Matt Parkinson made his long-awaited Test debut in England 's five-wicket win over New Zealand at Lord's, getting drafted into the side as a concussion replacement for Jack Leach.
The 25-year-old bowled 15.3 overs in New Zealand's second innings, picking up the final wicket of Tim Southee as he ended with figures of 1-47. And it was a creditable return for Parkinson after debuting in difficult circumstances, having made a last-minute dash down to Lord's after not playing red-ball cricket for around two weeks to bowl against the World Test Champions on a pitch that offered so little assistance to the spinners that opposite number Ajaz Patel only bowled two overs in the match.
Although Leach has been deemed fit enough to return to the side for the second Test at Trent Bridge, England are set to play three Tests in Pakistan this winter and Parkinson is likely to be afforded more opportunity in the subcontinent.
