sport news England v New Zealand: The highs and lows from the hosts' win at Lord's in the ... trends now
England got off to a winning start under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum with a thrilling five-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first Test.
It was their first win since August and only their second in their last 18 Tests. But what did they learn from their first win in a Test against New Zealand for seven years?
Sportsmail looks at the highs and lows of Lord's and beyond.
England claimed a thrilling five-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first Test at Lord's
First, the good news
If a team's fielding performance is indicative of their collective spirit and mood then the new regime have quickly improved England.
They were outstanding in their catching from the moment Jonny Bairstow set the tone on the first morning and their ability to regularly hit the stumps was epitomised by Ollie Pope's crucial run out of Colin de Grandhomme.
And they showed energy and purpose in furiously chasing every ball to the boundary as McCullum demands — even if it did give Jack Leach concussion.
England were outstanding in their catching from the moment Jonny Bairstow (C) set the tone
We also learned, not surprisingly, that Joe Root is likely to be even better without the demands of the captaincy and, even less surprisingly, that Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson remain two of the best bowlers, certainly in English conditions, in the world.
How foolish Sir Andrew Strauss and, yes, Root look now for seemingly consigning them to history.
Broad summed up the early impact of the new quest for positivity and dynamism when he said afterwards: 'That was one of the most fun weeks we've had. It was just the relaxed environment, the way we're talking as a team.'
Top of the Potts (just don't call him Matty)
England have a number of injured fast bowlers, but the latest from the Durham production line looks a real find. Matthew — 'don't call me Matty' — Potts was brilliant from the moment he claimed Kane Williamson with his fifth ball in Test cricket and overall he took seven important wickets.
It was noticeable, too, how calm and confident he looked making his own field alterations from his first over.
'He's got some great attributes,' said Broad, who took the newcomer out for a round of golf in a three-ball with Anderson the day before the Test to help him settle. 'He can swing it, seam it, he brings the stumps into play. And he's built nicely for a fast bowler — he looks like he's made of stone.'
It was a concern, though, to see Potts leave the field mid-over during the first innings with what turned out thankfully to just be cramp.
He's played a lot already for Durham this season and England need to tread carefully with him now. The last thing they need is for another fast bowler to go lame.
Matthew Potts was brilliant from the moment he claimed Kane Williamson with his fifth ball
But let's not get carried away
Clearly
