HIGHLIGHTS England vs New Zealand, Crowe-Thorpe Trophy 2026, 2nd Test- Result, Scorecard

Welcome back for England's reply. The two umpires and players have made their way out to the middle. It will be Ben Duckett and Emilio Gay to open the innings for England. Matt Henry is ready at the top of his mark. Duckett to face the first ball. Here we go...

... SECOND INNINGS ...

A mixed bag for England - Just as they allowed the second new ball to go to waste with some questionable lengths on the second morning, it was a similar story when they began on Day 1. England had an opportunity to make New Zealand pay for not converting their starts, but could not do so and got a bit carried away with the short-ball plan this morning. The conditions still look good for batting, and for England, it will be about seeing off the new-ball phase before looking to cash in. First things first, though, it is about negotiating the mini phase before Lunch without any casualties. Stay tuned!

New Zealand finish on 391 - Glenn Phillips walks off to a standing ovation after a superb innings. The England openers have already sprinted off the park. According to Mark Butcher, they will have around 10 minutes to negotiate before the Lunch interval. Having been asked to bat first, 6 of New Zealand's top 7 batters got starts, but only Tom Blundell and Glenn Phillips managed to cross 50. At 107/4, the innings could have unravelled quickly, but Daryl Mitchell, Blundell and Phillips led a strong recovery, with Phillips standing out through his maiden Test ton.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, OUT! CAUGHT! That's the end of the New Zealand innings, they are all out for 391. Fisher goes into the surface, on off. This was there to be put away. Phillips stands tall and pummels it away but does not quite get hold of it. Hits it flat to deep square leg, where Emilio Gay is a few yards in off the ropes and takes a safe catch.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, Sprayed down leg, on a length. Phillips lets it go.

Jofra Archer to Will O'Rourke, Archer aims for the yorker but it turns out to be a low full toss, around off. Will is up to the challenge and squeezes it out back to the bowler.

Jofra Archer to Will O'Rourke, On a good length, outside off. Will O'Rourke shoulders arms.

Will O'Rourke is the last man in. A silly point in place for the new batter.

Jofra Archer to Matt Henry, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Matt Henry goes for the big hit, but it does not come off. On a back of a length, outside off. Matt Henry clears the front leg and swings with all his might. Slices it high in the air towards cover, where Josh Tongue settles under it and does the rest. Archer strikes with his fourth ball of the day. New Zealand are now 391/9. With a set batter at the other end, this was a very poor shot selection from Henry.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, HUNDRED FOR PHILLIPS! A special moment for New Zealand's showman. Maiden Test ton for Glenn, one that he will savour for the rest of his life. Archer lands it on a shortish length, on off. Phillips rises with the bounce and drops it with soft hands in front of point for a single. He takes the helmet off and acknowledges the applause from the crowd and his teammates. A pat on the back for Phillips from Archer, which is good to see.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Into the deck, on off. Glenn stays leg side of the ball and extends his hands. He rides the bounce and punches it to the right of deep point for a couple of runs.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Bashes the hard length, over off. Phillips arches back to flay it away on the off side. Chops it down behind the wicket on the off side.

Jofra Archer (19-4-58-1) comes into the attack.

Matthew Fisher to Matt Henry, Short of a length, over the stumps, Matt Henry sways away to leave it. The ball catches Henry on the shoulder and lobs behind. Rew manages to get a hand on it. The batter gets two leg byes.

Matthew Fisher to Matt Henry, Pitches it up, does Fisher, closer to the off pole. Matt Henry shuffles and pushes it back to the bowler.

Matthew Fisher to Matt Henry, Oh, now this is much better from Fisher! Keeping it fuller and pitching it just outside off. Matt Henry lunges and tries to defend, thinking the ball might angle in, but it doesn't. For that reason, it just beats the outside edge of the bat. Well, well, the UltraEdge comes up with a spike when the ball is next to the bat. Surprising that no one from England picked it up.

Matthew Fisher to Matt Henry, Fisher drags his length back and offers a bumper, on middle. Matt Henry ducks to leave it.

