Devon Conway’s special debut innings came to a somewhat controversial end, with the New Zealand opener run out for exactly 200 in the first Test against England at Lord’s.

TV umpire Richard Illingworth took his time over the decision, with Conway eventually judged to be just out of his ground when England captain Joe Root removed the bails. He initially looked to be a long way short, with Ollie Pope’s bullet throw from the deep seemingly catching him out only for Root to miss with his first attempt to dislodge the bails. The decision then came to judging whether Conway’s bat was on or over the line, and deciding in which frame the bails were fully removed.

While when light-up bails are in use, it’s the moment of the first flash that the wickets are judged to be put down, when traditional wooden stumps are used, the Laws of Cricket decree the wicket to be put down if “a bail is completely removed from the top of the stumps”. Conway was eventually given out, though not everyone agreed with the decision.

Out or not out? 🤔#ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/4ZeRQgVzuI

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) June 3, 2021

What wasn’t up for debate was the quality of the knock, with a number of records going the way of the New Zealander. His was the second highest score by an opener on Test debut, the second highest score by a Blackcaps player on debut, and the highest score on debut in England.

He now averages exactly 200 in Tests, to go with an average of 75.00 in ODIs and 59.12 in T20Is. At the age of 29, Conway has had to wait his turn for a go at international cricket – the only other player as old to score 150 on debut is WG Grace – and he looks hellbent on making up for lost time.