England secure a 1-0 lead in the opening Test against New Zealand at Lord’s, with Gus Atkinson taking another five-wicket haul to help seal a 115-run win. Across the fourth morning, the match is heavily shaped by an uneven Lord’s pitch that makes batting difficult for the tourists. England’s attack removes New Zealand’s batting support early and repeatedly, with dismissals coming at regular intervals as the ball remains challenging to play. Atkinson finishes with figures of 5 for 30 in New Zealand’s second innings, taking key wickets as England bowl out the visitors for 138 while they were chasing 254. Earlier in the match, England build a total that puts pressure on New Zealand’s pursuit, and on the final day the home side’s bowlers maintain control until the innings ends in the morning session. Several outlets highlight that the pitch conditions contribute to a rapid fall of wickets, underlining the extent to which the game becomes a bowling contest rather than a batting one.