2nd Test, Hamilton, November 29, 2019, 03:30 AM
New Zealand
375/10(129.1ov) & 241/2(75ov)
England
476/10(162.5ov)
New Zealand drew with England
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Joe Root
Commentry
Right! A tour which had a lot of expectations, could not quite turn up the way it was advertised. The T20Is were a superhit but the Tests were very dull, except that final day of the first Test. However, the next two series which these two teams play promise much more excitement - New Zealand in Australia and England in South Africa. There will be the India-West Indies series as well in between. So you see, there is plenty of cricket to come before the year ends. For now, we just take a short break. See you soon. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Kane Williamson is handed the series trophy and that is yet another victory for New Zealand at home! Their 5th successive series win, beating West Indies, England (2017), Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and now England again. Good confidence heading into Australia.
New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson, is happy with the fight shown by his side in spite of losing the toss. Admits that the surface here was a tough one, not quite breaking up as much as they expected and also laments the time lost due to the weather. But putting it from the players' perspective, he lauds the intent from his team, with bowlers wanting to bowl in tough conditions even when nothing was going their way. Is looking forward to an exciting tour of Australia. Praises Daryl Mitchell for his contribution on debut and also Matt Henry for slotting in nicely. On their upcoming tour of Australia, Williamson admits that his side will have to adapt to some new challenges in that country.
England captain, Joe Root now, talking as a skipper. Is disappointed with the game being abandoned early and also with the pitch not quite opening up, but is happy with the bowling last evening and this morning. Is pleased with his young side which is always wanting to learn. Believes that if they keep up this consistency, they can become a side hard to beat. Admits that on flat pitches, it becomes difficult to pick wickets and not let shoulders droop. But also feels that England have learnt a lot in this series and can take a lot of positives to their next tour of South Africa. Reckons that the players are extremely lucky to have a support staff like the one currently.
NEIL WAGNER HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE SERIES. 2 consecutive 5-wicket hauls. No interview.
ENGLAND CAPTAIN, JOE ROOT, HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH. Says that it felt good to score a century after 15 innings. On the areas he was working on during his lean run, Root says that he worked on small technical things, like position at the crease and so on. On the match, he is glad to have contributed and believes that his team was in a position to force a result but could not quite do it. Feels the pitch did not break up as much as they expected it to but praises his bowlers and his batsmen for coming back from the big first match defeat.
Coming to the Black Caps - they will grab more eyeballs than the SA-Eng series. They travel across the Tasman to meet arch rivals Australia in a series, which could perhaps decide the second World Test Championship finalist. It is almost taken for granted that India will breeze through the group stages and end on top but by the looks of it, one of either Australia or New Zealand would meet them in the final. This series will go a long way in deciding that. The Kiwis have won just one Test series in Australia - way back in 1985/86 but one will agree that of all the NZ teams to have visited Australia in the last 30 years, this one is certainly the best. No disrespect to the rest. Please stay tuned for the presentation.
To sum up the tour, clearly England have a lot of work to do with their bowling. Their batting still looks decent but they lack penetrating bowlers except for Stuart Broad. They now travel to South Africa, where they should find conducive pitches to bowling. But do they have bowlers back home to exploit those? They have not lost a Test series in the rainbow nation since 1999 - so history holds them in good stead.
Was there a chance with the Black Caps at 28/2 and trailing by 73 on Day 4? Definitely. Was there a chance on the morning of Day 5? For sure. But England messed up whatever chances they had, dropping catches and missing run outs. As a result, a masterclass was witnessed from Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, both scoring centuries and racking up an unbeaten partnership of 213 till rain helped the bowlers by coming in post Lunch.
Perhaps choosing to field was the right call from Joe Root. In reply to NZ's 375, his own team managed 476 with the skipper himself coming back to form in style, amassing his third double century. Do not forget the contributions of Rory Burns and Ollie Pope.
A bit of a disappointing pitch from a spectator's and player's point of view. A batsman's paradise - yes. As many as 5 centuries. But look at the bowling strike rate - 100.09! A deathbed for the bowlers as all struggled. Yes, Wagner did get a 5-fer, Broad did get a 4-fer but at what cost? Heavy. The batsmen enjoyed, albeit scoring at an attritional rate but that hardly mattered in this Test.
Sigh. This was coming, wasn't it? THE GAME HAS BEEN ABANDONED AND THE SECOND TEST ENDS IN A DRAW. The umpires had a look at the ground and seeing the puddles forming, there was no way we could have had a resumption soon. Given the rain forecast, this was always on the cards but who knows, if England had held on to their catches this morning, would they have been in with a chance for a win? Ifs and buts are nothing but whims and fancies...
3.15 pm local update (0215 GMT) - Called off? Don't think so. It is raining, no one can win, no one can lose, why can't common sense be used? Paul Wilson and Kumar Dharmasena have a chat with one another, then the groundstaff and then with the captains. But no handshakes. So no official confirmation yet. But we are not far from an abandonment. We are hearing that there will be an official announcement at 4 pm local (0300 GMT). Cannot promise any positive news. Just delaying the inevitable...
3 pm local update (0200 GMT) - Rain, rain and more rain. We are hearing that the umpires could take a call at 3.15 pm local time. Would that be a call off? Don't see this rain stopping any time soon.
2.30 pm local update (0130 GMT) - Nothing much to update. If any, the rain has gotten heavier and looks set to reside. Hopefully, we get some news soon.
1.55 pm local update (0055 GMT) - Drip, drip, drip. The drizzle has begun. And now, it has increased. The rain is falling properly. Williamson and Taylor shake hands and the players go off the field. It is not too heavy right now, with only the main square being covered. But the forecast looks pretty grim. Please stay tuned for updates.
74.6
.
Full and around off, well defended.
74.5
.
Punched off the back foot by the batsman.
74.4
6
SIX! Another massive hit and there comes the century! His 19th in Tests. Full and outside off, Rosco gets down and mows the slog sweep again, well over mid-wicket! He really likes this venue. 1066 runs in Tests here, at an average of 56.10, with 6 centuries and 2 fifties in 23 innings. Gets it in the nick of time too, with the heavens about to open up.
74.3
6
SIX! 99 is the score for Rosco! Full and around middle, Taylor gets down and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket. There is a man in the deep but it does not matter as the ball sails over!
74.2
4
FOUR! THRASH! Into the 90s! Full and around off, Taylor gets down and mows the slog sweep over mid-wicket for a boundary! 200-RUN STAND IS UP AS WELL!
74.1
.
ALMOST A CATCH! Full on middle and leg, Taylor looks to flick but the bat hits the ground and the ball flies towards short mid-wicket. Rory Burns dives to his left but the ball falls short of him.
In over# 1
0
1
2
0
1
1
Joe Denly 27/0(9)
73.6
.
Full and around off, Williamson lunges and smothers it.
73.5
1
Very full, outside off, drilled through the covers for one.
73.4
2
Full and outside off, Rosco gets down and laps it through fine leg for a couple.
73.3
.
Short now, outside off, cut straight to backward point.
73.2
1
Floated generously outside off, pushed through the covers for a run.
73.1
1
Full and around off, eased through the covers for a single.
In over# 1
0
4
0
2
0
1b
Joe Root 7/0(3)
72.6
.
Another one on the pads, flicked towards the leg side.
72.5
4
FOUR! 100 for Kane Williamson! He has surely been lucky to get to this milestone but a man makes his own luck. Floated on middle and off, Williamson gets down on one knee and sweeps this one through backward square leg for a boundary. This is the Kiwi skipper's 21st Test hundred but this should be counted among his lucky ones.
72.4
.
On the pads, worked towards square leg.
72.3
2
Run out chance missed! How many lives has Kane Williamson got? Floated ball on off, Williamson pushes this one towards mid off and sets off. Curran there picks up the ball and goes for a direct hit towards the non-striker's end but misses. Had he hit, Williamson was gone for all money and that too so close to his ton. The ball goes towards fine leg as the back up fielder fails to collect it and Williamson is back on strike as he gets a couple. Moves to 99 with that.
72.2
.
Williamson prods forward and defends this one.
72.1
1b
Down the leg side by Root, Taylor looks to pull but misses. The ball goes off the keeper's glove over the leg slip fielder and the batters steal a bye.
In over# 1
0
1
1
0
0
0
Joe Denly 22/0(8)
71.6
.
The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
71.5
1
Taylor takes this one on the full and paddles this towards the leg side for a single.
71.4
1
First run of the session as Williamson pushes this one towards cover and takes a single.
71.3
.
Williamson prods forward and defends again.
71.2
.
Floated on off, pushed down towards mid off.
Joe Denly to continue from the other end. 7-1-20-0 are his figures so far.
71.1
.
Shortish outside off, cut towards point.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Joe Root 1/0(2)
70.6
.
Maiden to start the second session. Floated delivery on middle and off, Taylor is solid in his defense.
70.5
.
Taylor again dances down and blocks.
70.4
.
Floated on off, pushed towards mid off.
70.3
.
Taylor comes down the track to this floated ball and defends.
70.2
.
On the pads again, worked towards the leg side.
70.1
.
Starts with a flatter delivery on the pads, pushed back towards Root.
It has gone dark around the Hamilton region and showers are predicted in this session but the players and crowd alike will be hoping to have a full game. The floodlights are beginning to take effect too. The England players walk out to the middle followed by the formidable batting pair of Williamson and Taylor. Joe Root, the English skipper, to start the procedings. Here we go...
... Day 5, Session 2 ...
So, from the question of whether both batsmen will get to 50, we have come to whether both legends will get to a century. Looking at England's fielding and bowling, even 200s would not have been ruled out. But. An external factor. Rain. We are hearing that it is on its way towards Seddon Park and the entire afternoon might be in jeopardy. Join us back, hopefully, for some action, at 1.40 pm local (0040 GMT).
England started the day getting a chance down the leg side, only for Ollie Pope to fluff it. Then came an embarrassing moment for Joe Denly as he perhaps dropped the simplest of catches in cricket. That took the sting out of the England attack as they looked distraught and resigned to the fate of a dull draw. None of the bowlers were impressive enough to create a strong hold.
Wind back the clocks. Turn back the tides. The old duo of Rosco and Willy has come back in form, right in time for the upcoming Test series across the Tasman. 115 runs scored in 36 overs. Plenty of chances given, none taken.
In over# 1
4
0
4
0
1
0
Ben Stokes 58/0(14)
69.6
4
FOUR! Terrific shot again! Short and down the leg side, Williamson pulls it to the left of short fine leg. The ball races away and Sam Curran runs very fast to his left from fine leg. Dives but misses. Too much power on it. LUNCH ON DAY 5, NZ LEAD BY 110!
69.5
.
A short ball again, pulled straight to short fine leg.
69.4
4
FOUR! Nicely pulled. A short ball, down the leg side, Williamson swivels and pulls it nicely through square leg. Moves to 92 now.
69.3
.
Again a bouncer, Williamson opts to duck.
69.2
1
Bouncer on middle and off, pulled towards square leg for one.
69.1
.
Length ball on middle and off, defended out.
In over# 1
0
1
0
0
0
0
Joe Root 1/0(1)
68.6
.
Loud appeal but turned down! The height factor maybe? Root bowls a shortish ball on middle and leg, it pitches and straightens. Williamson looks to tuck it towards the leg side but misses. He is hit very high on the pad. Root and the England players put in a huge and lengthy appeal but the umpire turns it down. Root thinks about taking the review but eventually opts against it. The only factor that might be going against England looks like height here.
68.5
1
On the pads, flicked towards the mid-wicket region for a single. With this single, Ross Taylor becomes just the second New Zealand batsman to score 7000 Test runs, after Stephen Fleming. Class apart!
68.4
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
68.3
.
On the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket.
68.2
.
Floated on off, defended towards the leg side.
68.1
.
Full and around middle, watchfully defended.
Joe Root comes on to bowl now. 12 overs to go to the second new ball. 6 minutes to go to Lunch.
In over# 1
0
0
1
1wd
1
0
1
Ben Stokes 49/0(13)
67.6
.
On middle and leg, pushed towards mid on.
67.5
.
On the pads of Williamson this time, he flicks this one fine down the leg side but the man at leg gully saves it.
67.4
1
On the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket for one. The lead is now 100 runs.
67.4
1wd
Wide! Bouncer but way too high over the head of Taylor. He leaves it alone.
67.3
1
Length ball on middle and leg, pulled towards backward square leg for one.
Now, the mandatory concussion check. Williamson just has a look at his helmet. He seems fine. Wait. The physio has not come out. It is the 12th man, Lockie Ferguson, who has come out with a helmet.
67.2
.
NOT OUT! But that might have hurt Williamson. He looks okay though. Bouncer on middle and leg, it hurries onto Williamson who looks to hook but misses. The ball goes onto hit his helmet and lobs towards Ollie Pope who does take the catch this time. England put in the mildest of appeals but nothing from umpire Dharmasena. The England players think about taking the review and take their chance by going for it at the last second. Replays roll in, Hot Spot and Snicko confirm no bat involved. However, the ball has hit Williamson on the helmet and might have hurt him a bit.
What has happened there? Pope and Stokes are celebrating and appealing for a catch. But Williamson is going nowhere. He just shakes his head with a smile. England have taken a desperate review and to their disappointment, nothing comes up on Snicko or Hot Spot. The ball has gone off the helmet.
The breeze seems to have picked up. Is the predicted rain coming on time?
67.1
1
Ohh! Close one! Back of a length ball on middle. Taylor goes back and pulls this one uppishly but strongly towards square leg. The fielder there inside the circle dives to his left but cannot get to it. The ball goes in the deep and the batters take two.
In over# 1
0
0
0
2
0
0
Sam Curran 56/1(16)
66.6
.
Landed outside off, dabbed to gully.
66.5
.
The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
66.4
.
Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
66.3
2
Outside off, played through point for a couple.
66.2
.
On a good length outside off, defended from the crease.
66.1
.
Yorker outside off, squeezed towards cover.
In over# 1
2
2nb
0
1
0
0
0
Ben Stokes 45/0(12)
65.6
2
Another length ball on middle following the no ball, this time Taylor pulls this one towards the square leg region. Woakes from mid-wicket and Archer from fine leg run towards it. They are unsure of who will field it. Eventually Archer stops the ball near the fence with his boot. Two runs taken.
65.6
2nb
No ball! Overstepping by Ben Stokes! Length ball on middle, Williamson pulls this one towards square leg for one.
65.5
.
Pitching just outside leg, coming towards Williamson, he does not look to offer a shot. The ball hits him on the arm guard, then onto the thigh pad and it rolls towards the leg side.
65.4
1
Back of a length ball on middle, Williamson swivels and pulls this one towards square leg for a single.
65.3
.
This time Taylor pulls to this length ball but it goes straight to the man at square leg.
65.2
.
Similar ball, worked towards the leg side again.
65.1
.
Length ball on middle, worked towards the leg side.
Ben Stokes is back into the attack. 11-1-40-0 so far.
In over# 1
0
4
0
0
0
0
Sam Curran 54/1(15)
64.6
.
On off, pushed towards the cover region.
64.5
4
FOUR! Sprays one down the leg side, going down with the angle. Williamson just helps it towards the fine leg region for a boundary. First one after 52 balls.
64.4
.
Full ball on middle and off, defended back towards the bowler.
64.3
.
The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
64.2
.
Good length ball on off, defended out.
64.1
.
Good length ball on off, Williamson drives this one superbly towards the mid off region where the fielder makes a good stop.
In over# 1
1
1
0
0
0
0
Joe Denly 20/0(7)
63.6
1
Shortish outside off, Williamson punches this one past the diving point fielder. The man at sweeper cover collects and a single is taken.
63.5
1
Bad bowling! Denly sprays this one down the leg side and allows Taylor to take a single towards square leg.
63.4
.
Floated outside off, Taylor leaves it alone.
63.3
.
Tossed up outside off, Taylor cuts this one but straight to the man at point.
63.2
.
Rosco defends this one by presenting the full face of the bat.
63.1
.
Floated on off, pushed to the man at cover.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Sam Curran 50/1(14)
62.6
.
Good length ball on off, pushed towards mid off to get through the over.
62.5
.
Length ball outside off, left alone.
62.4
.
Fullish ball on off, pushed towards mid off.
62.3
.
Good length ball on off, pushed towards the off side.
62.2
.
Good length ball on off, defended back towards Curran.
62.1
1
Starts the new spell with a ball on the hips, pushed towards square leg for a single.
Sam Curran is back on. 13-2-49-1, his figures so far.
In over# 1
2
0
2
0
0
0
Joe Denly 18/0(6)
61.6
2
Floated on off, Williamson sweeps this one towards backward square leg for a couple.
61.5
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
61.4
2
Shortish delivery on leg, Williamson pulls this one towards square leg for a couple.
61.3
.
Flatter one on off, defended towards cover.
61.2
.
Flatter this time outside leg. Kane defends this one towards the leg side.
61.1
.
Floated on the leg pole, defended off the front foot.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
0
0
Chris Woakes 12/1(11)
60.6
1
Bad ball, on the pads, nudged down to fine leg for a single.
60.5
.
Williamson prods forward and defends it onto the ground.
What is this? A semi-circle is on offer! A crowd of fielders is surrounding Williamson. A short mid-wicket, then another short mid-wicket to his left, then a silly mid on - these are on the leg side. On the opposite, there is a silly mid off, then a short extra cover and a short cover. All six of those are standing like dots on a paper, in a straight line.
60.4
.
Length ball just around off, Williamson knows exactly where his off pole is and makes the leave.
60.3
.
Fullish ball on off, pushed towards the cover region.
60.2
.
Full ball wide outside off, jammed out towards point.
60.1
.
Length ball outside off, left alone by the batter.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Joe Denly 14/0(5)
59.6
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
59.5
.
Full and outside leg, flicked towards the bowler.
59.4
.
Full and outside leg, Rosco looks to sweep but misses and is hit on the pads.
59.3
.
Outside off, slightly short, Rosco goes back to cut but mistimes it towards cover.
59.2
.
Full and around off, pushed towards cover.
59.1
1
A tossed up full toss, around leg, pushed down to long on for a single. 150-RUN STAND comes up with that. Guess this should be enough to make this a draw.
In over# 1
0
1
0
0
1
0
Chris Woakes 11/1(10)
58.6
.
Landed outside off, Rosco looks to tap and run to the off side but is sent back.
58.5
1
A fractionally short ball outside off, Kane looks to punch but gets it off the bottom half of the bat through point. By the time Jofra Archer gets to the ball from point, a quick single is taken.
58.4
.
Full and just around middle, Williamson defends solidly.
58.3
.
Around off, defended solidly.
58.2
1
Low full toss, down the leg side, going for the yorker, Taylor flicks it through square leg for a single.
Good news on the weather side in Hamilton. The skies are looking clear with the sun shining bright. Let's hope it stays this way!
58.1
.
Full and around off, driven back to the bowler. Nicely stopped by Woakes.
In over# 1
2
0
0
1
0
0
Joe Denly 13/0(4)
57.6
2
Full and around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple.
57.5
.
The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
57.4
.
Around off, watchfully blocked out.
57.3
1
Full and outside off, Taylor looks to drive but gets a thick outside edge wide of slip. A single taken.
57.2
.
Floated around off, driven back to the bowler.
57.1
.
Full and around off, watchfully defended.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Chris Woakes 9/1(9)
56.6
.
Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
56.5
.
Outside off, punched off the back foot.
56.4
.
Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.
56.3
.
Around off, defended from the crease.
56.2
.
Yorker on the leg stump, Williamson digs it out at the last minute.
56.1
.
Length and around off and middle, defended to the leg side.
In over# 1
4
0
1
1
1
1
Joe Denly 10/0(3)
55.6
4
FOUR! A bad ball to finish. Shorter and outside off, flatter one at that, Taylor picks the length in a trice and cuts it through point. The ball races to the fence in a flash.
55.5
.
Floated on off, tapped towards point.
55.4
1
Tossed up on off, Williamson drives it through covers for a single.
55.3
1
Flighted one around off, driven towards covers for a single.
55.2
1
Floated on off, pushed through covers for a run.
55.1
1
Tossed up on off, driven through covers for a run.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Chris Woakes 9/1(8)
54.6
.
Good length and around off, tapped towards covers.
54.5
.
Length and on off, punched off the back foot towards covers.
54.4
.
Length and around off, Williamson defends it to the off side.
54.3
.
Full and swinging in on the pads, Kane flicks it to mid on.
54.2
.
Nicely played. Full and around off, Kane drives it with the straightest of bats. The bowler fields in his followthrough.
54.1
1
Full and on the pads, worked towards deep square leg for a run.
Chris Woakes into the attack now. 7-3-8-1 so far.
In over# 1
2
0
0
0
0
0
Joe Denly 2/0(2)
53.6
2
Shorter and around middle, Williamson pulls it to mid-wicket for a couple.
53.5
.
Full and on the pads, flicked to square leg.
53.4
.
Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.
53.3
.
The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
53.2
.
Landed outside off, nicely floated, left alone.
53.1
.
Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Joe Denly into the attack now. 1-1-0-0 so far.
In over# 1
0
0
1
0
1
1
Jofra Archer 27/0(12)
52.6
.
Full and around middle, Taylor looks to flick but gets a leading edge towards cover.
52.5
.
Around off, watchfully defended.
52.4
1
Full on middle, punched down the ground for a run.
52.3
.
A bouncer now, Taylor ducks.
52.2
1
Around middle, worked through the leg side for a single.
52.1
1
Fuller one outside off, Taylor drives it through cover-point for a run.
DRINKS BREAK. What an hour. Nothing has happened, yet plenty has happened. New Zealand have not lost a wicket but they have given two catches and a run out opportunity - only for England to shell all. All the lives have been given to Williamson and it seems like the visitors are just going through the motions. The duo is pressing on the acceleration now and with the lead crossing 50, it is getting more and more difficult for England to enforce a result.
In over# 1
1
1
0
1
0
0
Stuart Broad 28/0(9)
51.6
1
Full and outside off, eased through the covers for one.
BOWLED! But a dead ball. Broad was charging in but Williamson backed away at the last moment. Broad though, continued to steam in and fired in a yorker, at the base of off stump.
51.5
1
Short again, pulled through square leg for a run.
51.4
.
Down the leg side, Taylor looks to pull it away but misses.
51.3
1
A short ball, Williamson pulls it through square leg for a single.
51.2
.
A bouncer now, Williamson ducks.
51.1
.
Full and outside off, Williamson looks to drive but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Jofra Archer 24/0(11)
50.6
.
Miscommunication! More luck for Williamson. Taylor defends this length ball off his pads to the leg side. Kane runs down the track in a jiffy but Rosco sends him back. Archer runs across towards the ball and throws it towards the non-striker's end. Williamson has to turn back and run. Though he makes it with a dive. Archer's throw misses the stumps and the fielder backing up at mid off does well to field it by diving across to his right.
50.5
.
Slightly fuller and around off, driven to mid off.
50.4
.
Good length and around off, blocked towards covers.
50.3
.
Length and around off, defended to mid-wicket.
50.2
.
Back of a length and on off, Ross hops inside the crease and blocks it to the leg side.
50.1
.
Length and angling on off, Taylor defends it with soft hands to the leg side.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Stuart Broad 25/0(8)
49.6
.
A bouncer on middle, ducked under.
49.5
.
Full and outside off, Williamson just dead-bats it.
49.4
.
Another back foot defense on offer.
49.3
.
Around off, well kept out.
49.2
.
Full and around off, watchfully defended towards mid off.
49.1
1
A short ball, around off, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single.
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
1
0
Jofra Archer 24/0(10)
48.6
.
Length ball on middle and off, defended.
48.5
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
48.4
.
DROPPED! What has Denly done there? This has to be one of the easiest catches which has been put down. You just cannot afford to give lives like these to one of the best batsmen in the world. Archer bowls a slower delivery on the pads, at 122.6 kph. Williamson goes for the flick towards mid-wicket but does so uppishly. It goes straight to Denly at short mid-wicket, softly, right at stomach height. He gets the ball in his hands but has put it down somehow. Archer started celebrating even before the catch was taken but they is cut short. He just has a smile on his face. Williamson lives on to die another day.
48.3
1
Length ball on middle and off, defended towards cover-point for one.
48.2
1
On the pads, worked towards the leg side for a single.
48.1
.
Bouncer down the leg side, Williamson ducks under it.
In over# 1
1
0
1
0
0
1
Stuart Broad 24/0(7)
47.6
1
Length ball wide outside off, the batter cuts it towards deep point but just a single taken.
47.5
.
Length ball on off, defended.
47.4
1
On off, it is driven towards the cover region for a single. The lead for New Zealand is now 50 runs.
47.3
.
Full and just outside off, watchfully kept out.
47.2
.
Around off, slightly slower in pace, watchfully defended towards cover.
47.1
1
Full and outside off, Williamson drives this through the covers. Initially, he calls for the couple but a good fielding effort makes him change his mind. 150 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND, lead by 49. The skipper moves to 60.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
0
1
Jofra Archer 22/0(9)
46.6
1
On the hips, Williamson works this one towards mid-wicket with soft hands and takes a single.
46.5
.
Full ball on off, driven towards mid off
46.4
.
Down the leg side, Williamson looks to flick but misses,
46.3
.
Good length ball on off, pushed towards the point region.
46.2
.
Bouncer on middle and off, Williamson sways away.
46.1
1
On the pads, worked towards the leg side for a single.
In over# 1
0
0
3
0
0
0
Stuart Broad 21/0(6)
45.6
.
Length ball on off, pushed towards point.
45.5
.
The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
45.4
3
Bad fielding and worse fall for Crawley! Fullish ball around off, Taylor pushes this one towards the cover-point region. Crawley from point runs to his right, gets down to gather the ball but misses it. He falls down after tumbling in his followthrough. The ball trudges towards the deep and the batters take three.
45.3
.
Full ball on off, pushed towards mid off.
45.2
.
Outside off, played towards point.
45.1
.
Pitched up ball on off, driven towards wide mid off.
Stuart Broad into the attack for the first time in the day. Can he bring the match to life and give England the chance to enforce a result?
In over# 1
0
1
0
0
0
0
Jofra Archer 20/0(8)
44.6
.
Another bouncer, this time on middle. Williamson ducks under it.
44.5
1
Bouncer on middle and leg, Taylor pulls this one towards backward square leg for a single.
44.4
.
Pitched up ball on off, Taylor drives this one towards the man at mid off.
44.3
.
On the pads, flicked towards the short mid-wicket fielder.
44.2
.
On off, Taylor drives this one towards the cover region.
44.1
.
Full ball on middle and leg, pushed towards the man at mid on.
Jofra Archer to bowl for the first time today. 7-0-19-0 so far.
In over# 1
1
0
4
4
0
0
Ben Stokes 40/0(11)
43.6
1
Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
43.5
.
Around off, Taylor looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.
43.4
4
FOUR! More width and bang. Short outside off, Taylor cuts it away through the covers this time!
43.3
4
FOUR! Free gift for Taylor and he gets to his half century. Short and wide outside off, Taylor slashes it over point and gets a boundary.
43.2
.
Around off, coming in with the angle, Rosco hops and defends.
43.1
.
A short ball, outside off, Taylor pummels the pull straight to square leg.
In over# 1
1
0
1
4
0
4
Sam Curran 49/1(13)
42.6
1
On off, Taylor plays this one towards point and takes a single to retain strike.
42.5
.
The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
42.4
1
On the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket for a single.
42.3
4
EDGED AND FOUR! Length ball on off, Williamson looks to play it late, trying to defend but plays it too late for his liking. The ball takes the outside edge and goes through the vacant slip cordon for a boundary through third man.
42.2
.
Length ball on middle and leg, angling in. Williamson looks to tuck it towards the leg side but the ball goes off the outside edge towards point.
42.1
4
FOUR! 32nd Test fifty for Kane Williamson. What a batsman, pure class! This is a pitched up ball on off, Williamson leans into the shot and drives this one through the extra cover region for a boundary. This also brings up the 100-run stand between Williamson and Taylor. The experienced duo bringing the Kiwi ship to safe shores once again.
In over# 1
0
1
1
4
1
1
Ben Stokes 31/0(10)
41.6
.
Bouncer way down the leg side, Taylor leaves it alone.
41.5
1
Another short delivery, this time down the leg side. Williamson pulls this one towards backward square leg for one.
41.4
1
Short ball on the body, Taylor pulls but the man at square leg dives to his left and parries it which allows the batters to take a single.
41.3
4
FOUR! Length ball just outside off, Taylor goes back and cuts this one fiercely through the point region for a boundary.
41.2
1
On the hips of Taylor, he nudges it down to fine leg for a single.
41.1
1
Shortish ball outside off, Taylor pulls and the ball goes towards the man at deep mid-wicket for a single.
In over# 1
2
0
0
0
0
0
Sam Curran 39/1(12)
40.6
2
Good length ball just outside off, Williamson just times his punch down the ground. The man from mid off gives it a chase and keeps it down to a couple.
40.5
.
Another fullish ball, pushed back towards the bowler.
40.4
.
Full ball on off, pushed towards cover.
40.3
.
Pitched up ball on off, Williamson opens the face of the bat and pushes it towards gully.
40.2
.
Bouncer on middle and leg, ducked under by Williamson.
40.1
.
Good length ball on middle and off, blocked out.
In over# 1
0
1
0
0
0
0
Ben Stokes 23/0(9)
39.6
.
Back of a length ball on middle, Taylor pulls this one powerfully but straight towards the man at mid-wicket.
39.5
1
Good length ball on off, pushed towards cover for a single.
39.4
.
Length ball outside off, left alone by the Kiwi skipper.
39.3
.
The batsman defends it from within the crease.
39.2
.
Down the leg side, flick shot missed.
39.1
.
A bouncer on middle, Williamson ducks.
In over# 1
0
4
1
1lb
0
4
Sam Curran 37/1(11)
38.6
.
Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
38.5
4
LEADING EDGE, FOUR! Full and around off, swinging in, Taylor looks to flick but the ball goes off the leading edge through the vacant gully region to the third man fence!
38.4
1
Full and outside off, Rosco drives it through the covers where the fielder does well to stop the ball. A quick single taken.
38.3
1lb
Down the leg side, Rosco looks to flick but misses. The ball goes off his thigh pads and the batsmen take a leg bye.
Joe Root has got some imaginative captaincy here. He has got a couple of short mid-wickets and a silly mid off for Ross Taylor.
38.2
.
Around off, solidly defended.
38.1
4
FOUR! CLASSY! Overpitched outside off, Taylor leans and drives it through the covers!
In over# 1
4
0
0
0
0
0
Ben Stokes 22/0(8)
37.6
4
FOUR! Good reply by Williamson, Stokes bowls another back of a length ball on off. Williamson pulls this towards mid-wicket for a boundary.
37.5
.
Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
37.4
.
DROPPED! Williamson gets a life and Ollie Pope is the culprit! Stokes bowls one down the leg side, near the hips. Williamson looks to flick but does not get any bat on it. The ball goes off his gloves, onto the hips and then to the left of Ollie Pope. The keeper does dive to his left, gets two hands to the ball but fails to hold onto it. A regulation catch for a keeper. Will this prove to be the game-changer? Stokes does not want Pope to let his confidence down and is seen applauding him.
37.3
.
Bouncer on middle and off, ducked under.
37.2
.
Down the leg side this time, Williamson does not fiddle with it.
37.1
.
Bouncer on middle and leg, Williamson ducks under it.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sam Curran 28/1(10)
36.6
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
36.5
.
Outside off, punched straight to silly mid off.
36.4
.
Full and outside off, driven straight to silly mid off.
36.3
.
NOT OUT! Taylor is comfortably in. Good length ball on off, Rosco defends it back towards the bowler. Curran gathers the ball and throws it at the striker's end in a flash. He hits and the leg umpire goes upstairs for a safety check. Replays show that Taylor is well in.
RUN OUT? Or not? Sam Curran has fired in a throw at the striker's end, just to check Taylor's footwork. No one is overly perturbed or excited but we have the mandatory third umpire check. Here come the replays. Taylor is back in before the ball can hit the stumps.
36.2
.
This time on middle and leg, Taylor defends.
36.1
.
Pitched up ball just outside off, Taylor prods forward and blocks.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
0
0
Ben Stokes 18/0(7)
35.6
1
This time Taylor finds the gap and is able to pull it towards the man in the deep at mid-wicket for a single.
35.5
.
Another pull shot superbly timed by Taylor, the fielder at mid-wicket does well to dive to his right and gather it.
35.4
.
Back of a length by Broad again, Taylor looks pulls but straight to the man at mid-wicket.
35.3
.
Down the leg side again, Taylor defends.
35.2
.
Length ball outside off, pushed towards the off side.
35.1
.
Back of a length ball on the leg side, Taylor goes back and initially looks to tuck it fine. But then, he seems to think better of it, with a short leg in place. So, he looks to abort his shot and is cramped for room. As a result, the ball hits his glove and deflects onto the rib and drops down. Could have so easily gone to short leg or the keeper.
Ben Stokes to bowl from the other end. 6-1-17-0, his figures so far.
In over# 1
0
0
0
2
0
0
Sam Curran 28/1(9)
34.6
.
This time on the off pole line, Williamson prods forward and defends. Gets through the first over of the day easily.
34.5
.
Good length ball on middle and off, Williamson defends it back towards Curran.
34.4
.
Pitched up ball outside off, Williamson defends.
34.3
2
New Zealand are underway on Day 5. Williamson shuffles across and flicks this one off his pad towards deep mid-wicket for a couple.
34.2
.
This stayed a touch low, Williamson defends stoutly.
34.1
.
On a length around off, solidly defended.
The players are out in the middle. Williamson and Taylor get ready to resume their innings. Who will start the proceedings with the ball? Sam Curran it will be, to Williamson. Here we go...
Pitch report - Mark Richardson is down for the pitch report. Starts by saying that the forecast for the afternoon is heavy rain. Mentions that there has not been enough sunshine to make serious cracks and dry out the surface. States that the odd ball has stayed low but the track is still very good for batting.
Talking about the match, New Zealand are just 5 behind and have 8 wickets in hand. In an extremely hypothetical situation, the Brits can try and bowl New Zealand out under a lead of 100 and then chase it down. But do they have the time?
Not the best of days to play cricket, with heavy clouds welcoming us. More clouds are expected on the way and the forecast for the afternoon is for rain and for serious rain.
Welcome, welcome, all come! 2-0, 1-0 or 1-1? The first and third results look highly unlikely given that there is rain scheduled around Lunch. But can England pick up a few wickets and gain some confidence ahead of the South African tour? The final day of the series beckons.
... THE FINAL DAY ...
So how do we look at Day 5? If we get a full day's play, anything can happen. England then become favourites to produce a result if anyone can, with New Zealand still trailing by 5 and 2 down, but with fickle weather forecast, a draw might be the most realistic thing emerging. The English bowlers look tired and secretly would be hoping that they get some rest. Or at least, conditions in their favour, wherein they can nip out batsmen quickly. Join us at 10.30 am local (2130 GMT, previous night) for all the action from the final day of this match and series. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Once the Kiwis conceded a lead of 101, victory for them was more or less thrown out of the window. Given that the forecast for Tuesday is not very promising, England needed to strike as many times as they could before that lead was erased and they did. Both the Kiwi openers were dismissed inside 9 overs and it seemed like more were going to come but the old warhorses, Williamson and Taylor have held fort amidst a 68-run stand.
Excellent day for England, excellent day for Joe Root. He maintained his form since last night, not throwing it away and carrying on and on. In Graham Gooch's words, his 'daddy hundred' helped his side gain a lead of 101. Do not forget Ollie Pope who was excellent for his 75. Wagner did get 5 wickets but those were what we call 'cheap scalps' as the English batsmen just threw their bats at everything.
