DAY FIVE
First Innings: England 389 in 100.5 overs (Root 98, Stokes 92, Ali 58; Boult 4-79, Henry 4-93) v the BLACKCAPS 523 in 131.2 overs (Guptill 70, Latham 59, Williamson 132, Taylor 62, McCullum 42, Watling 61*; Broad 3-77, Wood 3-93) in the First Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Second Innings: England 478 in 129 overs (Cook 162, Root 84, Stokes 101, Ali 43; Boult 5-85) beat the BLACKCAPS 220 in 67.3 overs (Watling 59, Anderson 67; Broad 3-50, Stokes 3-38) by 124 runs.
After a gripping battle over five days, the BLACKCAPS have lost the First Test to England by 124 runs at Lord’s.
England, who resumed on 429-6 this morning with a lead of 295 runs and four wickets in hand, added 49 more runs to set the BLACKCAPS 345 runs to win in 76 overs.
The BLACKCAPS adopted the “if in doubt take the aggressive option” mindset and looked to win for the first time at the Home of Cricket since 1999.
After a tough start at 12-3, the visitors battled hard for the draw, but they lost wickets at regular intervals which then made England the favourites to continue their fantastic record at Lord’s.
Matt Henry and Trent Boult held on as best they could for the 10th wicket partnership that lasted eight overs before Moeen Ali (below) claimed a fine catch at third man from the bowling of Stuart Broad. The BLACKCAPS were eight and a half overs from salvaging an unlikely draw.
Moeen Ali shows his delight at taking the final catch of the match. Photos: Photosport.nz
A poor start, when the BLACKCAPS lost openers Martin Guptiil (0), second ball of the innings, and Tom Latham (1) the following over, put the run chase beyond reach.
The BLACKCAPS staged a mini-recovery when Kane Williamson (27) formed a 49-run partnership with BJ Watling, who was promoted ahead of skipper Brendon McCullum.
Williamson, who added his name to the Lord’s Honours Board in the First Innings with 132, fell in the 24th over when Joe Root claimed a tremendous low catch in the gully from the bowling of England’s man-of-the-match Ben Stokes.
The situation worsened for New Zealand when Stokes removed McCullum (0) with a superb inswinging delivery first ball that cramped the skipper and cleaned up his stumps. 
England believes that in Stokes, who scored the fastest Test century at Lord’s off only 85 balls, they have unearthed an allrounder in the mould of Andrew Flintoff, or perhaps even England’s greatest, Ian Botham.
All of a sudden Lord’s was alive as the locals believed that a famous win was now inevitable, but Watling (59) and Corey Anderson (67) had other ideas and fought valiantly.
Anderson played his natural game for a run-a-ball half century while Watling, with injuries to his knee and his neck during this Test, at the other end was unmovable in defence in his innings of 59 from 143 deliveries.
They combined for a 107-run partnership which lasted almost 27 overs and brought the BLACKCAPS back into the Test match.
The wicketkeeper batsman was undone when debutant Mark Wood cramped him with a well-directed bouncer that flicked the glove on the way through to Buttler.
Part-time off-spinner Root trapped Anderson in front in the 54th over. The big allrounder reviewed the decision, and it was shown to be clipping leg stump: the umpire’s call was upheld in a controversial decision.
Tim Southee (20) fought in a carefree fashion at the end, but the final four wickets fell and England maintained their near-perfect record at the Home of Cricket.
Earlier in the day, Trent Boult claimed the final four wickets for a five-wicket bag to add his name to the Lord’s Honours Board for the first time.
Boult produced a superb spell of swing bowling to take the wickets of Alistair Cook, Ali, Stuart Broad and James Anderson to restrict the hosts on the final morning.
The 25-year-old, who earlier this year was the joint-leading wicket taker at the ICC Cricket World Cup, finished the match with figures of 5-85 from 34 overs for his fourth five-wicket bag in Tests.
He became only the sixth New Zealand bowler on the famous Honours Board in the Away Dressing Room following Sir Richard Hadlee (1978, 1983, 1986), Dion Nash (1994), Chris Cairns (1999), Daniel Vettori (2008) and Southee (2013).
