Ollie Robinson edges England towards victory with two wickets inbetween showers

England’s Ollie Robinson appeals successfully for lbw against New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell on day three of the first Test at Lord’s (Ben Whitley/PA). - (PA Wire)

Ollie Robinson grabbed two wickets between rain showers to take England within sight of the victory line on day three of the first Rothesay Test against New Zealand.

Robinson bowled Rachin Ravindra and had Daryl Mitchell lbw as his dream comeback continued to deliver, leaving the tourists 55 for five chasing 254 at Lord’s.

The only check on England’s progress came from the skies, with the opening session wiped out entirely and regular interruptions halting the afternoon’s play.

Spectators shelter from the rain at Lord’s (Ben Whitley/PA). (PA Wire)

But Robinson’s sixth and seventh scalps of the match ensured the home side tightened the screw in the slim opportunities they were offered.

After a morning of solid rain, the decision to take an early lunch just as the brightest skies of the day rolled in caused plenty of head-scratching. Play eventually got under way at 1pm, two hours behind schedule, with exactly 11 deliveries possible before more showers intervened.

The next passage of play was only slightly more engaging, totalling 15 wicketless minutes, but England finally found some momentum at the third time of asking.

After a brief burst in front of the pavilion, Robinson returned to the Nursery End and picked up where had left off with his first-innings five-for.

Ground staff put rain covers on the pitch for a second time on day three at Lord’s (Ben Whitley/PA). (PA Wire)

The Lord’s pitch has attracted plenty of scrutiny, and criticism from former captains Michael Vaughan and Nasser Hussain, and Robinson continued taking advantage as he snaked one past Ravindra’s outside edge and into the top of off stump.

Ravindra appeared to hint at low bounce too, as he became the latest in a long line of cheap victims. Robinson was back for more in his next over, trapping Mitchell lbw for the eighth duck of the match.

Once again the ball deviated sharply off the surface, with the decision to bring wicketkeeper Jamie Smith up to the stumps also playing its part in anchoring the Mitchell to his crease. It was a close one, just clipping leg, but DRS ruled in Robinson’s favour.

Another break ensued, with the state of the game summed up by the eagerness of New Zealand’s batters to get off and England’s clear reluctance.