Ben Stokes hurries across to take his cap from umpire Kumara Dharmasena, hoping that there will be one more over but the answer is no. That will be STUMPS ON DAY 4. An intriguing day's play, which had some action, a little bit of thrill and depending on the weather on Tuesday, we might still get a result.
In over# 1
0
4
0
1
0
0
Ben Stokes 17/0(6)
33.6
.
Length ball on middle and off, defended out.
33.5
4
FOUR! Close one! Taylor should be looking to avoid playing shots like that but cannot curb his instinct. Stokes bowls a back of a length ball just outside off, Taylor gets on his toes and cuts it uppishly just to the left of Rory Burns who is standing at gully for that catch. Had that gone to Rory, Taylor would have been cursing himself. Instead, he gets a boundary.
33.4
.
This time a bouncer on middle and off, Taylor ducks under it.
33.3
1
On the pads, worked towards square leg for one.
33.2
.
Bouncer down the leg side, Williamson ducks under it.
33.1
.
Length delivery fine down the leg side, Williamson flicks but straight to short fine leg.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Joe Denly 0/0(1)
32.6
.
Tossed up on middle, Rosco shows the full face of the bat and blocks it out.
32.5
.
Taylor prods forward and defends this tossed up delivery.
32.4
.
Another shortish delivery which is cut away but again stopped in the point region.
32.3
.
Floated on off, pushed towards the cover region.
32.2
.
Floated on middle, watchfully defended.
32.1
.
Shortish and outside off to start the spell, Taylor goes back and cuts but straight to backward point.
Spin time! Joe Denly into the attack to bowl some leggies.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
0
0
Ben Stokes 12/0(5)
31.6
1
The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
31.5
.
Bouncer on the leg pole line, Taylor initially looks to pull but in the end bails out and looks to defend. He misses the ball and is hit on the left elbow.
31.4
.
Full and around off, worked straight to short mid-wicket.
31.3
.
A bouncer now, Rosco ducks.
31.2
.
The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot.
31.1
.
Around middle, Taylor looks to flick but the ball hits his pads and lobs over short leg.
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
0
1
Chris Woakes 8/1(7)
30.6
.
Poor keeping by Ollie Pope and England have been given a penalty of 5 runs as the ball has hit the helmet of the keeper. Woakes bowls one down the leg side, Williamson looks to flick but misses. The ball lands in front of Pope but he fails to gather the ball. It rolls behind and hits the helmet and the umpire signals for a penalty of 5 runs.
30.5
.
Full ball on off, watchfully defended.
30.4
.
The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.
30.3
1
Another length ball on off, pushed towards the cover region for a single.
30.2
.
Length ball outside off, played towards point.
30.1
1
On the pads of Williamson, he works it towards cover for a single.
In over# 1
4
0
0
0
0
0
Ben Stokes 11/0(3)
29.6
4
FOUR! Beautiful shot! Full ball on off, driven towards the cover region with precision in the gap for a boundary.
29.5
.
The batsman works it down the leg side.
29.4
.
Back of a length ball on off, Taylor looks to pull but misses and is hit on the body.
29.3
.
Another bouncer which is sprayed down the leg side and does not trouble the batter.
29.2
.
Length ball on middle and leg, Taylor tucks this one towards mid-wicket.
29.1
.
Bouncer down the leg side, left alone.
In over# 1
1
0
3
0
0
0
Chris Woakes 6/1(6)
28.6
1
On the hips, worked towards the leg side for a single.
28.5
.
On middle and off, defended towards silly mid on.
28.4
3
Full ball on off, pushes this one towards the cover region for three runs. This brings up the 50-run stand between Williamson and Taylor. The experienced New Zealand duo has done well to stabilise things after two early wickets and will be looking to carry on from here.
28.3
.
The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.
28.2
.
Another full ball on off, Williamson prods forward and defends.
28.1
.
Starts the new spell with a pitched up delivery on off, defended by Williamson.
Chris Woakes is back into the attack. 5-3-2-1, his figures so far. Absolute class!
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
0
0
Ben Stokes 8/0(2)
27.6
.
Bouncer to end the over. This time Taylor does go for an agricultural hook but misses.
27.5
.
This time a bit behind in length, Taylor defends it towards cover.
27.4
.
Good length ball on off, pushed towards the cover region.
27.3
1
On the hips, worked towards fine leg for a single.
27.2
.
Bumper again, Williamson without any trouble ducks under it.
27.1
.
Bouncer on middle and leg, ducked under.
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
1wd
0
0
Sam Curran 26/1(8)
26.6
.
Curran bowls a low full toss on the leg pole, Taylor punches this one towards mid on.
26.5
.
On the pads of Rosco, he tucks this one towards mid-wicket.
26.4
.
Good length ball outside off, Taylor leaves it alone.
26.3
1
On the pads, Williamson works this one towards mid-wicket for a single.
26.3
1wd
Wide! Another bouncer but this one is way too high for Williamson to play at.
26.2
.
On the pads, worked towards the leg side.
26.1
.
Bouncer down the leg side, the batter ducks under it.
In over# 1
2
0
0
0
0
4
Ben Stokes 6/0(1)
25.6
2
Length ball outside off, cut towards point for a couple.
25.5
.
Another bouncer, this time angling into Rosco. He is cramped for room as he tries to defend. The ball hits Taylor on the glove and rolls towards the off side.
25.4
.
Bouncer on middle and leg, Taylor ducks under it.
25.3
.
The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
25.2
.
Bouncer down the leg side, Taylor ducks under it.
25.1
4
FOUR! Back of a length ball on off, room on offer. Taylor hops and slaps this through the point region for a boundary.
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
0
0
Sam Curran 24/1(7)
24.6
.
Fullish ball on middle and off, blocked out.
24.5
.
Yorker by Curran, Williamson just about manages to jam it out back towards the bowler.
24.4
.
Good length ball on off, Williamson initially looks to play at it but then opts to leave the ball alone.
24.3
1
On the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket for a single.
24.2
.
The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
24.1
.
Full ball on off, driven straight to Archer at mid off.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ben Stokes 18/0(6)
23.6
.
Bouncer on middle and off, angling away. Williamson this time sways away from it.
23.5
.
Short of a length ball again, Williamson looks to pull but misses again.
23.4
.
Length ball outside off, left alone.
23.3
.
Punched off the back foot by the batsman.
23.2
.
On the pads, worked towards the leg side.
23.1
.
OUCH! Hit on the box! Back of a length ball on middle, Williamson looks to pull but misses, The ball hits him right on the box and he is in some visible pain. Winded but he is okay to continue.
Ben Stokes to bowl now.
In over# 1
0
4
1b
1
0
0
Sam Curran 23/1(6)
22.6
.
Pitched up ball on off, driven down the ground but straight to the man.
22.5
4
FOUR! Short ball on middle and leg, Taylor rocks back to pull but gets a top edge on it. The ball gets enough contact on it as the ball trudges into the square leg fence.
22.4
1b
Length ball wide outside off, Williamson looks to cut but misses. The ball bounces in front of Pope who fails to gather it and the ball goes past him. That allows the batters to take a bye.
22.3
1
On the pads again, Taylor flicks this one towards backward square leg for a single.
22.2
.
On the pads, worked towards mid-wicket.
22.1
.
Full ball on middle and off, driven towards mid on.
In over# 1
0
0
4
0
0
0
Stuart Broad 18/0(5)
21.6
.
Full ball on off, driven towards mid off.
21.5
.
The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
21.4
4
FOUR! Back of a length ball on off, Williamson swivels and pulls this one towards mid-wicket for a boundary.
21.3
.
On off, played towards the point region.
21.2
.
Williamson drives this pitched up delivery towards the off side.
21.1
.
Good length ball on off, defended.
Stuart Broad is back into the attack. 4-0-14-0, his figures so far.
In over# 1
2
0
1wd
0
0
2
1
Sam Curran 18/1(5)
20.6
2
Funny but a fine stop by substitute fielder Mahmood in the deep. On the pads, Taylor glances this one fine down the leg side. Mahmood in the deep runs to his right, puts in a dive. Gets a hand to the ball but it somehow bounces on top of his body, onto his back and then onto his boot. The main thing is he keeps it in play and the batters take two. Smiles all around.
20.5
.
Curran corrects his line, Taylor comes onto the front foot and blocks.
20.5
1wd
Wide! Way wide outside off, Williamson does not go chasing after it.
20.4
.
Length ball in the corridor outside off, left alone.
20.3
.
Yorker on the off pole, jammed out.
20.2
2
On the pads, Taylor clips it towards the gap at mid-wicket and that allows the batters to take a couple.
20.1
1
Length ball on off, Williamson works this one wide of mid on for a single.
In over# 1
1
2
0
0
1
0
Jofra Archer 19/0(7)
19.6
1
Around off, Kane gets across and tucks it wide of short mid-wicket for a run.
19.5
2
Full and outside off, Williamson leans and drives it through the covers. Ben Stokes covers a lot of ground to his right from sweeper and keeps the batsmen to a couple.
19.4
.
A face-high bouncer now, swayed away from.
19.3
.
Good length ball outside off, blocked from the crease.
19.2
1
Around off, tucked through mid on for a single.
19.1
.
A bouncer around off, Taylor ducks.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sam Curran 12/1(4)
18.6
.
Good length ball, around off, well defended.
18.5
.
The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
18.4
.
A wild bouncer, down the leg side, ducked under again. Williamson looks at umpire Dharmasena for the wide but does not get it. That was really too high.
18.3
.
A face-high bouncer, Williamson again arches his back, watches the ball till the last moment and lets it pass.
18.2
.
Full and around off, well blocked out.
18.1
.
Around off, watchfully defended from the crease.
Sam Curran is back into the attack. 3-0-12-1, his figures so far.
In over# 1
0
0
1
0
1lb
0
Jofra Archer 15/0(6)
17.6
.
Another bouncer, watchfully ducked under.
17.5
.
Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
17.4
1
Outside off, punched off the back foot for a single. Ouch! What has happened to Jofra? He is holding his left knee and limping slightly. Looks good enough to continue for now.
17.3
.
A bouncer on middle, Williamson arches back and takes his head away in time.
This is very interesting. Mark Richardson on air says that he was having a chat with Stuart Broad this morning about England's struggles with the ball and the latter said that it was never England's plan to bowl New Zealand out! The aim was to let them bat for two days and then on what they felt was a wearing pitch, bat the Kiwis out of the game and defeat them by an innings.
17.2
1lb
Down the leg side, Taylor nudges it towards fine leg. Ollie Pope himself runs after it before fine leg can come across. A single taken, leg bye signalled.
17.1
.
Full and around middle, pushed towards mid on.
DRINKS BREAK. Early hiccups for New Zealand but they are recovering nicely. The Williamson-Taylor stand is just 15 but is looking composed and solid. The deficit has come down to 58 and with 18 overs left in the day, that might just get erased, especially if Taylor bats the distance. England have not found much movement apart from Sam Curran but they have got bounce. Will they rue the absence of a spinner?
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Chris Woakes 2/1(5)
16.6
.
Around off, solidly defended from the crease.
16.5
.
Full and around off, watchfully defended.
16.4
.
Around off, defended towards mid on.
16.3
.
A length ball outside off, Williamson makes another fine leave but Woakes did generate some extra bounce on that.
16.2
.
On middle, pushed towards mid on.
16.1
.
A length ball, around off, tucked towards short mid-wicket.
In over# 1
0
1
0
0
0
0
Jofra Archer 14/0(5)
15.6
.
Outside off, let through.
15.5
1
Outside off, pushed through point for a run.
15.4
.
A short ball outside off, Williamson ducks but takes his eyes off the ball. Turns his back to it and is hit on the inside of the arm guard. That is why no pain was showed.
15.3
.
On a good length outside off, defended from the crease.
15.2
.
A meaningless bouncer, down the leg side, Williamson ducks.
15.1
.
Full ball on off, driven straight to the man at mid off.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Chris Woakes 2/1(4)
14.6
.
Around off, defended back to the bowler.
14.5
.
Around off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
14.4
.
The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
14.3
.
Full and around off, pushed towards cover.
14.2
.
Outside off, on a length, Taylor shoulders arms.
14.1
1
Full and around off, Williamson looks to flick but the ball swings in late and goes off the inside edge through square leg. A single taken. The deficit is now 59. The skipper moves to 20.
In over# 1
1
4
0
0
0
0
Jofra Archer 13/0(4)
13.6
1
Again that same shot, this time for a single as Denly is there to guard the boundary at deep point.
13.5
4
FOUR! That is the area for Kane Williamson. In total control. Forget the previous two balls which have beaten the outside edge by moving off the deck. Outside off, on a length, the skipper arches back slightly and punches it behind point. Kane will play that shot. He will get runs. But why are England changing the field? Joe Denly is now being moved to deep point.
13.4
.
Outside off, another play and a miss.
13.3
.
Did that hit a crack? Perhaps it did. Outside off, Williamson looks to poke at it but then the ball seams away a fair distance and he is beaten.
13.2
.
Full and around off, watchfully defended.
13.1
.
Down the leg side, Williamson misses his flick.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Chris Woakes 1/1(3)
12.6
.
Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.
12.5
.
Short and wide outside off, RT looks to cut but misses.
12.4
.
Around off, watchfully defended.
12.3
.
Full and around middle, worked straight to short mid-wicket.
12.2
.
Outside off, angling away, Rosco shoulders arms.
12.1
.
Full and straight, Taylor just about gets his bat down in time to defend.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
1lb
2
Jofra Archer 8/0(3)
11.6
.
Around off, watchfully blocked out.
11.5
.
The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
11.4
.
Outside off, played straight to point.
11.3
.
Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
11.2
1lb
Down the leg side, Taylor misses his flick and the ball goes off his thighs to the leg side. A leg bye taken.
11.1
2
Full and around off, flicked wide of mid on for a couple.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
0
0
Chris Woakes 1/1(2)
10.6
1
Around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
10.5
.
Full and outside off, Rosco looks to push but then aims to withdraw his bat. Is late and gets beaten.
10.4
.
Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.
10.3
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
10.2
.
Around off, defended from the crease this time.
A fielding change. Root has moved a catcher, very very square of the wicket. Somewhere between short mid-wicket and silly mid on. Joe Denly it is.
10.1
.
Full and just outside off, Taylor gets a long stride forward and defends. That is generally a good sign, meaning that Taylor is getting his feet moving pretty quickly. Woakes will be aiming for that front pad.
In over# 1
0
4
0
0
0
0
Jofra Archer 6/0(2)
9.6
.
Good length ball on off, defended by Williamson.
9.5
4
FOUR! Williamson pounces! Length ball outside off, Williamson has room to punch it through the empty point region and the ball races to the fence.
9.4
.
KW this time goes onto the back foot and defends.
9.3
.
Good cricket all around! Archer steams in and bowls a well-directed bouncer. Williamson spots it early, gets down on his knees and lets it go.
9.2
.
Length ball on off, blocked out.
9.1
.
On a length around off, solidly defended.
Ross Taylor is in next, at number 4, replacing Latham.
In over# 1
0W
0
0
0
0
0
Chris Woakes 0/1(1)
8.6
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Latham departs! Beauty by Woakes, he bowls a length ball from round the wicket. The ball is angling in, but straightens a touch after pitching. Latham looks to defend off the back foot but the ball goes off the outside edge towards first slip where Joe Root takes a simple catch towards his left. Both the openers back in the hut for New Zealand and England off to a perfect start. They still lead by 73 runs. Chris Woakes starts his spell with a wicket maiden.
8.5
.
Pitches it up this time, Latham defends by presenting the full face of the bat.
8.4
.
On middle and off, watchfully defended.
8.3
.
On the hips of Latham, he looks to flick but misses to get hit on the thigh pad.
8.2
.
This time Latham pushes the ball down to the man at mid off.
8.1
.
Woakes starts with a length ball just outside off, Tom goes back and defends with a vertical bat.
Chris Woakes into the attack.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
2
Jofra Archer 2/0(1)
7.6
.
Archer will not trouble Williamson by bowling like this. Outside off again, Williamson does not bother to play at it.
7.5
.
Outside off, again Williamson shoulders arms.
7.4
.
The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
7.3
.
Length ball on off, Williamson punches this one off the back foot towards point.
7.2
.
Williamson goes onto the back foot and defends it out.
7.1
2
Great fielding again! Back of a length ball on off to start by Archer, Williamson opens the face of the bat and guides this one off the outer half of his bat towards the third man region. Stokes hares after the ball, slides near the ropes and keeps the ball in play. Saves two for his side.
The first bowling change comes around. Jofra Archer is here.
In over# 1
0
0
4
2
2
0
Stuart Broad 14/0(4)
6.6
.
Brilliant fielding! Length ball outside off, he drives this one with ease towards the cover-point region. Ben Stokes there dives to his left and saves at least a couple.
6.5
.
Length ball on off, Latham blocks it out.
6.4
4
FOUR! Bad bowling! On the pads, Latham flicks it nonchalantly in front of square leg for a boundary.
6.3
2
Back of a length ball on off, Latham pushes this one through the cover-point region. This time Denly hares after it and keeps it to a couple.
6.2
2
Fullish ball on the off pole, Latham whips this one towards mid-wicket. Curran gives it the chase and keeps it down to two.
6.1
.
Length ball on off, Latham stands tall and blocks.
The hammer is on the pitch. Broad is having his landing area sorted. The vibration is pretty heavy due to the impact of the hammer and the stumps are moving a touch.
In over# 1
0
2
3
0
0
0
Sam Curran 12/1(3)
5.6
.
On the pads, Williamson prods forward and defends it back towards the bowler.
5.5
2
On the pads of Williamson, he flicks this through square leg for a couple.
5.4
3
Outside off, Latham shuffles across and pushes this one through point. The batters take three comfortably.
5.3
.
Good length ball on middle and off, Latham prods forward and defends.
5.2
.
A bit ahead in length this time, Latham shows the full face of the bat and blocks it out.
5.1
.
Length ball on off, pushed towards mid off.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Stuart Broad 6/0(3)
4.6
.
Another one outside off, Williamson offers no shot.
4.5
.
Length ball outside off, Williamson does not fiddle with it.
4.4
.
Length ball on off, Williamson blocks it out.
4.3
.
Another good length ball on off, defended towards mid off again.
4.2
.
Good length ball on off, pushed out towards wide mid off by Williamson.
4.1
1
Bowls a yorker on the off pole, Latham digs it out towards mid on and takes a single.
In over# 1
2
0
0
0
0
0
Sam Curran 7/1(2)
3.6
2
Nice shot by Williamson, he gets high on his toes and pushes this one through point for a couple.
3.5
.
On a good length on off, Williamson shoulders arms.
3.4
.
Another one on a similar line, pushed towards cover this time.
3.3
.
Length ball around off, pushed towards point.
3.2
.
Jaffa by Curran! Bowls a length ball on the off pole line, Williamson looks to defend off the back foot but does so inside the line. The ball goes past his outside edge. Oohs and Aahs all around.
3.1
.
Length ball on off, defended towards the off side.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
4
0
Stuart Broad 5/0(2)
2.6
.
Wider outside off, easier leave this time.
2.5
.
Good judgement? Brave leave? We will let Latham decide. On a length outside off, Tom shoulders arms. The ball comes in a long way and just misses the off stump.
2.4
.
Outside off, angling in, let through.
2.3
.
Around off, defended from the crease.
2.2
4
FOUR! Confidence-boosting shot. Outside off, on a length, Latham just punches it through the covers and the ball races away.
2.1
.
Around off, on a length, solidly defended.
In over# 1
4
0
0
0
0W
1
Sam Curran 5/1(1)
1.6
4
FOUR! That is where Williamson collects most of his runs. Add a boundary more to that. Full and outside off, swinging away, Kane gets across, opens the face of the bat and deftly guides it behind backward point!
1.5
.
Around off, swinging in, watchfully defended.
1.4
.
Outside off, driven straight to short extra cover.
1.3
.
Full and around off, angling away, left alone.
Kane Williamson walks in at number 3 now, replacing Raval.
1.2
W
OUT! LBW! Jeet Raval walks back and Curran strikes in his first over. What a start for England! Curran bowls a length ball just outside off, angling into the batter. Raval looks to defend off the front foot but fails to do so. The ball hits the pads and the England players put in a loud appeal. Umpire Dharmasena raises his finger and the English players are pumped up. Raval goes to Latham to ask whether he should take the review. They opt against it and Raval walks back. First blood to the visitors. Replay come in and show that there is A MASSIVE INSIDE EDGE. How has Raval not picked that up himself, is a big question!
1.1
1
On the pads of Latham, he flicks this one towards square leg for a single.
Sam Curran to share the new ball with Broad. Worth a try for 3 overs. If it does not work, get on Chris Woakes or Jofra Archer. Curran had picked up Latham LBW at the Bay Oval.
In over# 1
0
1
0
0
0
0
Stuart Broad 1/0(1)
0.6
.
Length ball outside off, left alone by Raval to get through the first over.
0.5
1
Close call! What are New Zealand doing here? Jeet Raval would have been dismissed without even facing a ball. Good length ball on the pads, Latham works this one towards mid-wicket and sets off for a run. Raval responds but there was no single there. He hesitates but still goes for the run. Crawley gets to the ball and has a shy at the striker's end but misses. Had he hit, Raval was gone for all money. However, he survives and he should be looking to make the most of this life. New Zealand are underway.
0.4
.
Good length ball on off, Latham presents the full face of the bat and defends.
Massive disturbance behind the sightscreen.
0.3
.
Broad pulls the length a bit behind, Latham pushes it towards mid on.
0.2
.
Another fullish ball, this time Latham comes on the front foot and defends.
0.1
.
Broad starts the innings with a fullish ball outside off. Latham looks to defend but the ball goes off the outer half towards point.
A leather-hunting it has been for the Kiwis, toiling hard for 162.5 overs. England bowlers will be fresh and aiming to come out hard - but on a hot and humid day, on a pitch which has nothing to offer, they will have to toil hard to take 10 wickets. But if they get the Kiwis 5 down tonight, we could have a game on our hands. Stay tuned for the final session of the day.
The last 35 balls make the reading good for New Zealand, as they tell about a collapse. But in reality, England just threw it away. They went for quick runs and perished. The session has belonged to the duo of Root and Pope, whose 193-run stand has taken the team to safety. Question is, is it good enough to enforce a result? Mind you, the forecast is very poor for Tuesday.
Fruitful session for both teams in terms of the runs and the wickets but England would be very, very happy. A lead of 101 and even though one would say momentum is with New Zealand, that lead is very, very significant. Around 35 overs left in the day and the visitors will aim for at least 4 wickets and in that, Kane Williamson for sure.
162.5
W
OUT! TIMBER! England have been bowled out! From 455/5 to 476 all out, this has been a big collapse but England will not mind it that much. Wagner bowls a slower full toss on off, it is swerving in. Broad goes onto the back foot looking to defend but is beaten as he might be waiting for the short ball. He brings his bat down late and misses the ball. Wagner hits and Broad has to walk back. This is Neil's 9th 5-wicket haul in Tests and he is pumped after getting toiled for huge parts of the day. England end their innings with a lead of 101 runs and TEA HAS BEEN TAKEN!
162.4
.
Fullish ball on off, Broad blocks it out.
162.3
.
A full toss to welcome Broad! He is surprised and just about manages to fend it back to the bowler.
Stuart Broad walks in at number 11.
162.2
W
OUT! CHOPPED ON! Archer is on his way right after hitting a biggie. Wagner bowls a full length ball just outside off, Archer looks to heave this one over the long on region but gets an inside edge on it. The ball rolls over onto the stumps and Archer has to take the long walk back. England lead by 101 runs.
162.1
6
SIX! Slammed! Good length ball just outside off, Archer makes room and slams this one down the ground over the long on fence for a biggie.
In over# 1
1
1
0
0
4
0
Tim Southee 90/2(37)
161.6
1
Back of a length ball, Archer looks to pull but the ball goes off the inside half towards mid-wicket for a single.
161.5
1
Outside off, Curran cuts this one towards deep point for one.
161.4
.
Curran comes down the track to this length ball, looks to heave but gets an inside edge onto the thigh pads.
161.3
.
Outside off, Curran guides this one down to short third man.
161.2
4
FOUR! Slashed away! This time Curran gets his shot right as he slashes this length ball outside off through extra cover for a boundary.
161.1
.
Just short! Full ball wide outside off, Curran looks to have a slash at it but the ball goes off the bottom edge on the bounce to Watling.
Tim Southee back into the attack. 36-4-84-2, his figures so far.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
1
0
Neil Wagner 118/3(35)
160.6
.
Length ball on middle and off, defended out.
160.5
.
Bouncer on middle and leg, Archer gets down in time and lets the ball pass.
160.4
.
Length ball on middle and off, Archer goes back and defends.
160.3
.
Length ball outside off, Jofra leaves it alone.
160.2
1
Yorker just outside off, Curran jams it out towards point and takes a single.
160.1
.
Full ball on middle and off, flicked towards mid-wicket.
A conference going on. Taylor, Williamson, Southee and Watling are involved. Is it about the third new ball? It is due but not taken yet.
In over# 1
1
0
1
0
0
1
Mitchell Santner 88/1(35)
159.6
1
Full and around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.
159.5
.
Short and outside off, Curran looks to cut but gets a bottom edge which goes on the bounce to the keeper.
159.4
1
Full and outside off, Archer leans and pushes it through the covers for a single to get off the mark.
159.3
.
Tossed up, around leg, pushed back with an open face. Almost carries back to the bowler.
159.2
.
Around off, punched back to the bowler.
159.1
1
Short and outside off, cut through point for a single.
In over# 1
0
0
0W
1
0
0
Neil Wagner 117/3(34)
158.6
.
A bouncer around middle, ducked under.
158.5
.
Landed outside off, angling away, left alone.
Jofra Archer walks in at number 10, replacing Woakes.
158.4
W
OUT! Edged and taken! Wickets, all of a sudden! And just when the third new ball is around the corner. Woakes departs as a sacrificial lamb to up the ante. Full and wide outside off, Woakes slashes hard, aiming to go through the covers but can only get a thick outside edge. Simple catch for BJ Watling. England lead by 85.
158.3
1
A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a single.
158.2
.
Punched off the back foot by the batsman.
158.1
.
Landed outside off, Curran looks to punch but gets a bottom edge towards cover.
In over# 1
0
0
1
0W
0
1
Mitchell Santner 85/1(34)
157.6
.
Full and around middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
157.5
.
Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
157.4
1
Outside off, punched off the back foot for a single.
Chris Woakes walks in at number 9, replacing his skipper.
157.3
W
OUT! Caught! The marathon innings ends at last. 226 in 441 balls. 636 minutes at the crease. Boy, have England missed you, Root. They as a team have rarely spent more than 600 minutes at the crease with the bat. New Zealand get 2 wickets in the span of 5 minutes after toiling for more than 3 hours without a scalp. Full and outside off, Root comes down the track and looks to go inside out. But he is not to the pitch of the ball and skews this high in the air. Does not have the distance and Henry Nicholls at sweeper cover runs in to take the catch. Wagner runs towards Root and pats him on the back. Nice sportsmanship. Now, the declaration?
157.2
.
Full and outside off, Root looks to play the reverse sweep but gets hit on the glove. The ball bounces and goes to Watling who fumbles.
157.1
1
Landed outside off, dabbed towards short third man for a single.
In over# 1
2
0W
1
1wd
2
1
0
Neil Wagner 116/2(33)
156.6
2
A short ball, outside off, pulled through mid-wicket for a couple.
Sam Curran walks in at number 8, replacing Pope. Time for some entertainment.
156.5
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Stop the press. England have lost a wicket. The 193-run stand has been broken and after 374 balls, a batsman has been dismissed. Selfless shot from Pope. He could have played for his century but he chose his team instead. A short ball, outside off, Ollie looks to pull but gets a top edge, due to the extra bounce. The ball goes high in the air and Jeet Raval takes a simple catch at the ropes near mid-wicket. Well played, young lad.
156.4
1
Full and wide outside off, driven through the covers for a single.
156.4
1wd
WIDE. Full and miles outside off, almost outside the pitch, Root slashes hard but misses.
156.3
2
Short and outside off, Root pulls it through mid-wicket. Mitchell Santner hares to his right from deep mid-wicket, dives and parries the ball to Jeet Raval running across from deep square leg. Two runs taken. Has Santner hurt himself though? Gets up gingerly and just about tests his knee.
156.2
1
The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total.
156.1
.
Full and wide outside off, now Pope plays an agricultural shot, a wild slash across the line but misses.
Neil Wagner now changes his shoes. So, a bit of a delay.
In over# 1
1
1
2
0
1
0
Mitchell Santner 83/0(33)
155.6
1
Full and around off, pushed towards long on for a run. 450 UP FOR ENGLAND, lead by 75.
155.5
1
Not all that short, but JR goes back and plays it from there, pulling it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
155.4
2
Now the skipper jumps down the track and Santner fires it short and into the body. Joe works it through mid-wicket for how many? Another couple. Moves to 220.
155.3
.
Slower, outside off, Root looks to play the reverse sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. He then deflects it away with his bat as the ball threatens to go back onto the stumps.
155.2
1
Slowly tossed up outside off, Pope initially looks to go big but then adjusts, goes back and dabs it towards point for a single.
155.1
.
Full and around leg, driven back to the bowler. Santner dives to his left to stop.
In over# 1
2
1
4
1
0
0
Neil Wagner 109/1(32)
154.6
2
The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.
154.5
1
Outside off, played through point for a single.
154.4
4
FOUR! TAKE THAT! A length ball outside off, Pope shuffles across and hammers it straight back. Root at the other end has to get out of the way as the ball comes straight at him. He evades it though and the cherry races to the long off fence.
154.3
1
Short and outside off, cut through point for a single.
154.2
.
Short and wide outside off, Root reaches out and cuts it towards cover.
154.1
.
DROPPED! But a tough chance. Very tough chance. Full and around off, Root hammers this straight back. Poor Wagner barely has any time to react but manages to stick out his left hand. That is good reflex else his left knee would have been a goner. The ball goes to cover while Wagner is on the floor. Brave man. Strong man. Gets up in a trice and smiles. What does he have for supper?
In over# 1
0
0
1
0
1
0
Mitchell Santner 78/0(32)
153.6
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
153.5
.
Full and around middle, reverse swept straight to Jeet Raval at backward point who fumbles but no run is conceded. Pope wanted one but Root sent him back.
153.4
1
Looped wide outside off, hit uppishly towards long off for a run.
153.3
.
Sees Root come down the track and loops this up generously. The skipper gets it as a low full toss and hits it back to the bowler.
153.2
1
Around off, worked through fine leg for a single.
153.1
.
Close call. The arm ball, outside off, Pope looks to steer it through point but mises. Not far from the outside edge.
DRINKS! Another hour where England have dominated. A double ton for Joe Root, a half ton for Ollie Pope, all these milestones coming in this hour. New Zealand have tried their best but luck has just not favoured them with numerous near misses. The only question that now remains is what total do England have in mind before they declare. Also, some good news regarding the weather as the sun has now come out and we can see the ground bathed in sunshine.
In over# 1
2
1
0
1
0
0
Neil Wagner 101/1(31)
152.6
2
MISSES THE HELMET! Not of Root's, but the one behind the keeper. Nearly 5 penalty runs. Landed outside off, Joe looks to cut but gets a bottom edge. The ball bounces, past the off stump and poor Watling, for the umpteenth time today, has to dive to his left to stop the ball. It was heading straight to the helmet kept behind. Cannot stop it cleanly and parries it behind. Another couple taken.
152.5
1
Short and wide outside off, cut to point for a single.
152.4
.
Full and wide outside off, Pope reaches out to steer it to third man but gets a bottom edge which goes on the bounce to the keeper.
152.3
1
TOP EDGE, SAFE! More luck for Root. A short ball outside off, Root gets across and attempts an ungainly agricultural hack, similar to a pull. The ball takes the top edge and goes straight up in the air but there is no one close by catching it! Kane Williamson runs in from long off but cannot get there. A single taken.
152.2
.
Outside off, a play and a miss.
152.1
.
Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
Neil Wagner is back on at last. 3 short of his century.
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
1
0
Mitchell Santner 76/0(31)
151.6
.
Outside off, pushed straight to point.
151.5
.
Short and around off, picked from the line of the stumps towards point.
151.4
.
Fired down the leg side, Pope misses his flick. Loses his balance slightly but Watling fumbles. No stumping chance as the back foot was in the crease.
151.3
1
Outside off, slower this time, punched towards long off for a run.
151.2
1
Arrowed down the leg side, helped through mid-wicket for a single.
151.1
.
Landed outside off, dabbed straight to short third man.
Mitchell Santner is back on. 30-4-74-0 so far.
In over# 1
1
1
0
6
0
0
Matt Henry 87/1(33)
150.6
1
Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a run.
150.5
1
Outside off, dabbed to third man for a single.
150.4
.
Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.
150.3
6
SIX! Up, up and away! Boy, isn't that a surprise? His first biggie of the innings. Full and outside off, Root gets underneath this and sends it flying over long off!
150.2
.
Around off, pushed towards mid on.
150.1
.
LEADING EDGE, SAFE! First real chance whole day. Full and around off, Root looks to flick but is early into the shot. The ball takes the leading edge and goes back to Henry but falls just short.
Root is applying some dry spray on his palms. Humidity is just too high.
In over# 1
4
1
0
0
0
2
Daryl Mitchell 69/0(22)
149.6
4
FOUR! Off cutter and punished. Short and outside off, 97.7 kph, Pope cuts it through point and gets a boundary!
149.5
1
Outside off, punched towards long on. Mitchell Santner gets across from short mid-wicket and mimes a throw at the bowler's end without even collecting the ball. Isn't that banned?
149.4
.
Short and outside off, cut straight to point.
149.3
.
Full and around off, Root gets across and wrists it beautifully wide of mid on but short mid-wicket cuts it across to his left.
149.2
.
Around off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
149.1
2
Full and around middle, Root tickles it through square leg. Matt Henry gives it a good chase from fine leg, slides to his left and saves the boundary. Another couple taken. THIS IS NOW THE HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL SCORE at this venue. England lead by 41 now.
In over# 1
0
0
1
0
0
0
Matt Henry 79/1(32)
148.6
.
Length ball just outside off, dabbed towards the off side.
148.5
.
The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
148.4
1
200 FOR JOE ROOT! The English skipper has stepped up to the plate and recovered his best form. Good length ball on off, Root defends this one with soft hands towards the off side. The fielder from cover runs in and throws the ball at the keeper's end while diving. Had he hit, Ollie Pope would have been gone for all money despite a dive. That was a risk worth taking though as this has helped the skipper reach his double ton. Joe Root has now become just the 2nd player to score a double ton at this venue, the previous man being his counterpart, Kane Williamson against Bangladesh in February 2019. Records tumbling!
148.3
.
On the pads, flicked towards the on side.
148.2
.
Brilliant fielding! Length ball outside off, Root drives this one beautifully towards the cover region but the man there dives to his right and holds onto the pole.
148.1
.
Good length ball on middle and off, defended towards the cover region.
In over# 1
2
0
0
1
0
1
Daryl Mitchell 62/0(21)
147.6
2
Full ball on off, driven through the cover region for a couple. That brings up the 150-run stand between Ollie Pope and Joe Root. This stand has put the English players in complete control of the match.
147.5
.
The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
147.4
.
On the pads, Pope looks to flick but is hit on the pads.
147.3
1
Pitched up ball on middle and leg, worked towards mid-wicket for one. Root moves to 199.
147.2
.
Length ball on middle and off, Root defends it out with a straight bat. He has now faced the most number of deliveries in a single innings in his Test career.
147.1
1
Good length ball wide outside off, driven towards deep point for a single.
In over# 1
0
1
0
1
1
0
Matt Henry 78/1(31)
146.6
.
