After all that happened during the Ashes, it was just so important England won this first Test against New Zealand – and that they won it emphatically.
It was a very difficult pitch at Lord’s but it is the same for both sides, and they came out on top.
Speaking to both head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, I think they felt enormous relief. It has been a difficult time for all of them after the Ashes. It is a long time sitting and thinking and brooding.
So to come and win the first game and to do it in a good style, that was the most important thing for them.
What did it tell us? Not a huge amount. We know Ollie Robinson is a really, really fine bowler. We’ve always known that.
But there is a lot on his shoulders, a lot of talk about him and his fitness, attitude and all those things.
He has had a lot thrown at him over the past two years, so there is a lot of pressure on him. McCullum said that he had mentioned he was more nervous than on his debut.
To come and take three wickets in your first over back, it’s a dream come true. He will have more challenging days but that is how he bowls and it is a sort of consistency that England missed in the Ashes from their opening attack.
I like this seam bowling attack as a whole. It has got more control.
Robinson and Gus Atkinson both took five-wicket hauls during the match and are very skilled operators.
Josh Tongue is England’s premier bowler at the moment, though. I’ve got no doubts about that.
His development is remarkable. Where he releases the ball from is made for Lord’s with the slope. It is a very high action and he can just get the occasional one to hold up at the Pavilion End, as he did to great effect.
He is moving on from being more than just promising. He is becoming dependable now and England need to keep him fit.