But ultimately the BLACKCAPS, who had competed for long periods of the First Test, were beaten by England who dominated the final two days of the Test match.
The BLACKCAPS will travel to Leeds tomorrow morning where they will look to fight back in the Second Test and square the series at Headingley.
DAY FOUR
England has dominated day four of the First Test with centuries from Alistair Cook and Ben Stokes to be in a commanding position heading into the final day at Lord’s.
The hosts, who began the day on 74-2 and trailing by 60 runs, finished the day on 429-6 and will take a lead of 295 runs into the final day as they look to continue their fine record against New Zealand at Lord’s.
On a day when he was under pressure, Cook (153*) delivered the perfect captain’s knock for England while Stokes (101) flayed the Kiwi attack to record the fastest Test century at Lord’s in a memorable day for the hosts.
New Zealand-born Ben Stokes played a blistering hand for England. Photos: Photosport
Cook will return at the start of the final day with Moeen Ali (19*) with four wickets in hand.
Matt Henry (2-109) and Tim Southee (2-129) were the best of the BLACKCAPS' bowling attack who toiled hard without reward as England batted with control, character and flamboyance. The BLACKCAPS, looking to win at the Home of Cricket for the first time since 1999, got off the perfect start when Southee removed Ian Bell (29) on the third ball of the day.
England was 74-3 and looked vulnerable in the overcast morning conditions with the BLACKCAPS seam attack once again asking a number of questions of the Cook and Joe Root. But the English skipper and the country’s brightest Test talent for a number of years weathered the storm, and then flourished. They put on a 158-run partnership for the fourth wicket which set up the innings.
Cook was back to his controlled and determined best. He brought up his 27th Test century with an off drive to the boundary. It was his fourth century at the Home of Cricket and perhaps one of the most important, as England are now in a position to win the Test match.
Alistair Cook weathered the BLACKCAPS' testing early swing before powering to a class century
From being 30-4 on the morning of day one, this has been a remarkable turnaround for the home side. New Zealand continued to fight hard, and chased everything in the field with real purpose. Henry finally removed Root (84) with a bouncer that was caught on the fine leg boundary by Trent Boult. Root, dubbed England’s captain-in-waiting, will have to wait for his name to be added to the Honours Board.
Stokes came to the crease and played his natural aggressive game to make it a day to remember for England. The 23-year-old New Zealand-born English allrounder got past three figures in only 85 deliveries.
Stokes, who combined with Cook for a 132-run partnership for the fifth wicket, hit 15 fours and three sixes as he took on the BLACKCAPS pace attack and reaped the rewards. Once he went past the milestone, Stokes looked to attack further, and he got a thick edge off Mark Craig which was claimed at first slip by Ross Taylor.
England’s wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler (14) went cheaply went he was caught behind by stand-in keep Tom Latham from the bowling of Henry. That brought Moeen Ali came to the crease to join Cook and the pair remained unbeaten at the close of play to cap a fine day for England.
New Zealand will look to regroup tonight and push for a strong finish to the First Test which has been an enthralling contest for all five days.
DAY THREE
Kane Williamson made history today when he became the 13th New Zealander to score a century at Lord’s and etch his name into the Honours Board at the Home of Cricket.
The 24-year-old, who began the day on 92 not out in the overcast and cool conditions, brought up his 10th Test ton with a late cut down to third man to become the first BLACKCAP to score 100 here since Jacob Oram in 2008.
He rewrote the record books to become only the eighth cricketer – all legends of the game – to record 10 Test match centuries before the age of 25 and confirm his status as one of the most exciting talents in world cricket. In his 16 most recent Test innings, Williamson has averaged 92.46.
Ross Taylor congratulates Kane Williamson on reaching a special hundred.
Williamson (132) was the mainstay of the BLACKCAPS batting effort as he combined with Ross Taylor (62), Brendon McCullum (42) and BJ Watling (61*) as New Zealand managed 523 for a first innings lead of 134 runs.
