New Zealand batter Devon Conway justified his selection with a brilliant century in the first Test against England at the Lord’s Cricket Stadium in London. His century kept the Black Caps on top on the first day of the Test match.
Opting to bat first, the Kiwis got off to a fluent start thanks to Conway and Tom Latham. They added a 50-run stand for the first wicket. Apart from a couple of chances here and there, Conway dominated actions against a star-studded English bowling attack comprising of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, and Mark Wood.
Another debutant, Ollie Robinson, who made a place in England’s pace attack drew the first blood removing Latham for 25 runs after getting his eyes in. Kane Williamson also followed thanks to a brilliant delivery from James Anderson but nothing could manage to break Conway’s concentration.
Devon Conway becomes 12th Kiwi batter to score Test century on debut
He went about his business putting the odd deliveries to the boundaries to keep New Zealand’s scoreboard ticking. Reeling at 86 for two, the Black Caps were in dire need of a partnership. Ross Taylor joined Devon Conway as both started the revival. Taylor, however, didn’t look convinced and was eventually out LBW by Robinson, who picked his second wicket of the match.
Since then, Conway and Henry Nicholls have held their fort tight and kept England bowlers at bay. Both the left-handers kept the scoreboard ticking while the odd-boundaries kept coming. The 29-year-old Devon Conway looked assured and composed since the start and has reached the landmark with a boundary.
Conway became the 12th Black Caps batter to score a century on debut and the first New Zealander to score a century on debut at the historic Lord’s.
Twitter was on fire as soon as Devon Conway touched the three-digit figure.
Here are some of the reactions:
What an achievement by Devon Conway. Made a decision a few years ago to go play his cricket in NZ, and that decision paid off today.
— Albie Morkel (@albiemorkel) June 2, 2021
I told you Devon Conway could play 😉 #ENGvNZ
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) June 2, 2021
I’ve cried a lot recently and just when I thought I’m all dried out, my beautiful boy Devon Conway waltzed it away for a boundary to reach his hundred on debut AT LORD’S.
I cannot explain how great it felt during the moment. First tears of joy in a long, long time. #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/IWTvDZwf3g
— Sritama (Ross Taylor’s version) (@cricketpun_duh) June 2, 2021
Ganguly, Strauss, Conway… left handers to score century on Test debut at Lord's. Seems to be the place for left-handers to make debuts
— Venkata Krishna B (@venkatatweets) June 2, 2021
https://twitter.com/rajdeep189/status/1400115458263511046?s=20
Going to be hard for Devon Conway not to get out his phone any time someone asks "You play any cricket, mate" and show them that hundred shot.
— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) June 2, 2021
From searching for a 'Home' team to hundred at @HomeOfCricket What a journey!!! 💯 #DevonConway #ENGvNZ
— Manoj Dimri (@manoj_dimri) June 2, 2021
Devon Conway left South Africa in 2017 to try his luck in New Zealand… became eligible to play for Black Caps in August 2020… what a decision … ever since he donned the Black Cap he has been the talk of international cticket… South Africa’s loss is New Zealand’s gain!
— Shahid Hashmi (@hashmi_shahid) June 2, 2021
That pull shot 😍 bisected the two fielders perfectly! Hard to believe it's Conway's maiden day in Test cricket
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) June 2, 2021
New Zealand deserve credit for picking Conway when the easier decision would’ve been to stick with the group that took them to the WTC Final. Conway has only opened the batting once since moving to NZ but they took the plunge; an aggressive selection has been rewarded. #ENGvNZ
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) June 2, 2021
