LONDON: England and New Zealand were left kicking their heels at the Lord’s Pavilion after rain prevented any play on Friday’s next day of their first Test.
The square and pitch stayed entirely covered daily along with the umpires, after a review completed while rain was falling, declared in 4:31 pm (1531 GMT) there was no possibility of play prior to the time to get a replica of 6:00 pm (1700 GMT).
Play is set to restart at 11:00 am (1000 GMT) on Saturday, using 98 overs — compared to the conventional 90 — scheduled to be bowled in an effort to help compensate for Friday’s shortage of activity.
The game will be intriguingly poised, together with England 111-2 in response to New Zealand’s first-innings 378 that comprised debutant Devon Conway’s 200 — that the maximum score by a batsman making his Evaluation bow in England.
England, 267 runs behind, slumped to 18-2 prior to finishing the next day using Rory Burns 59 not out and England captain Joe Root 42 out not after an unbroken stand of 93.
New Zealand appeared like batting England from the match while South Africa-born opener Conway and fellow left-hander Henry Nicholls (61) were discussing a fourth-wicket venture of 174.
However, they lost four wickets for six runs since they slumped from 288-3 into 294-7, together with Mark Wood, the quickest member of England’s speed quartet, instigating an meltdown.
Meanwhile, Exam debutant paceman Ollie Robinson directed England’s assault with 4-75 at the very first of the two-Test series.
This game at Lord’s, the northwest London headquarters of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), marks the return of audiences to international championships in England following last year’s fixtures were played behind closed doors due to coronavirus limitations.
The next Test is scheduled to occur at Birmingham’s Edgbaston in June 10-14.
New Zealand will subsequently stay in England to confront India at the inaugural World Test Championship final at Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl.