England opt for all-seam attack as Lord’s welcomes fans back for first Test against New Zealand

Lord’s was bathed in sunshine and a general air of renewal as the England cricket team began their first international fixture in front of a home crowd since September 2019 this morning. A crowd of about 7,000 was expected and plenty of them were in their seats well before the start, in good time to see the New Zealand captain Kane Williamson win the toss and elect to bat.

Joe Root confirmed England’s selection of an all-seam attack for the first time in a home Test for nine years and the first time in a Lord’s Test since the match against Sri Lanka in 2002. Jack Leach, the only frontline spinner in the squad, was left out.

Other than an unsuccessful James Anderson appeal for