On the pads, worked towards wide mid on.
146.5
1
On middle and off, Pope drives this one towards cover for one.
146.4
.
The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
146.3
1
Another one on the pads, worked towards the leg side for a single.
146.2
1
On the pads, flicked to the man at mid-wicket for a single.
146.1
.
Pope drives this one straight to the man at mid on.
Matt Henry is back into the attack. His figures so far read 30-6-75-1.
In over# 1
4
2
0
0
0
2
Daryl Mitchell 58/0(20)
145.6
4
FOUR! Brilliant placement! Length ball just outside off, Root opens the face of the bat and guides this one exactly between gully and backward point for a boundary.
145.5
2
On the pads, Root flicks this one with soft hands towards mid-wicket for a comfortable couple.
145.4
.
Similar delivery, same shot as the man at mid on is again in business.
145.3
.
Root presents the full face of the bat and drives this one straight to the man at mid on.
145.2
.
Pitched up ball on middle, Root works this one towards the leg side.
145.1
2
INSIDE EDGE, MISSES THE LEG STUMP! Lost his footwork there, did Root. Not luck, but. Full and outside off, Root pushes at this away from his body and does not move his feet at all. Gets a thick inside edge which goes past the leg stump towards fine leg. Two runs are taken. 400 UP FOR ENGLAND. Root moves into the 190s as well. It is now the highest score by a visiting batsman on this ground, going past Rahul Dravid's 190 in 1999.
The physiotherapist comes out now. Has a check on Southee. Is the heat and humidity getting to the bowler? There is a bowling change as well. Not what we anticipated. Daryl Mitchell it will be. 19-5-50-0 so far.
In over# 1
1
0
0
2
0
0
Tim Southee 84/2(36)
144.6
1
Full and straight, tucked to deep mid-wicket for a run.
144.5
.
Full and outside off, guided straight to short third man.
144.4
.
Around off, defended solidly.
144.3
2
Short and outside off, Root cuts it hard, on the bounce, to Daryl Mitchell at backward point. He gets down low to his left but fumbles. Excellent running as the batsmen return for the second.
144.2
.
Around off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket this time.
144.1
.
Full and around off, pushed towards mid on.
In over# 1
1
1
1
1
0
1
Mitchell Santner 74/0(30)
143.6
1
Tossed up delivery on off, driven towards the cover region for one. Root retains strike.
143.5
1
Another one floated on off, pushed towards cover-point for a single.
143.4
1
Floated ball outside off, Root pushes it towards point for one.
143.3
1
Another flat delivery. this time it is pushed to the man at mid off.
143.2
.
Flatter delivery on middle, Pope defends it out.
143.1
1
Floated on off, Pope gets down on one knee and sweeps this one towards backward square leg for one.
In over# 1
1
1
0
1
0
1
Tim Southee 81/2(35)
142.6
1
Pitched up ball on middle and leg, flicked towards mid-wicket for one.
142.5
1
Length ball on off, pushed in the gap at cover-point for one.
142.4
.
Just outside off, played away from the body towards cover.
142.3
1
A good length ball, outside off, coming in with the angle, worked with his wrists through square leg for a run.
142.2
.
Around off, punched off the back foot.
142.1
1
A bit too straight, down the leg side, Pope tucks it towards short fine leg off the pads and takes a single. No signal, so must have been an inside edge.
In over# 1
1
0
1
0
0
1
Mitchell Santner 69/0(29)
141.6
1
50 up for Ollie Pope! It has been a great innings by him as he has supported his skipper very well. Shortish outside off, Pope goes back and cuts this towards point. Jeet Raval there dives to his right but cannot hold onto the ball. That allows the batters to take a single and Ollie to get to his milestone.
141.5
.
Pope pushes this one straight to the man at cover.
141.4
1
Floated on off, Root pushes this one towards cover for one.
141.3
.
Almost a blunder by Root! Santner bowls a floated delivery on off, Root looks to play the reverse scoop over short third man. He does not time it well and it falls just short. That would have been a waste if he had lost his wicket like this after such a wonderful knock.
141.2
.
Root opens the face of the bat and guides this one straight to short third man.
141.1
1
Shortish on off, Pope plays this one towards point for a single.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
0
0
Tim Southee 77/2(34)
140.6
1
On the pads, Pope flicks this one towards mid-wicket for one.
140.5
.
Almost a yorker, Pope jams it out back towards Southee.
140.4
.
This time Pope pushes it back towards the bowler.
140.3
.
Pitched up on off, Pope drives it to the man at mid off.
140.2
.
Length ball outside off, played towards point.
140.1
.
Ohh! Off the bottom edge! Length ball just outside off, Pope looks to guide this one down to third man. However, he manages to get just a bottom edge on that one onto the surface. It went just past the off pole.
In over# 1
0
1
0
0
0
1
Mitchell Santner 66/0(28)
139.6
.
Root goes back and plays this one towards point.
139.5
1
Floated on off, Ollie pushes it towards cover and takes one.
139.4
.
Again Pope goes deep in his crease. This time he punches it towards cover.
139.3
.
Pope goes back and works this one towards mid-wicket.
139.2
.
Drags it back, outside off. Pope cuts it to the man at point.
139.1
1
Floated on the off pole line, defended towards cover for a single.
Mitchell Santner to bowl from the other end. 27-4-64-0 so far.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
1
0
Tim Southee 76/2(33)
138.6
.
Outside off, pushed towards point with firm hands.
138.5
.
Good length ball this time, just outside off, pushed towards cover.
138.4
.
Length ball on off, pushed towards cover.
138.3
.
Good length ball on the off pole line, pushed towards mid on.
138.2
1
Length ball wide outside off, pushed towards point for one. First run of the session.
138.1
.
Starts the session with a length ball down the leg side. Root looks to glance but misses.
Gathering. New Zealand at the boundary line. Rain clouds above. The conditions were overcast in the morning and they seem to have become even more so now. Kane Williamson is giving a pep talk to his team and he is either smiling or his face is just like that. Out come Root and Pope. Tim Southee to begin proceedings post Lunch. 32-4-75-2 so far. Root to face. Here we go...
... DAY 4, SESSION 2 ...
38.2 overs, 110 runs and no wickets lost. What a session this has been for England! They have taken things by the scruff of the neck and eased their way into a lead when everyone was ruling them out early on in their innings. The Kiwi bowlers have bowled with a lot of discipline and induced a lot of edges but the England batters have rode their luck. But just like the saying goes, fortune favours the brave and it has favoured Root and Pope. They are amidst an unbeaten 117-run stand and and will be looking to score runs at a better run rate now with the pressure off their shoulders. With Root looking to go for the double ton and Pope for his ton, runs are surely on offer. Join us after the Lunch break at 1340 Local (0040 GMT) for all the action.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
1
0
Mitchell Santner 64/0(27)
137.6
.
Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. LUNCH ON DAY 4, ENG LEAD BY 4!
137.5
.
Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
137.4
.
Fired up around off, Pope goes back and defends.
137.3
.
Tossed up outside off, driven straight to cover.
137.2
1
Fired in around off, Root looks to work it to the leg side but gets it off the inner half behind square leg for a single.
Should be the last over before Lunch...
137.1
.
Full and around off, watchfully defended.
In over# 1
0
0
4
0
0
1
Daryl Mitchell 50/0(19)
136.6
.
On middle, some reverse on offer, worked towards mid on.
136.5
.
Full and around off, watchfully defended.
136.4
4
FOUR! ENGLAND INTO THE LEAD NOW! Have to say, did not expect this at 24/2. Short and outside off, Pope latches onto the width and crashes it behind point for a boundary!
136.3
.
Very full, around off, pushed towards mid on.
136.2
.
Outside off, Pope looks to cut but gets a bottom edge. It bounces into the hands of Ross Taylor at wide slip.
136.1
1
Full and around middle, flicked to deep mid-wicket for a run.
In over# 1
0
1
0
1
0
0
Mitchell Santner 63/0(26)
135.6
.
Around middle, worked straight to short mid-wicket.
135.5
1
Full and outside off, JR stays leg side of the ball and drives it to sweeper cover for a single.
135.4
.
Fired down the leg side, Joe misses his flick.
135.3
1
A lovely drive again, this time it is past short extra cover and a single is taken. The stand moves to 110 now.
135.2
.
Around off, driven towards short extra cover.
135.1
.
Full and around off, spinning away, blocked down the pitch.
In over# 1
0
0
1
0
0
0
Daryl Mitchell 45/0(18)
134.6
.
Outside off, swinging away, Root plays that as late as he possibly can, guiding it towards backward point.
134.5
.
Full and just outside off, watchfully defended.
134.4
1
Down the leg side, flicked behind square leg for a single.
134.3
.
Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.
134.2
.
Outside off, punched towards cover.
134.1
.
Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
In over# 1
0
0
1
1
0
0
Mitchell Santner 61/0(25)
133.6
.
Landed outside off, dabbed to short third man.
133.5
.
Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
133.4
1
That spit. Landed outside off, 84.2 kph, Pope comes forward to defend but the ball rises suddenly, catches him by surprise and goes off the outside edge wide of slip towards third man. A run taken. Pope moves to 40 with that.
133.3
1
Slower, 80.2 kph, fuller in length, around middle, worked through square leg for a single.
133.2
.
The arm ball, around off, Root plays this very late, off the pitch, towards point again.
133.1
.
Full and outside off, pressed towards point.
In over# 1
1
0
2
0
0
1
Daryl Mitchell 44/0(17)
132.6
1
Around off, coming in with the angle, tucked through mid-wicket for a run.
132.5
.
Full again, well blocked out.
132.4
2
Outside off, Root punches this through the covers and gets a couple. The deficit is now down to single digits.
132.3
.
Around off, slightly fuller, defended from the crease.
132.2
.
Played to the point region by the batsman.
132.1
1
Landed outside off, Pope taps it towards cover for a single.
Daryl Mitchell is back on. 16-5-40-0 so far.
In over# 1
4
2
0
0
4
0
Mitchell Santner 59/0(24)
131.6
4
FOUR! 100-RUN STAND IS UP! Excellent control. England getting more and more comfortable in this Test now. Full and outside off, Root gets down and plays the slog again, this time all along the ground, through mid-wicket!
131.5
2
TOP EDGE, SAFE! Are England going for some aggression finally? Full and outside off, Root gets down to play the slog but gets a top edge. The ball is in the air and deep mid-wicket gets to his left while mid on runs across to his right. However, the ball lands in between them and a couple of runs are taken.
131.4
.
Full and around off, watchfully defended.
131.3
.
Outside off, punched straight to cover.
131.2
4
FOUR! Nicely done. Quicker ball from Santner, 90.1 kph, Root goes back and just uses the bowler's pace to guide it past first slip to the third man fence. The deficit is now 17.
131.1
.
Full and around off, pushed straight to cover.
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
0
1
Matt Henry 75/1(30)
130.6
.
Defends this solidly.
130.5
.
Full and around off, Pope covers the line nicely and pushes it towards short mid-wicket.
130.4
.
Full and around off, Ollie looks to defend but the ball squirts off the inside edge towards short mid-wicket.
130.3
1
Landed outside off, played through point for a run.
130.2
.
Fuller, around off, pushed towards mid on this time.
130.1
1
Outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
0
0
Mitchell Santner 49/0(23)
129.6
1
Last ball of the over, Pope pushes it towards cover for a single. Retains strike.
129.5
.
Pope prods forward and watchfully defends this one towards the off side.
129.4
.
Driven through the covers by the batsman.
129.3
.
Santner drags it short, Pope pushes this one towards mid off.
129.2
.
Another one on off, pushed towards the cover region.
129.1
.
Outside off by Santner, Pope leaves it alone.
Change of gloves, AGAIN! It has been a humid day and it can be seen as this is the third time that the gloves have been changed.
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
0
0
Matt Henry 73/1(29)
128.6
.
The batsman has pushed it to the cover region.
128.5
.
Another length ball on off, Root gets the bottom half of the bat on it and the ball stays near the surface.
128.4
.
Length ball outside off, Root opens the face of the bat and guides it towards gully.
128.3
1
On middle and off, Pope gets down a bit and works this one towards deep square leg for one.
128.2
.
Good length ball on off, pushed towards the cover region.
128.1
.
Length ball on middle and off, defended towards the off side.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
0
0
Mitchell Santner 48/0(22)
127.6
1
Floated ball on off, Pope does well to squeeze this one through the cover region for a single.
127.5
.
Pope goes back in his crease and plays this one towards point.
127.4
.
Pope prods forward and pushes this one towards the cover region.
127.3
.
Drags it short again, Ollie works this one towards mid-wicket.
127.2
.
Shortish ball on middle and off, defended.
127.1
.
Full and floated on off, pushed towards cover.
In over# 1
1
0
4
0
0
1
Matt Henry 72/1(28)
126.6
1
Length ball on off, Pope pushes it with soft hands towards cover-point and takes a run.
126.5
.
Pope has driven this one straight back towards the bowler.
126.4
4
FOUR! Cut away! Length ball wide outside off, Pope rocks back and cuts this one through the point region for a boundary.
126.3
.
Length ball on middle and off, defended towards mid off.
126.2
.
Full ball on off, pushed towards cover.
126.1
1
Full ball on the pads, worked towards backward square leg for one.
In over# 1
0
0
1
1
0
1
Mitchell Santner 47/0(21)
125.6
.
Another delivery which is floated wide outside off, Pope leaves it alone.
125.5
.
Floated on off, pushed towards cover.
125.4
1
Floated on off, Root plays the sweep shot but the ball goes off the inner half towards square leg for one.
125.3
1
Shortish on the leg side, Pope goes onto the back foot and works this one towards deep square leg for one.
125.2
.
Pope goes deep in his crease and defends it out.
125.1
1
On the hips, nudged down to fine leg for one.
In over# 1
2
0
1
0
0
0
Matt Henry 66/1(27)
124.6
2
On the pads, flicked away wonderfully by Pope towards deep mid-wicket for a couple.
124.5
.
The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
124.4
1
Length ball just outside off, Root guides this one towards third man for one.
124.3
.
Root drives this one towards mid on.
124.2
.
Root opens the face of his bat and guides this one down to gully.
124.1
.
Pitched up ball on middle and off, driven towards mid on.
In over# 1
1
1
1
4
1
0
Mitchell Santner 44/0(20)
123.6
1
Root again gets down on one knee but gets just a single off this one as he sweeps it towards square leg.
123.5
1
Shortish on the body, Ollie works this one towards mid-wicket for one.
123.4
1
Root goes deep in his crease and pushes this one towards cover for a single.
123.3
4
FOUR! Good shot by Root! Another one which is sprayed down the leg side, Root gets down on one knee and paddles it fine down the leg side for a boundary.
123.2
1
Sprays one down the leg side, Root nudges it fine down the leg side for a single.
123.1
.
Floated on off, pushed towards the off side.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Matt Henry 63/1(26)
122.6
.
On the pads again, Root pushes this one towards wide mid on.
122.5
.
This time Root drives this one towards mid on.
122.4
.
Pitched up on off, Root plays a full-blooded drive but straight to Williamson at mid off.
122.3
.
On the pads, worked towards mid-wicket.
122.2
.
Pitched up on off again, punches it to the man at mid off.
122.1
.
Full ball on off, pushed down the ground towards mid off.
Matt Henry returns. 25-5-63-1 so far.
In over# 1
0
1
1
0
1
0
Mitchell Santner 36/0(19)
121.6
.
Pope goes back in his crease and pushes it back towards Santner.
121.5
1
150 up for Joe Root! The English skipper has played out of his skins here and will be feeling relieved after a long patch without a huge score. On the pads of Root, he flicks this one between square leg and mid-wicket and takes a single to get to the milestone. He will be looking to up the ante from here on.
121.4
1
On the hips of Pope, he nudges this one fine down the leg side for a single.
121.3
.
Tosses one up on middle, Pope digs it out towards cover.
121.2
1
Floats one outside off, Root pushes this one towards point and takes a single.
121.1
.
Floated on off, pushed down to mid on.
Root wants a change of gloves. So more drinks, more towels, more time wasting... Mitchell Santner comes back on as well. 18-4-33-0 so far.
In over# 1
4
1
0
0
0
2
Neil Wagner 97/1(30)
120.6
4
FOUR! That is a very good shot. Second boundary for Pope, on his 93rd ball! Short and outside off, Pope crunches his cut wide of gully and beats sweeper cover to his left. Moves to 23 with shot. The deficit is now 49.
120.5
1
Outside off, punched to the right of gully this time, for a single. The call is for two but Mitchell Santner covers good ground at sweeper to his left. The stand moves to 60 now.
120.4
.
Outside off, Root plays his favourite shot, the dab to third man but gully comes in his way.
120.3
.
Outside off, fuller in length, pushed straight to cover.
120.2
.
Outside off, left alone.
120.1
2
Full and down the leg side, Root flicks it through square leg. The ball races away but Daryl Mitchell slides to his left from fine leg and makes a fine stop. Two runs taken.
In over# 1
1
0
4
0
1
0
Daryl Mitchell 40/0(16)
119.6
1
Outside off, punched through the covers for a single.
119.5
.
Around off, pushed towards mid on.
119.4
4
FOUR! A rare bad ball. A short ball, down the leg side, Root swivels and pulls it fine, past the keeper, to the fine leg fence. The deficit is now 57.
119.3
.
Around off, well blocked out.
119.2
1
Outside off, this time Ollie leans and taps it towards point for a quick single.
119.1
.
Full and outside off, swinging away, Pope drives but finds cover. That is his third drive, well-timed, in as many as 6 deliveries. Just cannot find the gap.
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
0
1
Neil Wagner 90/1(29)
118.6
.
The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
118.5
.
The knuckle ball from Wagner, 109.7 kph, full and outside off, Root is early into his drive but then adjusts with the late pace and pushes it towards cover.
118.4
.
Outside off, punched straight to cover.
118.3
1
Full and outside off, Pope drives this through the covers where Henry Nicholls dives to his left and makes a half-stop. A run taken.
118.2
.
Outside off, driven straight to mid off.
118.1
1
50-RUN STAND IS UP! In 143 balls. Ignore the pace but look at the resilience. The deficit is now just a few runs over 50. Full and outside off, Root leans and drives it through the covers for a single.
DRINKS BREAK. The first of the day. An hour where you might feel nothing has happened looking at the scorecard - 42/0 in 18.2 overs. But New Zealand have bowled really well and eked out plenty of inside edges. But none have resulted in wickets. The deficit is now just 64 and another good hour should make this Test look pretty good for the visitors. The pitch is starting to show some inconsistent bounce now, so batting will get difficult. Which means - first innings lead will be very crucial.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Daryl Mitchell 34/0(15)
117.6
.
Bouncer on middle and leg, Pope ducks under it.
117.5
.
Full ball on the pads, worked towards wide mid on.
117.4
.
Length ball outside off, pushed towards the point region.
117.3
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
117.2
.
Full ball on middle and off, Pope drives this one beautifully down the ground. The ball hits the stumps at the non-striker's end. Mitchell tries to get his hand to it but fails to do so. The ball deflects off the stumps towards mid on.
117.1
1
On the hips, worked towards square leg for a single.
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
0
0
Neil Wagner 88/1(28)
116.6
.
Another good area, just outside off, Pope walks across his stumps and pushes it towards gully.
116.5
.
Nice line, around off, angling away, but Pope is determined not to fiddle with those.
116.4
.
Landed outside off, left alone.
116.3
1
Around off, on a length, dabbed to third man, fine of wide slip, for a single.
116.2
.
INSIDE EDGE, MISSES THE STUMPS! 'C'mon!' yells Wagner in frustration. Full and outside off, Root looks to defend but gets an inside edge. The ball hits his left boot and rolls past the leg stump!
116.1
.
Outside off, pushed straight to point.
While we are talking about patience, let us now talk about discipline. The Kiwi bowlers have been disciplined so far but England need their batsmen to follow that principle as well. True, no wickets have fallen but there have been too many inside edges. A change in the field now. Ross Taylor goes to third man while Tom Latham swaps his position at short cover to point, with another Kiwi fielder.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Daryl Mitchell 33/0(14)
115.6
.
Full and just outside off, solidly defended towards cover.
115.5
.
Half volley outside off, Ollie stays leg side of the ball and drives it towards mid off.
It is all a game of patience today. The surface looks a pretty hard one but it is also slowing up. So, timing would be tested and it could be one of those pitches where if you get one wicket, a couple more could follow quickly.
115.4
.
Full and around off again, Pope lunges to block.
115.3
.
Around off, blocked solidly.
115.2
.
Around off, coming in, defended to the leg side.
115.1
.
Full and around off, swinging away, watchfully defended down the pitch.
In over# 1
0
0
1
0
0
1
Neil Wagner 87/1(27)
114.6
.
Full and outside off, Root looks drive but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.
114.5
.
Outside off, punched off the back foot.
114.4
1
Full and outside off, Ollie reaches out and pushes it towards point for a run.
114.3
.
Around off, left alone.
114.2
.
Outside off, pretty full and wide, Pope pushes at it but misses.
114.1
1
Full and outside off, Root looks to push but the ball squirts off the inside edge through mid-wicket. A single taken.
Neil Wagner changes ends. 26-3-85-1 so far. This is the end which has seen cracks open up and offer indifferent bounce.
In over# 1
0
0
4
0
1
0
Daryl Mitchell 33/0(13)
113.6
.
Landed outside off, OP lets it through watchfully.
113.5
.
The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
113.4
4
BOTTOM EDGE, FOUR! Ahhh... Pope and his luck with the edges. Full and outside off, Ollie looks to push away from his body but there is no feet movement. The ball takes the bottom edge and goes past the off stump, past the diving Watling, to his left and into the fine leg fence. The deficit is now 68.
113.3
.
Full and around middle, almost a yorker, bunted down the ground, past the bowler. Mid on mops it up.
113.2
1
Around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
113.1
.
Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.
Another bowling change. Daryl Mitchell comes on. 12-4-28-0 so far. Ian Smith observes a substitute coming in with some drinks. He says that we have barely had 13 overs of play and substitutes are already on. With a scheduled Drinks Break, Smith wants players to control their urge to drink and quench their thirst. Professionalism.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Mitchell Santner 33/0(18)
112.6
.
Tossed up around off, well defended.
112.5
.
Walks into the shot now and pushes this towards mid on.
112.4
.
Around off, watchfully defended.
112.3
.
Full and wide outside off, good bowling, Pope reaches out and pushes it with hard hands towards point. Santner will like that. There is a possibility of an outside edge if Pope keeps doing that.
112.2
.
Around middle, pushed straight to cover.
112.1
1
Full and around middle, Root goes and works it through mid-wicket for a single.
Spin for the first time this morning. Mitchell Santner is on. 17-4-32-0 so far. We can expect quite a long spell from him, if New Zealand cannot get wickets.
In over# 1
0
0
1
1
0
0
Neil Wagner 85/1(26)
111.6
.
Landed outside off, pushed straight to cover.
111.5
.
Full and outside off, Pope looks to drive but the ball goes off the inner half of the bat down the ground.
111.4
1
Outside off, dabbed to third man for a run.
111.3
1
A streaky way to get 300 on the scoreboard. Trail by 75 now. Full and around off, angling away, Pope stretches out to drive but the ball takes the inside edge and goes to fine leg. A single taken.
111.2
.
Full and outside off, angling further away, left alone.
111.1
.
Around off, watchfully defended.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
4
0
Tim Southee 75/2(32)
110.6
.
Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.
110.5
.
Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.
110.4
.
Full and outside off, Root gets a big stride forward and blocks.
110.3
.
Around off, watchfully dabbed to wide slip.
110.2
4
FOUR! Uppish but safe! Williamson's innovative field placement nearly got him a wicket. A length ball outside off, Root looks to pull but the ball keeps a touch low. He plays the shot but it goes uppishly. Now, Williamson has stationed Ross Taylor at a squarish mid-wicket position. Not at the single-saving position, nor at the boundary. Somewhere in between. But it goes well wide of him, to his left and finds the fence. The skipper moves to 133. The deficit is also 76.
110.1
.
Full and just outside off, watchfully pushed towards mid on.
In over# 1
0
0
1
4
0
1
Neil Wagner 83/1(25)
109.6
.
Excellent stop by Latham! Full and outside off, Pope leans and drives it through the covers but Tom at short extra cover dives full fledged to his left to stop the ball.
109.5
.
The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
109.4
1
Another bouncer, pulled away by Root towards square leg for one.
109.3
4
FOUR! Plays that one very late! Bouncer just outside off, Root stays deep in his crease and upper cuts this one over the keeper's head. The ball races away to the fence.
109.2
.
Again Root goes to play this one in the gap between first slip and gully. However, it goes straight in the hands of the man at wide first slip on the bounce.
109.1
1
On the pads, Pope works this one towards square leg for a single.
In over# 1
0
0
4
0
0
0
Tim Southee 71/2(31)
108.6
.
On middle and off, Root goes back and pushes this one towards the left of the bowler.
108.5
.
Root this time safely defends it towards the off side.
108.4
4
FOUR! This time it is in the gap. Length ball outside off, Root opens the face of the bat and guides this one in the gap between wide first slip and gully. The ball races away to the third man fence. The man at gully did put in a full-stretch dive to his left but he still could not get to it.
108.3
.
On off, Root guides this with an angled bat softly towards the man at gully.
108.2
.
Again Root goes deep in his crease and blocks it out.
108.1
.
Length ball on middle and off, Root defends it back towards the bowler.
In over# 1
0
0
1
0
0
0
Neil Wagner 77/1(24)
107.6
.
Ollie rocks onto the back foot and defends this one towards mid on.
107.5
.
Pitched up ball on off, pushed towards cover.
107.4
1
Bouncer on middle and off, it is slow. Root comfortably swivels across and pulls this behind square for a single.
107.3
.
Length ball angling into the batter, Root looks to push this one towards the off side but the ball goes off the inner half towards mid on.
107.2
.
Another ball which is pitched up, defended towards the off side.
107.1
.
Fullish ball on off, defended out.
Neil Wagner is into the attack for the first time in the day. 23-3-76-1, his figures so far.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
1
0
Tim Southee 67/2(30)
106.6
.
Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
106.5
.
Another bouncer, successfully ducked under.
Neil Wagner is warming up. Looks like he will be coming on to bowl soon.
106.4
.
Full and around off, watchfully defended.
106.3
.
A short ball, around middle and leg, Pope initially looks to hook but then bails out. The ball keeps on climbing and Watling does excellently to dive to his left to gather.
106.2
1
Full and around off, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
106.1
.
On a length around off, defended down the ground.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
1
0
Matt Henry 63/1(25)
105.6
.
Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
105.5
.
Length ball outside off, punched towards the point region.
105.4
.
Full ball on off, driven towards mid off.
105.3
.
Beaten! Did that one pitch on a crack? Henry bowls a good length ball around off, the ball comes in after pitching. It shoots off the pitch. Pope looks to play at it but the ball whizzes past the outside edge. When the ball pitched, a puff of dust came out. Santner will like that!
105.2
1
On off again, Root guides this one towards the point region and takes a single.
105.1
.
Length ball just outside off, guided towards the man at gully.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Tim Southee 66/2(29)
104.6
.
A stifled appeal but nothing doing for the umpire. Southee bowls a length ball just outside off and gets it to nip back in. Pope gets back to defend but misses and is hit on the thigh pad. The Kiwi players appeal but the umpire shakes his head.
104.5
.
Fullish on off, pushed towards cover.
104.4
.
Pope gets right behind the line of the delivery and defends it.
104.3
.
Length ball on middle and off, Pope looks to defend but misses. It hits the thigh pad and rolls towards the slip cordon.
104.2
.
Length ball this time, outside off, Pope gets closer to the ball and defends it back towards the bowler.
104.1
.
Good length ball just outside off, defended towards the leg side.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
1
0
Matt Henry 62/1(24)
103.6
1
Around off, coming in, tucked through mid-wicket for a single.
103.5
.
Around off, defended from the crease.
103.4
.
Full and outside off, a touch wide, left alone.
103.3
.
Fractionally short in length outside off, Pope punches it through the covers but straight to the fielder.
103.2
1
A length ball outside off, punched to sweeper cover for a single.
103.1
.
Around off, curving away, punched towards cover.
In over# 1
0
0
1
4b
0
0
Tim Southee 66/2(28)
102.6
.
Ohh! Beaten! This time it is Pope. Good length ball on off, it nips back in. Pope looks to defend but does so outside the line and is beaten. The ball whizzes past the inside edge.
102.5
.
Pope goes back in his crease and defends this one.
102.4
1
Length ball just outside off, Root punches this one towards cover-point and takes a single.
102.3
4b
FOUR BYES! Down the leg side, Root goes for the flick but misses. Watling dives to his left but even he cannot get to the ball and the ball rolls into the fine leg fence for four byes.
102.2
.
Woah! That has stayed incredibly low! Southee bowls a good length ball just outside off, it pitches and stays very low. Root tries to bring his bat down and defend but he misses the ball completely. Had that ball been on the stumps, Root would have been a goner. The ball might have pitched on one of the cracks that might have opened up.
102.1
.
Good length ball just outside off, defended off the front foot towards mid off.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
2
0
Matt Henry 60/1(23)
101.6
.
Pope again goes onto the back foot and punches this one towards cover.
101.5
.
The batsman has punched that ball through the offside.
101.4
.
Fullish on off this time, Pope drives this one towards cover.
101.3
.
Length ball on off, defended off the back foot towards the bowler.
101.2
2
Back of a length ball on middle, Pope plays a soft pull shot. It goes over the man at mid-wicket and the batters take two.
101.1
.
Fullish ball on middle and leg, driven towards wide mid on.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
0
1
Tim Southee 65/2(27)
100.6
1
On the pads, flicked towards square leg for a single.
100.5
.
Length ball on off, it nips away a bit. Pope plays at it with soft hands but the ball goes off the outside edge towards the gully fielder. He dives to his right and holds onto it.
100.4
.
Some movement on this fuller ball for Southee, Pope drives this one towards mid off.
100.3
.
On the fourth stump line, Pope shuffles across a touch and defends this one off the back foot towards mid off.
100.2
.
Way wide outside off, Pope does not need to fiddle with it.
100.1
1
Southee serves a length ball outside off, Root plays this one towards point and takes a single.
Tim Southee it will be to bowl from the other end. 26-3-63-2 so far.
In over# 1
0
2
0
0
2
0
Matt Henry 58/1(22)
99.6
.
Length ball outside off, Ollie Pope makes a leave to get through the over.
99.5
2
Henry starts with a length ball in the corridor just outside off, Pope guides this one down towards third man and takes a couple. England underway on Day 4.
The players are out in the middle. The overnight batsmen, Joe Root and Ollie Pope, walk out to the middle. Matt Henry to complete his pending over. Pope to face.
Pitch report - Mark Richardson is down for the pitch report. Says that the weather conditions are overcast. The cracks have opened up a bit more than yesterday but they still won't have much affect on the match.
Good morning ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Day 4 of the second Test match between New Zealand and England. After a wait of almost 9 months, has English skipper Joe Root got his team back into the contest by scoring a ton? With the weather looking pretty bleak for Day 5, one would assume that the visitors have done enough as they trail the Kiwis by 106 runs. After being under the pump for the first 2 days, England applied themselves really well on Day 3 as Rory Burns and Joe Root both got to their respective tons. The Kiwis made a mini-comeback in the third session by taking 3 wickets and pushing England on the back foot again. With half the English side back in the hut and a new man at the crease, can the Kiwis enforce a collapse? All the updates coming up!
... Day 4, Session 1 ...
So, that will be it from Day 3. Rain has cut short the play on 2 out of the 3 days but we will be hoping that we get 2 uninterrupted days of play from here on in. Do join us at 1030 local (2130 GMT, Previous day) as there will be half an hour early start again to make up for the lost overs. You can now switch over to catch all the updates from the Adelaide Test where Pakistan are under the pump. Cheers!
In the third session, the Kiwi bowlers came back strongly rather than getting petered out. First they got rid of the dangerous Ben Stokes and then debutant Zak Crawley also followed him soon. The thorn for New Zealand heading into Day 4 will be the English skipper who is still at the crease and will be looking to get his team as close as he can to the hosts' total (trailing by 106 runs).
Yet another absorbing day of Test cricket! After seeing New Zealand's dominance on the first two days, the picture changed on Day 3. England made a roaring comeback through the partnership between Joe Root and Rory Burns. The pair saw off the entire morning session safely and then followed the same for most parts of the afternoon as well. They raised a 177-run stand and Burns notched up his century before getting run out towards the end of the second session.
Play has been ABANDONED for the day! With all the rain around, it was next to impossible to get the ground ready by 1800 local. So that will be it. Stumps on Day 3!
Auskar - Wow. Just got up from sleep, switched on the TV and bang, bang! Stokes gone, Crawley gone. I must be lucky for NZ. @Auskar - 'Interesting observation. How about changing your sleeping patterns for the next 2 days?'
99.4
.
Outside off, left alone by Ollie.
99.3
.
Good length ball on off, pushed back towards the bowler.
Update 1732 local - It has started to drizzle. The intensity is increasing and the umpires have decided to take the players off the park. The covers are on to protect the playing area. More covers are coming now. Stay tuned for more updates...
99.2
2
Bad fielding by Santner again! Outside off, Pope drives at this one and the ball goes towards cover where Santner is positioned. He misfields and that allows the batters to take a couple.
99.1
.
Length ball on middle and off, blocked out.
Matt Henry is back into the attack. 21-5-54-1, his figures so far.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Neil Wagner 76/1(23)
98.6
.
Way outside the off stump, Joe lets it go.
Oh dear! Movement near the boundary line. Groundsmen are getting the covers ready. They seem to be anticipating some rain.
98.5
.
The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
98.4
.
Play and a miss! A good length ball on middle and leg, angling away from Root. He looks to have a poke at it but misses and the ball whizzes past the outside edge. Root looks really unhappy with the fading light and shares some quiet words with the square leg umpire.
98.3
.
Fullish ball outside off, pushed towards the man at cover.
98.2
.
Good length ball outside off, Root makes another leave.
98.1
.
Length ball wide outside off, left alone.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
1
0
Tim Southee 63/2(26)
97.6
.
Good length ball on middle and off, defended back towards the bowler.
97.5
.
Another one outside off, Pope shoulders arms.
The artificial lights are switched on as it has turned gloomy out there.
97.4
.
Length ball outside off, left alone.
97.3
.
On the pads, Pope works this one towards mid-wicket.
97.2
1
Back of a length ball on off, Root swivels and pulls this one behind square leg for a single.
97.1
.
Full ball, almost a yorker on the off pole. Root jams it out back towards the bowler.
DRINKS! So, after two sessions completely dominated by the Englishmen, the Kiwis have staged half a comeback by sending Stokes and debutant Crawley back to the pavilion. The Kiwis still possess a lead of 109 runs but with Root still out in the middle, it is in danger of being extinguished. The New Zealand bowlers need to keep on doing the good work and pile on the pressure on the lower order batters now with Root looking well set.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Neil Wagner 76/1(22)
96.6
.
Length ball on the hips, pushed down the ground towards mid on.
96.5
.
Outside off, angling away from Pope. He does not fiddle with it.
96.4
.
Another length ball around off, pushed towards extra cover.
96.3
.
Good length delivery on middle and off, blocked out.
96.2
.
Length ball wide outside off, left alone.
96.1
1
Full ball on off, Root pushes this one down the ground and sets off. Williamson from mid off runs across to his right and has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. Single taken.
In over# 1
0
0
1
0
0
0
Tim Southee 62/2(25)
95.6
.
Angles in a length ball on off, Pope sticks back and defends it right under his eyes.
95.5
.
Ollie has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
95.4
1
The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.
95.3
.
Looks to drive it off his front foot but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
95.2
.
