LONDON, June 03(ABC): England debutant Matthew Potts took four wickets against New Zealand only for the hosts to collapse as well on a dramatic opening day of the first Test at Lord s on Thursday.
New Zealand, the World Test champions, were dismissed for 132 before England slumped to 116 for seven by stumps.
Prior to this three-match series, there had been talk of England making a fresh start under their new Test leadership duo of captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, the former New Zealand skipper.
But this was a reminder there are no quick solutions to the batting woes that have contributed to England winning just one of their previous 17 matches at this level, a run that has left them bottom of the World Test Championship table.
Earlier, it was New Zealand s batting that looked fallible as they slumped to 39 for six before lunch.
Potts finished with superb figures of four wickets for 13 runs in 9.2 overs, a reward for a challenging line and length, with recalled England pace great James Anderson taking four for 66 in 16.
“It was nice to get some wickets early on and settle the nerves,” Potts, who had New Zealand captain and star batsman Kane Williamson caught behind with just his fifth ball in Test cricket, told Sky Sports.
Zak Crawley launched England s reply with a brisk 43 before he was caught behind off Kyle Jamieson to spark a slump that saw seven wickets fall for just 41 runs on a good pitch beneath sunny blue skies — seemingly ideal batting conditions.
New Zealand left-arm quick Trent Boult, who only arrived in England on Monday after playing in the Indian Premier League final, took two for 15 in 10 overs and the towering Jamieson two for 20 in seven.
