Devon Conway became just the sixth batsman to score a hundred on Test debut at Lord’s to leave New Zealand well-placed at stumps on the first day of their series opener against England.
The South Africa-born opener batted for the whole of Wednesday’s play, with his 136 not out the cornerstone of New Zealand’s 246-3 in a match that marks the return of spectators to International cricket in England after a 2020 season played behind closed doors because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Together with fellow left-hander Henry Nicholls (46 not out), Conway shared an unbroken stand of 132 after the tourists were in trouble at 114-3 on the first day of this two-match series.
On a day for debutants, Ollie Robinson marked his entry into Test cricket by leading England’s attack with 2-50 in 16 overs.
But the 27-year-old Sussex fast bowler found himself under scrutiny when a number of racist and sexist historic Twitter messages he had posted as a teenager resurfaced.
The tweets, dating back to 2012, left Robinson and the England and Wales Cricket Board in an especially embarrassing position given both teams had lined up before play for a ‘Moment of Unity’ meant to show their opposition to discrimination within cricket.
England, in the absence of the injured Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, opted for an attack built on four right-arm quick bowlers and no specialist spinner after Jack Leach was omitted from their XI. The only real variety came when England captain Joe Root bowled his occasional off-breaks.