The first Test of the 2026 England-New Zealand series at Lord’s ended inside two days, with a 115-run win for the hosts despite Ben Stokes being absent. The scorecard reveals a contest defined by collapses, sharp bowling, and a pitch that kept both sides guessing.

4 related posts

Match: 1st Test, Lord’s, June 4–5, 2026 ·
England 1st innings: 140 all out (39.4 overs) ·
New Zealand 1st innings: 113 all out (29.5 overs) ·
England 2nd innings: 226 all out ·
New Zealand 2nd innings: 138 all out ·
Result: England won by 115 runs

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • England won the 1st Test by 115 runs (BBC Sport)
  • Ben Stokes missed the match due to injury (Sky Sports)
  • Gus Atkinson took 5 wickets for 30 runs in New Zealand’s second innings (BBC Sport)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact nature of Ben Stokes’ injury (Sky Sports)
  • Final series result (ongoing, 2 Tests remaining) (Sky Sports)
  • Whether the Lord’s pitch will be rated as poor by the ICC (AP News)
3Timeline signal
  • June 4, 2026 – England win toss, bat first, bowled out for 140 (BBC Sport)
  • June 5, 2026 – New Zealand all out for 113; England declare at 226; New Zealand all out for 138 (BBC Sport)
  • June 8, 2026 – Stokes and Atkinson involved in a nightclub incident, miss the second Test (Sky Sports)
4What’s next
  • Second Test at The Oval (June 11–15, 2026) – England lose by 253 runs without Stokes (Sky Sports)
  • Third Test at Trent Bridge begins June 25, 2026 – Stokes and Atkinson return to the squad (Sky Sports)
  • Series decider could decide the winner of the 3-match contest (Sky Sports)

The match produced 617 total runs at a wicket every 25 balls — one of the most eventful Tests in recent memory at Lord’s. Here’s a closer look at the key numbers.

Metric Value
Match 1st Test, New Zealand in England 2026
Venue Lord’s, London
Dates June 4–8, 2026
Result England won by 115 runs
Player of the Match To be announced (likely Gus Atkinson for 5/30)
Total overs 166 (second-shortest Test at Lord’s) (AP News)
Dismissals by bowled/lbw 24 out of 40 (AP News)
Emilio Gay debut 57 runs in his first Test innings (YouTube (match press conference))
Bottom line: The pattern: a low-scoring pitch at Lord’s made batting a lottery, but the series remains wide open with one Test left.

What is the latest England vs New Zealand test score?

Current scorecard for the 1st Test at Lord’s

  • England 1st innings: 140 all out (39.4 overs) – BBC Sport (UK broadcaster)
  • New Zealand 1st innings: 113 all out (29.5 overs) – BBC Sport Video
  • England 2nd innings: 226 all out – BBC Sport
  • New Zealand 2nd innings: 138 all out – BBC Sport
  • Target set: 254 runs – AP News (global news agency)
  • Result: England won by 115 runs

England 2nd innings update

The second innings saw England recover from a first-innings deficit of 27. Gus Atkinson’s 5 for 30 in the second innings sealed the win, while Ollie Robinson took 7 for 77 across the match (YouTube (match press conference)). Debutant Emilio Gay top-scored with 57.

Bottom line: England’s 226 all out gave them enough to defend 254, as New Zealand collapsed to 138 all out in 34 overs. The match ended in two days, the second-shortest Test at Lord’s.

The implication: England’s ability to win without Stokes proved their depth, but that depth was tested severely in the second Test at The Oval.

Who is favored to win the NZ vs. ENG test?

Betting odds and predictions for the 3rd Test

  • WinViz data showed New Zealand at 52% on day two, before England’s second-innings fightback shifted momentum (BBC Sport)
  • Bookmaker odds fluctuated sharply after each session, reflecting the volatile pitch conditions
  • For the series-deciding third Test at Trent Bridge, England’s return of Stokes and Atkinson is expected to tilt the odds back in England’s favor (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster))

The pattern: a low-scoring pitch at Lord’s made batting a lottery, but the series remains wide open with one Test left.

Why isn’t Ben Stokes playing?

Ben Stokes injury update

Ben Stokes missed the first Test due to an undisclosed injury, leaving Ollie Pope to captain the side. Stokes later returned for the third Test after also sitting out the second Test following a separate nightclub incident on June 8 (Sky Sports).

Impact on England’s lineup

  • England lost the second Test at The Oval by 253 runs without Stokes (Sky Sports)
  • His absence undermines both batting depth and bowling variety — Stokes averages 36 with the bat and takes key wickets with his left-arm seam
  • Gus Atkinson also missed the second Test after the same incident, weakening England’s pace attack
The catch

Without Stokes, England’s middle order looks thin — and their captaincy loses its aggressive edge. The second Test defeat underscored how much the team relies on him.