Good length ball on middle, Root defends it from the crease to the on side.
95.1
.
Hint of away movement outside off, Root shoulders arms.
In over# 1
2
0
0
0
0W
1
Neil Wagner 74/1(21)
94.6
2
Too straight in line and Pope eases it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
94.5
.
Edgy! A length delivery in the area around middle and leg, Pope is squared up in defense and it takes the leading edge before rolling back to the bowler.
94.4
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
94.3
.
Oohhh... this one stays low! Wagner angles across a good length ball outside off, Pope pushes at it but it goes under his bat.
Ollie Pope is the new batsman.
94.2
W
OUT! Caught behind! Crawley's 6-ball stay in the middle is over. Wagner comes up with a pinpoint delivery in the region around middle and off, Crawley goes nowhere with his footwork and has a tame push inside the line. It skids on with the angle, takes a faint outside edge and Watling completes the catch with a dive to his right. England trail by 113 runs with half their side back in the hut!
94.1
1
Fullish and outside off, driven through covers for a single.
In over# 1
1
1
0
0
0
1
Tim Southee 61/2(24)
93.6
1
On the pads and Root has worked it behind square leg for a single.
93.5
1
NOT OUT! Crawley has dived his way to safety! A length ball around off, Zak drives it to mid off and sets off for a quick run. Kane Williamson attacks the ball and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end as Crawley dives in. The Kiwis are celebrating and it's referred upstairs. The replays confirm that the dive has saved the young man and he is off the mark in Test cricket. Will always remember his first!
Direct hit! New Zealand are celebrating. Has the dive saved Crawley? It's referred upstairs and the replays find Zak to be safe. He is off the mark in Test career in the most nervous way.
93.4
.
Full and angling in on middle, Crawley knocks it down to mid on where the fielder stops it well.
93.3
.
Edged but safe! Crawley is showing nerves. Southee delivers a ball moving away from the batsman, Crawley pushes inside the line and gets a soft outside edge wide of gully.
93.2
.
Crawley lets the ball go outside his off stump.
93.1
1
Short in length around off, Root pulls it through square leg for one.
In over# 1
1
4
0
4
4
0
Neil Wagner 72/0(20)
92.6
1
Digs it in on middle, Root pulls it down to fine leg for a run.
92.5
4
FOUR! Width on offer outside off, Root latches onto it and smashes it over backward point for a boundary. All the pressure is gone and we can now see a free-flowing Joe!
92.4
.
Good length ball outside off, Root taps it down to covers.
92.3
4
FOUR! Root reaches his 17th Test hundred in a rather unconvincing way. The wait of 9 months is over. It's a long wait given the caliber of this batsman. He has been under the scanner for his dipping form and this knock has come at the best possible time. He reached there in an ugly manner though. Shortish ball close to off, Root is cramped for room as he tries to play the square cut. It catches the bottom edge and bounces over the leaping keeper for a boundary. Root is a relieved man. But his job is not done yet. England are still trailing by over 100 runs.
92.2
4
FOUR! Easy pickings! A length ball sliding down the leg side, Root deflects it fine down the leg side for a boundary.
92.1
.
Outside off, played down off the back foot to point.
In over# 1
0
0W
0
0
0
0
Tim Southee 58/2(23)
91.6
.
Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Zack Crawley, the debutant, walks out to bat now.
91.5
W
OUT! Fine low catch by Ross Taylor at first slip! Southee produces a brilliant delivery from 'round the wicket. He angles it in around off and gets it to nip away a shade. Stokes reaches out for it with firm hands and gets a thick outside edge behind. Taylor dives across to his right to snap it safely. Stokes looks behind and after seeing Rosco claiming the catch and celebrating, he returns to the pavilion.
EDGED! But has that carried? Ross Taylor is claiming the catch and Ben Stokes takes his word. He is walking back.
91.4
.
Too full in length and outside off, Stokes taps it down with soft hands to the off side.
91.3
.
This time Stokes leans into the drive and pushes it to covers.
91.2
.
On a length and close to off, Stokes blocks it off his back foot.
91.1
.
Good length delivery in the corridor outside off, Stokes picks the line early and makes a leave.
Joe Root puts some drying spray on his hands. Seems he is feeling the heat of the 90s and has sweaty palms.
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
0
0
Neil Wagner 59/0(19)
90.6
.
Closer to off on a good length, Root defends it solidly to the off side.
90.5
.
Switches to 'round the wicket and hurls in a good length ball outside off, Joe allows it through to the keeper.
90.4
.
On a length around off, Root stays back and defends it towards cover-point.
90.3
1
Full in length and on middle, Stokes uses the angle and clips it behind square leg for a run.
90.2
.
Ufff! This one stays low and goes underground! Wagner delivers it on a length close to off, Stokes tries to defend but it goes under his bat and misses the off pole by a whisker.
90.1
.
In the zone outside off, Stokes covers his stumps and shoulders arms. There was a hint of away shape!
In over# 1
0
4
1
0
0
0
Tim Southee 58/1(22)
89.6
.
A length ball on off, Joe stays back and pushes it towards wide mid off.
89.5
4
FOUR! Off the thickish outside edge! Fullish ball outside off, Root tries to drive it with an angled bat but it takes the outer half and hurries past the diving gully fielder for a boundary.
89.4
1
Yorker outside off, Stokes squeezes it out square of the wicket on the off side for a single.
89.3
.
Lands it full and close to off, Stokes drives it off the outer portion of his bat to mid off.
89.2
.
Short in length and outside off, Stokes shoulders arms.
89.1
.
Full in length on off, moving back in, Stokes forces it down to mid on.
Bowling change. Tim Southee is back into the attack. His figures so far read 21-2-53-1.
In over# 1
0
0
4
0
0
0
Neil Wagner 58/0(18)
88.6
.
Wagner goes very full and on middle, Root gets his bat down in time as he digs it out.
88.5
.
A mishit! Width on offer outside off, Root chases it and throws his bat. It catches the bottom edge and goes behind. Watling dives across to his right and the first slip fielder collects the ball on one bounce.
88.4
4
FOUR! And this boundary takes him into the 90s! Wagner pitches it up around off and Root stylishly leans into the cover drive. He middles his shot beautifully and sends it screaming away to the fence.
88.3
.
Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
88.2
.
Gets behind the line of the delivery and blocks it solidly from the back foot.
88.1
.
Fuller length ball angling in on middle, Root punches it down the ground and it goes over the bowler. The mid off fielder gets across to his right to stop the ball.
Just 8 overs and the second new ball has lost its shape. Very poor quality. The reserve umpire comes out with a box of balls.
In over# 1
0
0
0
4
0
0
Matt Henry 54/1(21)
87.6
.
Uses the angle of the bowler and helps the length ball to mid-wicket.
87.5
.
Fuller in length and outside off, driven solidly off the front foot to mid off.
87.4
.
Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
87.3
4
FOUR! Sublime! Back of a length ball on off, Stokes camps back and punches it sweetly past the left side of the diving cover fielder. The mid off fielder chases but comes second best.
87.2
.
A length ball around off, Stokes meets it with the full face of his bat and eases it past the bowler to mid off.
87.1
.
Fractionally short and moving back into the batsman from around middle, Stokes pushes it firmly to mid on.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Neil Wagner 54/0(17)
86.6
.
Fullish and outside off, pushed off the front foot to covers.
86.5
.
Root shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
86.4
.
On a length and outside off, Root keeps his weight on the back foot and allows it through the line.
Hammer time! One of the groundsmen is charging to the middle. He uses the hammer to level the surface near the bowler's landing area. Now Wagner takes the matter, or rather the hammer into his own hands and he too is leveling the surface near the landing area. 'Is he qualified to do that? ...quips the on-air commentator!'
86.3
.
This one straightens nicely. Fullish and on middle, Root is opened up slightly in his defense and he keeps it out off the outer half of his blade.
86.2
.
Good length ball angling away from the batsman, wide outside off, Joe shoulders arms.
86.1
.
A cracking yorker on middle at 124.5 kph, Root keeps his eyes glued to the ball and digs it out down to mid on. As the innings has progressed, Joe has become a lot better with his transfer of weight into the shot. Initially Root was seen reaching out for the ball by leaning forward and now he is trying to play right under his watchful eyes.
Neil Wagner has been unleashed into the attack. 16-1-54-0, his figures so far. Can Wagner produce some magic with the second new ball?
In over# 1
0
0
1
0
0
0
Matt Henry 50/1(20)
85.6
.
Henry sends an invitation for a drive outside off, Stokes declines the offer.
85.5
.
Uppish but safe! A length ball on middle and leg, angling down, Stokes turns to work it on the leg side but closes the face of the bat early. It pops out off the leading edge but doesn't carry to mid on.
85.4
1
Very full in length and around leg, it's clipped behind square leg for a single.
85.3
.
Good length ball on off, defended off the back foot.
85.2
.
Offers the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
85.1
.
Pushed to the cover region by the batsman.
In over# 1
4
0
0
0
4
0
Tim Southee 53/1(21)
84.6
4
FOUR! Slapped away! Short of a length delivery wide outside off, Stokes gets on top of the bounce and whacks it behind square on the off side. It flies over the gully fielder for a boundary.
84.5
.
Good length ball on off, Stokes is on the back foot in defense.
84.4
.
Fuller length ball around off, angling in, Stokes shows the full face of his bat as he tries to play it straight. It comes slightly off the inner half and squirts to mid off.
84.3
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
84.2
4
FOUR! Absolutely delightfully! Southee is very full and wide outside off, Stokes accepts the proposal of driving it through the line and creams it through the gap at covers.
84.1
.
Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Matt Henry 49/1(19)
83.6
.
A back foot punch this time by Root but he finds the cover fielder.
83.5
.
Henry puts it on a length and close to off, angling in, Root defends it stoutly to the off side.
83.4
.
Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
83.3
.
A length ball outside off, Root stays back and pushes it with an angled bat to point.
83.2
.
Goes full and angles it on middle, Root flicks it across the line but finds the mid-wicket fielder.
83.1
.
Almost a drag on! Henry dishes out a good length ball close to off and it holds its line upon landing, Root gets back inside the crease to punch it through the line but it takes the inside edge and strikes him on the right leg.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Tim Southee 45/1(20)
82.6
.
Hurls a gentle delivery in the zone wide outside off, Stokes is in no mood to chase it.
82.5
.
Slants in a length ball on off, Stokes remains back and pushes it to mid on.
82.4
.
Pitches it up and outside off, Stokes plays a free-flowing cover drive but finds the fielder.
82.3
.
Angles in a full length ball on off, Stokes covers the line and blocks it off his front foot.
82.2
.
Lands it on a length and outside off, Ben shoulders arms with ease.
82.1
1
Fullish and on the pads, clipped to square leg for one.
Tim Southee to continue...
In over# 1
2
0
0
0
1
0
Matt Henry 49/1(18)
81.6
2
Fantastic effort by Wagner! An overpitched delivery on middle, Stokes whips it past mid on and Wagner gives the chase. He dives near the fence to keep it inside the line and saves two runs for his team. Great commitment.
81.5
.
Good length delivery in the channel outside off, Stokes covers the line and shoulders arms.
81.4
.
Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
81.3
.
Henry switches to 'round the wicket and spears in a full ball on off, Stokes meets it with a straight bat and pushes it off the inner half to mid on.
81.2
1
Again the length is very full around middle, angling in, Root eases it wide of mid on and crosses for a single.
81.1
.
Right on the money first up! Almost a yorker on off, Root brings his bat down in time and pushes it towards mid on.
We're back for the last session. It's going to be a vital phase of this Test match as the second new ball has been taken and the conditions are overcast. New Zealand would be hoping to take advantage of that! 35 overs are left in the day. Matt Henry (17-4-46-1) to run in first up...
... DAY 3, FINAL SESSION ...
76/1 in 28 overs - Another good session for England, just losing the centurion Rory Burns. The pair of Joe Root and Burns batted fluently in the afternoon and played some superb shots. They extended their partnership beyond the 150-run mark and also brought the deficit under 200. An error in judging the second run cost Rory his wicket and the Black Caps finally got the breakthrough they dearly needed since the start of Day 3. The second new ball has been taken and with the cloud cover and a new batsman in the middle, New Zealand would be hoping to make further inroads in the last session. Do join us at 1600 local (0300 GMT) for more action.
In over# 1
0
2
0
0
0
0
Tim Southee 44/1(19)
80.6
.
Length ball outside off, left alone by Stokes to get through the second session of the day. That will be TEA ON DAY 3.
80.5
2
Fullish ball just outside the off pole line, Stokes looks to defend but the ball goes off the outer half of the bat towards point for a couple.
80.4
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
80.3
.
Good length ball on middle and off, Stokes defended it out.
80.2
.
Way too wide outside off, Stokes shoulders arms.
80.1
.
Some swing straightaway with the new ball. Southee comes from around the wicket and releases this one from way outside the off pole, it tails back in a lot but just not enough to trouble the batter.
SECOND NEW BALL IS AVAILABLE! New Zealand waste no time and take it straightaway. One more over left in the session. Tim Southee returns to bowl it. It's turning overcast now.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
1
0
Mitchell Santner 32/0(17)
79.6
.
Floated on middle and off, Root prods forward and defends.
79.5
.
The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
79.4
.
Santner bowls a floated ball outside off, left alone by Root.
79.3
.
Root goes back deep in his crease and defends.
79.2
1
Another one which is dragged back, Stokes goes onto the back foot and pushes it towards the cover region. The fielder there dives and makes a good half-stop but the batters take a single.
79.1
.
Santner bowls a shortish ball on middle, Stokes pushes it down to mid on.
Mitchell Santner comes back on. 16-4-31-0, his figures so far.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Daryl Mitchell 28/0(12)
78.6
.
Full ball on off, driven towards the cover region.
78.5
.
On middle and leg, defended by Root.
78.4
.
Again on off, pushed towards the off side.
78.3
.
Very full ball on off, Root superbly drives it towards cover but straight to the man.
78.2
.
On the off side, Root opens the face of the bat and helps it to third man.
78.1
.
Length ball outside off, played towards point.
In over# 1
0
0
0
4
0
2
Neil Wagner 54/0(16)
77.6
.
Full ball on off, blocked out towards the off side.
77.5
.
On the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket.
77.4
.
Again Stokes drives it down the ground but this time straight to the man at mid off.
77.3
4
FOUR! Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! Overpitched ball on the off pole line, Stokes has driven this one with class through mid on for a boundary.
77.2
.
On the pads of Stokes, he works this one towards the leg side.
77.1
2
Good length ball on the off pole line by Wagner, bowling with a scrambled seam. Stokes shuffles across and works this one towards square leg for a couple.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Daryl Mitchell 28/0(11)
76.6
.
Outside off, length ball. Root leaves it alone.
76.5
.
Full ball around off, Root shuffles and drives this one down the ground. The man from mid on runs across and stops it.
76.4
.
This time it is on off, driven towards extra cover.
76.3
.
On the pads, driven towards mid on.
76.2
.
Pitched up ball just outside off, Root defends with a vertical bat.
76.1
.
Full ball on middle, defended out.
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
0
4
Neil Wagner 48/0(15)
75.6
.
Length ball wide outside off, played towards point.
75.5
.
The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
75.4
.
On off, driven superbly towards the cover region.
75.3
1
On the pads of Root, he works it towards square leg for a single. Santner there picks up the ball and has a shy at the striker's end and hits. However, Stokes is well in.
75.2
.
Way outside the off pole, Root shoulders arms.
75.1
4
FOUR! Great shot by Root. Good length ball outside off, Root opens the face of his bat and guides this one between gully and backward point towards the third man fence.
The reserve umpire has come out and changed the bails. The earlier ones in use were white in colour and it was quite tough for the third umpire to find out whether they were dislodged in the white background (Watling's jersey colour when he was breaking the stumps to dismiss Rory Burns). Bails of woody colour in place now. Well done! It's all about correcting mistakes and being proactive.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Daryl Mitchell 28/0(10)
74.6
.
A gentle delivery in the channel outside off, Stokes lifts his bat skywards and allows it through.
74.5
.
Leans forward to a full ball and pushes it gently to short cover.
74.4
.
Closer to the off stump this time, on a length, Stokes middles his defensive shot and pushes it to mid off.
74.3
.
Action replay of the previous delivery. Ben has been quite watchful at the moment.
74.2
.
Pitches it up and outside off, Stokes strides forward and shoulders arms.
74.1
1
Lands it on a length and outside off, Root drives it through cover-point for a single.
In over# 1
0
1
1
1W
1
1
Neil Wagner 43/0(14)
73.6
.
Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. Successful over at last for the Kiwis!
73.5
1
The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single.
73.4
1
High full toss down the leg side, Stokes flicks this one towards the fine leg region and takes a single to get off the mark. Interestingly, it's not called a no ball.
Ben Stokes is the new batsman with England trailing by 174 runs.
73.3
W
OUT! RUN OUT! Burns has thrown his wicket away just after getting to his ton. He will be fuming with himself right now. Wagner bowls this one the pads of Burns, he flicks this one towards mid-wicket and sets off for a single. Root calls Burns for the second and he obliges. Raval from deep mid-wicket runs in and throws it at the striker's end. Watling dislodges the bails and appeals. The umpire refers it upstairs. After numerous replays and various angles, the third umpire gives it out. Bruce Oxenford used all possible frames there to make his decision. Also, the colour of bails were white and to pick whether they were dislodged from the white background (Watling's jersey colour) was quite a challenge. Eventually, the right decision has been made and that's paramount. Even after scoring a ton, Burns walks out of the park looking like a disappointed man and rightly so. However, he has played a handy role in reviving his team's fortune.
Run out appeal! Rory Burns is the batsman under the scanner. It seems to be touch and go in the replays. The third umpire watches it from multiple angles and takes his own sweet time. Eventually Rory is found inches short of the crease in one frame.
73.2
1
Back of a length ball on the leg side, Root pulls this one towards mid-wicket and takes a single.
73.1
1
Here it is... SECOND TEST CENTURY FOR RORY BURNS! He has been given three lives and has made sure to make the most of it and put the Kiwis under the pump. On the pads of Rory, he flicks this one towards fine leg and takes a single to get to his ton. He removes his helmet and enjoys the ovation from the dressing room. The England opener will now be looking to convert this into a daddy hundred!
In over# 1
1
4
1
0
0
0
Daryl Mitchell 27/0(9)
72.6
1
Another one outside off, this time Burns pushes it towards cover off the back foot and takes a single to move to 99. He retains strike for the next over.
72.5
4
FOUR! Punched away! Length ball wide outside off, Burns makes room and punches this one towards point for a boundary.
72.4
1
This time Root pierces the gap at cover inside the circle. The ball goes to the man at sweeper cover and that allows the batters to take one.
72.3
.
Good length ball on off, pushed towards cover.
72.2
.
Full ball on off, driven towards the cover region.
72.1
.
Good length ball outside off, Root opens the face of the bat and guides this one towards short third man.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
1
0
Neil Wagner 38/0(13)
71.6
.
Slower yorker by Wagner on off, at 112 kph. Burns does well to keep it out.
71.5
.
Full ball on off, driven towards mid off.
71.4
.
Wagner attacks the stumps now. Burns brings his bat down in time and the ball goes off the inner half towards mid on.
71.3
.
Burns in two minds here! Wagner bowls this one on a length just outside off, the ball moves away from the batter. Burns initially looks to play at it but eventually pulls his bat away.
71.2
1
Good running by the English batters. Root goes deep in his crease and pushes this length ball wide of mid on. Burns trusts his partner and sets off straightaway to complete an easy single.
71.1
.
The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Daryl Mitchell 21/0(8)
70.6
.
Good length ball in the corridor outside off, Burns pushes this one towards point. Maiden to start off his new spell.
70.5
.
The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
70.4
.
Burns drives this pitched up ball towards mid off.
70.3
.
Another one outside off, Burns shoulders arms to let that one through.
70.2
.
Now Mitchell goes fuller, Burns pushes this one towards mid off.
70.1
.
Mitchell start with a length ball outside off, Burns leaves it alone.
Daryl Mitchell is back on. 7-1-21-0, his figures so far. Can the local lad come up with something that can dislodge this high-flying batting pair?
In over# 1
0
1
0
0
0
0
Neil Wagner 37/0(12)
69.6
.
Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
69.5
1
Slower again, full and dipping into the batsman, Burns flicks it wide of mid on for a run.
69.4
.
Play and a miss! Width on offer outside off, Burns flashes and misses. Getting nervous in the 90s?
69.3
.
Zippy delivery on this occasion. Wagner bowls it outside off and it skids through the surface after pitching. Burns guards his stumps and shoulders arms.
69.2
.
Beaten completely! A knuckle ball by Wagner. It's very full and outside off, gripping and cutting away upon landing, Burns tries to force it away on the off side but is beaten.
69.1
.
Fuller in length and outside off, Burns drives it off his front foot to mid off.
In over# 1
0
0
0
4
0
0
Mitchell Santner 31/0(16)
68.6
.
Too full in length and outside off, Root mistimes his drive to covers.
68.5
.
Interesting! Flatter and a touch shorter outside off, Root shuffles across the stumps and then defends close to his pads. There was some extra bounce and Joe somehow managed to keep it out to safely.
No attacking fielder other than a slip now. Short leg has vanished and there is a deep square leg in place.
68.4
.
Tossed up ball on off, defended off the front foot.
68.3
4
FOUR! Superb shot! Loopy full ball around off, Root kneels and nails his sweep shot in front of square leg for a powerful boundary. England are in command!
68.2
.
Flighted and full on middle, Joe leans forward and defends.
68.1
.
Tossed up ball outside off, Root has nothing to do with it.
Drinks break. Another hour of play safely negotiated by the pair of Joe Root and Rory Burns. They continue to be in full control of their game and have extended their partnership to 162 runs. The deficit has also come under 200 and New Zealand will be feeling the heat at the moment. They did get the chance to run out Rory Burns but failed to take it and now the southpaw has three lives en route 93. He will be looking for his century and inflict more damage on the Kiwis.
In over# 1
1
0
0
4
0
0
Neil Wagner 36/0(11)
67.6
1
On the pads, Root works this one towards the leg side and takes a single.
67.5
.
Outside off, Root plays it with an angled bat towards gully.
67.4
.
Again Root pushes at a length and again he gets a thick outside edge on it. This time the man at wide first slip takes it on the bounce.
67.3
4
EDGED AND FOUR! Root is a lucky man! Good length ball outside off, it pitches and nips away from the batter. Root pushes at it with soft hands but the ball goes off the outside edge through the gap between wide first slip and the keeper through to the third man fence.
67.2
.
Length ball on middle and off, Root goes deep in his crease and defends.
67.1
.
Full ball wide outside off, Root jams it out towards point.
In over# 1
0
1
0
4lb
0
0
Mitchell Santner 27/0(15)
66.6
.
Burns has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
66.5
1
Tossed up ball on off, swept away through square leg for one.
Bowling change. Neil Wagner is back into the attack. 10-1-31-0, his figures so far. Can he provide the all-important breakthrough for the Kiwis?
66.4
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
66.3
4lb
FOUR LEG BYES! Whoa! This one turns square. Santner serves a flatter delivery on middle and it spins away after landing. Root is opened up in his stance as he tries to work it away. Fails to put bat on ball and is hit on the flap of the back pad. The bowler appeals but doesn't receive support from the keeper. It has hurried behind for a boundary at third man. The replays find the impact to be comfortably outside off.
66.2
.
Root has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
66.1
.
Flighted and outside off, left alone.
In over# 1
0
4
0
0
0
0
Matt Henry 47/1(17)
65.6
.
A pitched up ball outside off has been driven through the line but straight to covers.
65.5
4
FOUR! Easily done! Burns enters into the 90s! Short in length and around off, it nicely sits up for the batsman. Burns rides the bounce and pulls it handsomely to the deep mid-wicket fence. 150-run stand comes up as well! The deficit is under 200 now!
65.4
.
In the channel outside off, another leave made by Rory.
65.3
.
Outside off, left alone.
65.2
.
Full in length on middle and off, driven back to the bowler and Henry made a fine diving stop to his left.
65.1
.
Knocks a full ball down the ground towards mid on.
In over# 1
1
1
1
0
0
1
Mitchell Santner 26/0(14)
64.6
1
Short and outside off, cut through point for one.
64.5
1
Root has pushed it to the cover region. One run added to the total.
64.4
1
Turns it off his pads to the leg side, finds the gap and takes a run.
64.3
.
Rory has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
64.2
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
64.1
1
Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
In over# 1
1
1
1
1
0
0
Matt Henry 43/1(16)
63.6
1
The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
63.5
1
Run out chance missed! Burns survives. What was Henry thinking there? Fullish ball around off, Burns uses his wrists to flick it through mid-wicket and eyes the second run. He is sent back by Root and Rory charges back. But before that, the fielder (Wagner) from the deep has released his throw and it's in the direction of the stumps at the non-striker's end. But Henry tries to collect it ahead of the wickets and fumbles. That gives Burns the chance to dive back in safely. Latham was perfectly stationed behind the sticks and had Matt not intervened, Burns would have been found short. Big miss!
63.4
1
Fuller length ball on middle, Root picks it off his pads and clips it to deep mid-wicket for one.
63.3
1
Fuller in length and close to off, Burns works it on the leg side, in front of square leg, and jogs across for a single.
63.2
.
In the region outside off, angling away, Rory shoulders arms.
63.1
.
The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
In over# 1
0
0
4
0
0
2lb
Mitchell Santner 22/0(13)
62.6
.
Quicker and flatter on off, defended off the back foot.
62.5
.
Another good looking drive from the bat of Root but he finds the cover fielder.
62.4
4
FOUR! Beautiful timing and placement! Loopy delivery landing full and outside off, Root leans into the square drive and caresses it through the gap. The cover-point fielder gives the chase but it goes away spinning from him and he eventually fails to pull it back in play.
62.3
.
Flatter and on middle, Root hangs on the back foot and helps it on the leg side.
62.2
.
Floated and full on middle, Joe strides forward and defends it back.
62.1
2lb
Skidding down the leg side, Root fails to flick and it goes off his pads to fine leg. They take a couple of leg byes.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
1lb
Matt Henry 39/1(15)
61.6
.
Another easy leave outside the off stump to complete an innocuous over.
61.5
.
Outside off, left alone.
61.4
.
Full in length close to off, angling away again, Burns parks his front foot forward and across before shouldering arms.
61.3
.
On a length and outside off, Burns strides forward and pushes it to mid off.
61.2
.
Good length ball in the channel outside off, leaving the left-hander with the angle, Burns shoulders arms.
61.1
1lb
Back of a length ball on middle and leg, Root nudges it towards fine leg and picks up a single. Given as a leg bye.
Matt Henry replaces Southee into the attack. 14-3-38-1, his figures so far.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
0
0
Mitchell Santner 18/0(12)
60.6
1
Goes down on one knee and sweeps a full ball from the off stump line. He sends it to deep square leg and retains strike with a single.
60.5
.
Quicker through the air this time, it's flat and on the pads, Root moves back and taps it down to short leg.
60.4
.
An arm ball around off, Root prods forward and defends it ahead of his front pad.
60.3
.
Extra flight there, it lands full and wide outside off, Root cracks his drive off the front foot but finds the cover fielder.
60.2
.
Full and floated outside off, Root covers the line and leaves it alone.
60.1
.
Flatter and a touch shorter on off, Root goes on the back foot in defense.
In over# 1
0
0
0
4
0
0
Tim Southee 42/1(18)
59.6
.
Lets the ball go outside his off stump. Another over safely negotiated! Just wearing down the Kiwi bowlers.
59.5
.
Pitches it up and around off, Burns drives it off his front foot to short cover.
59.4
.
Slower delivery, full and wide outside off, Rory takes a stride forward and then allows it through.
59.3
4
FOUR! Crunched! Short in length and around off, Burns stands tall inside the crease and pulls it with authority to the deep mid-wicket fence. That's raced away.
59.2
.
Full in length and outside off, Burns drives it on the up but finds the wide mid off fielder.
59.1
.
Angling away from the left-hander, outside off. Burns keeps his bat close to his body as he makes a leave.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
1
0
Mitchell Santner 17/0(11)
58.6
1
Mishit! Good bowling by Santner. This time he manages to lure the batsman into a drive by giving it some extra air. Burns throws his bat at it and slices it down to deep point for a single. Not where he intended to play that shot.
58.5
.
Continues to toss them up! Full and on off, this time it's blocked with the spin to mid-wicket.
58.4
.
Nicely flighted by Santner and he lands it very full on off, Rory leans forward and defends it.
58.3
.
Loopy delivery outside off, turning in a bit, Burns gets back and has enough time to play it towards mid-wicket.
58.2
1
Bowls this one with a round-arm action, around leg, Root gets back and tucks it to fine leg for one. Just too easy to rotate the strike for these two.
58.1
.
Tossed up ball landing full on middle, Root lunges and defends it to short leg.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
1
0
Tim Southee 38/1(17)
57.6
.
Fullish and on off, pushed off the front foot to mid off. End of the over and it continues to be easy going for England.
57.5
.
Pitches it up and outside off, angling away, Rory allows it through comfortably.
57.4
.
The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
57.3
.
Southee appears to be working on a plan to lure Burns into a drive and eke out an outside edge. This time though he serves it way wide outside off, Rory has nothing to do with it.
57.2
1
Length ball outside off, Root goes back and cuts this one towards backward point for one. This single brings up 150 runs for England. They trail by 225 runs.
57.1
.
Outside off, played towards point.
In over# 1
0
0
1
1
1
0
Mitchell Santner 15/0(10)
56.6
.
This time flatter by Santner, Burns goes deep in his crease and works this one towards mid-wicket.
56.5
.
Tossed up delivery on off, turning back in. Burns goes back and defends.
56.4
1
Shortish outside off, Root rocks back and cuts this one towards backward point for one.
56.3
1
Flatter outside off, Burns shuffles and works this one towards the leg side for a single.
Leg side field is strengthened. Clearly aiming at Rory Burns' sweep shots.
56.2
1
Santner drags it short, Root goes deep in his crease and works this one towards square leg for a single.
56.1
.
Floated on off, Root prods forward and blocks.
In over# 1
0
0
1
1
0
0
Tim Southee 37/1(16)
55.6
.
A real tempter by Southee. He delivers it on the driving length and it's a slower one. Burns takes his front leg forward and then decides to make a leave.
55.5
.
A length ball close to off, Burns strides forward and defends it back solidly.
55.4
1
Once again it's overpitched by Southee on middle, Root stands on top of it as he flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.
55.3
1
Pitches it up and outside off, Burns leans into the drive and sends it through point for a run.
55.2
.
A touch short in length this time, wide outside off, Burns has nothing to do with it.
55.1
.
Good length ball on middle, Burns gets back to work it on the leg side but is late in closing the face of his bat. It takes the leading half and rolls to mid off.
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
0
0
Mitchell Santner 12/0(9)
54.6
.
Extra loop on this delivery, it's full and on off, Root strokes it by pressing forward but fails to beat the diving short cover fielder.
54.5
.
Too full in length and around off, driven back in the direction of the bowler.
54.4
.
Flighted one, full and on off, Root lunges and defends it to the off side.
54.3
1
Bowls this one with a quicker-arm action and lands it full around off, Burns goes down and sweeps it behind square leg for one.
54.2
.
Flatter this time, around off and on the shorter side, Burns goes on the back foot and blocks.
54.1
.
Flighted and full around off, Burns is on the front foot in defense.
Mitchell Santner to continue from this end post Lunch.
In over# 1
0
1
0
0
0
0
Tim Southee 35/1(15)
53.6
.
Full in length and wide outside off, Root leans into the drive and middles his shot well. Although he finds the cover fielder.
53.5
1
Nopes, that's a double bluff! Tim overpitches on middle, Burns does well to flick it through mid-wicket for a single.
Square leg drops back. Short stuff coming?
53.4
.
Southee gets closer to off stump, it's on a length and Burns defends it from the crease to short cover.
53.3
.
Lands it around off and takes it away with the angle, Burns sticks inside the crease and shoulders arms.
53.2
.
This one is further wide outside off, a very easy lave for Rory this time.
53.1
.
Southee begins his new spell with a fuller length delivery outside off, Burns takes his front leg forward to cover the line and then makes a leave.
Back for the afternoon session! The men concerned are slowly coming back on the field. Joe Root has finally found some runs to silence his critics for the time being and Rory Burns is making full use of the lives granted to him last evening. But the thing is that they cannot afford to relax. England would want them to repeat their morning session performance and take them as close as possible to 375. New Zealand will try to remain disciplined with their bowling and hope for some support from the pitch. Tim Southee (14-2-34-1) to kick off proceedings.
... DAY 3, SESSION 2 ...
What a satisfactory morning for England! They were treading on thin ice at the close of play on Day 2 but the pair of Joe Root and Rory Burns applied themselves beautifully this morning and their century partnership has given the touring team breathing space. They are not out of jail yet as the deficit is over 200 and the current stand has to continue to bring them to safer shores. There is nothing on offer from the surface and the Black Caps will be ruing those dropped catches of Rory Burns. Both the English batsmen have scored their fifties and are looking determined for a big one. From where will the breakthrough come for New Zealand? Do join us at 1340 local (0040 GMT) to find out.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Mitchell Santner 11/0(8)
52.6
.
Flatter delivery outside off, it pitches and skids back in a bit. Root offers no stroke and is hit on the pads. The Kiwi players put in a stifled appeal but nothing doing for the umpire. Hasn't skidded back in enough. That will be LUNCH ON DAY 3.
52.5
.
The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
52.4
.
Tossed up on off, Root defends by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
52.3
.
Root prods forward and defends this one out.
52.2
.
On off this time, Root guides this one towards cover-point.
52.1
.
Tossed up on the pads, tucked towards the leg side.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
1
0
Daryl Mitchell 21/0(7)
51.6
.
The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
51.5
.
Fullish ball on off, driven towards mid off.
51.4
.
Another one way outside off, Burns does not fiddle with it.
51.3
.
Outside off, left alone.
51.2
1
50 up for Joe Root! His 46th half century in Test cricket. On the pads of Root, he flicks this one towards mid-wicket for a single to get to his half ton. He is well set here and would be looking to take his side close to New Zealand's total first. Can the English skipper convert this start into a ton?
51.1
.
Good length ball on middle and off, defended out.
In over# 1
0
0
1
0
0
0
Mitchell Santner 11/0(7)
50.6
.
Floated on off, blocked out.
50.5
.
Tossed up on off, pushed towards mid on.
50.4
1
Root goes back deep in his crease and works this one behind square on the leg side for a single.
50.3
.
Another one floated on middle, tucked towards the leg side.
50.2
.
Floated on middle, defended out.
50.1
.
On the pads, worked away towards the leg side.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
0
0
Daryl Mitchell 20/0(6)
49.6
1
On the pads of Root, he flicks this one towards mid-wicket for a single.
49.5
.
The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
49.4
.
NOT OUT! Good decision to review the umpire's call by Root. Good length ball down the leg side, Root looks to flick this one but fails to do so. The ball carries to BJ Watling behind the wickets who puts in a loud appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Root straightaway without consulting his partner signals the 'T'. Replays roll in, Hot Spot comes in and shows no bat involved. It shows that it has hit Root on the pad. Snicko confirms the same. Root survives and he will be looking to score big here.
Review time! Root has been adjudged caught behind but he has gone straightaway for the review. He seems very confident that there is no edge on it and the Hot Spot confirms it. Review successful and Root survives.
49.3
.
On the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket.
49.2
.
Length delivery on middle and leg, driven towards mid on.
49.1
.
Good length ball on off, defended by Root.
Daryl Mitchell is back into the attack. 5-1-19-0, his figures so far.