In reply, England were 74-2 at stumps with Alistair Cook (32*) and Ian Bell (29*) at the crease in the fading light. They trail by 60 runs with eight wickets in hand.
Debutant Adam Lyth (12) and Gary Ballance (0) were the Englishmen back in the Pavilion after Trent Boult and Tim Southee claimed early wickets.
The talking point of the day was the stoic performance of Williamson. He reached his century in 148 balls in a patient knock that included 12 boundaries. He followed in the footsteps of Stewie Dempster (1931), Curly Page (1931), Martin Donnelly (1949), Bev Congdon (1973), Mark Burgess (1973), Vic Pollard (1973), Geoff Howarth (1978), Trevor Franklin (1990), Martin Crowe (1986, 1994), Matt Horne (1999), Mark Richardson (2004) and Jacob Oram (2008) as Kiwis who have raised their bat at the Home of Cricket.
He also joined the illustrious company of players to have amassed 10 Test centuries by the age of 25; adding his name to a list that includes Sir Donald Bradman, Garry Sobers, Sachin Tendulkar, Javed Miandad, Alistair Cook, Graeme Smith and Neil Harvey.
Shortly after Williamson’s century, Taylor brought up his 25th half century in Test cricket. He was later caught down the leg side by a superb sprawling catch from Jos Buttler.
That brought inspirational skipper Brendon McCullum to the crease who hit a risk and reward innings of 42 from 38 deliveries before he got a top edge from debutant Mark Wood to third man, where he was caught by Joe Root.
Brendon McCullum got off the mark with a four
Corey Anderson (11), playing in his first Test match at Lord’s, was also undone by Buttler’s athleticism down the leg side when a Wood delivery flicked his glove.
Williamson and BJ Watling, who returned for the first time after having suffered a blow to the knee keeping on day one, added a 50-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
His marathon innings of six hours and 18 minutes came to an end when he was caught at short leg from the bowling of Moeen Ali. He walked off to a standing ovation from the full house.
Ali picked up his second wicket in three balls when he trapped Mark Craig in front for a duck. England was buoyant again and they claimed the final five wickets for 53 runs. Stuart Broad, Wood and Ali all toiled hard to claim three wickets apiece.
Today, however, will be remembered as the time when Kane Williamson added his name to the history at Lord’s.
DAY TWO
A determined and patient batting performance has seen the BLACKCAPS claim the honours on day two of the First Test against England at Lord's.
The BLACKCAPS, looking to win at the Home of Cricket for the first time since 1999, rallied early as they claimed the final three wickets for only 35 runs in 10.5 overs to bowl England out for 389.
Trent Boult
BLACKCAPS openers Martin Guptill (70) and Tom Latham (59) then combined beautifully to put on 148 for the first wicket, before Kane Williamson (92*) and Ross Taylor (47*) continued the momentum with a gritty, unbeaten partnership of 155 runs.
The BLACKCAPS finished the day at 303-2, trailing England by 86 runs still with eight wickets in hand heading into day three.
The opening partnership was a bullish effort. Guptill, on his return to the Test arena and playing his First Test at Lord's, recorded his 13th Test half century with his 115-ball 70, while Latham produced his fourth Test match half century in only his 10th
Test.
Martin Guptill was in scintillating touch
Both players looked comfortable at the crease, batting for almost 35 overs before Latham was trapped in front by off-spinner Moeen Ali. Two balls later, Guptill hit a lofted drive through the covers off the bowling of Stuart Broad and picked out Garry Ballance.
All of a sudden the crowd found their voice and England was back in the Test match.
It was a high point for the home side, who will rue some missed opportunities in the field. Guptill was fortunate to survive on 24 before lunch. He was caught at first slip by England captain Alastair Cook after edging a ball from debutant Mark Wood, but a review showed it to be a no-ball after Wood overstepped his mark.
Latham also had a life, put down after edging through to Ian Bell at third slip from the bowling of Ben Stokes.
After some early jitters, including a missed run-out opportunity from Broad, Taylor and Williamson consolidated for the visitors and swung the momentum back in their favour. Williamson went on to bring up his 16th half century in Tests, and was well supported by Taylor, who grew with confidence throughout the innings.