Matthew Fisher to Matt Henry, On the fuller side, once again, around off, Matt Henry lunges and rests it to cover.

Matthew Fisher to Matt Henry, Fires a fuller one, on off, shaping in as well. Matt Henry prods and brings out his solid defence.

Jacob Bethell to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! The field comes up, and Phillips takes his chance. Floated up, full and wide on off. Glenn presses onto the front foot and reaches out. He has no intention of keeping it on the ground. Slams it over cover and picks up a boundary to move to 97.

Jacob Bethell to Glenn Phillips, Pushed through, full and on off. This is blocked out by Phillips.

Jacob Bethell to Matt Henry, On a nagging length, around the pads. Matt Henry tucks it to deep square leg and gets a comfortable single.

Jacob Bethell to Matt Henry, Good length, at the stumps, Matt Henry clips it to short mid-wicket.

Jacob Bethell to Matt Henry, Fullish, on off, Matt Henry defends it down.

Jacob Bethell to Matt Henry, FOUR! Put away with ease. Short and wide, outside off. Matt Henry transfers his weight to his back foot and slaps it away past point for a four.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, Another sharp bouncer, around the helmet. Glenn Phillips ducks and lets it pass through.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, A tad fuller, down the leg side, Glenn Phillips leaves it away.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, On a length, outside off, Glenn Phillips defends it on the off side.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! Over the keeper. Matthew Fisher bends his back and offers a bouncer, over middle. Glenn Phillips gets on his toes and tries to pull it away, but misses the connection. The ball hits the top of the helmet and loops over James Rew, behind the stumps. Given as runs by the umpire. No concussion check as the umpires felt it was all bat.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, Another one! A touch fuller, but going down leg. Glenn Phillips yet again fails to connect his clip.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, Full-length delivery, but firing it down the leg side, Glenn Phillips misses his flick.

Jacob Bethell to Matt Henry, Angling in, around middle and leg, on a nagging length, Matt Henry works it to short mid-wicket.

Jacob Bethell to Matt Henry, Drags his length back a shade, does Jacob, on off, Matt Henry fends it to cover.

Jacob Bethell to Matt Henry, Flatter trajectory, fuller in length, on off, Matt Henry leans on it and blocks it down.

Jacob Bethell to Matt Henry, Pitches it up, does Bethell, around off, Matt Henry opens the face of his bat and steers it to point.

Jacob Bethell to Matt Henry, Flighted and fuller, around off, Matt Henry goes for an expansive drive, but finds the fielder at mid off.

Jacob Bethell to Glenn Phillips, Fuller, around the boots of the batter, Glenn Phillips clips it to backward square leg for one.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, On a length, on middle. Glenn wrists it to the left of the man at mid-wicket and takes a quick single to keep the strike. Phillips moves to 88, this is now his highest Test score.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, Fuller and on middle, Phillips brings his bat out in front and taps it down the strip.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! Banged away! At 133 kph, dug in short, outside off. Glenn presses back and gets on top of the bounce to hammer the pull over the leaping Emilio Gay at square leg for a boundary.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, Hits the top of off. Phillips lets the ball come to him and blocks it off.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, On a good length, nice and tight, on middle. Phillips defends it watchfully.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, Delivers it on a good length, on middle. Phillips stabs it down on the leg side.

Change? Nope, Matthew Fisher will continue...

Jacob Bethell to Matt Henry, Very full, on off, Matt drives it back to Bethell.

Jacob Bethell to Matt Henry, Keeps it full and straight, at the sticks. Henry clips it to mid-wicket.

Jacob Bethell to Matt Henry, Angled in at the pads, on a good length. Henry is beaten on the inside edge on the block and wears it on the front pad.

End of an 87-run stand. Matt Henry walks out to bat.

Jacob Bethell to Kyle Jamieson, OUT! TIMBER! You miss, I hit stuff. Sliding on with the angle from around the wicket, on a length, on middle and leg. Jamieson backs away, clears his front leg and swings for the hills. The ball comes in with the arm to go past the inside edge and clips the leg stump. A much-needed breakthrough for England. New Zealand are now 367/8.