The implication: England’s ability to win without Stokes proved their depth, but that depth was tested severely in the second Test at The Oval.

How many tests is England playing against New Zealand?

2026 Test series schedule

England and New Zealand are playing a 3-match Test series in June–July 2026. The series started in June 2026 with the Lord’s Test.

  • 1st Test: Lord’s, June 4–8, 2026 – England won by 115 runs
  • 2nd Test: The Oval, June 11–15, 2026 – New Zealand won by 253 runs (Sky Sports)
  • 3rd Test: Trent Bridge, June 25–29, 2026 – series decider

The pattern: a short, sharp series with each match carrying outsized weight for the final result.

Has NZ ever won against ENG?

Historical head-to-head record

New Zealand’s record in England shows a long-standing challenge, though recent results suggest the gap is narrowing.

Category England New Zealand
Total Tests played 112 (since 1930) 112
England wins 53 —
New Zealand wins — 13
Draws 46
First NZ win in England 1983 at Headingley (BBC Sport)
Recent series in England (2021) Draw 1-1 Draw 1-1
Recent series in England (2022) 3-0 England win —

The implication: New Zealand have historically struggled in England, but their 2021 draw and the current 1-1 series (after the first two Tests) show they are closing the gap.

Timeline section

  • June 4, 2026: England win the toss and elect to bat; bowled out for 140 in 39.4 overs (BBC Sport)
  • June 5, 2026: New Zealand all out for 113 in 29.5 overs; England declare at 226; New Zealand all out for 138; England win by 115 runs (BBC Sport)
  • June 8, 2026: Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson involved in a nightclub incident, miss the second Test (Sky Sports)
  • June 11–15, 2026: England lose the second Test at The Oval by 253 runs (Sky Sports)
  • June 25, 2026: Stokes and Atkinson return for the series-deciding third Test at Trent Bridge (Sky Sports)

The implication: Stokes’ absence in both Tests shaped the series narrative, but his return for the decider could shift momentum back to England.

Clarity section

Confirmed facts

  • England won the 1st Test by 115 runs
  • Ben Stokes missed the first Test due to injury and also missed the second Test after a nightclub incident
  • Gus Atkinson took 5 for 30 in New Zealand’s second innings
  • The Test was the second-shortest ever at Lord’s (166 overs)
  • Emilio Gay scored 57 on his Test debut

What’s unclear

  • Exact nature of Ben Stokes’ original injury
  • Whether the Lord’s pitch will receive an ICC rating (24 of 40 dismissals were bowled or lbw)
  • Final series result — New Zealand leveled 1-1 after the second Test

Quotes

“The Lord’s pitch did not benefit Test cricket.”

— Ben Stokes, England captain, via AP News

“Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson will miss the second Test at The Oval after a nightclub incident on June 8.”

— Sky Sports report, Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster)

Summary

The Lord’s Test showed how quickly a series can shift: England’s 115-run win without Stokes was followed by a 253-run loss at The Oval. For England, the stakes in the deciding Test are clear — prove their depth without a full-strength attack, or risk losing a home series to a New Zealand side that has already matched them once in 2026.

Related reading: GT vs SRH Match Scorecard 2026

Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, cricket.com.au, lords.org, telegraph.co.uk, bbc.com, youtube.com

For a detailed breakdown of their rivalry, check the England vs New Zealand match scorecard for the latest results.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

What is the England vs New Zealand test score right now?

After two Tests, the series is tied 1-1. England won the first Test at Lord’s by 115 runs; New Zealand won the second Test at The Oval by 253 runs.

Where can I watch England vs New Zealand live?

In the UK, Sky Sports Cricket is the exclusive broadcaster. Live streaming is available via Sky Go and Now TV. International broadcasters vary by region.

Who is the captain of England in the 2026 series?

Ben Stokes is the regular captain. Ollie Pope deputised in the first two Tests after Stokes missed the first due to injury and the second after a nightclub incident. Stokes returned for the third Test.

How many runs did Kane Williamson score in the 1st Test?

Kane Williamson scored 1 and 5 in the two innings at Lord’s, falling to England’s pace attack both times (BBC Sport).

What is the weather forecast for the Lord’s Test?

The weather was fine throughout the two days of the Lord’s Test; no rain interruptions occurred (BBC Sport).

When is the next England vs New Zealand test match?

The third and deciding Test begins on June 25, 2026 at Trent Bridge.

Has New Zealand ever won a test series in England?

No. New Zealand have never won a Test series in England. Their best results are a 1-1 draw in 2021 and the current 1-1 tie after two Tests in 2026.

What channel is the England vs New Zealand test on in the UK?

Sky Sports Cricket holds exclusive UK rights. Highlights are also available on BBC Sport online.