By Arjun 
England wrapped up a convincing 115-run success over New Zealand in the Lord’s Test on the fourth day as their pace attack got them home against weakened visitors. The result was never in much doubt after England had reduced New Zealand to 55 for 5 at the end of Day 3 while chasing down a target of 254, though rain interruptions did delay the eventual outcome.
The visitors were back for the morning, still hoping opener Devon Conway – who had batted through to stumps on day one – could mount a rescue. But their ambitions took an early knock when Josh Tongue got the wicket. Tom Blundell was the next to go, scurrying out of his crease only for a leg-before-wicket decision to rest all hopes in New Zealand’s hands. The fast bowler allowed none between bat and pads to leave the tourists reeling at 58 for 6.
250 runs looked a fair way beyond England as they chased towards the distant finish line but despite the grim reality of that scenario, Conway and Glenn Phillips tried to breathe life into it with their fight. The batter scored freely, taking on England’s bowlers and hitting them to the fence. He played one or few shots with crisp boundaries, allowing New Zealand to edge closer towards 100, forcing those hopes of a comeback.
Conway, on the other hand, took a more careful approach. With the left-hander having had one alarming escape when edging through the slip cordon to his right and another when a poorly directed chance clattered through Harry Brook, Pakistan were still optimistic. At times, he was fortunate – England’s bowlers were relentless from both ends.
Tongue and Ollie Robinson then bowled a fine, disciplined line and continued to ask questions of the batters, as they moved the ball both back into them and away off a relatively straight pitch. Captain Ben Stokes finally broke the resistance with a vital wicket. Stokes then sent down a ball that moved across Conway and took an edge, but Bethell was well-placed to accept it at gully.
His wicket finally gave New Zealand some hope of a remarkable turnaround. Once the batters further down the order to those quick wickets had fallen, England’s bowlers wasted little time finishing off their required 77 runs from the remaining lower-order batters – clinching a memorable victory in historic surroundings.
The outcome underscored complete dominance from England, much of it courtesy a fine effort with the ball by Gus Atkinson. Not to take anything away from his five-wicket haul, which paved the way for the victory, or his provided English pace attack. The England seam bowlers ensured that they were on top right from the outset of this game and did not give West Indies an inch.