Ben Stokes critiques test pitch after England's win over New Zealand
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 7, 2026, 1:53 PM
Last updated Jun 7, 2026
England captain Ben Stokes emphasized the need for improved pitches in test cricket following his team's 115-run victory over New Zealand at Lord's on June 7. The match, lasting just 166 overs, saw a wicket every 25 balls, the lowest rate in England since 1907. Stokes, reflecting on the challenging conditions for batters, noted that while the game was exciting, the quality of cricket suffered. New Zealand captain Tom Latham commented on moving forward to the next test at The Oval, anticipating better playing conditions. The second test is set to begin on June 17.
- •England won by 115 runs, taking the first test against New Zealand.
- •The match lasted only 166 overs, making it one of the shortest at Lord's.
- •Stokes criticized the pitch for causing an excessive number of wickets.
- •New Zealand will prepare for the second test starting June 17.
- •Stokes and Latham both expressed a need for better playing conditions.
- 1:53 PMYahoo Sports — Stokes delivers warning for test cricket after England's historically quick win over New Zealand
"England captain Ben Stokes warned Sunday that test cricket, a format under massive threat from the Twenty20 game, needs better pitches than the one served up at Lord’s for his team’s 115-run win over New Zealand in the first match of the series. On an untrustworthy and nightmarish pitch for batters, there was a wicket every 25 balls — which, according to the BBC, is the lowest in England since 1907. Speaking as a winning captain, Stokes — one of the biggest proponents of test cricket — said this match wasn’t a good look for a longer format that many believe is dying.
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