After opting to bat first, the Blackcaps lost opener Tom Latham (23) in the opening session, while captain Kane Williamson (13) and Ross Taylor (14) fell cheaply after lunch as Conway (136 not out) took the charge.
Conway and Henry Nicholls (46 not out) added a patient 132-run stand for the fourth wicket to set up a platform the remaining batters on day two.
Conway, who earned a spot on the famous Lord’s honours boards with his maiden century, created a new record for the highest score on Test debut at the ground, surpassing former India skipper Sourav Ganguly’s 131 in 1996.
“The job’s not done, but I’m very happy,” Conway told Sky Sports after the match. “I had a conversation with Kane a couple of days ago and asked him what it feels like to go on that honours board.”
“The first thing he said to me was, ‘Now you’re on it, boy’.
“Just getting a test debut and the chance to play at this level was not something I’d thought about – very special feeling,” he added.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
? Welcome to the Honours Boards, Devon Conway
? A sublime innings from the @BLACKCAPS opener, who becomes the sixth player to hit a Test century on debut at Lord's.#LoveLords pic.twitter.com/v5TvmEEU8i
— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) June 2, 2021
For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.