The first two days of the England vs New Zealand Test match at the famous Lord’s stadium saw 33 wickets fall. After 16 wickets fell on the opening day, 17 more wickets fell on day two as the game is heading towards an early finish. Despite such excitement, former English skipper voiced their unhappiness over the wicket.
Nasser Hussain, speaking on Sky Sports, voiced his displeasure over the wicket at Lord’s for the ENG vs NZ Test match. Hussain said, “The very first ball of the game rolled along the ground. The wicket has lacked pace, and when it has got quicker, the pitch has been misbehaving. The batter is at his worst when the wicket has an up and down bounce, as well as the seam movement and the slope at this venue.”
The former English skipper also added, “Batting has become difficult with the bowling attack both sides have. The ground has so much going for it, but what matters is the wicket in the middle, and it’s certainly not good enough at this point.”
This match is the 150th Test match to be played at the home of cricket. New Zealandneeding 254 to win the game, had ended the second day at 36 runs for the loss of three wickets. The hosts were bowled out for 226 in the third innings of the game, with Nathan Smith claiming six wickets.
Michael Vaughan bemoans lack of balance between bat and ball
Yet another former skipper who wasn’t happy with the wicket for the opening Test is Michael Vaughan. The former Yorkshire star, while speaking on the Test Match Special show, said, “Test cricket has to be testing, but it hasn’t been for the bowlers this week; it has been too easy. There has to be a balance between the bat and ball.”
Vaughan also said, “The MCC also know the pitch hasn’t been great, and I feel sorry for the batters, to come to this venue, which is the best place to come and play cricket. feel very fortunate not to play on such wickets during my time.”
Only two fifties have been scored in this game, with Harry Brook scoring 56 in the first innings and 57 by Emilio Guy in the second innings. All 33 wickets have fallen to the seam bowlers so far, with Kyle Jamieson and Ollie Robinson taking fifers.
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