Debutant Conway's ton gives New Zealand solid platform against England

London - Lord's welcomed back spectators for the first time in nearly two years but limited capacity to 25%

New Zealand debutant Devon Conway crafted a century on the opening day of the first Test against England on Wednesday, with his unbeaten knock of 136 leading the visitors to 246-3 at stumps.

New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat but they lost opener Tom Latham in the first session while skipper Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor fell cheaply after lunch as Conway took control.

Conway and Henry Nicholls (46 not out) stitched together a patient 132-run partnership to steady the ship and set up a platform for their deep batting lineup on day two.

England went with four fast bowlers on a green wicket but, barring a few unsettling deliveries, Conway saw off the early threat from James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson before slowly growing into the game.

England debutant Robinson drew first blood to dismiss Latham for 23 after the opening batsman had an inside edge crash into the stumps.

Anderson, playing his 161st Test match to equal former captain Alastair Cook’s record for most England caps, then got rid of Williamson in the first over after lunch — the seventh time he had dismissed him in Tests.

Williamson looked to defend a rising delivery but the ball spun back to hit the top of off stump and he walked back to the pavilion for 13.

Taylor (14) followed him soon after when a Robinson delivery sneaked past his bat to rap him on the pads as England successfully appealed for leg before wicket.

England bowled better in the second session to keep the run rate down but struggled for variety without a spinner in the side, forcing captain Joe Root to try his luck with 12 overs which did not yield a breakthrough.

Lord’s welcomed back spectators for the first time in nearly two years but limited capacity to 25% due to the Covid-19 pandemic.