23 during his time as a player, picking the number in honour of his childhood hero Aussie Rules star Dermott Brereton.

There was also a touching video message sent in from his three children, Jackson, Summer and Brooke, who shared some memories of their late father.

Anderson and Broad’s instant impact

Having been controversially dropped by England following the Ashes, Anderson and Broad made a stunning return to the side at Lord’s. Anderson got things going with the early wickets of the two openers, before Broad removed Conway.

Speaking on commentary for BBC Test Match Special, former England captain Michael Vaughan said: “You cannot ask for a better start. The opening spell from Broad and Anderson was just perfection.”

Anderson went on to pick up 4-66, bouncing out both Kyle Jamieson and Southee, while Broad ended with figures of 1-45.

Leach withdrawn with concussion

Jack Leach’s terrible run of misfortune continued as the spinner was withdrawn from the match after suffering a concussion while fielding. After diving to stop a four, Leach landed awkwardly over the boundary and was immediately tended to by the New Zealand medical team.

He was able to get back to his feet after a few minutes and walked off the field to be assessed, before being ruled out of the remainder of the match. As a result, Matt Parkinson has been handed his Test debut as a concussion replacement for Leach.

Potts’ brilliant debut

As far as debuts go, Potts’ could not have gone much better as he bowled an outstanding first spell in an England shirt. After Anderson and Broad got things underway with three early wickets, Potts picked up 3-8 before lunch to reduce New Zealand to 36-6.

The 23-year-old began by getting Williamson caught behind with just his fifth ball in Test cricket and then bowled both Mitchell and Blundell. “Matty Potts has had his county team-mate next to him at mid-off which helps,” Vaughan told BBC Test Match Special.

“He is bowling with confidence too. But to go out on this stage, with the glare of all the cameras, your mentality gets tested. Straight away you can see he got into the groove and in his first over at the home of cricket he got one of the big wickets of the game in Kane Williamson. The perfect start.”

Potts also took two catches down at fine leg, before picking up his fourth and final wicket when he got Patel out lbw to end the innings with figures of 4-13 from just 9.2 overs.

New Zealand bowlers fight back

England’s brittle batting line-up has long been a concern and fans could be forgiven for feeling wary about the state of their top order after New Zealand managed just 132 in their first innings. However, they made a solid start Crawley and Lees notched England’s first fifty-run opening partnership at Lord’s since 2017.

Unfortunately for England, Crawley departed seven runs short of a sixth Test half-century as England lost seven wickets for just 41 runs. Pope was caught for seven in his first innings at number three, while Root could manage just 11 in his first knock without the captaincy.

Lees was then pinned lbw for 25, before Stokes was caught behind for one and Bairstow dragged onto his stumps for one as New Zealand’s bowlers dragged themselves back into the game. Potts was also dismissed for nought before the close of play as England ended day one on 116-7 and 16 runs behind New Zealand. While they excelled with the ball, McCullum has a mammoth task on his hands to reverse his new side’s fortunes.