In over# 1
4
0
0
1
0
0
Mitchell Santner 10/0(6)
48.6
4
FOUR! Swept away! Burns has hardly missed a scoring opportunity in this innings. Tossed up delivery down the leg side, Burns gets down on one knee and sweeps this one fine down the leg side for a boundary.
48.5
.
Another one on the hips, Burns goes back and defends.
48.4
.
On the hips, tucked towards the man at square leg.
48.3
1
Floated on off, Root punches it towards mid off and takes a single.
48.2
.
Tossed up on off, Root defends it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
48.1
.
Root plays this one towards the man at point.
In over# 1
2
2
0
1
1
0
Matt Henry 38/1(14)
47.6
2
Another fuller ball on off, this time Burns punches it down the ground through mid off and the batters take two as the fielder from mid off chases it and cuts it off.
47.5
2
Full ball wide outside off, Burns middles this one over the cover fielder. The man at sweeper cover cuts it off and the batters take a couple.
47.4
.
Yorker just outside off, jammed out towards mid off.
47.3
1
On the pads of Root, he flicks this one towards mid-wicket for a single.
47.2
1
Length ball on the pads, Burns punches this one towards mid-wicket. The bowler gives it a chase but cannot stop the single.
47.1
.
Very full ball on off, driven towards the man at silly mid off.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Mitchell Santner 5/0(5)
46.6
.
Another one outside off, Root gets down on one knee and punches it towards cover-point. Maiden!
46.5
.
Outside off, pushed towards the point region.
46.4
.
Tossed up on off, pushed towards cover.
46.3
.
Similar delivery, Root goes back and defends.
46.2
.
Flatter one just outside off, defended.
46.1
.
Floated delivery outside off, blocked out.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
1
1
Matt Henry 32/1(13)
45.6
.
Length ball outside off, Burns shoulders arms.
45.5
.
Bowls this one very wide outside off, Burns does not fiddle with it.
45.4
.
Another good length ball outside off, left alone by the batter.
45.3
.
Length ball outside off, left alone.
45.2
1
On the pads, Root works this one towards mid-wicket and takes a single.
45.1
1
On off, Burns pushes it towards the cover region for a single.
In over# 1
2
0
0
0
0
1
Mitchell Santner 5/0(4)
44.6
2
Santner sprays one down the leg side, Root goes back and nudges it fine down the leg side for a couple.
44.5
.
Outside off, Root pushes this one towards the cover region.
44.4
.
Floated on middle and off, defended well by Root.
44.3
.
Root has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
44.2
.
Floated on middle and off, Root defends it out.
44.1
1
Yorker on the pads, worked towards backward square leg by Burns for a run. This brings up the 100-run stand between Root and Burns, just what the doctor ordered for England.
In over# 1
0
1
0
0
4
0
Matt Henry 30/1(12)
43.6
.
Stifled appeal but nothing from the umpire. Length ball on middle and leg, Root looks to flick but misses. He is hit high on the pad and the Kiwi players put in a stifled appeal but nothing doing for the umpire.
43.5
1
Length delivery just outside off, Burns goes for the drive but instead slices it through point for a single.
43.4
.
In the corridor just outside off, Burns shoulders arms.
43.3
.
Pitched up on off, driven towards mid off.
43.2
4
FOUR! Driven beautifully! Identical delivery, this time Burns gets his timing right and the ball races through mid on and beats the diving attempt by the fielder there.
43.1
.
JUST SHORT! Henry bowls a full ball on off, inviting Burns to drive and he obliges. The ball takes the outside edge of Burns' bat and goes towards gully where Nicholls is positioned. However, the ball falls just short of him.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Mitchell Santner 2/0(3)
42.6
.
Floated on middle and off, Root defends it with a straight bat.
42.5
.
On off, played towards point.
42.4
.
Root prods forward and defends this one by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
42.3
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
42.2
.
Again Santner gives this a lot of air on off, Root converts this into a full toss and drives this one towards cover. The man there makes a good diving stop.
42.1
.
Floated on off, defended towards the cover region.
In over# 1
0
0
1
0
0
0
Matt Henry 25/1(11)
41.6
.
Length ball on middle and leg, Burns goes back and defends.
41.5
.
On the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket.
41.4
1
Fuller delivery on off, Root punches this powerfully towards the cover region. The fielder there dives to his left, half-stops it and that allows the batters to take a single.
41.3
.
Good length ball just outside off, Root goes back and defends.
41.2
.
This time it is fullish by Henry, Root opens the face of the bat and guides it towards point.
41.1
.
Henry starts his new spell with a good length ball just outside off, Root defends it out.
Matt Henry (10-3-24-1) returns for another spell this morning as New Zealand continue their search for the first wicket on Day 3.
In over# 1
0
1
0
0
0
1
Mitchell Santner 2/0(2)
40.6
.
Santner floats this one just outside off, Burns comes onto the front foot and blocks it out.
40.5
1
Skidding back into the batsman from the arm of the bowler, it's around middle and leg, Root moves inside the crease and turns it wide of short leg for a single.
40.4
.
This time Root prods forward to this floated ball and punches it back towards the bowler.
40.3
.
Again Root goes onto the back foot and defends it out.
40.2
.
Shortish delivery by Santner. It is bowled outside off, Root goes back and plays this one towards point.
40.1
1
Floated delivery outside off, Burns gets down on one knee and sweeps this one through square leg for a single.
In over# 1
0
0
1
1
0
0
Neil Wagner 31/0(10)
39.6
.
Fullish ball just outside off, Root blocks it out.
39.5
.
Outside off, Root pushes it towards point.
39.4
1
Good length ball on off, Burns prods forward and drives this one towards the cover region and takes a single.
39.3
1
Bangs it short around off and Root pulls it in front of square leg for a single.
39.2
.
Good length ball on off, Joe remains on the back foot and punches it in front of square on the off side.
39.1
.
Wagner continues to bowl from 'round the wicket to the right-hander. Delivers it on a length around off, Root drives it to covers with a hesitant front foot movement.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Mitchell Santner 0/0(1)
38.6
.
Burns defends it from within the crease.
38.5
.
Appeal for an LBW but turned down! Santner bowls a shortish ball outside off and gets it to spin back into the batsman. Burns looks to shuffle and defend this one towards the leg side. He fails to do so and is hit high on the pads. The Kiwi players put in a stifled appeal but nothing from the umpire. New Zealand opt not to take the review. Replays later show that there was an inside edge onto the pads.
38.4
.
On the pads, Burns works t away towards the leg side.
38.3
.
Drags one back this time, Burns goes back and defends.
38.2
.
Darts one outside off, Burns prods forward and blocks.
38.1
.
Starts with a ball right on the boot of Burns, he works this one towards square leg.
It's spin time! Mitchell Santner has been introduced into the attack. Wagner did get his slower ones to grip and move. Let's see how much assistance Santner gets here. A slip and short leg in place...
In over# 1
0
1lb
1
0
0
0
Neil Wagner 29/0(9)
37.6
.
Fullish ball on leg, driven towards mid on.
37.5
1lb
On the pads of Burns, he looks to flick this one but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards the leg side and the batters steal a leg bye.
37.4
1
Variation from Wagner! Almost deceived Root with a beauty! Wagner steams in and bowls a knuckle ball from wide of the crease. It is a slow dipping yorker which swerves in the air. Root just about gets his bat down in time and the ball goes off the inner half of his bat towards fine leg for a single.
37.3
.
Good length ball on off, driven towards mid off.
37.2
.
Joe has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
37.1
.
Fullish and on off, Root drives it off his front foot to mid off.
In over# 1
0
0
4
0
4
1
Daryl Mitchell 19/0(5)
36.6
.
The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
36.5
.
Length ball on middle and off, defended off the back foot by the batsman.
36.4
4
FOUR! On the pads, Burns looks in much better touch now as he flicks this one nonchalantly through mid-wicket for a boundary.
36.3
.
Fullish on middle, driven towards mid on.
36.2
4
EDGED AND FOUR! Mitchell pitches one up on the off side, inviting Burns for the drive. Rory obliges as he brings out the straight driver but the ball goes off the outside edge between the wide first slip and gully fielders towards the third man region for a boundary.
36.1
1
Full ball on middle and leg to start off after the mini break, Root drives it down the ground and the mid on fielder slides to his left and keeps it down to a single.
Drinks break. Good show of intent by England in the first segment of the extended morning session. The current pair has pounced on every opportunity to score runs and has not allowed the Kiwi bowlers to build any pressure. Still, the tourists can ill afford to relax as there is plenty of work remaining.
In over# 1
0
1
1
0
0
0
Neil Wagner 28/0(8)
35.6
.
Length ball on middle and off, Burns goes back in his crease and blocks it out.
35.5
1
On the pads again, Root this time works it towards mid-wicket and takes an easy single.
35.4
1
50 up for Rory Burns! His 6th half century in Tests! On the pads of Burns, he just nudges this one fine down the leg side and gets a single to get to the milestone. Dropped twice and he has made it count. Burns has quickly become the answer to England's opening woes. Quite consistent so far in his short Test career!
35.3
.
Burns goes back in his crease and blocks this one out.
35.2
.
Length ball on middle and off, punched the ball off the back foot.
35.1
.
Good length ball on the pads, worked towards the leg side.
In over# 1
1
1
0
0
1
1
Daryl Mitchell 10/0(4)
34.6
1
Almost carried to the man in the deep there! Bouncer on middle and off, Burns looks to hook this one for a biggie but mistimes it. The ball falls in the empty square leg region and he takes a single. 100 up for England with this single.
34.5
1
Bad fielding this time! Santner is the culprit! Mitchell bowls this one full to Root, who works it towards cover. Santner there is sloppy as the ball goes off his hands towards mid off and the batters steal a run.
34.4
.
Root has driven this full ball superbly towards the man at mid off.
34.3
.
Full ball just outside off, Root opens the face of the bat and guides this one towards the man at wide first slip.
34.2
1
On the pads of Burns, he works this one towards mid-wicket for a single.
34.1
1
Good fielding! Bouncer to start of the over, Root pulls this one all along the ground towards square leg. Wagner in the deep runs to his left, dives and keeps it down to just a single.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
1
0
Neil Wagner 26/0(7)
33.6
1
Short delivery down the leg side, Root rocks back and pulls this one towards square leg for a single.
33.5
.
Good length ball on middle and off, defended out.
33.4
.
One of the rare occasions when Root leans forward and drives the ball with full force. However, it is hit straight to the man at cover.
33.3
.
Length ball just outside off, Root shoulders arms.
33.2
1
Again full ball on middle and off, this time Burns works it towards wide mid on and takes a single. Moves to 47 with this.
33.1
.
Pitched up outside off, Burns punches it towards the man at mid on.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Daryl Mitchell 6/0(3)
32.6
.
Fullish and outside off, Root plays it with an angled bat towards the slip cordon.
32.5
.
Again Root prods forward and defends it out.
32.4
.
Root has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
32.3
.
Bouncer just outside off, Root hops and guides this one towards the man at gully. He has to be careful while playing that shot as he was dismissed in the exact same manner in the last Test match.
32.2
.
Another one on middle and off, defended well.
32.1
.
Root prods forward to this full ball and blocks it.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Neil Wagner 24/0(6)
31.6
.
On the pads of Burns,, worked towards the leg side.
31.5
.
Beauty by Wagner and he almost had Burns there! He bowls a full length delivery just outside off, on a driving length. Burns obliges and goes for the push but the ball grips on the surface and cuts back in. The ball sneaks through between the bat and pad of Burns and he is completely beaten. A fine diving collection by Watling there. Great cricket all around.
31.4
.
Full ball on middle and off, driven towards the man at mid on.
31.3
.
On the pads, flicked straight towards the man at mid-wicket.
31.2
.
Similar delivery to the previous one, pushed back towards the right of Wagner.
31.1
.
Fullish ball on off, Burns has defended it back towards the bowler.
In over# 1
4
0
0
0
0
1nb
0
Daryl Mitchell 6/0(2)
30.6
4
FOUR! Pulled away! Back of a length ball down the leg side, Root rocks back and pulls this one through square leg for a boundary. He was in total control of that shot. These are lovely batting conditions and England are looking at ease.
30.5
.
Fullish this time, Root defends it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
30.4
.
Another good length ball on middle and leg, Root pushes it back towards the bowler.
30.3
.
Good length ball on middle and off, defended by Root.
30.2
.
Fullish ball on off, Root looks to prod forward and defend but the ball goes off the inside edge onto the pads.
30.2
1nb
No ball for overstepping! On the pads, Root works this one towards the man at mid-wicket. Replays roll in and show that his foot was behind the line! Harsh one this on Daryl Mitchell.
30.1
.
Length ball just outside the off pole line, pushed towards the left of the bowler.
Debutant Daryl Mitchell has been given the ball now. He bowled a single over last evening and in the interview later reckoned that there is variable bounce on the pitch. Can he make use of that?
In over# 1
4
4
0
0
1
0
Neil Wagner 24/0(5)
29.6
4
FOUR! Another half-tracker down the leg side, Burns again spots it early, gets in position and pulls it away towards the backward square leg fence. Wagner needs to mix it up here, getting too predictable at the moment.
29.5
4
FOUR! Hooked away! The trap is spotted by Burns and he is ready. Wagner bowls a short delivery down the leg side, Burns rocks back and uppishly plays this one towards backward square leg for a boundary.
29.4
.
Similar ball to the previous one, Burns again works it towards the square leg fielder. Looks like Wagner's plan is to trouble Burns with shortish balls down the leg side.
29.3
.
On the hips of Burns, he turns this one towards the square leg fielder.
29.2
1
Similar ball by Wagner, Root this time pushes this one down the ground. Williamson runs across to his right from mid off and keeps it down to a single.
29.1
.
Full ball on off, Root drives this one straight towards the man at cover.
In over# 1
0
0
0
4
0
0
Tim Southee 34/1(14)
28.6
.
Angling across the batsman, outside off, Burns allows it through.
28.5
.
Good length ball on off, defended off the back foot to the off side.
28.4
.
Bouncer around off, Burns leans away from the line of fire.
28.3
4
FOUR! Short in length and angling into the batsman, Burns gets on top of the bounce and pulls it through backward square leg for a boundary. No chance there for the fine leg fielder as it breezed away to the fence in no time.
28.2
.
Burns has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
28.1
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
In over# 1
1
0
2
1
4
0
Neil Wagner 15/0(4)
27.6
1
In the air... WIDE OF LEG GULLY! Wagner hurries up the batsman with a well-directed short ball around leg, Burns is caught in an awkward position as he tries to fend it off. The ball takes the splice of his bat and flies wide of the diving gully fielder for a run. Eventful over, 8 coming off it!
27.5
.
Ouch, that would have hurt! Wagner bangs in a short ball in the line of the stumps, Rory probably picks it very late and has no time of moving away. It hits him flush on the chest! Showing no pain, Burns.
27.4
2
Fifty partnership! Wagner angles in a full length ball around off, shaping in a bit, Burns brings down a straight bat and works it off the inner half. It races past the right side of the mid-wicket fielder and Daryl Mitchell gives the chase. He slides near the fence to pull it back and the batsmen collect a couple of runs. 50-run stand comes up between the two, the deficit is exactly 300 now!
27.3
1
Wagner returns to over the wicket line but still delivers a short ball on middle, Root pulls in front of square leg this time and collects a single.
27.2
4
FOUR! No stopping this one! Wagner bangs in a short ball around off, angling in, Root turns inside the crease and pulls it firmly behind square leg for a cracking boundary. Joe is looking comfortable whenever it is pitched short to him.
27.1
.
Wagner steams in from 'round the wicket and slants in a length ball on off, Root remains on the back foot and presents a vertical bat in defense.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
4lb
Tim Southee 30/1(13)
26.6
.
Fuller and a little bit of shape as it lands on off, Rory pushes it down with a straight bat to mid on.
26.5
.
Short in length and wide outside off, Burns drops his wrists and sway away.
26.4
.
A touch short and angling in from outside off, Rory goes on the back foot and defends it right under his watchful eyes.
26.3
.
Good rotation of wrists by Burns as he flicks a full ball on the leg side. The mid-wicket fielder stops it with a full length dive.
26.2
.
Good length ball on off, Burns defends it off his back foot.
26.1
4lb
FOUR LEG BYES! Back of a length delivery on middle and leg, angling down, Burns fails to glance it across the line and it goes off his thigh pad to the fine leg fence.
In over# 1
1
1
0
1lb
1
1
Neil Wagner 7/0(3)
25.6
1
Sliding down the leg side, Burns flicks it behind square leg for a single. A mixed-bag first over by Neil this morning.
25.5
1
Short in length on off, Root once again eases it through his pull shot to deep mid-wicket. Another run added to the scoreboard.
25.4
.
Bouncer outside off, Root ducks although the line was quite wide. It didn't bounce much there.
25.3
1lb
Yet another bouncer by Wagner. Around leg and Burns fails to duck underneath it properly. It hits him on the shoulders and loops behind the keeper. The fine leg fielder makes a sliding stop near the fence and the batsmen steal a leg bye.
25.2
1
Bangs it in on middle, Root loves hanging on the back foot and swivels to pull it to deep mid-wicket. A single taken.
25.1
1
Wagner starts with a delivery on the pads, Rory shuffles across a bit and flicks it through mid-wicket for one.
First bowling change of the day. Neil Wagner comes on to bowl. He replaces Matt Henry.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
2
0
Tim Southee 30/1(12)
24.6
.
Fuller length ball on middle, Joe drives it down the ground but straight to mid on.
24.5
.
Too full and around off, shaping away a bit, Root without moving his front foot much pushes it towards mid on. It's quite a questionable footwork by Joe. Sooner or later he might find himself in trouble.
24.4
.
Better this time. Southee delivers a full ball around off with the seam pointing towards first slip, Root keeps his weight on the back leg as he pushes it to mid off.
24.3
.
Plenty of outswing on this delivery right from the moment Southee releases the ball. But the line is too wide outside off to bother the English skipper.
24.2
2
Drifting down the leg side with the angle, Root works it through square leg and returns for the second run.
24.1
.
Serves it on a driving length outside off, Root shows a lot of restrain as he makes a leave.
In over# 1
0
1
0
0
0
0
Matt Henry 24/1(10)
23.6
.
Beaten! Henry hurls across a length ball just outside off, Burns tries to defend it off his front foot but it straightens off the seam and beats the outside edge.
23.5
1
Back of a length ball on middle, that's the length Root likes and he nudges it in the gap at mid-wicket for a single.
23.4
.
A near yorker on off, Root once again jams it out without getting entirely forward.
23.3
.
Full and angling in on middle, Root turns it off his pads to mid-wicket.
23.2
.
Fullish and around off, a hint of away shape, Root stays back and defends it with a loose bottom hand. Sums up the batting form of Joe. That was quite full but Root still stayed on the back foot.
23.1
.
A pitched up delivery outside off, Root played a mistimed off drive and Henry stopped it with his left hand in his followthrough.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
1
0
Tim Southee 28/1(11)
22.6
1
Southee loses his radar and delivers a full length ball down the leg side, Root flicks it behind square leg. Henry moves across to his left in the deep and they cross for a single.
22.5
.
Identical to the last delivery, this time Root covers his stumps and allows it through to the Kiwi keeper.
22.4
.
Southee goes full and lands it just outside off, Root has his weight on the back leg and just lunges to defend it on the off side.
22.3
.
Back of a length delivery just outside off, at 131.6 kph, Root lets it through to the keeper.
22.2
1
Full and angling down the leg side, Burns flicks it through square leg for a single.
22.1
.
Fullish and on off, angling in, Burns brings down a straight bat and keeps it out off the inner half. It rolls away to one of the two short mid-wicket fielders.
In over# 1
0
4
0
0
0
0
Matt Henry 23/1(9)
21.6
.
Good length ball on top of off, Root defends it from within the crease.
21.5
4
FOUR! Root was in no control! Henry bangs in a short ball on middle and leg, Root hangs on the back foot to pull but it rises on his bat and takes the top edge. The ball runs fine down the leg side for a boundary. There are a couple of fielders deep on the leg side waiting for a mishit. Joe is lucky this time!
21.4
.
This time Henry brings a length ball back into the right-hander. Root remains on the back foot and keeps his eyes on the ball as he blocks it to the off side.
21.3
.
A probing line and length. On and around off, shaping away a shade, Root doesn't commit himself on the front foot entirely and just pushes it with gentle hands to cover-point.
21.2
.
The length is on the fuller side this time, angling in around off, Root brings down a straight bat and with minimum footwork drives it to mid off.
21.1
.
Good length delivery in the corridor of uncertainty, Root shoulders arms.
In over# 1
0
0
1
0
0
0
Tim Southee 26/1(10)
20.6
.
Lands it on a length close to off, Burns defends it from the crease to the on side.
20.5
.
Pitches it up and around off, angling in, Burns leans forward and pushes it down to mid on.
20.4
1
Digs in a short delivery on middle at 127 kph, Root turns and pulls it behind square leg for a single. 50 up for England!
20.3
.
Once again a delivery with a hint of away shape. It pitches outside off and Joe shoulders arms.
20.2
.
Gets close to off stump with an outswinger, Root is on the front foot as he pushes it towards mid off.
20.1
.
A gentle loosener by Southee. On a length and wide outside off, further moving away from the batsman. Root has an easy leave to make.
In over# 1
0
4
1
0
4
0
Matt Henry 19/1(8)
19.6
.
Good length ball on off, Rory is on the back foot as he plays it down towards mid on.
19.5
4
EDGY FOUR! Fuller length ball outside off, holding its line after landing, Burns gets forward to defend but it takes the outside edge and runs wide of the slip cordon for a boundary.
Injury zone - News from the medical team about Jack Leach and Dominic Sibley has come in. Jack Leach has not been discharged from the hospital after reports of Gastro. As for Dominic Sibley, he was hit on the helmet by a bouncer bowled by Southee on Day 2. He too is still being monitored as a precautionary measure for a delayed concussion.
19.4
1
Henry angles in a length ball on middle, looking for an away swinger from there. But the line turns out to be too straight and Root eases it behind square leg for a single.
19.3
.
Hurls across a length ball outside off, Root has nothing to do with it.
19.2
4
FOUR! This will make Root feel a lot better about himself with the bat. Back of a length ball outside off, Joe transfers his weight on the back foot and steers it behind square on the off side for a boundary.
19.1
.
Starts his spell with a good length ball in the zone outside off. A hint of away shape there as well. Root makes a sensible leave.
Matt Henry to operate from the other end.
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
0
0
Tim Southee 25/1(9)
18.6
.
Angling in a length ball close to off, Burns defends it well to end the over.
18.5
.
Full in length outside off, Burns is solidly behind the line as he blocks it soundly.
18.4
.
Tim switches to 'round the wicket and delivers a back of a length ball on off, Burns is on his toes in defense.
18.3
1
A touch short and outside off, Root goes back and taps it down to the right of gully for a quick single. England are away on Day 3!
18.2
.
Just a hint of swing on this occasion as Southee serves a fuller length ball close to off stump. Root pushes it out with an angled bat to covers.
18.1
.
Southee begins with a good length delivery in the channel outside off, Root watches it closely before making a leave.
The sun is shining down at Seddon Park. It's time to get underway! Almost 3277 km away from Hamilton, David Warner cracked a triple ton in Adelaide. Currently, the deficit for England is one run more than Davey's highest Test score now and it's a tall task in front of them to wipe it off. England skipper Joe Root and Rory Burns walk out to the middle along with the New Zealand players. Tim Southee will start the proceedings. Here we go...
Pitch report - Mark Richardson is down there inspecting the third day's pitch. Richardson says he has noticed that there are some changes on the surface. States that the track has started to show signs of wearing out. Cracks have started to appear on the pitch and that will be something to look out for Santner.
Hello and welcome everyone as we step into the moving day of the second Test match in Hamilton. New Zealand have gained the upper hand after dominating the first two days and will be eager to keep their momentum going. England, on the flip side, are under the pump again and now they are dependent on their misfiring batting to bail them out. Already two wickets down, a big effort is required from the middle order. Rory Burns is lucky to be still out there after a couple of dropped catches and he would try to make the Kiwis pay for it. All in all, a very vital day of this Test is about to get underway. Stay with us for all the updates.
... DAY 3, FIRST SESSION ...
Right then, it's time to bid you goodbye. Do join us at 1030 local (2130 GMT, Previous day) as there will be half an hour early start again to make up for the lost overs on Day 1. You can now hop over to the concerned tab to get all the updates from the Adelaide Test where David Warner is nearing a triple century. Cheers!
Interview time! Daryl Mitchell, the debutant and star with the bat for New Zealand, says it was nice to contribute. Tells that England bowled well and he just kept his patience. Smiles and says that it was nice to get runs and spend time in the middle. Adds that it's always fun to bat with Watling as he keeps it nice and calm. Reckons that there is some extra bounce in the pitch and hopes to make use of that on Sunday.
Tim Southee and Matt Henry bagged a wicket each and a couple of catches also went down off their bowling. Had they been taken, England would have been in a more precarious situation. They have their backs to the wall and need Joe Root to stand up and show them the way. The deficit for them is quite big but New Zealand have shown that it's not too tough to score runs on this surface.
It was a really tough day for England. They struggled with the ball and lacked intensity in the field. The English bowling was completely flat and only Stuart Broad managed to make things happen. He finished with a 4-wicket haul while Chris Woakes also picked up three wickets. There were talks about the pitch to be on the flatter side but the Kiwi bowlers turned up with the ball and showed that there is some spice in the surface.
End of an extraordinary day of Test cricket! New Zealand have thoroughly enjoyed it again and are right on top. The day didn't start well for them but they didn't let that hamper their momentum. BJ Watling and Daryl Mitchell formed a strong alliance to put together a century stand and then some handy contributions from the lower order zoomed the Kiwi total to 375.
In over# 1
1
0
1
0
0
0
Neil Wagner 3/0(2)
17.6
1
An interesting last ball of the day. Short ball down the leg side, Root rocks back and looks to pull with control. The ball though goes a bit uppishly and wide of the leg gully fielder towards fine leg. Joe Root survives and takes a single. Nervy way to end proceedings. That will be STUMPS ON DAY 2!
17.5
.
Length ball outside off, left alone by Root.
17.4
1
On the hips again, worked towards fine leg for a single.
17.3
.
Bowls from 'round the wicket now, on the hips of Burns who tucks it towards mid-wicket.
17.2
.
Length ball on off, driven towards mid off.
17.1
.
Down the leg side, Burns looks to flick this one but misses.
In over# 1
0
0
1
0
0
0
Daryl Mitchell 1/0(1)
16.6
.
Length ball outside off, played towards point.
16.5
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
16.4
1
Length ball on middle and off, Burns pushes this one down the ground. Williamson from mid off runs across and has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. The batters complete one.
16.3
.
Again outside off, left alone by Burns.
16.2
.
Another one outside off, Burns shoulders arms.
16.1
.
Length ball outside off, left alone.
Daryl Mitchell, the local lad and debutant, who scored a half ton while batting has come on to bowl now. He will surely be carrying an extra spring in his step.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
1
0
Neil Wagner 1/0(1)
15.6
.
Length and around off, Root defends it off the full face of the bat towards the off side.
15.5
.
Length and down the leg side. Root lets it be.
15.4
.
Length and around off, Root blocks it to the off side from within the crease.
15.3
.
Length and on middle and leg, Root stays back and taps it down in front of leg gully.
15.2
1
Length and on the pads of Burns. He flicks it through square leg for a run.
15.1
.
Poor start first up. Wagner bowls a bumper but it is way down the leg side. Burns is not interested to play as he ducks it.
Neil Wagner replaces Matt Henry into the attack. There is a slip, short leg and leg gully in place. Short stuff coming?
In over# 1
0
0
4
0
0
1
Tim Southee 24/1(8)
14.6
.
Outside off, left alone.
14.5
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
14.4
4
FOUR! Good shot by Root! On the pads, he flicks this one with ease towards the empty mid-wicket region. Jeet Raval in the deep runs to his left in an attempt to stop the ball from going over the fence but fails to do so.
14.3
.
Good length ball on the off pole line, defended towards the cover region.
14.2
.
Length ball outside off, left alone.
14.1
1
Good length ball angling into the southpaw, Burns shuffles across and works this one towards mid-wicket for a single. They wanted the second there but it was not available.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Matt Henry 10/1(7)
13.6
.
Outside off, pushed to covers by Root.
13.5
.
Length delivery on off, defended back to the bowler off the front foot.
13.4
.
On a middle and leg line, Root flicks it straight to the man at mid-wicket.
13.3
.
Henry dishes one on length and Root pushes it towards covers.
13.2
.
Yorker on middle and leg, Root just about manages to bring his bat down in time and keeps it out to the leg side.
13.1
.
Length and around off, defended to covers.
In over# 1
1
0
0
1
0
0
Tim Southee 19/1(7)
12.6
1
Full ball on off, punched towards cover and Root takes a single to get off the mark.
12.5
.
On the pads, Root works this one towards mid-wicket.
12.4
.
The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
12.3
1
DROPPED! A tough chance but put down again and Burns gets another life. Southee bowls this one on middle and off, Burns goes across and flicks this one uppishly towards short mid-wicket. Jeet Raval stationed there flies to his left, gets two hands to it but fails to hold on. Raval looks disappointed to have dropped that after getting both his hands behind the ball. This is the second time that Burns has been dropped in this innings and one can feel his nerves jangling.
12.2
.
Outside off, left alone.
12.1
.
Bouncer on middle and off, Burns sways away from it.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Matt Henry 10/1(6)
11.6
.
Another one on middle and leg, driven towards mid on.
11.5
.
Henry attacks the stumps but Root is solid in his defense and plays this one towards the off side.
11.4
.
On middle and leg, played back to the bowler.
11.3
.
Fullish ball on off, blocked out.
11.2
.
Full ball on off, pushed towards the man at cover.
11.1
.
Good length ball around off, watchfully defended.
In over# 1
0
0
0
4
0
0
Tim Southee 17/1(6)
10.6
.
Good length ball just outside off, worked towards mid-wicket.
10.5
.
Full ball outside off, pushed towards the man at short cover.
10.4
.
Around off, left alone.
10.3
4
FOUR! Lucky, very lucky for Burns. Southee serves him a ball on the driving length outside off and Rory obliges. But he gets a thick inside edge which runs past the off pole and past the keeper's dive to his right. The ball races to the fine leg fence.
10.2
.
Good length and around off, Burns shoulders arms to it.
10.1
.
Bumper from Southee and Burns has to duck it awkwardly.
In over# 1
0
0W
0
0
0
0
Matt Henry 10/1(5)
9.6
.
Good length ball on middle and off, Root prods forward and defends.
Joe Root, the English skipper, walks out now. His team needs a big innings from him now more than ever.
9.5
W
OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! That is a superb take by the keeper and Denly departs now. Henry bowls a length ball just on the off pole line. It pitches and holds its line. Denly looks to defend with unsure footwork and the ball takes the outside edge. It goes low to the right of the Kiwi keeper, BJ Watling. He dives in that direction and holds onto the ball with both hands. Double blow for the English team and it looks like New Zealand are bowling on a track completely different from the one where the England bowlers were bowling.
9.4
.
Length ball outside off, nipping back in. Denly leaves it alone as it misses the off pole by a small margin.
9.3
.
Yorker by Henry, Denly does well to dig that out back towards the bowler.
9.2
.
On middle and leg, worked towards the leg side.
9.1
.
Good length ball just outside off, Denly pushes this one towards point.
In over# 1
0
4
0
0
0
0
Tim Southee 13/1(5)
8.6
.
Another full ball on off, hit straight to the man at cover.
8.5
4
FOUR! Creamed! This time Burns gets this one out from the middle of the bat as he prods forward and drives this full ball through the covers for a boundary.
8.4
.
Length ball outside off, left alone.
8.3
.
Fullish ball outside off, pushed towards cover-point.
8.2
.
On off again, pushed towards point.
8.1
.
Length ball on middle and off, defended out.
In over# 1
0
1
0
0
0
4
Matt Henry 10/0(4)
7.6
.
The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
7.5
1
DROPPED! Ross Taylor is the culprit! Usually a very safe pair of hands but Taylor has dropped this one. Henry bowls a full delivery wide outside off, the sucker ball. Burns goes for the drive and gets a thick outside edge on it. The ball flies towards the right of first slip where Ross Taylor is positioned. He moves in that direction, gets two hands to it but the ball pops out of his hands. It rolls towards the fine leg region and the batters take a single. Life given to Burns and he should be looking to make the most of it now.
7.4
.
A pitched up ball outside off, driven off the front foot by Burns to mid off.
7.3
.
Henry angles across a good length ball outside off, Rory makes an easy leave.
7.2
.
Good length delivery on middle and leg, Rory works it around on the leg side but finds mid-wicket.
7.1
4
FOUR! Drives and drives well! Just a little too full from Henry. It's just outside off and Burns strokes it crisply down the ground for a boundary at long off.
In over# 1
0
4
0W
0
0
0
Tim Southee 9/1(4)
6.6
.
Denly prods forward and defends this one off the front foot and into the ground.
6.5
4
FOUR! Good start to the innings for Denly! On the pads, Denly flicks this one nonchalantly through mid-wicket for a boundary. He is off the mark on the first ball.
Joe Denly walks out to bat at number 3. A lot of responsibility is on his shoulders to see off the remaining 15 overs or so for England without any further casualty.
6.4
W
OUT! This time Dominic has been given lbw! Early blow to the England innings as Dominic Sibley departs. Southee bowls a full ball on middle and leg. Sibley shuffles across a bit and looks to flick this one fine down the leg side but misses and gets hit on the pads. The New Zealand players appeal in unison and umpire Dharmasena raises his finger. Sibley has a chat with his partner about the review but they decide against it. The only thing that could have saved Sibley there was an inside edge and Sibley might be suggesting that he did not hit it. Replays later roll in and show THREE REDS. A good decision not to take the review.
6.3
.
Down the leg side, Sibley looks to flick but misses.
6.2
.
Stifled appeal but nothing from the umpire! Southee bowls a length ball just outside off with a scrambled seam. It nips back in, beating the defense of Sibley. He is hit almost on the box but the Kiwi players put in an appeal. Dismissed by the umpire. Too high for lbw!
6.1
.
Length ball just outside off, well left by Dominic.
In over# 1
0
0
0
2
0
1
Matt Henry 5/0(3)
5.6
.
Good length ball outside off, pushed straight to the man at cover.
5.5
.
Fuller ball on off, driven towards the man at mid off.
5.4
.
A length delivery on off, Rory covers everything necessary and blocks it down safely.
5.3
2
Gets behind the line and punches it down the ground. The mid on fielder gives the chase and they take a brace.
5.2
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
5.1
1
Back of a length ball on middle and leg, Sibley glances it off his hips through square leg for a run.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Tim Southee 5/0(3)
4.6
.
Burns shoulders arms to get through the over.
4.5
.
Full ball on off, pushed towards mid off.
4.4
.
Another one outside off, Burns shoulders arms.
4.3
.
Length ball outside off, scrambled seam this time. Left alone again by Burns.
4.2
.
Length ball outside off, left alone.
4.1
1
On the pads, flicked towards the square leg region for a single.
In over# 1
0
1
0
0
0
0
Matt Henry 2/0(2)
3.6
.
Fullish ball on the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket.
3.5
1
Good length ball just on middle and off, Sibley looks to defend but the ball goes off the outer half of the bat towards point for a single.
3.4
.
Good length ball on middle and off, Sibley defends it into the ground.
3.3
.
Full ball on middle and off, defended back towards the bowler.
3.2
.
Bouncer outside off, Sibley sways away from it.
3.1
.
Full ball on off, Sibley pushes this towards the man at extra cover.
In over# 1
4
0
1lb
0
0
0
Tim Southee 4/0(2)
2.6
4
FOUR! Cracking shot! Southee overpitches it outside off and Burns just leans into the drive. He thumps it from the middle of his bat and sends it speeding away through covers for a boundary.