Williamson now sits eight runs shy of getting his name up on the Lord's Honour Board, while the BLACKCAPS are in position to build a big first-innings lead.
Earlier in the day, the BLACKCAPS' bowling attack clinically finished off the English innings. Trent Boult, who had claimed Jos Buttler on the final ball on day one, picked up two further wickets to finish with figures of 4-79 from 29 overs.
He removed danger man Moeen Ali (58) when he had him caught behind by stand-in keeper Latham in the 94th over. Matt Henry then completed a special Test debut when he claimed the final wicket of the innings. The 23-year-old had James Anderson caught and bowled to make history at the Home of Cricket with 4-93 from 23.5 overs, the best figures by any New Zealand debutant at Lord's.
Henry had usurped Jack Cowie's record, Cowie having claimed 4-118 for New Zealand way back in 1937.
Matt Henry made history on debut at Lord's
DAY ONE
After a brilliant opening session from the BLACKCAPS bowling attack, England fought back tenaciously on day one of the First Test at Lord’s.
Heading to stumps with England at 354-7, Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Test debutant Matt Henry had had the hosts in all sorts of bother early on, reducing them to 30-4.
However, the home side boasted a deep batting line-up, and a 161-run partnership from Joe Root (98) and Ben Stokes (92) brought the home side back into the Test match.
Spinner Mark Craig produced a beauty to bowl Ben Stokes
Root carried on with Jos Buttler (67), and had looked destined to bring up his third century at Lord’s (and seventh in his overall Test career) before being caught behind by stand-in keeper Tom Latham in the 64th over, off the bowling of Henry.
The final delivery of the day was a winner for Trent Boult as he accounted for Buttler, trapping him in front. At the end of 90 overs, Moeen Ali (49*) remained and will return tomorrow alongside Stuart Broad, their side in a strong position.
Henry was one of the standout performers for New Zealand at the Home of Cricket, concluding the day with figures of 3-93 from his 24 overs. It was just reward for the 23-year-old, who had toiled hard all day and constantly asked questions of the English batsmen.
Earlier in the day, BLACKCAPS skipper Brendon McCullum had won the toss and elected to field first in what was the hottest day of the English spring to date, in front of a full house.
Brendon McCullum about to win the toss. Photos: Photosport.co.nz
The experienced seam attack of Southee and Boult did not disappoint, delivering a superb opening spell of swing bowling to set the tone.
Last time he was at Lord’s, Southee had got his name on the Honour’s Board with 10 wickets in the match. This time he got the first breakthrough, getting England debutant Adam Lyth (7) caught behind by BJ Watling in the eighth over. Boult then removed Garry Balance (1), Southee taking a fine low catch at third slip.
Henry, who became the 266th New Zealander to don the black cap, picked up his first Test wicket when he bounced England captain Alistair Cook and got the edge through to Watling. England lost two wickets in three balls to be 25/3 and the BLACKCAPS were off to a dream start.
Matt Henry relished his first day of Test cricket with three wickets
It got even better. If Henry’s first dismissal of Cook was something to celebrate, claiming the wicket of Ian Bell (1) will be something he will always remember. The Canterbury paceman bowled Bell with a perfect out-swinging delivery which clipped the top of his off stump.
England was reeling at 30/4 before Root and Stokes came together and turned things around.
Ben Stokes, England's New Zealand-born batsman, and Joe Root combined strongly
England’s premier batsman of the last 12 months, Root was irrepressible. He played his shots freely to bring up his 10th half century and proved the mainstay of the English effort.
The Yorkshireman was well supported by Stokes, who became the aggressor after lunch. The latter looked set to add his name to the Honour’s Board of the home dressing room when he was bowled by Mark Craig in the 45th over.
BLACKCAPS wicketkeeper BJ Watling did not return to the field after lunch after having suffered a blow to his right knee. He spent the remainder of the day with his knee up, and will be assessed ahead of Day Two tomorrow morning.
