![Kane Williamson takes a sharp catch [Source: screengrab]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1780584586176_Kane_Williamson.jpg?type=hq)
Kane Williamson takes a sharp catch [Source: screengrab]
New Zealand legend Kane Williamson seized the opening day of the first Test against England at Lord’s purely with his fielding excellence. Stationed at slip for a major part of the day, the cricketer snared a sensational catch shortly after the drinks break to get rid of England captain and prolific middle-order batter Ben Stokes.
Williamson’s street-smart fielding at slip helped lanky paceman Kyle Jamieson get his third wicket of the innings as the host lost its sixth wicket for just 94 on the board at the time in 26.5 overs.
Kane Williamson shows Ben Stokes the door with sharp catching
Kane Williamson held on to a stunner at second slip during the 27th over of the first England innings on Thursday, June 4. The cricketer took a magnificent low catch after teammate Kyle Jamieson induced an outside edge off England captain Ben Stokes.
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At the time, Stokes was batting on 12* off 23 balls before making his way back to the dressing room as the Englishmen plunged further down to 94-6.
New Zealand pacemen tower over English batters
New Zealand captain Tom Latham won the toss and opted to field first. His fast bowlers responded to his call by taking the crucial early wickets with the new ball.
Kyle Jamieson got the ball rolling for the ‘Black Caps’ with the wicket of England opener and debutant Emilio Gay for just eight off 14 balls. Nathan Smith trapped senior Ben Duckett in front of stumps for 19 off 37 balls, while fellow paceman Will O’Rourke broke England’s back with the quick wickets of Jacob Bethell for just six and Joe Root for a single.
Amid rain interruptions, England’s top order got wrecked at 34-4 inside the first 15 overs of the day. The hosts, seemingly making way from their usual ‘BazBall’ approach, slipped to further trouble with the wicket of Jamie Smith at 55-5.
Captain Ben Stokes subsequently stitched a fighting 39-run partnership with firebrand middle-order batter Harry Brook at a breakneck pace. A third wicket for Jamieson, backed by Kane Williamson at second slip accounted for the dismissal of Stokes to break their threatening partnership at 94-6.
The New Zealand fast bowler also trapped Gus Atkinson a couple of overs later in the innings as the hosts slipped to 118-8 in 33.1 overs before bad lights enforced an early Tea break.
ENG vs NZ a milestone Test for venue, umpire
The first Test of the series between New Zealand and hosts England is the 150th Test match hosted by the iconic Lord’s Stadium in London. The venue has become the first cricket ground in the world to scale the landmark figure.
Moreover, the match also marked the 100th appearance for Australia’s Rod Tucker as an on-field umpire. The member of the ICC Elite Umpire Panel became only the fourth on-field umpire in Test history to complete 100 Tests.
While the match was marked by significant milestones for both the venue and umpire Rod Tucker, Kane Williamson's spectacular grab at second slip ensured the opening day also produced a moment of fielding brilliance to remember.
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