England vs New Zealand: Stuart Broad ends 81-over drought, picks up first Test wicket since January 2020

Stuart Broad looked more relieved than delighted when he trapped Tom Latham LBW on Day 5 of the 1st Test between England and New Zealand at the Lord’s cricket ground on Sunday. Broad picked up his first wicket of the match and first since January 2020 when he got the wicket of Angelo Mathews in Sri Lanka.

Stuart Broad had gone 5 innings in Test matches without a wicket. He last picked up 3 wickets against Sri Lanka in Galle on January 14. He played 2 Tests against India, one in Chennai and the other in Ahmedabad. He had bowled 26 overs without success as India went on to win the Test series 3-1.

England vs New Zealand: 1st Test, Day 5 Live Updates

There was a lot of expectations from the England bowling attack as Stuart Broad and James Anderson team up for the first Test of the ongoing 2-match series against New Zealand. However, Broad went wicket less despite bowling 27 overs in home conditions in the first innings.

However, bowling on a Day 5 wicket at the Lord’s, Broad ended the drought for a Test wicket. The senior campaigner set Tom Latham up beautifully as he got a couple of balls to seam away from the left-hander before getting one to tail in.

Latham was trapped in front but he went for a review. However, the DRS call was unsuccessful as the decision stayed umpire’s call. It was the first Test wicket for Stuart Broad in 81.2 overs.

Watch: Stuart Broad ends drought for Test wicket at Lord’s

So good from Broady

Latham trapped LBW for 36

107-4#ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/0QDfy7Csve

— England’s Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) June 6, 2021

Notably, Broad was appointed as the vice-captain of England in the absence of Ben Stokes who will be unavailable for the 2nd Test due to an injury he picked up in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.

The Lord’s Test is likely to end in a draw as New Zealand were ahead by over 200 runs after the first hour’s play on Day 5 with 6 wickets in hand. England were bowled out for 275 despite a hundred from Rory Burns after Devon Conway hit a double hundred on Test debut for New Zealand. The third day’s play in London was washed out without a ball being bowled due to rain.