2.5
.
Nearly a run out at the bowler's end! Fullish and on off, a hint of late inward movement, Sibley pushes it back to the bowler who goes down low and gets his fingertips on the ball. It runs behind to disturb the stumps but the non-striker was alert in parking his bat inside the crease. Everybody involved in this delivery and Sibley did really well there!
Physio comes out to perform the mandatory concussion check. The camera has panned to the steward who also took a blow on his head when Santner hit a six a little while back. He was hit flush on his cap but is doing well. Meanwhile, Sibley is also getting ready to resume his innings. He has changed his head gear.
2.4
1lb
BANG ON THE HELMET! Poor technique shown by the batsman. Southee digs in a short ball, well-directed, Sibley picks it very late, tries to duck and get away from the line but ends up taking a blow on the helmet. The ball deflects towards cover-point and they cross for a leg bye. Got into a really awkward position, Dominic. He was opened up in his stance trying to duck and sway but the ball kept on following him and struck him on the helmet.
2.3
.
Fullish and outside off, driven off the front foot but straight to mid off.
2.2
.
Serves a full length ball close to the off stump line, it straightens a touch, Sibley gets forward and blocks it with a vertical bat.
2.1
.
An outswinger by Southee, on a length and outside off, Dominic picks the line early and makes an easy leave.
In over# 1
0
1
0
0
0
0
Matt Henry 1/0(1)
1.6
.
Henry runs in from 'round the wicket and angles in a full ball on middle, Burns meets it with a straight blade and defends it back.
1.5
1
England are away! A delivery sliding down the leg side has been deflected to fine leg for a run.
1.4
.
Bowls it full and around off, Sibley gets forward and across before flicking it on the leg side. Good timing but the placement is not there. Straight to mid-wicket.
1.3
.
This one is on a driving length outside off, Sibley shuffles across slightly and then makes a leave.
1.2
.
Hurls in a length ball in the channel outside off, Sibley allows it through.
1.1
.
Fuller in length on off, angling in, Sibley gets behind the line and pushes it down towards mid on.
Matt Henry to share the new ball from the other end.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Tim Southee 0/0(1)
0.6
.
On a length around off, Burns gets behind the line and pushes it to mid off. Maiden!
0.5
.
Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
0.4
.
Burns has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
0.3
.
Pitches it up and outside off, Rory drives it confidently off his front foot but finds mid off.
0.2
.
Too full in length on middle and leg, Burns pushes it towards mid on.
0.1
.
Southee begins with a good length delivery in the zone outside off, Burns watches the line closely and shoulders arms.
England were very poor with the ball in totality. Stuart Broad stood out with a 4-wicket haul and Chris Woakes also bagged a 3-fer. However, the bowling overall was very flat and indisciplined. The pitch has been good for batting but odd deliveries have bounced more than expected and there is some life in it for the pacers. Can the Kiwi bowlers extract something from it? Do join us in a short while to find out.
At last, the toil for England is over! They had to work really hard to get all the 10 Kiwi wickets, 775 legal balls to be precise! New Zealand had quite a few contributions coming from their batsmen, as has been the case with them mostly. Tom Latham stroked a fantastic ton on Day 1 and constructed an important century stand with Ross Taylor to put England on the back foot. The English bowlers with a refreshed approach started well this morning by picking two wickets but then the pair of BJ Watling and Daryl Mitchell shut the door on the visiting team for the most of the afternoon and morning sessions. Yet another partnership above 100 saw New Zealand getting to a strong first-innings total.
129.1
W
OUT! Soft dismissal! A low full toss on middle, Wagner goes for the flick across the line but fails to keep it down. It flies straight into the hands of Sibley at mid-wicket. The umpire quickly checks for the front foot no ball and Curran is fine with his landing. New Zealand all out for 375!
Sam Curran is back into the attack with one more wicket left in the NZ innings.
Neil Wagner is the last man in for the Kiwis.
In over# 1
0W
0
0
0
0
0
Jofra Archer 75/1(28)
128.6
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Santner departs and it was looking like a matter of when rather than if in this battle between Archer and Santner. Archer again bowls a short delivery down the leg side, Santner plays the hook shot and connects but not in the way he would have wanted. Santner perfectly picks out Chris Woakes at deep square leg as he finally holes out. Finally something to celebrate for Jofra Archer as he picks his first wicket in the 28th over he has bowled.
128.5
.
The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
128.4
.
Bouncer by Archer, Santner looks to hook but misses.
The steward who got hurt a moment back is now sitting in the balcony with some ice pack on his head. Meanwhile, some really dark clouds are slowly building around the stadium.
128.3
.
Back of a length ball on middle, punched down towards mid on.
128.2
.
Jaffa by Archer! Back of a length ball on off, it pitches and straightens. Santner looks to go back and defend but the ball just whizzes past the outside edge.
128.1
.
Fullish on off, driven towards the man at mid off.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
4
Chris Woakes 83/3(31)
127.6
.
Bouncer on middle and off, ducked under by Henry.
127.5
.
Matt goes back in his crease and defends it out.
127.4
.
This time Henry connects but hits it straight to the man at mid off.
127.3
.
Good length ball outside off, Henry looks to drive at it but is beaten as the ball goes past his outside edge.
127.2
.
Bouncer by Woakes, ducked under by Henry.
127.1
4
FOUR! Straight as an arrow! Full ball on middle and off, Henry expertly drives this one straight down the ground through mid off for a boundary.
In over# 1
0
0
6
0
6
0
Jofra Archer 75/0(27)
126.6
.
The batsman defends it from within the crease.
126.5
.
Bouncer on middle and leg, Santner leaves this one alone.
126.4
6
SIX! Another one! Short ball down the leg side, Santner expertly helps his horizontal bat shot over the backward square leg region for a maximum. As the ball crosses the ropes, it directly hits a steward who was sitting behind the advertising boards on the head. He is asked by Sam Curran as to whether he is fine or not. T.V. replays later show that he has been taken in for some medical attention.
126.3
.
Length ball on middle and off, defended.
126.2
6
SIX! Flicked away! What a shot this one! On the hips of Santner, he gets up on one leg and just nonchalantly flicks this one over the fine leg region for a maximum.
126.1
.
Length ball just outside off, defended towards the off side.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
1
0W
Chris Woakes 79/3(30)
125.6
1
The bumper barrage continues. Santner pulls it through mid-wicket for a run.
125.5
.
Another short one down the leg side, Santner is happy to let it be.
125.4
.
Good length ball around off, Santner looks to defend it to the off side but fails to lay wood on the ball. The ball dies down in front of Pope before he takes it.
125.3
.
Short stuff from Woakes. As he bowls a bumper on middle and leg, Santner ducks under it.
125.2
1
Full and on middle and leg, Henry nudges it to the leg side and gets off the mark.
Matt Henry is the new man in.
125.1
W
OUT! Southee is bounced out! First catch for Ollie Pope with his gloves on. Steep bounce for Woakes as he digs in a short ball around off. Southee fails to move away from the line and has his bat hanging out. It kisses his gloves and settles into the gloves of Pope. Can New Zealand get to 400 from here?
In over# 1
0
4b
4
1
0
0
Jofra Archer 63/0(26)
124.6
.
Length ball outside off, left alone.
124.5
4b
FOUR BYES! Another bouncer by Archer which climbs onto the batsman. Santner looks to stand tall and defend but he is beaten and so is Ollie Pope as the ball races behind for a boundary.
124.4
4
EDGED AND FOUR! Length ball outside off, Santner has a poke at this one but the ball takes a thick outside edge and goes towards the third man region for a boundary.
124.3
1
Length ball just outside off, Southee plays it towards point and sets off for a single. Santner is late to react to it but obliges in the end. He runs towards the striker's end where the fielder has a shy. He misses and Santner survives with a dive. Replays show that had the fielder hit, it would have been a very close call.
124.2
.
Good length ball on the body, worked towards mid on.
124.1
.
Bouncer on middle and off, Southee ducks under it.
Jofra Archer is back into the attack. He has had a toothless outing so far, with his figures reading 25-7-58-0.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
1
4
Chris Woakes 77/2(29)
123.6
.
Back of a length ball this time, Santner gets on his toes and plays this one towards point.
123.5
.
Another short ball, again Santner ducks under it.
123.4
.
Bouncer on middle and off, ducked under by Santner.
123.3
.
The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
123.2
1
On off, Southee hits this one towards cover for one.
123.1
4
FOUR! Southee looking to be aggressive here! Bouncer on middle and off, Southee rocks back and slams this one past the bowler's head. He does not time it properly and thus gets a boundary near the long on region. The replays confirm that the ball has landed inside the field before hitting the boundary cushion.
In over# 1
0
0
1
0
0
0
Stuart Broad 73/4(28)
122.6
.
Full and on middle, Santner drives it to mid on.
122.5
.
Length and around off, Santner looks defend this one to the off side but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The English players go up in appeal but the umpire is unmoved. There were two sounds heard at the point of impact. Replays later on show that there was a massive inside edge on it. Though England don't have any reviews left in the innings. They would not have mattered also.
122.4
1
Another back of a length ball on middle, Southee pushes it awkwardly to the leg side for a run.
122.3
.
BUMPER! Southee does not fiddle with it and lets it through.
122.2
.
Back of a length and on middle, Southee hops around in the crease and keeps it out to the leg side.
122.1
.
Full and on middle and leg, Southee pushes it to mid on.
In over# 1
1
2
0
4
1
0
Chris Woakes 72/2(28)
121.6
1
On the pads, Southee flicks this one towards square leg for a single.
121.5
2
Another length ball wide outside off, Southee makes room and lifts this over covers. The batters are able to take a couple.
121.4
.
Length ball on off, defended towards cover.
121.3
4
FOUR! Blazed away! Length ball just outside off, Southee stays leg side of the ball and cuts it through the backward point region for a boundary.
121.2
1
Another bouncer, this time Santner looks to hook but gets a top edge on it. The ball goes towards the backward square leg region but falls safe. The batters take a single.
121.1
.
Short ball at head height, Santner takes one hand off his bat and awkwardly defends this one onto the ground off the splice of his bat.
In over# 1
4
0
0W
0
4
0
Stuart Broad 72/4(27)
120.6
4
FOUR! Southee is lucky there. Stuart is making the ball talk. This time he bowls it a bit full and there is a hint of away movement on this one. Southee looks to push this one through the off side but gets an outside edge. The ball runs past the diving lone slip fielder and into the fence at third man.
120.5
.
A low full toss outside off, Southee pushes it off the back foot towards mid off.
Tim Southee is the new man in.
120.4
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Would rather say commentator's curse. Two balls earlier I had praised this lad and unfortunately jinxed him. Broad this time bowls one wide of the crease and bangs it into the right-hander. Daryl pulls it with the full swing of the bat but fails to keep it down as it flies off the splice. Jofra Archer stationed at fine leg takes an easy catch. So, Daryl Mitchell has to take the long walk back to the pavilion. No century on debut for him.
Yet another warning given to Stuart Broad for running on the pitch! One more and he will be taken off...
120.3
.
Yorker on off, Daryl keeps it off right under his eyes.
120.2
4
FOUR! Beautifully driven. Daryl is playing a magnificent knock in his debut innings. Broad overpitches and Daryl leans on and drives it through covers for a boundary.
120.1
.
Full and on off, Daryl pushes it past the bowler. The fielder at mid off runs across and fields it.
We are told that after the end of the 119th over, Stuart Broad was given an official warning for running on the danger area. Meanwhile, the second new ball has lost its shape and the umpires have changed it. England won't mind that as the previous nut wasn't doing much for them.
In over# 1
0
0
0
2
0
0
Chris Woakes 64/2(27)
119.6
.
Full and around off, Santner drives it to mid off.
119.5
.
Length delivery blocked off the front foot to the off side.
119.4
.
Length and on off, Santner keeps it out with a gentle push towards mid off.
119.3
2
Woakes goes short and wide of off stump. Santner pulls it through mid-wicket and scampers back for a couple.
119.2
.
Back of a length and on off, Santner pushes it off the back foot to mid off.
119.1
.
Good length and around off, Santner defends it to point.
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
0
1
Stuart Broad 64/3(26)
118.6
.
Full and on middle and leg, pushed to mid on.
118.5
.
A harmless bouncer down the leg side. Daryl sways away from the line.
118.4
.
Good length and around off, Daryl flicks it to mid on.
118.3
1
Full and on the pads, Santner flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
118.2
.
BOUNCER! Broad goes short on middle and leg, Santner is happy to duck it.
118.1
1
Length ball on middle and off, Daryl drives it through mid on for a run.
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
4
0
Chris Woakes 62/2(26)
117.6
.
Good length and around off, Santner defends it off the front foot.
117.5
.
Length and on off, blocked to the off side.
117.4
.
Santner blocks this back of a length ball to the leg side off the back foot.
117.3
1
Daryl flicks this length ball off his pads towards the leg side for a run.
117.2
4
FOUR! Full and on the pads, Daryl flicks it across the line. The ball races to the mid-wicket fence where Crawley looks to go for the ball but comes second.
117.1
.
Length and around off, Daryl defends it to covers.
Chris Woakes to operate from the other end. 25-6-57-2, his figures so far.
In over# 1
2
0W
1
0
0
1
Stuart Broad 62/3(25)
116.6
2
Low full toss to begin with. Santner pushes it off his pads towards mid on where Stokes misfields. The batsmen sneak a couple.
Welcome back for the final session of the day's play. The English players are in the middle taking their fielding positions. They are followed by the two New Zealand batsmen Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner. Will the Englishmen stage a comeback in this session or will the hosts run away with the game? To find out, here we go...
... Day 2, session 3 ...
Smiles return in the English camp as they end a miserable session for them with the prized scalp of BJ Watling. Otherwise, it was an outstanding afternoon session for the Black Caps! On the back of the century partnership for the 6th wicket, they have pushed England into a corner. BJ Watling and Daryl Mitchell batted almost the entire session without any discomfort and notched up their respective fifties. It was a completely flat bowling show by the Englishmen and they looked bereft of ideas. They would hope that the wicket of Watling will spark a comeback for them. Do join us in a short while for the last session of the day.
116.5
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Watling departs after a terrific innings and one can say he has sucked the life out of the England players with this knock. Broad bowls a beauty, coming from over the wicket. He bowls a back of a length delivery which hurries onto the batter. Watling looks to get on his toes and defend but the ball goes off the splice of the bat towards gully where Rory Burns takes an easy catch. This has broken the 124-run stand between Mitchell and Watling and ends a frustrating spell of play for the English players. And with that the umpires have signalled that they will take the TEA BREAK!
116.4
1
Shortish ball on middle and leg, Mitchell pulls this one towards mid-wicket for a single.
116.3
.
Full ball on off, driven towards the man at mid off.
116.2
.
Full toss on the off pole, Mitchell plays this one back towards the bowler.
116.1
1
Full ball on the pads, Watling whips it fine down the leg side for a single.
In over# 1
0
1
0
1
0
1
Joe Root 14/0(3)
115.6
.
Floated on off, pushed to the man at cover.
115.5
1
Again shortish on off, Watling punches it towards the off side and takes a single.
115.4
.
Watling goes deep inside his crease and blocks it out.
115.3
1
Mitchell goes onto the back foot and punches this one towards long on for one.
115.2
.
On the pads, worked towards mid-wicket.
115.1
1
Shortish on off, Watling plays this one towards long on for a single.
Joe Root, the skipper, brings himself back into the attack.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Stuart Broad 58/2(24)
114.6
.
Fullish on off, driven towards mid on. Two maidens on the bounce!
114.5
.
The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
114.4
.
A high full toss this time, Mitchell punches it out towards mid on.
114.3
.
This time bowls it on off, Mitchell pushes it down to mid off.
114.2
.
Full toss on the leg pole line, driven towards the man at mid on.
114.1
.
Good length ball outside off, defended.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sam Curran 63/1(23)
113.6
.
Bouncer again, ducked under easily. End of the over and New Zealand having no trouble whatsoever.
113.5
.
On middle and leg, driven towards mid on.
113.4
.
Bouncer on middle and leg, Watling does well to evade it.
113.3
.
On the leg pole line, worked towards the leg side.
113.2
.
Length ball on off, blocked out.
113.1
.
Starts the over with a full ball on off, it is pushed towards the man at short extra cover.
In over# 1
0
2
0
0
0
4
Stuart Broad 58/2(23)
112.6
.
Good length ball on off, defended.
112.5
2
Full ball on the leg pole line, the batter drives this one down the ground towards long on for a couple.
112.4
.
Yorker wide outside off, Mitchell tries to dig it out but misses.
112.3
.
Slips a full ball down the leg side, Daryl tries to flick but misses.
112.2
.
Back of a length ball on middle, defended off the back foot to mid on.
112.1
4
FOUR! Easy pickings! Broad gets his line wrong and is duly punished. Short delivery down the leg side, Mitchell swivels and pulls it fine down the leg side for a boundary.
In over# 1
0
4
0
0
0
0
Sam Curran 63/1(22)
111.6
.
Down the leg side, Watling looks to flick but misses.
111.5
4
FOUR! 50 up for BJ Watling! His 18th in Test matches and 4th consecutive 50-plus scores. Curran bowls a length ball outside off, Watling rocks back and crunches this one through the cover-point region for a boundary. Watling has taken a great amount of time to get to his half ton and now will be looking to convert it into a ton.
111.4
.
Another one on off, driven towards mid off.
111.3
.
Length ball on off, defended towards mid off.
111.2
.
A superb shot but results in nothing. Full ball on middle and off, Watling hits it straight as an arrow down the ground. It hits the stumps at the non-striker's end and nothing results.
111.1
.
Length ball on off, defended off the back foot.
In over# 1
0
0
2
0
0
0
Stuart Broad 52/2(22)
110.6
.
The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
110.5
.
On off, driven towards mid off.
110.4
2
Back of a length ball on the off side, Mitchell rocks back and pulls this one towards square leg. Crawley in the deep parries the ball as he dives and keeps the batsmen down to two. With this couple, 300 runs are up for the Kiwis.
110.3
.
Full ball on off, driven towards mid off.
110.2
.
Outside off, left alone.
110.1
.
Length ball on middle. worked towards mid-wicket.
Stuart Broad is back into the attack. 21-6-50-2, his figures so far. He replaces Ben Stokes into the attack.
In over# 1
0
0
4
0
0
0
Sam Curran 59/1(21)
109.6
.
Full ball wide outside off, Watling drives this one superbly towards cover but can't find the gap.
109.5
.
Bouncer down the leg side, Watling ducks under it.
109.4
4
FOUR! Stand and deliver! It is just too easy for New Zealand here! Curran bowls a full ball again, just outside off. Watling drills it down the ground through mid off for a boundary. Moves to 48.
109.3
.
Good length ball on off, pushed towards point.
109.2
.
On middle and leg this time, pushed down to mid on.
109.1
.
Full ball on off, defended towards the mid off region.
Sam Curran is back for another spell. 20-6-55-1, so far from him.
In over# 1
0
0
4
0
4
0
Ben Stokes 36/0(13)
108.6
.
Good length ball on off, defended towards mid off.
108.5
.
On the pads, worked towards the leg side.
108.4
4
FOUR! Half ton up for the debutant, Daryl Mitchell! And what a way to get to it! Short of a length ball outside off, Mitchell rocks back and pulls this one through mid-wicket for a boundary. This also brings up the 100-run stand between Mitchell and Watling.
108.3
.
Good length ball on middle, Mitchell looks to flick this one towards the leg side but gets a leading edge on it. It goes towards the bowler on the bounce.
108.2
4
FOUR! Graceful! Just wow! Stokes bowls a half-volley on off, Mitchell leans forward and creams this one through the extra cover region for a boundary.
108.1
.
Good length ball on the off pole line, defended back towards the bowler.
In over# 1
0
0
4
0
0
0
Jofra Archer 58/0(25)
107.6
.
Back of a length ball on the body, defended by Watling by getting up on his toes.
107.5
.
Full ball on off, pushed towards the cover region.
107.4
4
FOUR! Full ball on the pads, Watling has flicked it nonchalantly towards the mid-wicket region for a boundary.
107.3
.
The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
107.2
.
Short of a length ball on middle, blocked out.
107.1
.
Good field placement by Root! Archer bowls one on the pads, Watling flicks but the ball goes on the bounce to Stokes standing at leg gully.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ben Stokes 28/0(12)
106.6
.
Another ball on middle and off, defended down the ground.
106.5
.
On the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket.
106.4
.
Good length ball on middle and leg, pushed back towards Stokes.
106.3
.
Length ball outside off, pushed towards point.
106.2
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
106.1
.
Good length ball on middle and off, defended.
In over# 1
0
1
4b
0
0
4
Jofra Archer 54/0(24)
105.6
.
The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
105.5
1
Bouncer again, this time Mitchell's pull connects, although only a top edge on it. The ball flies to deep backward square leg where it falls just short of Sam Curran who is running to his left. Does well to stop it and saves three runs.
105.4
4b
FOUR BYES! Another bouncer by Archer, this is way too high for the batter or even the keeper. Ollie Pope gets a hand to it but he cannot slow the ball down. The ball races away to the fine leg fence.
105.3
.
Bouncer on middle and off, ducked under.
105.2
.
Careful! That would be the message that Mitchell would be giving himself right now. Short of a length ball on off, Mitchell looks to pull this one towards mid-wicket but misses. After hitting a boundary off the previous ball, he should not be going wildly after those.
105.1
4
FOUR! Beauty! What a shot by the debutant! Full ball on middle and off, Mitchell hangs back in his crease and drives this one down the ground through mid on for a boundary.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Ben Stokes 28/0(11)
104.6
.
Length ball outside off, played to the man at point.
104.5
.
Full ball on off, Watling looks to drive this one towards the cover region but the ball goes off the inside half of the bat straight towards the bowler.
104.4
.
Another one on off, pushed towards cover.
104.3
.
Length ball on off, defended towards the off side.
104.2
.
Good length ball on off, played back to the bowler.
104.1
1
On the hips, worked towards square leg for a single.
DRINKS! It has been all New Zealand since the Lunch break as Mitchell and Watling are amidst an unbeaten 81-run stand, but one must say, England have not shown the stomach for a fight. There has been no intensity to their play and their bowling has been mediocre as well. The way they are playing one could easily see the game going out of their hands by the end of Day 2 itself.
In over# 1
2
0
0
0
0
1
Jofra Archer 49/0(23)
103.6
2
A little bit of width outside off, Watling uses the pace of the bowler and steers it through point for a couple.
103.5
.
Cranks it up, Archer. Good length ball on middle and leg at 143.2 kph, BJ taps it down from the back foot to the leg side.
103.4
.
Archer switches to 'round the wicket and serves a short ball down the leg side. An easy leave. The ploy is to bounce out the batsman with a leg gully in place but Jofra has not been accurate enough to execute the plan.
103.3
.
A 141.5 kph delivery, angling down the leg side, Watling offers no shot and lets it through again.
103.2
.
Back of a length delivery sliding down the leg side, Watling moves across and allows it through to the keeper.
103.1
1
A rising delivery around leg, Mitchell stands back and glances it to deep square leg for a single.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ben Stokes 27/0(10)
102.6
.
Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. Two maidens in a row!
102.5
.
Back of a length ball on off, angling in, Watling leans back and tries to get away from the line. Fails to do so entirely as the ball takes his arm-guard and rolls behind to the keeper.
102.4
.
A length ball outside off, Watling drives it off his front foot to covers.
102.3
.
Stokes bends his back to dig in a short ball on off, Watling defends it from the back foot.
102.2
.
Short and wide outside off, stroked firmly to point.
102.1
.
Angling in a full length ball on middle, Watling flicks it off his pads to mid-wicket.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Jofra Archer 46/0(22)
101.6
.
Bouncer but down the leg side, Mitchell has nothing to do with it. Maiden!
101.5
.
Digs in a short ball wide outside off, it's left alone by Daryl.
101.4
.
Appeal for an lbw! Not entertained by umpire Dharmasena. Archer foxes the batsman with a slower delivery. It's on middle and leg with a wobbly seam, Mitchell fails to flick and is hit on the pads. They appeal but it's too high. The replays later on confirm the same. Heading over the stumps.
101.3
.
Bouncer! The batsman does well to evade it.
101.2
.
Short in length on middle, jumping onto the batsman, Mitchell hops to defend with a straight bat but it strikes him on the gloves and rolls near the surface.
101.1
.
On and around off, defended from the back foot to the on side.
In over# 1
0
1
4
1
1
0
Ben Stokes 27/0(9)
100.6
.
Solid as ever. A length ball on off, Watling covers the line and defends it stoutly.
100.5
1
Short again and pulled again. This time in front of square leg for one.
100.4
4
FOUR! Hammered! There was a fielder in the deep but he had no chance. Short again by Stokes, around middle, Mitchell pulls it from the meat of the bat and sends it screaming away to the deep square leg fence for a boundary.
100.3
1
Fractionally short on middle, Watling works it with the angle and sends it to deep square leg for a run.
100.2
1
Short in length on middle, Mitchell is on top of the bounce as he pulls it behind square leg for a run. Daryl looks quite stylish while pulling the ball.
100.1
.
Bouncer around off, Mitchell lets it through to the keeper.
In over# 1
0
0
2
0
0
1
Jofra Archer 46/0(21)
99.6
.
A yorker around off, on the slower side at 115 kph, Watling is up to the challenge and jams it out safely. 100 overs done and dusted, it's been hard work for England.
The England players trying their best to get the ball changed by giving the umpire one reason or another. However, the umpires are buying none of it and are returning the ball back to the players straightaway.
99.5
.
A touch short again, around off, Watling pushes it from the back foot to covers.
99.4
2
Shortish and outside off, Watling hangs on the back foot and strokes it through cover-point for two.
99.3
.
Edgy! Back of a length ball on off, BJ stays back to hit it through the line but gets an inside edge onto the front leg. Everything happening in slow motion for England. Intensity is seriously lacking.
99.2
.
On a good length close to off, Watling is behind the line in defense. Solid and watchful!
99.1
1
Full length ball on off, a gentle nudge in the gap at mid-wicket for one.
Double bowling change. The speedster Jofra Archer has the ball in his hand. He is still wicketless in the 20 overs he has bowled so far.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
2
1
Ben Stokes 20/0(8)
98.6
.
Close to off, on a length, BJ gets forward and plays it with an angled bat to the off side.
98.5
.
Fullish and angling in on middle, pushed down the ground to mid on.
98.4
.
A length ball around off, angling in, the face of Watling's bat opens slightly on contact as he pushes it to covers.
98.3
.
Angles in a full length ball on off, Watling meets it with the full face of his bat and pushes it to mid off.
98.2
2
Too straight in line, Watling eases it off his pads to deep backward square leg for a couple of runs.
Jofra Archer is stretching. Maybe, he will come from the other end.
98.1
1
Back of a length ball on middle, Mitchell stands back and uses the angle of the bowler to work it behind square leg for a run.
Time for a change in bowling. With nothing happening, Joe Root turns to Ben Stokes for some inspiration. The current stand is worth 65 and it's taking New Zealand in a zone of comfort.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Chris Woakes 57/2(25)
97.6
.
Serves it on a length close to off, Watling is alert with a straight bat as he blocks.
97.5
.
Fuller and on off, pushed with firm hands to mid off.
97.4
.
Clever change in pace again by Woakes. A loopy one. Dipping into the batsman and lands very full on middle, Watling picks it and pushes it down to mid on.
97.3
.
Good length ball on top of off, BJ is solidly behind the line in defense.
97.2
.
Full and angling in on middle and off, Watling closes the face and works it to mid-wicket.
97.1
1
Mitchell has played it towards mid-wicket. They pick up a single.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sam Curran 55/1(20)
96.6
.
Switches to over the wicket and bowls a bouncer around leg, Watling ducks once more. Fourth maiden since the beginning of this session!
96.5
.
Yet another bouncer but it has no effect on the batsman. Easily ducked.
96.4
.
Angles in a full length ball close to off, BJ strides forward and defends it to covers.
96.3
.
Bumper! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment.
96.2
.
A pitched up ball on middle, knocked down towards mid on.
96.1
.
Curran continues with his 'round the wicket angle and releases it from wide of the crease. Fails to control his line though and slips it down the leg side. Watling tries flicking but misses.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Chris Woakes 56/2(24)
95.6
.
Back of a length delivery on off, Mitchell nudges it from the back foot to cover-point. Completely insipid bowling going on!
95.5
.
Well bowled! A tempter outside off, on a driving length, Mitchell shoulders arms.
95.4
.
A length ball around off, Daryl stays back and plays it with the angle to the right of mid on.
95.3
.
Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
95.2
.
Mishit! Woakes brings in a change of pace. An off cutter outside off at 115.8 kph, on the shorter side, Mitchell is early into his square cut and gets a bottom edge. It goes on one bounce to the keeper.
95.1
.
Fullish and angling in on off, Daryl is on the front foot as he defends it back watchfully.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
1
0
Sam Curran 55/1(19)
94.6
.
Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
94.5
.
Watling picked that bouncer early and lets it through to the keeper.
94.4
.
Slightly short in length just outside off, Watling stands tall and guides it to the right of the gully fielder. A diving stop in that region means that there is no run on offer.
94.3
.
Bouncer on middle and leg, Watling sits underneath it with ease.
94.2
1
Good length ball on middle and leg, Mitchell nudges it to fine leg for one.
94.1
.
Curran switches to 'round the wicket and angles in a short delivery with a leg gully in place. Mitchell has nothing to do with it.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
1
0
Chris Woakes 56/2(23)
93.6
.
Solidly gets behind the line of the delivery and eases it to mid on.
93.5
.
Woakes bends his back and digs in a short delivery outside off, BJ allows it through and Pope jumps to collect it over his head.
93.4
.
Drops it slightly full and outside off, Watling draws forward and defends.
93.3
.
Shortish and on off, Watling goes on the back foot and punches it square of the wicket on the off side. Finds point.
93.2
1
Back of a length ball on middle and leg, Mitchell remains on the back foot and turns it through mid-wicket for one.
93.1
.
Hurls in a length delivery in the channel outside off, staying a bit low, Daryl covers his stumps with a forward stride and then makes a leave.
In over# 1
0
0
4
0
1
0
Sam Curran 54/1(18)
92.6
.
On a good length around middle and off, Watling easily defends it on the leg side. A bit boring with nothing happening for the bowlers.
92.5
.
A length ball on off, BJ covers the line and blocks it from the back foot.
92.4
4
FOUR! Beautiful! He's in such great touch. Curran offers width outside off, Watling stands back and uses his lovely hands to steer it through backward point for a boundary. 250 up for the Black Caps!
92.3
.
Good length ball on off, angling away, Watling stays back and defends it on the off side.
92.2
1
Fullish ball around leg, Daryl clips it in front of square leg for a single.
92.1
.
Well stopped, Crawley! Short in length and on off, Mitchell hangs on the back foot as he pulls it across the line. It goes on one bounce to mid-wicket where Crawley dives across to his right to stop the racing ball.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Chris Woakes 55/2(22)
91.6
.
Brings a full ball back into the batsman from around off, Watling brings a straight bat down and pushes it to mid on. A couple of maidens to begin the second session.
91.5
.
Shortish again, on off, BJ rocks back and punches it through the line, finds the cover fielder.
91.4
.
Fractionally short in length again, around off, Watling stays back to get on top of the bounce and defends it soundly.
91.3
.
Back of a length delivery outside off, Watling plays at it nice and late as he dabs it down towards gully.
91.2
.
Fullish and angling in on middle, BJ brings down a straight bat as he pushes it to mid on.
91.1
.
Watling has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Chris Woakes to operate from the other end. The bowling has been quite flat from England when it should have been full of energy after taking the second new ball. Just going through the motions, it seems.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sam Curran 49/1(17)
90.6
.
Close to middle and off, on a fuller length, Daryl defends it close to his body and pushes it to mid off.
90.5
.
Curran tries to lure the batsman into a drive by bowling a fuller length ball outside off, Mitchell is not falling for it.
90.4
.
Angling away from the batsman, on a good length, Mitchell covers the line and shoulders arms.
90.3
.
On middle and leg, helped to mid-wicket.
90.2
.
Daryl falls! A length ball close to off, Mitchell pushes it with gentle hands to covers and sets off for a run. Watling sends him back and Daryl slips while turning. Luckily, he is near enough to drag his bat inside the crease.
90.1
.
Curran begins the afternoon session with a pitched up ball around off, Mitchell drives it confidently off his front foot to mid off.
The England players are back on the field and are taking their fielding positions. The New Zealand batters, Daryl Mitchell and BJ Watling follow them out. Sam Curran to start the proceedings in the second session with the local lad, Daryl Mitchell on strike.
... Day 2, Session 2 ...
Absorbing session of Test cricket! England started on a positive note by dismissing both the overnight batsmen but failed to build on that. After the initial blows, BJ Watling and Daryl Mitchell allied and didn't allow the visitors to dictate terms. The former has once again shown a lot of composure while the debutant has not looked too troubled either. They have taken their time and are amidst a 57-run stand that has given the control back to New Zealand. The pitch has not offered a lot yet again and in spite of England opting for the second new ball, there wasn't anything substantial to encourage the bowlers. Also, there was no energy and intensity, and it was incredibly uninspiring from the touring party. The way things have panned out after the first hour, the Black Caps appear to be heading towards a solid first innings total. Can England snatch the momentum back in their corner post Lunch? Do join us in a short while to find out.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Chris Woakes 55/2(21)
89.6
.
Good length ball on off, pushed towards the off side. That will be the last ball of the extended morning session and it is LUNCH ON DAY 2!
89.5
.
Good length ball on the off side, blocked out.
89.4
.
The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
89.3
.
Jaffa! Perfect line and length by Woakes! Just around the off pole line, Watling looks to fiddle at it but the ball beats the outside edge as it straightens. The Kiwis would be looking to avoid a setback just before Lunch.
89.2
.
Outside off again, left alone.
89.1
.
Outside off, played towards point.
In over# 1
0
0
1
0
0
0
Sam Curran 49/1(16)
88.6
.
Down the leg side, Mitchell has nothing to do with it.
88.5
.
Good length ball on off, driven towards mid off.
88.4
1
Back of a length ball outside off, this time Watling goes back and cuts it towards the gully region. Burns there flies to his left and gets a hand to the ball. He helps it keep it down to one.
88.3
.
Another length ball on middle, the ball goes off the inside half towards the leg side.
88.2
.
Another back of a length ball, it is dabbed down to the gully fielder.
88.1
.
Length ball on the leg side, pushed towards mid on.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
0
1
Chris Woakes 55/2(20)
87.6
1
Down the leg side, the batsman helps it towards fine leg and takes a single.
87.5
.
Outside off, defended towards the off side.
87.4
.
The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
87.3
.
Length ball on middle and leg, tucked towards the leg side.
87.2
.
Fullish this time, driven to mid off.
87.1
1
Length ball on middle and leg, driven down to long on for one.
In over# 1
0
0
1
0
0
1
Sam Curran 48/1(15)
86.6
.
On a length outside off, left alone.
86.5
.
Length ball on middle and off, defended by the batter.
86.4
1
Length ball on middle and off, Mitchell looks to defend but the ball goes off the leading half towards cover for a single.
86.3
.
The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball but fails.
86.2
.
The sucker ball from Curran. Full ball wide outside off, Mitchell looks to drive at it. The ball beats the outside edge of the bat and goes to Pope. The England players appeal but nothing from the umpire.
86.1
1
On the pads, nudged towards fine leg for a single.
Double change. Sam Curran is back too. 14-4-46-1, his figures so far.
In over# 1
0
1
1
0
0
0
Chris Woakes 53/2(19)
85.6
.
Length ball outside off, left alone.
