England vs New Zealand: Lord's Day 1 Review

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0exhcDP7-Sg Lord's, First Test (day one, close of play):England 160-4 vs New Zealand England struggled to 160-4 on the first day of the international cricket summer at Lord's. A combination of a cautious England batting unit, keen to put the away series in New Zealand behind them, and a slow pitch and outfield, led to an uneventful first day at the home of cricket. Cook and Compton started off determined and cautious, looking to build a platform for the innings on a difficult pitch for batting. After reaching an opening stand of 43 off 22 overs, Compton was dismissed dancing down the wicket to a Bruce Martin delivery, and providing an easy catch to Tim Southee at point. Anyone who has watched Compton bat down the years, or saw him bat in New Zealand, will say the shot was out of character. However, I think Compton was trying to assert himself on Martin, and to try and push him off his natural game. Martin should have had two wickets before lunch, however he failed to hold on to an easy caught and bowled attempt off Johnathon Trott. Alistair Cook never looked comfortable, and after managing just two runs after lunch, was caught behind easily after a half-hearted forward prod to a Boult outswinger. Thankfully, Trott started to open a little bit, and was putting away the odd loose ball which came his way. However, Boult took his second of the day, when he squared Trott up with another outswinger. After getting a thick edge, the ball looked safe, but Brownlie dived low and quick to his left at third slip, to hold on for New Zealand's 3rd wicket just before tea. Ian Bell batted very cautiously, curbing his natural more fluent attacking game, before being dismissed for 31 off 165 balls off the bowling of Wagner. The ball seemed to just angle across Bell, as he followed it and got a feather behind to the wicketkeeper. Hopes for England amassing an impressive first innings lead, seem to depend on the in-form Yorkshire duo Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, who closed the day early after rain hit Lord's with ten overs to go. While the first day of this test will not have had many people jumping out of their seats, the test seems evenly balanced. New Zealand will be happy with their efforts on the first day, while England will feel that batting won't get any easier throughout the match.