Jacob Bethell to Glenn Phillips, Full and on off. Glenn eases it wide of mid off for a single.

Jacob Bethell to Kyle Jamieson, Full and speared in, on middle and leg. Jamieson clears the front leg and swipes it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

DRINKS BREAK! The first hour could not have gone any better for New Zealand. 74 runs added in 12 overs without losing a wicket. A frustrating start to the day for England, but they have not helped their cause with their usage of the second new ball. They have been all over the place with their lines and lengths and have not attacked the stumps enough. Kyle Jamieson was handed a lifeline on 15 when Ben Duckett put down a chance. Joe Root has his troops in a huddle, having a few words as he looks to regroup his side. Jofra Archer is limbering up but it will be Jacob Bethell for now.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, Rapped on the pads! A huge appeal from Fisher, but the umpire remains unmoved. Full-length delivery, nipping in. Glenn Phillips fails to flick it away to square leg and gets pinged on the front pad. It is surely going down the leg side and the hosts are not opting a review for this.

Matthew Fisher to Kyle Jamieson, Into the surface, over middle. Jamieson hangs back and drags it through mid-wicket for a single.

Matthew Fisher to Kyle Jamieson, FOUR! Jamieson finds the fence this time. Fisher spots Jamieson back away and he follows him with a fuller ball. Kyle gets his bat out in front and smears it over wide mid on for a boundary.

Matthew Fisher to Kyle Jamieson, Good work! Angled in at the leg stump, on a back of a length. Jamieson backs away and whips it aerially in front of square on the leg side. Jordan Cox covers good ground to his left and dives to prevent the boundary. Two runs taken.

Matthew Fisher to Kyle Jamieson, Out comes the bumper, at the bodyline of the batter. Jamieson ducks under it.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, Pitches it up, on the pads. Phillips flicks it through backward square leg for a single.

Joe Root is back on the park. He was off the field for an over. Matthew Fisher (19-5-45-1) replaces Josh Tongue.

Jacob Bethell to Kyle Jamieson, Nails the yorker, at the toes. Jamieson gets his front pad out of the way and digs it out on the leg side.

Jacob Bethell to Kyle Jamieson, Shorter and quicker, on middle and leg. Jamieson hops back and tucks it to mid-wicket.

Jacob Bethell to Glenn Phillips, Flighted delivery, on off, Glenn presses forward and knocks it to long off for one.

Jacob Bethell to Glenn Phillips, Attacks the front pad with a full ball. Glenn defends a bit outside the line of the ball and it squirts down to short fine leg.

Jacob Bethell to Glenn Phillips, Pushed through, fuller and on off. Phillips gets forward to defend.

Jacob Bethell to Glenn Phillips, Darted in, on a length, on middle. Glenn Phillips brings his bat out in front for the block.

Josh Tongue to Kyle Jamieson, Change of pace, yet again from Tongue, on off and middle, Kyle Jamieson defends it to mid on.

Josh Tongue to Kyle Jamieson, Another short-length delivery, over middle and leg. Kyle Jamieson spots it early and squats again.

Josh Tongue to Kyle Jamieson, Bouncer, angling in at the bodyline. Kyle Jamieson ducks underneath.

Josh Tongue to Kyle Jamieson, FOUR! Wonderfully played by Kyle Jamieson! Just outside off, angling in, on a good length. Kyle Jamieson plants his front foot toward the delivery and drives it beautifully through covers for four runs.

Josh Tongue to Kyle Jamieson, A slower one now, but spills it down the leg side. Kyle Jamieson flicks, but misses it with a large gap.

Josh Tongue to Kyle Jamieson, On a nagging length, around the pads, Kyle Jamieson flicks it to the left of deep square leg for a brace.

Jacob Bethell to Kyle Jamieson, Full, outside off, Kyle Jamieson powers it to long off for a single. 350 comes up for New Zealand!

Jacob Bethell to Kyle Jamieson, