Robinson’s triple-wicket burst jolts England’s rebuild against New Zealand

Ollie Robinson jolted England’s post-Ashes reset with a brutal reminder of his value, ripping through New Zealand with three wickets in four balls as Lord’s staged its 150th men’s Test.

On a rain-affected, seam-friendly opening day, England were bowled out for 140 in 39.4 overs after losing the toss, Harry Brook top-scoring with 56 off 71 balls. By stumps, New Zealand had been reduced to 61-6 after 19.2 overs and trailed by 79 runs, with 16 wickets falling in a day that never settled into rhythm.

Robinson’s return was the decisive spell. Back in England’s Test side for the first time since February 2024 after being sidelined by fitness and back-injury concerns, he struck Devon Conway, Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra in a triple-wicket maiden and finished with 4-10 from six overs. It was his first Test for England in more than two years and his latest argument that, even in a rebuild, some familiar names still carry unmatched weight.

England’s selection call came with clear stakes after the 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia. Under Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum and Rob Key, the team has been trying to balance a fresh start with the practical need for proven fast-bowling depth. Robinson, who had missed England’s last 24 matches, was always going to be more than a sentimental recall; he arrived with a record of 76 wickets at 22.92 from his first 20 Tests and the sense that this could be his third and final shot at Test level.

Lord’s only sharpened the symbolism. Robinson had made his Test debut against New Zealand at the same ground in June 2021, and England’s first day against the same opponents at the same venue echoed the chaotic, seam-heavy conditions that ushered in the Stokes-McCullum era in 2022. Four years on, another England-New Zealand first day at Lord’s again asked the same question: whether the future is best built by blooding new pace options alone, or by trusting old hands who can still change a match in a single spell.