England’s Rory Burns made his first century at Lord’s and with it, gained a place on the Honours Boards as he made three figures in the opening Test of the 2021 international summer against New Zealand.
Opening batsman Burns, who had scored two previous Test centuries – one in England and one in New Zealand – reached his hundred from 267 deliveries, playing a superb anchor role in England’s innings.
He had seen wickets fall at the other end at regular intervals, particularly on the fourth day when partner Joe Root fell on the opening ball of the day after the pair had put on 93.
Burns found a willing partner in debutant Ollie Robinson, with whom he shared a stand of 63, but was still nine runs short of his century when last man James Anderson strode out to bat.
Anderson stuck around long enough so that Surrey’s Burns could record the 21st hundred of his first-class career. The pair put on 52 for the last wicket, with Burns eventually being dismissed for a fine 132.