ENG vs NZ, 1st Test, Day 1: Matthew Potts Stars On England Debut But New Zealand Fight Back With 7 Wickets

ENG vs NZ, 1st Test: New Zealand were dismissed for 132 before England, in the first of this three-match series, slumped to 116-7 by stumps on Day 1.

England debutant Matthew Potts took four wickets against New Zealand only for the hosts to collapse as well on the opening day of the first Test at Lord's on Thursday. The World Test champions were dismissed for 132 before England, in the first of this three-match series, slumped to 116-7 by stumps. Pre-match, there had been talk of England making a fresh start under new Test captain Ben Stokes and recently-appointed red-ball coach Brendon McCullum, the former New Zealand skipper.

But this was a reminder there are no quick solutions to  the fundamental batting weakness that has 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.

Potts took a superb four wickets for 13 runs in 9.2 overs, a reward for a challenging line and length, with recalled England pace great James Anderson returning figures of four for 66 in 16.

Zak Crawley launched England's reply with a brisk 43.

But the opener's exit sparked a slump that saw England lose seven wickets for just 41 runs on a good pitch beneath sunny blue skies -- seemingly ideal batting conditions.