England wrap up thumping victory over New Zealand in Lord's Test
It is perhaps hard to gauge how much England have changed or improved since the 4-1 drubbing in Australia, with this clash versus the Black Caps played on a much-criticised pitch that was arduous for batting.
But the victory - sealed just under two hours into day four when Gus Atkinson (5-30) cleaned up Matt Henry to dismiss the tourists for 138 - is exactly the boost the team needed, and the fans demanded, after a winter of poor results and unwanted headlines off the field.
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New Zealand resumed on 55-5 in their second innings, needing a further 199 runs to complete a chase of 254, and were 58-6 soon after when Josh Tongue trapped Tom Blundell lbw for four.
Glenn Phillips (44no) and Devon Conway (41) kept the Kiwis' slim victory hopes alive with a punchy seventh-wicket stand of 53 from 69 balls - during which Conway was dropped on 24 by Harry Brook at slip.
However, when Conway snicked Ben Stokes to Jacob Bethell in the cordon, and the fielder held on to a sharp low catch, New Zealand went on to lose four wickets for 27 runs - Atkinson accounting for Nathan Smith (4) and Kyle Jamieson (6), caught behind and at midwicket respectively, before splattering Henry's stumps.
This fast-moving Test had seen 33 wickets tumble across the first two days and then a further two fall on day three when only 9.4 overs were possible due to persistent rain.
England will now aim to wrap up a series win with victory at The Kia Oval from Wednesday June 17, ahead of the third and final Test at Trent Bridge from Thursday June 25.
More to follow.
Watch day one of the second Test between England and New Zealand, at The Kia Oval, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10am on Wednesday June 17 (11am first ball). Stream cricket and more with NOW - no contract.