85.5
1
On the pads, flicked towards the mid-wicket region for a single.
85.4
1
Full ball on off, driven towards the cover region for a single.
85.3
.
Good length delivery on middle and off, Mitchell prods forward and defends.
85.2
.
The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
85.1
.
Full ball on middle, Mitchell has defended it out.
Chris Woakes is back into the attack. 18-3-51-2, his figures so far. He replaces Stuart Broad.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
1lb
0
Jofra Archer 43/0(20)
84.6
.
Length ball outside off, pushed towards point.
84.5
.
Short of a length ball, Watling sways away from it.
84.4
.
Full ball on middle, driven towards mid on.
84.3
.
The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
84.2
1lb
On the hips of Mitchell, he tries to flick this one down the leg side but misses. The ball goes off the hips towards backward square leg and the batters take a leg bye. 50-run stand up between the two with this. A good comeback after a poor start to the day for the Kiwis.
84.1
.
Good length ball on the off side, pushed down to mid on.
In over# 1
1
0
0
1
0
1
Stuart Broad 50/2(21)
83.6
1
On the pads, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. Mitchell will retain strike for the next over.
83.5
.
The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
83.4
.
Down the leg side by Broad, it pitches and swings further away from the batter. Mitchell looks to flick but misses. Ollie Pope does well behind the stumps to dive to his left and gather the ball.
83.3
1
On the hips, flicked towards square leg for a single.
83.2
.
Good length ball just outside off, pushed back to the bowler.
83.1
1
On the pads, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
In over# 1
0
0
1
0
0
2
Jofra Archer 43/0(19)
82.6
.
Back of a length ball on middle and leg, Watling tries working it across the line but misses and takes a blow on his thigh pad.
82.5
.
Shortish delivery outside off, left alone by BJ.
82.4
1
Straighter in line and Mitchell inside edges his attempted flick behind square leg for one.
82.3
.
Lets the ball go outside his off stump.
82.2
.
In the channel outside off, Mitchell shoulders arms.
82.1
2
Angling down towards middle and leg, Mitchell eases it behind square leg for a couple of runs.
In over# 1
1
0
0
1
0
0
Stuart Broad 47/2(20)
81.6
1
On the pads, flicked through mid-wicket by the batsman. Single taken.
81.5
.
The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
81.4
.
Huge appeal by the England team but nothing from the umpire. Broad bowls a beauty on a good length, swinging in, with great seam position. Mitchell looks to move across and defend but he fails to do so. The ball hits him on the bent back leg but there are a couple of noises. The England players put in a loud appeal but umpire Dharmasena says nothing doing. There are no reviews left for England so no use of thinking about it. Replays roll in, Hot Spot shows no bat involved. The noise was that of the bottom of the bat hitting the boot of Mitchell. Ball Tracker comes into play now but shows the ball to be going over the stumps. Good decision by the umpire.
81.3
1
On the pads of Watling, he flicks this one fine down the leg side for a single.
81.2
.
Length ball outside off, left alone.
81.1
.
Good length ball on middle and off, defended.
In over# 1
0
1
0
0
1b
0
Jofra Archer 40/0(18)
80.6
.
Bouncer down the leg side, Mitchell ducks under it.
80.5
1
On the pads, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
80.4
.
Outside off, this one is comfortably left alone.
80.3
.
Length ball outside off, left alone. Some swing and bounce on this one too.
80.2
1b
Some late movement for Archer! Good length ball outside off, Mitchell offers the leave. The ball goes past Mitchell and swings to the left of Pope who dives in that direction and gets a hand to it. Keeps it down to a bye.
80.1
.
Archer starts off with the new ball with a delivery down the leg side. Mitchell does not bother to chase it.
Second new ball is available now! The reserve umpire has handed it over and Joe Root gives it to Jofra Archer. A vital period, this. Archer has bowled a lot better this morning but is still wicketless.
In over# 1
4
0
0
0
2
0
Stuart Broad 45/2(19)
79.6
4
FOUR! Creamed through extra cover! Full ball wide outside off, Watling leans forward and drives this one effortlessly through extra cover for a magnificent boundary.
79.5
.
Another good length ball on off, pushed towards the off side.
79.4
.
Good length ball on off, defended out.
79.3
.
Full ball on off, driven towards cover.
79.2
2
On the pads, Watling flicks this one towards mid-wicket and takes a couple.
79.1
.
Good length ball outside off, left alone.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ben Stokes 17/0(7)
78.6
.
Another full ball on off, pushed towards cover again. Back-to-back maidens for England.
78.5
.
Fullish this time, pushed towards cover.
78.4
.
Good length ball on off, blocked out.
78.3
.
Length ball outside off, angling into the batter but not angling in enough. Mitchell makes the leave.
78.2
.
Good length ball on off, driven towards cover.
78.1
.
Length ball on off, defended towards mid off.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Stuart Broad 39/2(18)
77.6
.
The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
77.5
.
Another one outside off, Watling does not fiddle with it.
77.4
.
Length ball on middle and off, defended out.
77.3
.
Outside off, left alone.
77.2
.
Length ball on middle, pushed back to the bowler.
77.1
.
Full ball on middle and off, driven towards the man at mid on.
Stuart Broad is back into the attack. 17-5-39-2, his figures so far. He replaces Joe Denly.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
1
0
Ben Stokes 17/0(6)
76.6
.
Bouncer on middle and off, Mitchell does well to evade it.
76.5
.
Full ball wide outside off, Mitchell looks to jam it out but fails to do so.
76.4
.
Some swing for Stokes here as he gets this one to angle in from wide outside off. Mitchell however leaves it alone as it is too wide.
76.3
.
Length ball on middle and off, driven back to the bowler.
76.2
1
Another length ball, on the leg pole line. Watling punches this one towards mid-wicket for a single.
76.1
.
Length ball on middle and off, blocked out.
In over# 1
0
0
0
2
1
1
Joe Denly 13/0(3)
75.6
.
Floated on middle and leg, driven towards mid on.
75.5
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
75.4
.
Floated on off, pushed towards cover.
75.3
2
Drags one short now does Denly. Mitchell rocks onto the back foot and punches this one through point for a couple.
75.2
1
Floated outside off, pushed towards cover for a single.
75.1
1
Tossed up on middle and leg, driven towards long on for a single.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
2
0
Ben Stokes 16/0(5)
74.6
.
Outside off, again left alone by Watling.
74.5
.
This time Watling does not fiddle with it and leaves it alone.
74.4
.
Jaffa by Stokes! He bowls a length ball outside off, angling into Watling. BJ looks to have a poke at it but the ball straightens to beat the outside edge of his blade. Something to think about for Stokes. Maybe, that's the line and length he needs to be bowling more.
74.3
.
Very full ball outside off, Watling jams it out towards the man at cover.
74.2
2
On the pads this time, Watling expertly flicks this one in the gap towards mid-wicket for a couple.
74.1
.
Full ball on off, driven towards the man at cover.
In over# 1
0
6
0
0
0
2
Joe Denly 9/0(2)
73.6
.
Tossed up on middle and off, defended.
73.5
6
SIX! Boom! Out of the ground! Denly gives this one a lot of air on middle and off, Mitchell steps down the track and lofts this one over the bowler's head for a biggie. First maximum of the match this one.
73.4
.
Floated on the leg side, driven towards mid on.
73.3
.
Floated outside off, Mitchell defends it off the front foot.
73.2
.
Down the leg side, Mitchell guides this one down the leg side.
73.1
2
Floated outside off, Daryl drives this one through the cover region and takes a couple.
In over# 1
0
2b
0
0
0
0
Ben Stokes 14/0(4)
72.6
.
Full ball outside off, Watling jams it out towards point.
72.5
2b
Bouncer down the leg side, it is too high to trouble the batter. Ollie jumps high and gets a hand to it. The ball rolls towards the fine leg region and Pope recovers and gives it a chase to keep it in play. The batters take two byes.
72.4
.
Another one outside off, left alone.
72.3
.
Bouncer just outside off, BJ ducks under it.
72.2
.
Length ball outside off, the batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
72.1
.
Short of a length ball outside off, comfortably left alone by by Watling.
Drinks break. Good first passage of play for England as they have managed to pick two wickets during that period. Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls didn't add much to their overnight scores. The Three Lions have bowled a lot better and tidier on the second day. Currently, the Kiwis are under pressure but who better than BJ Watling to soak all that. He is calm and composed once again in his approach and is looking to build a stand with the debutant. Let's see whether he succeeds in the next half.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
0
0
Joe Denly 1/0(1)
71.6
1
Drags one short, Watling plays this one very late towards point and takes a single to retain strike for the next over.
71.5
.
Outside off, pushed towards the cover region.
71.4
.
Tossed up on middle, Watling dances down the track and defends it off the inside edge onto the pads.
71.3
.
Tossed up outside off, Watling prods forward and defends.
71.2
.
Another one outside off, Watling leaves it alone.
71.1
.
Floated outside off, left alone by Watling.
Joe Denly is on now to bowl some leggies.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ben Stokes 14/0(3)
70.6
.
Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
70.5
.
On a driving length outside off, Daryl gets forward to cover his stumps and allows it through.
70.4
.
Waste of energy! A bouncer but wide outside off, Daryl stays back and lets it through to the keeper.
70.3
.
Spears in a full ball on middle, a hint of movement in the air, Mitchell drives again but this time it has gone straight to mid on.
70.2
.
Pitches it up and around off, it's driven off the front foot to mid on.
70.1
.
Starts with a fuller length ball outside off, Mitchell gets forward and defends it to the off side.
Wow, we didn't see that coming? Ben Stokes is getting ready to bowl. All the news that he ain't fit to bowl has turned out to be false. The English all-rounder runs in...
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
4
0
Sam Curran 46/1(14)
69.6
.
Good length ball on middle and off, defended out.
69.5
.
Full ball on off, driven towards the cover region.
69.4
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
69.3
.
Full ball on off, driven towards mid off.
69.2
4
FOUR! Good reply by Watling! Shortish ball outside off, Watling rocks back and cuts this one through point for a boundary.
69.1
.
NOT OUT! BJ is comfortably safe. Curran bowls a length ball around leg, Watling looks to flick it down the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads. The England players go up in appeal but after some thought, umpire Dharmasena shakes his head. The English players have a chat and eventually Root signals the 'T'. Replays roll in, Curran's foot is just inside the line. Hot Spot then comes into play and shows a clear inside edge on it. No need to look further. Watling survives and England have now lost both their reviews.
Review time! First one of the day and it is Watling who is the man in question. Looks to be pitching outside leg to the naked eye. No need for the Ball Tracker however, as Hot Spot shows an inside edge on it.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Chris Woakes 51/2(18)
68.6
.
Full ball outside off, driven towards the man at extra cover.
68.5
.
Bouncer down the leg side, Daryl ducks under it.
68.4
.
On middle and leg, driven towards mid on.
68.3
.
The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
68.2
.
Full ball on off, driven down the ground but the man at mid off cuts it off.
68.1
.
Length ball outside off, left alone.
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
0
0
Sam Curran 42/1(13)
67.6
.
Length ball outside off, left alone.
67.5
.
Full ball on off, Watling drives it firmly towards mid on and the man there runs to his left and stops it.
67.4
.
Length ball on the hips, tucked towards the leg side by the batter.
The ball is getting replaced after 67.3 overs as it has lost its shape. The reserve umpire is out with a box of balls.
67.3
1
On the pads, Mitchell nudges it fine down the leg side for a single.
67.2
.
Full ball on middle and off, driven towards mid on.
67.1
.
Length ball outside off, left alone by Daryl Mitchell.
In over# 1
0
4
1
0
4
0
Chris Woakes 51/2(17)
66.6
.
The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
66.5
4
FOUR! Second boundary of the over, this time off the bat of Watling. Length ball outside off, Watling gets forward to play at it with soft hands. It catches the outside half of his blade and runs through the gap between gully and slip cordon for a boundary. Was always in control. Educational edge, you can say!
66.4
1
Full ball on off, driven towards the man at mid on. This time the batters take a single.
66.3
.
Full ball on middle, driven towards mid on.
66.2
4
FOUR! Good shot! A pressure reliever of sorts for New Zealand! Woakes bowls a rare loose delivery, just short and down the leg side. Mitchell rocks back and pulls this one through mid-wicket for a boundary. This is the first boundary after the 57th over.
66.1
.
Full ball on middle and off, driven towards the man at mid on.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sam Curran 41/1(12)
65.6
.
Full ball on off, driven all along the ground to mid off.
65.5
.
Length ball outside off, played towards the point region.
65.4
.
Fuller on the pads, worked towards mid on.
65.3
.
Another one outside off, pushed to the cover region.
65.2
.
Full ball outside off, driven firmly but straight to the man at cover.
65.1
.
On middle and leg, tucked towards mid-wicket.
In over# 1
0
0
1
0
0
0
Chris Woakes 42/2(16)
64.6
.
Length ball just outside off, it pitches and straightens. Daryl looks to have a poke at it but the ball whizzes past his outside edge. Good end to the over by Woakes.
64.5
.
Full ball on off, Mitchell firmly drives this one towards the man at mid off.
64.4
1
On the pads, Watling flicks this one down to the fine leg region for a single.
64.3
.
Outside off again, played towards the point region now.
64.2
.
Fuller this time outside off, pushed towards the off side.
64.1
.
Good length ball on middle and off, Watling drives this one down the ground but the man from mid off runs across to his right, dives and stops the ball.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0W
Sam Curran 41/1(11)
63.6
.
Bouncer to end the over by Curran! Mitchell looks to play the hook shot but misses. A wicket maiden for Curran and England with a spring in their step now.
Third slip comes in...
63.5
.
Mitchell goes back and defends this one off the back foot.
63.4
.
Good length ball just around off, blocked out.
63.3
.
Full ball on middle and off, Mitchell punches this one towards mid on.
63.2
.
Good length ball outside off, Mitchell looks to defend at it with soft hands but the ball goes off the outside edge on the bounce to the man at second slip.
The debutant and local boy, Daryl Mitchell walks out to bat. Proud moment for him and his mother is seen recording his walk to the middle.
63.1
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Young Curran gets a wicket and one can say it is well-deserved, the way he has been bowling throughout this Test. We faulted him for bowling too short at times on Day 1 but he has eventually hunted down a batsman with a half-tracker. Sam bowls a short ball just outside off, angling into the batter. It hurries onto him. Nicholls looks to go back and pull but the ball goes off the top edge towards backward square leg. Broad there in the deep comes a few steps ahead and takes the catch. The whole England squad looks pumped up after getting a couple of early wickets today.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Chris Woakes 41/2(15)
62.6
.
Good length ball on middle and off, defended by Watling off the front foot.
62.5
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
62.4
.
Length ball outside off, left alone by Watling.
62.3
.
This time on the leg pole line, pushed towards mid on.
62.2
.
Another one on middle and off, again Watling defends this one back to the bowler.
62.1
.
Length ball on middle and off, pushed back towards the bowler.
David Lloyd is heard on air saying that Ben Stokes won't bowl due to a knee injury and it's a real worry for England ahead of the South Africa Test series. Meanwhile, as expected, Chris Woakes is into the attack, replacing Jofra Archer.
In over# 1
0
2
1
0
0
0
Sam Curran 41/0(10)
61.6
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
61.5
2
On the pads of Nicholls, he flicks this one towards square leg and takes a couple.
61.4
1
JUST SHORT! A very difficult chance for Ollie Pope! Curran bowls a jaffa in his first over of the day, pitching on a length and just nipping away. Watling is squared up in defense and edges it behind. The ball does not have the pace on it to carry to Pope though and it falls just ahead of him as he dives forward. A missed chance this one for England. The ball goes towards the third man region and the batters take a single. Soft hands saved BJ!
Chris Woakes is loosening up...
61.3
.
Good length ball outside off, pushed towards point.
61.2
.
Length ball wide outside off, left alone.
61.1
.
The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
First bowling change of this morning. Stuart Broad is replaced by Sam Curran who has bowled 9 overs so far in this innings without any success. He was also culprit of bowling too short on Day 1 and needs to correct his length today. For a bowler of his kind, pitching up and looking for swing is the best option. He doesn't have the pace to trouble the batsmen with the short stuff. Two slips in place.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Jofra Archer 39/0(17)
60.6
.
Length ball on middle and off, pushed back towards the bowler.
60.5
.
Length ball outside off, pushed towards the man at cover.
60.4
.
Length ball on middle and leg, Nicholls looks to flick this one but misses and is hit on the hand.
60.3
.
Length ball outside off, Nicholls plays the square drive but straight to the man at point.
60.2
.
Length ball on middle and off, defended off the back foot.
60.1
.
Archer comes over the wicket, he pitches the ball just around the off pole line and gets it to nip away a bit. The ball goes off the outside edge towards the man at point.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
0
0
Stuart Broad 39/2(17)
59.6
1
Short ball on middle and leg, it rushes onto the batter. Nicholls pulls this one towards backward square leg where the fielder collects it in the deep and the batters take a single. Nicholls retains strike for the next over.
59.5
.
Length ball around off, Nicholls shoulders arms this time.
59.4
.
Nicholls is strong in his defense as he pushes this one towards the off side.
59.3
.
On off, pushed towards mid off again by Nicholls.
59.2
.
This time a full ball on middle, pushed towards mid on.
59.1
.
Full ball on off, pushed towards the man at mid off.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Jofra Archer 39/0(16)
58.6
.
Good delivery to finish the over by Archer. Short of a length ball just outside off, Watling drops his hands and lets it through to the keeper. Maiden for young Archer.
58.5
.
Fuller ball on middle, pushed towards mid on by the batter.
58.4
.
Outside off again by Archer, left alone.
58.3
.
Good yorker by Archer, just outside off. Watling does well to jam it out and the ball goes towards the gully region.
58.2
.
Similar line and length, this time Watling lets it through to the keeper.
58.1
.
Length ball just outside off, Watling pushes this one towards the cover-point region.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
1
0
Stuart Broad 38/2(16)
57.6
.
Length ball just outside off, left alone by Henry to get through the over.
57.5
.
Again Nicholls prods forward to this full ball and pushes this one towards mid off.
57.4
.
Fullish ball on the off side, Nicholls defends the ball presenting the full face of the bat.
57.3
.
On the pads, flicked towards the mid-wicket region by Nicholls.
57.2
1
On middle and leg, Watling works this one towards fine leg and takes a single. He gets off the mark with this single.
57.1
.
Watling has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
In over# 1
0
4
0
0
0
0
Jofra Archer 39/0(15)
56.6
.
Outside off by Archer, pushed towards the cover region.
56.5
4
FOUR! Good shot by Nicholls! Archer sprays one on the pads, Nicholls flicks it nicely through the fine leg region for a boundary.
56.4
.
Bouncer on middle and leg, Nicholls ducks under it and lets it through to the keeper.
56.3
.
Good length ball on middle and off, pushed towards mid on.
56.2
.
Bouncer on the off side, Nicholls offers no shot.
56.1
.
Length ball wide outside off, left alone by Henry Nicholls.
BJ Watling is the new man in. He has been in amazing form in 2019 and averages 85.6. Watling has already hurt England once in this series and the visitors would like to send him packing early this time around.
In over# 1
0W
0
0
4
0
0
Stuart Broad 37/2(15)
55.6
W
OUT! TIMBER! What a start given to England by Stuart Broad! He looks delighted. Broad comes from around the wicket, bowls a length ball just around the off pole, angling in. Latham shoulders arms as he thinks the ball will not come back in. However, the ball pitches on the seam and just about nips back in further, clipping the top of off pole. This is the 6th time that Broad has dismissed Tom Latham in Tests. The southpaw departs without adding much to his overnight score and the touring team has an early opening on Day 2. Can they capitalize?
55.5
.
On middle and leg, Tom pushes this one back to Broad.
55.4
.
Good length ball on middle, Latham prods forward and defends.
55.3
4
FOUR! Nice way to start off the morning! Full ball on middle and off, Latham shows the full face of the bat and drives this one down the ground through mid on for a boundary.
55.2
.
Down the leg side, Latham looks to nudge it fine down the leg side but misses.
55.1
.
Broad starts with a good length ball angling into Latham. Tom blocks it out with a straight bat.
Stuart Broad (14-5-33-1) to partner Jofra Archer from the other end.
In over# 1
4
1lb
0
0
0
0
Jofra Archer 35/0(14)
54.6
4
FOUR! Wrong line from Archer. Serves a length ball down the leg side, Henry turns inside the crease and nudges it to fine leg for a boundary. Uses the pace to his advantage.
54.5
1lb
Hit on the body! Archer bangs it in short, a well directed-one, Tom tries to duck but fails to evade it. The ball brushes his shoulders and runs fine down the leg side for a leg bye.
54.4
.
Straightaway on the money! Good pace by Archer. He delivers a touch short delivery close to off at 140 kph and it shoots off the surface. Latham leans back and allows it through to the keeper. The pitch seems to have freshened up after all the rain last evening.
The England players are out in the middle. They are followed by the New Zealand batters, Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls. Jofra Archer will start the proceedings on Day 2 (to complete his unfinished over) with some renewed energy against Tom Latham, the centurion, on strike.
Pitch report - Mark Richardson is down near the surface. He says that the humidity is a lot lower than yesterday and hopes there won't be any rain today. Mentions that the pitch looks brown and it is just a very good batting track. Smiles and says that even he would look forward to batting here. Signs off by asking - Was it a mistake bowling first?
We are still awaiting confirmation on Ben Stokes' fitness. He left the ground due to a knee injury and it seems unlikely that he will bowl. England should consider themselves lucky that they went for an extra seamer or were they aware of this issue and knew that Ben is carrying an injury?
As far as the match situation goes, England are currently under the pump mainly due to Tom Latham's brilliant knock and his century partnership with Ross Taylor. Joe Root's decision to bowl first seems to be backfiring and he needs wickets and that too in a heap this morning to stay in contention. For the Kiwis, it will be all about driving home the advantage and putting on a massive first innings total. Which team will succeed in its cause? We will find that out soon as the action gets underway half an hour early to make up for the lost overs on Day 1.
Welcome ladies and gentlemen for the second day of the Hamilton Test. First up, on the weather front, it's a beautiful morning at Seddon Park and the sun is out in its full glory. The forecast is much better for the day, however, showers are predicted for later on. Let's hope for an uninterrupted game.
... DAY 2, SESSION 1 ...
Tom Latham led the charge for the Kiwis after losing the first two wickets. In Ross Taylor, he found an able ally and together they didn't allow the England bowlers to settle down into any kind of rhythm. Their century partnership put New Zealand on top and Tom went on to notch up yet another century for himself in 2019. It was a really tough day for the Three Lions and dropping Latham on 66 didn't help their cause. They now will have to bounce back on Saturday to avoid falling behind the 8-ball so early in this Test match. Will they succeed? Do join us at 1030 local (2130 GMT, Previous day) as there will be half an hour early start to make up for the lost overs. Until then, it's goodbye and cheers!
Right then, the rain refused to relent and the umpires have decided to CALL OFF the remaining of day's play! A satisfying first day for the Black Caps. They did lose the toss but their batsmen made sure to not let that become a disadvantage. England didn't get the kind of purchase from the surface that Joe Root expected at the toss. There was minimal movement on offer and the English speedsters were also quite indisciplined with their line and length.
Update 1634 local - No improvement in the conditions. It's raining heavily and the covers are on. Blackcaps have tweeted that the umpires are set for an inspection just before 1700 local. Not sure how with the rain still coming down hard...
Update 1603 local - Okay so that was just a short resumption as the groundsmen have come out with the covers. They are expecting that rains will hit hard anytime soon. And yes, here it comes. It has STARTED TO RAIN in Hamilton and the players have made their way back into the pavilion. More covers are coming on. It has turned completely dark. This is not looking good. Stay tuned for latest updates!
54.3
.
Good length ball on middle and leg, staying low as well, Tom defends it from the back foot.
54.2
.
Jofra bends his back and digs in a well-directed bouncer around off. Latham arches back and evades it.
54.1
.
Archer speeds in from 'round the wicket and angles in a length ball around off. Latham defends it from the bottom end of his bat and it rolls behind. Archer has his hands on his head.
Some good news for you as the players have made their way out to the middle. The Kiwi batters, Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls are getting ready too. The artificial lights have been turned on as it is very dark. Jofra Archer to start the proceedings with centurion Tom Latham on strike.
We expected the players to be out in the middle but for now, it is the ground staff who are out there. With dark clouds hovering above the ground, they are expecting the showers to start anytime soon.
... Day 1, Session 3 ...
Another enthralling session of Test cricket! New Zealand enjoyed most of it and losing Ross Taylor was the only blemish for them. The afternoon segment saw a couple of notable moments. One involved a debatable lbw decision of Taylor which was overruled by the third umpire and another involved Tom Latham, who was dropped on 66 by Ben Stokes. The visitors had to work really hard to dislodge the century partnership. Tom though continued and completed a fabulous century. He is looking good for a big one and the hosts would be hoping that he bats out the entire day today. The English bowling has been good only in patches and they have leaked too many boundaries. As the players are leaving the field for Tea, we can see dark clouds enveloping the stadium. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope there won't be any rain interruptions. Do join us in a short while.
In over# 1
0
0
1
0
4
0
Joe Root 11/0(2)
53.6
.
Last ball before the Tea break and Nicholls has negotiated it well as he comes forward and defends it. New Zealand 173/3 at TEA ON DAY 1.
53.5
.
Nicholls prods forward and blocks it out again.
53.4
1
Latham punches this one off the back foot towards cover and takes a single.
53.3
.
Floated on off, Latham prods forward and defends it.
53.2
4
FOUR! 100 up for Tom Latham! This has been a controlled and solid innings from him. Floated on middle and off, Latham comes down the track and converts it into a full toss. He then drives this one through the mid on region for a boundary. Reached his half ton just before the Lunch break and has now reached his ton just before the Tea break. Can he keep this going and convert this into a daddy hundred?
53.1
.
Floated on off, defended by Latham.
Joe Root is back into the attack to bowl the last over before the Tea break. 1-0-6-0,his figures so far.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Jofra Archer 31/0(13)
52.6
.
Bouncer to end the over by Archer but Nicholls does well to evade it.
52.5
.
Length ball on middle and leg, angling into Nicholls. He tries to work it away but misses and is hit on the thigh pad.
52.4
.
Length ball outside off, left alone.
52.3
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
52.2
.
Length ball on middle and off, defended by Nicholls.
52.1
.
Short of a length ball outside off, Nicholls guides this one towards the third man region. Burns at gully dives to his right and stops the ball.
Jofra Archer into the attack. 12-2-31-0, his figures so far.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
4
0
Chris Woakes 41/2(14)
51.6
.
Length ball down the leg side, pushed towards mid on.
51.5
.
The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
51.4
.
On the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket.
51.3
.
Ohh! A scare for Latham! Length ball on middle and off, Latham looks to defend but gets an inside edge on it which goes onto his pads. Almost chopped on.
51.2
4
FOUR! Latham moves to 96 runs with this! Length ball wide outside off, Latham rocks back and cuts it exquisitely through the point region for a boundary.
51.1
.
Length ball on middle and off, defended.
In over# 1
0
0
0
4
0
0
Stuart Broad 33/1(14)
50.6
.
Good length ball on off, pushed straight back towards mid on.
50.5
.
Nicholls gets right behind the line of the delivery and defends it.
50.4
.
Full ball on middle, punched towards the man at mid on.
50.3
4
FOUR! Superbly driven by Nicholls! Full ball on off, Henry drives this one beautifully through the gap at the extra cover region and the ball races towards the fence.
50.2
.
Fullish ball on off, blocked out by Nicholls again.
50.1
.
Length ball on the off pole line, blocked out.
In over# 1
0
0
0
4
0
0
Chris Woakes 37/2(13)
49.6
.
A back foot punch by Tom finds the cover fielder again.
49.5
.
Angling away from the batsman, Latham pushes it from the crease to covers.
49.4
.
Goes on the back foot to a shortish ball and strokes it down to mid on.
49.3
4
FOUR! Latham enters into the 90s! A really bad delivery. Drifting down the leg side leg, all Latham has to do is to get some willow behind it. He does exactly that and earns himself an easy boundary down at fine leg.
49.2
.
Shortish and around off, punched to the cover fielder.
49.1
.
Back of a length ball around leg, Latham is on his back leg as he tries to work it on the leg side. Fails to connect and takes a blow on his thigh pad.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Stuart Broad 29/1(13)
48.6
.
Around off on a length, Nicholls pushes it with an angled bat to covers.
48.5
.
Hurls a length ball in the channel outside off, Nicholls watches it closely before making a leave.
48.4
.
Angles in a full ball around off, Henry covers the line and blocks.
48.3
.
Fullish and on off, Nicholls drives it with good timing but finds mid off.
48.2
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
48.1
.
Uses the angle of the bowler and helps it off his pads to square leg.
Stuart Broad back into the attack. Ben Stokes was in some visible pain on his left knee while he was bowling and he has been replaced as a result. Can England snatch another wicket before the Tea break?
In over# 1
1
0
0W
4
0
0
Chris Woakes 33/2(12)
47.6
1
Turns it off his pads to deep square leg for a single.
47.5
.
Fullish and around off, Nicholls gets forward and drives it back to the bowler.
Henry Nicholls is the new man in.
47.4
W
OUT! Right into the bread basket of Joe Root! Woakes has broken the century stand and finally the lady luck smiles on England. A length delivery outside off, Taylor tries to force his drive on the up but there is some extra bounce and he edges it straight to first slip. Yet another sharp catch taken by the English skipper. Taylor isn't happy with himself as he trudges back soon after completing his fifty.
47.3
4
FOUR! Fifty for Ross Taylor, 32nd in Tests! Woakes errs in his line and dishes out a length ball down the leg side, Taylor nudges it fine down the leg side for a boundary.
47.2
.
Width on offer outside off, Taylor chops his attempted square cut to point.
47.1
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
In over# 1
4
1
0
1
1
0
Ben Stokes 14/0(2)
46.6
4
FOUR! 150 comes up with another boundary! England are not learning. They should have realized by now that Tom is very strong on his pads. But they are continuing to feed him there. Latham is cashing in with some lovely flick shots. A boundary results at mid-wicket. Again Stokes is feeling the pinch and is on his haunches.
46.5
1
Taylor drops a length ball with soft hands to mid-wicket and steals a run right under Denly's nose.
46.4
.
Slight inward movement off the pitch. A length ball on off, Taylor tries to work it away but fails to middle his shot properly. Stokes continues to limp in his followthrough.
46.3
1
Fuller in length and angling down the leg side, Latham eases it down to long leg for another run.
46.2
1
Aerial but safe! Short in length and around off, Taylor pulls it aerially over mid-wicket for a single. He was out caught attempting a similar shot in the previous Test.
46.1
.
Back of a length ball on off, Taylor stands tall and taps it down to square leg.
In over# 1
0
4
0
0
0
0
Chris Woakes 28/1(11)
45.6
.
On a good length around middle, Latham plays it with gentle hands to mid-wicket.
45.5
4
FOUR! Lovely wristwork by Latham. He has been sublime off his pads in this knock. Woakes feeds him there again and Tom has no qualms in putting it away to the deep mid-wicket fence.
45.4
.
Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
45.3
.
PITCHING OUTSIDE LEG! End of the story. Woakes spears in a fuller length ball and Latham is beaten for pace as he tries to flick. He is rapped on the pads, they appeal vociferously but the umpire shakes his head. Joe Root consults his keeper and bowler before going for the DRS. As mentioned earlier, pitching was an issue. England have lost one review.
Very vocal appeal for an lbw by England! Umpire Dharmasena thinks...and thinks...and thinks...and then shakes his head. Joe Root seems to be sure here. He first has a look at his keeper and then has a chat with his bowler. DRS is taken after that and the replays find it to be pitching outside leg. England lose a review!
45.2
.
Fullish and around off, Tom has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
45.1
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Chris Woakes is back into the attack. 10-1-24-1, his figures so far. He replaces Sam Curran into the attack.
In over# 1
1
0
0
4
2
0
Ben Stokes 7/0(1)
44.6
1
Slightly short around leg, Latham gets into an awkward position and somehow works it away to mid-wicket for a run. Stokes feels the pinch near his left knee. Is he carrying an injury?
44.5
.
Gets forward to a full ball and helps it towards mid off.
44.4
.
Latham has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
44.3
4
FOUR! Century stand has come up! A cracking shot from Latham. Another delivery which is too straight in line and Latham flicks it firmly through mid-wicket. This has been an outstanding effort by this pair.
44.2
2
Well stopped, Jofra! An overpitched ball around leg, Latham whips it off his pads to deep backward square leg. Archer moves across to his right from fine leg and dives to partially stop the racing ball. He parries it towards deep mid-wicket where Woakes picks it up and does the rest. Two runs saved.
44.1
.
Starts his spell with a full ball on middle, Tom Latham works it towards mid on.
Ben Stokes into the attack now.
In over# 1
0
0
0
4
0
1
Sam Curran 38/0(9)
43.6
.
Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
According to the commentators on air, there are forecasts of thunderstorms later in the day. Let's hope for the best and an uninterrupted day of cricket.
43.5
.
A low full toss on off, Taylor prods forward and drives it to mid off.
43.4
.
Short and wide outside off, Taylor mistimes his cut towards gully.
43.3
4
FOUR! A bit unlucky for the debutant. Curran angles across a full ball around off, Taylor drives it past the cover fielder and it races away. Zak Crawley runs across to his right, gets to the ball near the fence and tries to flick it back in play. But to his bad luck, he does so on his legs and it deflects onto the rope.
43.2
.
Fullish and around off, Ross gets forward and pushes it to mid off.
43.1
1
Curran digs in a short ball on off, Latham tries to hook but fails to control. It takes the top half of his bat and goes down to deep backward square leg for a single. Had Sam been a little quicker in pace, it would have really hurried onto Tom.
In over# 1
0
1
1
0
0
0
Jofra Archer 31/0(12)
42.6
.
Lands it on a length close to off, at 143 kph, Taylor sticks on the back foot in defense.
42.5
1
Angles in a full ball on off, Latham forces it down towards mid off and rushes across to the other end. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but it's a wayward one.
42.4
1
Archer goes full on middle, Rosco eases it off his pads to deep mid-wicket and takes a single.
42.3
.
A good bouncer by Jofra, it's around middle and leg, Taylor takes his eyes off the ball, drops his hands and then allows it through.
42.2
.
A fuller length ball on off, at 140 kph, Taylor drives it back to the bowler and then moves away as he thought Archer will have a shy at the striker's end. Nothing like that happened.
42.1
.
Skiddy delivery, full and sliding down the leg side, Taylor is early into his flick shot and hence fails to make any contact. It clips his pads and goes behind to Pope.
In over# 1
1
0
1
0
0
0
Sam Curran 33/0(8)
41.6
1
A gentle length delivery on middle, Taylor presents a straight bat and it takes the inside edge before rolling behind square leg. They cross.
41.5
.
Fuller and outside off, Rosco drives it on the up but finds the mid off fielder.
41.4
1
Curran pulls his length back slightly and delivers it close to off, Latham moves on the back foot and turns it wide of mid on for a run.
41.3
.
Pitches it up and outside off, Latham drives it off his front foot but fails to beat the diving extra cover fielder.
41.2
.
Another delivery in the zone outside off, an easy leave for Tom.
41.1
.
Good length delivery in the channel outside off, Latham allows it through to the keeper.
Drinks break. Action-packed first hour of the afternoon session! A debatable decision to overturn Taylor's lbw and then a dropped catch to offer life to Tom Latham. New Zealand will be relieved while England will be feeling slightly down. There isn't a lot happening off the surface and they need to take all the half chances coming their way and also hope that luck also goes in their favour. The Kiwis right now are on top!
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
0
0
Jofra Archer 29/0(11)
40.6
.
Length ball on middle and off, Taylor has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
40.5
.
Full ball on off, pushed towards the cover region.
40.4
.
Archer bowls a bouncer but Taylor ducks under it and lets it through to the keeper.
40.3
1
On the pads of Latham, he flicks this one towards mid-wicket for a single.
40.2
.
Probably the quickest ball of the day, clocking at 144 kph. Archer bowls a length ball angling into Latham. He looks to defend but misses. The ball goes off the thigh pad and into the hands of Root at first slip. The England players put in a stifled appeal but nothing from the umpire.
40.1
.
Length ball just outside off, blocked out.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sam Curran 31/0(7)
39.6
.
A gentle length delivery around off, angling away, a comfortable leave for Rosco to end the over.
39.5
.
Curran continues to be very straight with his line, Ross works it off his pads but once again finds mid-wicket.
39.4
.
Fullish and around off, Taylor closes the face of his bat slightly and helps it to mid-wicket.
39.3
.
Straighter in line, Taylor tries to hit it to square leg but ends up pushing it towards mid on.
39.2
.
Once again Curran takes a length ball away from the right-hander with his natural left-arm angle, Taylor guards his stumps and shoulders arms.
39.1
.
Angles across a length ball around middle and off, Taylor covers the line and pushes it to mid off.
In over# 1
0
0
0
2
0
4
Jofra Archer 28/0(10)
38.6
.
Length ball outside off, Latham guides this one down to third man.
38.5
.
On middle and off, blocked out.
38.4
.
Good length ball on off, Latham has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
38.3
2
DROPPED! Life for Latham and Stokes is the culprit! Archer bowls a superb back of a length ball, angling into the batsman. Tom, off the back foot, looks to have a poke at it but the ball straightens after pitching and he only manages to get an outside edge on it. The ball goes to the left of Stokes at second slip who makes a half-dive, gets two hands to it but puts it down. The ball goes towards the third man region and the batters take two. Stokes will be praying that this drop does not cost his team too much.
38.2
.
The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
38.1
4
FOUR! On the pads of Latham, he has flicked this one wonderfully through the mid-wicket region for a boundary. This is the 5th boundary after the review was taken by Taylor. Runs coming thick and fast.
In over# 1
2
0
0
0
4
3
Sam Curran 32/0(6)
37.6
2
Taylor drives this one through the cover regions and takes a couple.
37.5
.
On middle and off, Taylor hits it back to the bowler.
37.4
.
Length ball on middle and off, defended off the front foot by the batsman.
37.3
.
The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
37.2
4
FOUR! Overpitched again and punished by Ross Taylor. Full ball outside off, Taylor has driven it with grace through the cover region. The ball races away to the fence.
37.1
3
Full ball on middle and off, Latham has driven it superbly through the mid off region. Archer gives this a chase and superbly keeps it in play with his super fast speed.
Sam Curran (5-1-22-0) is back into the attack.
In over# 1
0
4
4
0
2
0
Jofra Archer 22/0(9)
36.6
.
Bouncer by Archer and Taylor awkwardly pulls it away towards mid on. Good battle between these two here.
36.5
4
FOUR! Another length ball outside off, Taylor again cuts but this time the man at point dives to his left and gets a hand to it. However the touch is not strong enough to keep the ball in play and it trudges into the fence. Rosco is really going hard at Archer.
36.4
4
FOUR! Length ball outside off, this time Taylor gets it through point and the ball has raced away to the fence.
36.3
.
Shortish and outside off, Taylor cuts this one but straight to the man.
36.2
2
100 up for New Zealand and what a beautiful way to bring it up! Full ball on off, Taylor drives this one superbly through the cover region. Curran from mid off runs to his left, dives and makes a half stop as he keeps it down to two.
36.1
.
Full ball just outside off, punched to the man at mid on.
First bowling change of the afternoon session that has begun on a sedate note. Jofra Archer is back on. 8 unconvincing overs from him so far.
In over# 1
0
4
0
0
0
0
Chris Woakes 24/1(10)
35.6
.
Gets behind the line of the delivery and blocks.
35.5
4
FOUR! This is delightfully driven! Latham has looked in excellent touch right from the beginning. Receives an overpitched delivery outside off gleefully and creams it through covers.
35.4
.
Fuller and around off, Tom is on top of the bounce as he blocks it from the back foot.
35.3
.
The batsman defends it from within the crease.
35.2
.
A length ball on middle, Latham works it a bit uppishly on the leg side, doesn't carry to mid-wicket.
35.1
.
Good length ball on off, Latham defends it from the front foot.
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
0
1
Stuart Broad 29/1(12)
34.6
.
The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
34.5
.
Length ball wide outside off, Taylor goes for a wild slash but misses. Poor batting, getting restless!
34.4
.
NOT OUT! The faintest of nicks has saved Ross Taylor here, this is what the third umpire feels. The use of technology at its best one can say. Broad bowls a full ball on middle, Taylor looks to flick but fails to do so and is hit on the pads. The England players appeal loudly and the umpire raises his finger straightaway. Ross Taylor is not sure about the review. He talks with his partner and eventually goes for it. Replays come in! First, the Hot Spot comes in and shows no bat involved. Then, Snicko comes in and it shows that there is a spike when the ball crosses the bat. The third umpire again goes to see the Hot Spot and concludes that there is a nick on it. The decision is overturned and Rosco survives. The benefit of the doubt maybe to the batter but Broad will feel that he has been robbed of a wicket. There were two sounds but to be honest, the Snicko sound did not match up with when the ball passed the bat. Anyway, the decision is made and let's get on with the game.
Stuart Broad has struck gold here! He has managed to trap Ross Taylor right in front of the wickets. Rosco looks like a dead duck and it's a very late decision by him to take the DRS. The third umpire spots something on the Snicko although Hot Spot has not shown anything. Decision overturned. Very interesting call. Taylor didn't go for the referral straightaway and took it only after consulting his partner.
34.3
1
On the hips again, this time Latham tucks it behind square leg for a single. The English bowlers need to get their lines right and quickly.
34.2
.
On middle and leg, tucked towards mid-wicket.
34.1
1
On the hips, Taylor nudges it behind square on the leg side for a single.
In over# 1
0
1
0
0
0
0
Chris Woakes 20/1(9)
33.6
.
Full ball on off, worked towards mid on.
33.5
1
Fuller ball, pushed towards the cover region and the batters take a single.
33.4
.
Length ball outside off, Taylor shoulders arms this time.
33.3
.
Bad decision by Taylor but it does not cost him. A full ball way outside off, Taylor goes to hit it through point with a flat-bat. He misses the ball by a whisker. No need to go chasing after these deliveries.
33.2
.
Similar length, just outside off, Taylor punches it towards the man at mid off.
33.1
.
Very straight ball on the fuller length. Taylor drives this one towards the man at mid on.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Stuart Broad 27/1(11)
32.6
.
This time Latham works this one towards mid-wicket.
32.5
.
Another one way outside off, Latham will not go chasing after those.
32.4
.
Outside off, Latham does not fiddle with it.
32.3
.
Latham rocks back and defends it out.
32.2
.
A stifled appeal but nothing doing for the umpire. Broad bowls a good length ball on middle and off, it pitches and nips into the southpaw. Latham looks to defend but only manages an inside edge onto the pads. The keeper and the slip cordon appeal but Broad knows there is an inside edge on that and hence returns quietly to his mark.
32.1
.
Length ball just outside off, Tom pushes it back to the bowler.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
0
0
Chris Woakes 19/1(8)
31.6
1
Good length ball on middle and off, Latham looks to punch the ball down the ground but the ball goes off the outside edge towards cover-point and the batters take a single.
31.5
.
The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
31.4
.
Latham gets onto the back foot and defends it out.
31.3
.
Length ball outside off, Latham shoulders arms again.
31.2
.
Full ball on off, pushed to the cover region.
31.1
.
Length ball outside off, left alone.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
1
0
Stuart Broad 27/1(10)
30.6
1
On off this time, Latham pushes it down the ground and sets off for a single. Archer from mid off runs to his left, picks it up, turns 360 degrees and has a shy at the non striker's end but misses. However, he hits the stumps at the striker's end, the batters at both ends are well in.
30.5
.
Jaffa by Broad! He bowls a length delivery on the off pole line, angling away from the batter. It shapes away a hint after pitching and just about beats the outside edge of Latham's bat.
30.4
.
On the pads, worked towards mid-wicket.
30.3
.
Length ball on off, Latham plays this one with an angled bat towards point.
30.2
1
50-run stand up between Taylor and Latham. A very important stand this one for the Kiwis and the team would want these two to stay out in the middle for as long as possible. Outside off, Taylor pushes this towards cover-point and takes a quick single.
30.1
.
Full ball just outside off, pushed back towards the bowler.
In over# 1
0
0
1
0
0
1
Chris Woakes 18/1(7)
29.6
.
Length ball on middle and off, defended out by Latham.
29.5
.
Latham has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
29.4
1
On the pads, Taylor flicks this one behind square leg and takes a single.
29.3
.
On off this time, Rosco pushes this one towards the man at cover.
29.2
.
Full ball on middle and off, pushed down the ground towards the man at mid on.
29.1
1
Length ball on off, Latham punches this one off the back foot towards cover-point and takes a single.
Chris Woakes to continue from the other end.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Stuart Broad 25/1(9)
28.6
.
Maiden to start the session! Full ball on off, pushed back to the bowler by Taylor.
28.5
.
Length ball outside off, Taylor does not fiddle with it.
28.4
.
Broad attacks the stumps now, Taylor shuffles across and pushes it towards the man at mid on.
28.3
.
Way outside off, left alone by Taylor.
28.2
.
Bowls it a touch fuller this time, Rosco defends this one towards the off side.
28.1
.
Broad starts the second session with a length ball in the corridor just outside the off pole, Ross Taylor leaves it alone.
Back for the afternoon session. It was a hard-fought action before Lunch where New Zealand took themselves to safer shores after the current partnership between Tom Latham and Ross Taylor. Both batsmen have been very positive in their approach so far and that's been the key to their success. England have not hit their straps yet with the ball. They got two wickets but were quite ordinary overall. Need to find their rhythms quickly and bowl in probing areas to nip out a few quick wickets. Let's see what this post-Lunch session has in store for us. Stuart Broad with the first over after the break...
... DAY 1, SESSION 2 ...
England made their mark early on as Stuart Broad dismissed Jeet Raval cheaply. Kane Williamson was then dismissed off a jaffa by Chris Woakes just when it looked like he was starting to settle. Latham has looked very solid so far and he will be looking to build on his half ton. Ross Taylor is out with him in the middle and they are amidst a 47-run stand. If the English bowlers do not get a wicket early in the next session, they will be looking at a long day ahead as this surface has settled into a nice batting strip. Do join us at 1340 local (0040 GMT)!
A pretty good session of Test cricket this. The first hour of play belonged to England as they managed to get a couple of wickets in spite of not being too penetrative with the ball. The wicket of the Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson will be the biggest plus for them in this session but since Ross Taylor has stepped in, it has been all New Zealand.
In over# 1
2
0
0
0
0
0
Chris Woakes 16/1(6)
27.6
2
16th Test fifty for Tom Latham! Woakes is straighter in line again and this time Tom works it past the diving fielder in front of square leg. They collect a couple of runs and Latham will be a relaxed man after getting to his milestone on the last ball of the session. He raises his bat, however, belatedly and then makes his way to the dressing room. Lunch on Day 1!
27.5
.
Lands it on a fuller length around middle, Latham helps it towards the fielder standing in front of square leg.
27.4
.
Fullish and on off, driven off the front foot to mid off.
27.3
.
Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
27.2
.
Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
27.1
.
SAFE! Woakes serves a length ball in the line of the stumps, Latham tries to play at it with a straight bat but plays down the wrong line. It brushes his front pad, they appeal and umpire Dharmasena thinks for a while before lifting his finger. Taylor watches all that and immediately signals to his partner to take the DRS. Latham obliges and the replays find it to be marginally pitching outside the leg stump. Good use of the technology and Rosco also played his part.
Review time! First review of the day and Tom Latham is the man in question as Kumar Dharmasena has adjudged him out for LBW. Ross Taylor has straightaway suggested Latham to take the review. Let's see what the replays have to show, and it is pitching OUTSIDE LEG. Successful review and Latham survives.
Chris Woakes is back into the attack for what will be most probably the last over of the session.
In over# 1
4
0
1
0
0
1
Joe Root 6/0(1)
26.6
4
FOUR! Boom! Root drops it short outside off and Taylor is quick to pick the length. He camps back and smashes it through backward point for a boundary. An ordinary first over by Joe!
26.5
.
Very full from Root, it's around off and Rosco hits it back to the bowler.
26.4
1
Too full in length on leg, Tom clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
26.3
.
Flatter and shorter on off, Latham punches it straight to covers.
26.2
.
Flighted delivery, landing full on off, Latham presses forward in defense.
26.1
1
Tossed up ball outside off, it's driven through covers for a single.
Joe Root, the English skipper introduces himself into the attack just before the Lunch break.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
0
0
Jofra Archer 12/0(8)
25.6
1
Good length ball on middle and leg, Taylor works it behind square leg for a single. A testing over for a change by Archer.
25.5
.
Smell the leather! A well-directed bouncer by Archer, Taylor leans back and allows it through to the keeper.
25.4
.
Good length ball on middle, Rosco defends it from the crease to the on side.
25.3
.
Back of a length ball on middle and leg, angling down, Taylor offers no shot and it clips his thigh pad. The ball runs down to fine leg for a boundary but it's called a dead ball as the batsman was not offering any shot.
Craig McMillan has come up with an analysis showing how Tom Latham is trusting the bounce off the surface. McMillan points out how Latham has made a couple of tight leaves which missed the off pole by a very small margin but states that Latham is totally aware of what he is doing. Suggests that the English bowlers should aim to bowl a couple of meters fuller in length.
25.2
.
This one moves back into the batsman from a length outside off, Taylor blocks it solidly by getting behind the line.
25.1
.
Beaten! Good length delivery close to off, it straightens a hint after landing and Taylor is caught pushing and missing inside the line.
In over# 1
4
0
0
4
0
0
Sam Curran 22/0(5)
24.6
4
FOUR! Easy pickings! Curran angles in a length ball around middle and leg, Latham picks it off his pads and eases it fine down the leg side for a boundary. 8 from the over and Latham has moved to 48!
24.5
.
Again there's movement. The length is very, very full. It's also too wide outside off to bother the batsman.
24.4
.
Curran tries to tempt the batsman with a delivery on a driving length. Once again there is a visible movement off the surface for Sam. Latham is content in leaving it.
24.3
4
FOUR! Curran serves a short delivery at 126 kph and it's bread and butter for Latham. He immediately moves back inside the crease and pulls it with authority in front of square leg for a boundary.
24.2
.
Lands it on a length and outside off, a hint of away shape there, Latham camps back and punches it to the cover region.
24.1
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Jofra Archer 11/0(7)
23.6
.
A bit short in length on off, Taylor goes on his toes and defends it towards mid-wicket.
23.5
.
Clocks in the 140s now! A 142 kph delivery, on a length around middle, Ross taps it down in front of short leg.
23.4
.
Back of a length ball on off, Taylor hangs on the back foot and defends it with gentle hands to mid on. Archer is still not hitting his top pace. Is he injured?
23.3
.
Good length ball on off, Rosco defends it from the crease and near his body.
23.2
.
Taylor has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
23.1
.
Hurls in a good length delivery in the zone outside off, holding its line, Taylor makes a watchful leave.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
2
Sam Curran 14/0(4)
22.6
.
Fullish and on off, Tom plays a nice looking drive but it goes straight back to the bowler again. Sam collects in his followthrough and that brings an end to this over.
22.5
.
Slightly short and close to off, Latham defends it back to the bowler.
22.4
.
Around off on a length, defended again.
22.3
.
Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
22.2
.
Good length ball around off, Latham gets back to cover the line and defends. There isn't much movement on offer.
22.1
2
Fuller length ball outside off, Latham drives it delightfully through covers and beats the fielder there for a couple of runs.
Sam Curran is back for another spell before Lunch. 3-1-12-0, his figures so far. 2 slips and a gully in place for him.
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
0
0
Jofra Archer 11/0(6)
21.6
.
Back of a length and close to off, Taylor moves back and defends it stoutly.
21.5
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
21.4
.
Good collection by Ollie Pope! He has been brilliant so far. Archer digs in a short ball around off, Taylor tries to hook but misses. Pope jumps and collects it with one hand. There are two fielders in the deep on the leg side waiting for a mishit from Taylor. The ploy nearly worked for Jofra and England.
21.3
1
A length ball on off, Latham closes the face of his bat and helps it past the left side of the square leg fielder for one.
21.2
.
Slightly short and around off, Tom goes on his toes and defends it once again to mid on.
21.1
.
Fuller length ball close to off, Latham pushes it with a straight bat to mid on.
In over# 1
1
0
1
0
1
0
Stuart Broad 25/1(8)
20.6
1
Angling down the leg side, Latham clips it behind square leg and crosses for a single.
20.5
.
Slants in a full length ball on off, Tom brings down a straight bat in defense.
20.4
1
Fuller in length and around off, coming in with the angle, Taylor nudges it off his pads to the right of mid on and collects a single.
20.3
.
On a length and wide outside off, Taylor stands across the stumps and shoulders arms.
20.2
1
Pitches it up and around off, Tom pushes it with gentle hands towards covers and steals a quick single. The fielder comes up with a direct hit at the bowler's end but Latham is safely in.
20.1
.
Angles in a length ball on off, Latham covers the line and defends it firmly down towards mid on.
In over# 1
0
4b
0
0
0
4
Jofra Archer 10/0(5)
19.6
.
Slower ball on off, Taylor prods forward and defends it.
19.5
4b
Bouncer but way too high to trouble the batter. Taylor leaves it alone and it goes over Ollie Pope's head as well and into the fine leg fence.
19.4
.
Length ball on off, nipping back in. Taylor looks to defend but the ball goes off the inside edge to hit him on the thigh pad. It goes on a couple of bounces to Pope behind the wickets.
19.3
.
Movement for Archer! He bowls this one way outside off, it swings in but Taylor makes a comfortable leave.
19.2
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
19.1
4
FOUR! Beautiful stroke by Taylor. He lunges forward and strokes this one through mid on with exquisite timing. The ball races away to the fence.
Jofra Archer is back for another spell in this session. He wasn't effective in his first four overs and his pace was also quite down. Can he make amends? A short leg in place and that fielder is standing a couple of steps behind the usual position. Two fielders in the deep down the leg side as well.
In over# 1
0
2
1
0
0
0
Stuart Broad 22/1(7)
18.6
.
This time outside off, left alone by the batsman.
18.5
2
Good shot by Latham. Broad bowls one full on middle, angling into the batter. Latham flicks this one towards the gap at mid-wicket and takes a couple.
18.4
1
On the pads, worked towards mid-wicket for a single.
18.3
.
Length ball way outside off, left alone.
18.2
.
Full ball on middle and leg, played towards the man at mid on.
18.1
.
Full ball on off, pushed towards the cover region.
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
0
0
Chris Woakes 14/1(5)
17.6
.
Full and on middle, pushed towards mid on.
17.5
.
This time the ball is not as close and again Latham shoulders arms.
17.4
.
Length ball outside off, Latham makes a very confident leave as the ball misses the top of off pole by a whisker.
17.3
1
Taylor nudges this one down to the fine leg region and takes a single.
17.2
.
Down the leg side, Taylor tries to flick but misses.
17.1
.
Length ball on off, Taylor looks to poke at it and gets a soft outside edge. But the ball falls just short of the two men placed at gully.
In over# 1
1
2
4
1
0
0
Stuart Broad 19/1(6)
16.6
1
On the pads, Taylor works this one towards mid-wicket and takes a quick single.
16.5
2
Full ball on middle and off, Taylor punches this one down the ground. Broad tries to get down and guide this one onto the stumps at his end with his fingertips but he misses. The man from mid on runs after it and keeps it down to two. 50 up for New Zealand!
16.4
4
FOUR! First boundary for Ross Taylor and it is a cracking one! Short length ball outside off, Taylor rocks back and cuts this one through the point region for a boundary.
16.3
1
On the pads, Latham glances this one towards backward square leg for a single.
16.2
.
Almost! Broad bowls a full ball on the off pole line, angling in. Latham looks to work this one towards the leg side but the ball goes off the leading edge towards cover. Had Latham missed that one, he would have been plumb LBW.
16.1
.
Full ball on off, pushed towards the man at mid off.
Stuart Broad is back into the attack. 5-2-11-1, his figures so far.
In over# 1
0
0
1lb
0
1
0
Chris Woakes 13/1(4)
15.6
.
Last ball of the over, this time it is on off. Taylor pushes it towards cover.
15.5
.
Full ball on middle and leg, flicked towards mid-wicket.
15.4
1lb
On the pads, Latham looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards fine leg and the batters take a leg bye.
15.3
.
Misses the stumps by a whisker! Length ball on the off pole line, it pitches and straightens. Latham shoulders arms but the ball goes just over the off pole.
15.2
1
Taylor is off the mark. On the pads, he works this one towards square leg for an easy single.
15.1
.
On the off pole line, Taylor works this towards wide mid on.
In over# 1
2
0
0
0
0
0
Sam Curran 12/0(3)
14.6
2
Good fielding in the deep. On the pads of Latham, he whips it behind square on the leg side. The fielder from square leg runs across and dives near the fence to keep the ball in play. The batters take a couple.
14.5
.
On middle and off, pushed to the man at mid on.
14.4
.
Full length ball on middle and off, defended onto the ground.
14.3
.
Fuller in length now, Tom defends it back to the bowler.
14.2
.
This time Sam attacks the stumps, Latham stays in his crease and pushes it back.
14.1
.
Length ball just outside off, left alone by Latham.
With the fall of a wicket, the umpires have called for Drinks break. A good first hour of Test cricket. England didn't get enough purchase from the surface early on and that allowed the Kiwi openers to settle down. However, Jeet Raval attempted an audacious drive to throw his wicket away. In spite of that, the English bowlers didn't look too penetrative but the brilliant ball to get rid of Kane Williamson moments before would give them extra confidence and motivation. Ross Taylor has joined Tom Latham in the middle and he enjoys batting at this venue (averages 50). Let's see how the next hour pans out.
In over# 1
0W
0
0
0
0
0
Chris Woakes 12/1(3)
13.6
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Williamson departs and that is a superb take by Joe Root at first slip. Woakes bowls a jaffa, in the corridor just around off. The ball pitches and straightens up a bit, completely squaring up Kane who looks to work it away off the back foot. He though fails to close the face of his bat in time and the ball goes off the outside edge low to the right of Joe Root at first slip. He dives and takes a very good catch to dismiss his counterpart. Big breakthrough for the touring team and the Kiwis are having a stuttering start here.
13.5
.
Williamson has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
13.4
.
Short of a length ball down the leg side, Williamson looks to flick this one but misses. The ball goes off his thigh pad and Ollie Pope collects it. A stifled appeal but nothing else.
13.3
.
Back of a length ball, pushed towards cover again.
13.2
.
Another full ball, this time outside off. Pushed towards cover.
13.1
.
Full length ball on the off pole, blocked out.
In over# 1
1
1
0
4
4
0
Sam Curran 10/0(2)
12.6
1
Another one on the pads, this one is worked behind square for one. Williamson retains strike for the next over.
12.5
1
On the pads, worked towards mid-wicket for a single.
12.4
.
Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
12.3
4
FOUR! Great balance and execution from Latham. Fuller length ball on middle and leg, Tom rotates his wrists and flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary.
12.2
4
FOUR! Curran gets greedy and pays the price. He tries to repeat his outswinger but from the middle stump line. The ball doesn't move enough and goes down with the angle. Latham neatly deflects it behind to fine leg for a boundary.
12.1
.
EDGED BUT SAFE! Curran is getting some shape going at the moment. Delivers an outswinger outside off, Latham pushes at it tamely and edges it in from of third slip.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
5
4
Chris Woakes 12/0(2)
11.6
.
Shortish in length, pushed wide of mid on. 9 from the over!
11.5
.
Williamson pushes this one back towards the bowler.
11.4
.
Beaten! That has stayed a bit low. Good length ball outside off, it pitches and straightens. Williamson looks to defend but the ball beats the outside edge and goes to Ollie Pope on the bounce.
11.3
.
Williamson has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
11.2
5
Five runs! Overthrow and a needless one! On the pads, Latham works this one towards mid-wicket and sets off for a quick single. Crawley, the debutant, runs to his right, picks the ball up and has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses it by a fair margin. The cover fielder tries to back it up with a dive to his left but fails in his attempt. It sneaks behind and races away to the fence.
11.1
4
FOUR! Beautiful! As simple and as solid as you like! Full ball on the off pole, Latham just punches this one through mid off for a boundary.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sam Curran 0/0(1)
10.6
.
Outside off, Williamson shoulders arms to get through the over safely.
10.5
.
Play and a miss! Good signs for Curran. Bowls it fuller this time. Williamson tries to defend it off the front foot but the ball beats the outside edge of his blade. This one went with the angle of the left-armer rather than nipping back in.
10.4
.
Another length ball outside off, Williamson shoulders arms.
10.3
.
Length ball on off, left alone by Williamson.
10.2
.
Full ball on off, Kane pushes it towards cover.
10.1
.
Swing straightaway for Sam Curran. He bowls a yorker but it swings away down the leg side. Williamson looks to flick but misses and Ollie does well to dive to his left and collect it.
Double bowling change. Sam Curran into the attack from the other end, replacing Stuart Broad. Let's see whether he gets some swing going or not.
In over# 1
0
0
0
3
0
0
Chris Woakes 3/0(1)
9.6
.
Solid from bowler and batsman! Fuller in length and around off, Tom is on the front foot in defense.
9.5
.
Latham has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
9.4
.
The line is too straight from Woakes but Latham fails to work it across the line as it hurries into him and strikes him on the thigh pad.
9.3
3
Kane Williamson is off the mark with a nice back foot punch. He rises on his toes to a shortish ball and strokes it through covers for three runs.
9.2
.
This time Chris brings a length ball back into the batsman with the angle. Williamson defends it by solidly covering the line.
9.1
.
On a good length outside off, Williamson has a comfortable leave to make.
Here comes the first bowling change from Joe Root. Jofra Archer gets a breather after bowling four overs and Chris Woakes comes in his place. He can prove to be a handful on this surface, feels the on-air commentators. Let's see...
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Stuart Broad 11/1(5)
8.6
.
Once again the line is well outside off and Latham has nothing to do with it. Maiden again by Broad.
8.5
.
Tom lets the ball go outside his off stump.
8.4
.
Fullish and close to off, Latham plays it close to his body and pushes it towards mid on.
8.3
.
Good length delivery in the zone outside off, left alone by Tom.
8.2
.
Gem of a delivery! Broad has got his rhythm after picking the first wicket. He delivers a length ball close to off stump and forces the batsman to defend the line. Latham offers a straight bat but it straightens to beat the outside edge. Ishant Sharma of late has developed a mastery of removing the southpaws from this 'round the wicket angle. Stuart attempting something similar here.
8.1
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
0
0
Jofra Archer 6/0(4)
7.6
1
Shortish delivery on off, Latham once again taps it down with an angled bat to point. They collect a quick single.
7.5
.
Serves it on a length and close to off, Latham pushes it with an angled bat to point.
7.4
.
On and around off, defended off the back foot by Tom.
7.3
.
Superb delivery and excellent leave too. Archer hurls a length ball close to off stump, straightening a touch from there, Latham guards his sticks before making a leave.
7.2
.
Angling into the batsman from around off, Latham has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
7.1
.
Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Kane Williamson, the Kiwi skipper, is the next man in. He will be off strike as Raval was dismissed on the last ball of the previous over.
In over# 1
0W
0
0
0
0
0
Stuart Broad 11/1(4)
6.6
W
OUT! Edged and gone! Jeet Raval has run out of patience. Full marks to Broad for luring the batsman into a drive. He lands it on a fuller length outside off, Raval is sucked into the cover drive but the ball moves away slightly off the seam to catch the outside edge. It flies straight into the hands of Joe Root at first slip and he makes no mistake. Finally a success for England after a few edges eluding them. The England skipper is all smiles! Raval's poor form continues and he departs with his head down. A wicket maiden for Broad.
6.5
.
Good length ball on off, Raval works it across the line with the angle but finds the backward square leg fielder.
6.4
.
Lands it on a length and just around off, Raval stays back and pushes it out with an angled bat towards point.
6.3
.
Back of a length delivery in the channel outside off, Raval covers his stumps and shoulders arms.
6.2
.
The length is on the fuller side again, on middle and off, Raval presents a straight bat in defense.
6.1
.
Full delivery on off, angling in, Raval strides forward to drive but mistimes it back in the direction of the bowler.
In over# 1
0
0
4
0
0
0
Jofra Archer 5/0(3)
5.6
.
Fullish and outside off, Latham drives it off his front foot to mid off.
5.5
.
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Two slips and two gullies in place now to plug in the gap through which the ball went to the boundary on the last ball.
5.4
4
EDGED AND FOUR! Soft hands again. Archer serves a slightly short delivery close to off and it straightens off the seam. Latham pokes his bat inside the line and edges it through the gap between third slip and gully. A few edges have come but none carried.
5.3
.
Lets the ball go outside his off stump.
5.2
.
Back of a length ball on off, Latham tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto the thigh pad. It then goes to point.
5.1
.
Latham has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
In over# 1
0
1
1
0
0
0
Stuart Broad 11/0(3)
4.6
.
Edged again! But not carrying. Full in length on off, angling in and then straightening a touch, Raval takes his bottom hand off the handle as he tries to defend. The edge that is generated is too soft and the ball doesn't carry to the slip cordon.
4.5
1
Shortish and outside off, Latham gets back and punches it square of the wicket on the off side. Denly misfields at point and they cross for one.
4.4
1
Good length ball angling into the batsman from around off, Raval tries to flick but it takes the leading half of his bat and rolls to covers. They steal a single.
4.3
.
Well left in the end! Good length ball outside off, shaping back in with some extra bounce, Raval covers his stumps and lets it go. That wasn't too far away from the off pole.
4.2
.
Better from Raval this time. He has not flirted with a delivery in the channel outside off.
4.1
.
Streaky! Broad ekes out an outside edge but it doesn't carry to the slip cordon. It's a bit fuller and outside off, Raval sticks his bat out inside the line and gets a soft outside edge. It drops in front of the third slip fielder.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Jofra Archer 1/0(2)
3.6
.
First maiden of the morning! Extra pace and slight inward movement into the batsman, Latham gets hurried up a bit as he tries to flick it on the leg side. Misses and is hit on the thigh pad.
3.5
.
Just ahead of a length outside off, angling in, Latham defends it with a straight bat. So far both the batsmen have been untroubled.
3.4
.
Latham has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
3.3
.
In the channel outside off, Latham has nothing to do with it.
3.2
.
EDGED BUT SAFE! Back of a length ball on off, Latham gets back to work it on the leg side again but closes the face of the bat early. It flies off the leading edge but falls safely wide of gully and point.
3.1
.
Angling into the batsman from around off, Latham works it off his pads but finds the fielder standing adjacent to the square leg umpire.
In over# 1
0
0
0
2
0
0
Stuart Broad 9/0(2)
2.6
.
In the corridor of uncertainty, Raval chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
2.5
.
Back of a length ball on off, Jeet is solid in defense once more.
2.4
.
Close to the off stump line on a good length, Jeet hangs on the back foot and blocks it safely. The pitch isn't offering much at the moment to the seamers.
2.3
2
Not perfectly timed but not overhit either! Broad pitches it up outside off and Raval drives it through covers for a brace.
2.2
.
This time the batsman is forced to play. Broad targets the off stump with a fuller length ball. Jeet gets behind the line and defends it to the off side.
2.1
.
A gentle delivery, on a length and outside off, Raval watches it closely before making a leave.
In over# 1
0
0
0
1
0
0
Jofra Archer 1/0(1)
1.6
.
Archer changes his length on this occasion and digs it in short. It's comfortably negotiated by Latham.
1.5
.
Fractionally short in length and just outside off, Latham is on the back foot in defense.
1.4
.
Good length ball on off, Latham remains on the back foot and defends it with the angle to the leg side.
1.3
1
Sliding down the leg side, Raval tickles it fine down the leg side for one.
1.2
.
Back of a length delivery in the region outside off, Raval has nothing to do with it.
1.1
.
Shortish and around off, from 'round the wicket, Raval defends it from the inner half close to his body.
Jofra Archer to steam in from the other end.
In over# 1
0
0
0
4
2
1
Stuart Broad 7/0(1)
0.6
.
Good length ball close to off, Tom makes another watchful leave to complete the first over. A good start for the home team.
0.5
.
Excellent take by Pope! Back of a length ball around off, shaping in a bit, Latham shoulders arms and it flies behind. Ollie dives across to his right and collects it nicely.
0.4
.
Appeal for an lbw, an extended one by Broad, nothing doing. A length ball on off, slanting in, Latham brings his bat close to his body and defends it from the inner half of his bat onto the pads.
0.3
4
FOUR! Much better from Latham. This will give him good confidence. Fuller length ball on middle, angling in, Latham tucks it off his pads and it races away through mid-wicket for the first boundary of this Test match.
0.2
2
EDGY! Stuart Broad delivers a length ball close to the off stump line and gets it to straighten from there. Latham sticks back to push inside the line and outside edges it wide of gully. A couple of runs taken.
0.1
1
Broad begins with a good length ball around off, angling in, Raval nudges it fine down the leg side and gets off the mark with a single.
It's time for some Test cricket! Tom Latham and Jeet Raval are the Kiwi openers. Bright and sunny conditions at the moment but there are clouds around the stadium as well. It's going to be Stuart Broad to kick off proceedings for England. Three slips and a gully in place. Here we go...
Both teams have lined up in the middle for their respective national anthems. The English players are wearing black arm-bands. It is in honour of the sudden passing away of head coach Chris Silverwood's father-in-law. We're minutes away from the first ball...
New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (WK), Daryl Mitchell (on Test debut, replacing Colin de Grandhomme), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Matt Henry (in for injured Trent Boult), Neil Wagner.
England (Playing XI) - Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Joe Denly, Joe Root (C), Ben Stokes, Zak Crawley (on debut, replacing Jos Buttler), Ollie Pope (WK), Sam Curran, Chris Woakes (in for Jack Leach), Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad.
Toss - Kane Williamson gives the coin a good flick and it comes down in favour of Joe Root. ENGLAND WILL BOWL FIRST! The English skipper feels that there is a lot of live grass on it and with five seamers it is a great way for them to get into the game. The Kiwi skipper also wanted to bowl first and reckons that it's a pretty good surface.
Injury zone - Both teams have been coping with some injury issues. On one hand Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme have been ruled out and on the other hand, Jos Buttler has been struggling with a back spasm. We will get to know about the changes in both teams at the toss which isn't far away.
Hello, folks! A Test match lasting for five days in today's age is a rare phenomenon and we were lucky to witness that in the first Test match where New Zealand displayed a courageous performance and achieved a win on the final day. The Kiwis always have been a team with more utility players and fewer superstars. They play with all their heart and give every team a good run for its money. Kane Williamson has led them well and New Zealand would be eyeing a series win to further prove their calibre as the number 2 Test team in the world. An under-performing skipper, misfiring batting and unconvincing bowling - that's England for you in Test cricket. Joe Root is under tremendous pressure at the moment and he will be eager to bounce back and draw this series to avoid his captaincy record (overseas) take yet another hit. The Three Lions will be hurt and their confidence will be really down but one cannot undermine their ability to roar back to form. All the updates from the Hamilton Test coming your way shortly. Stick around...
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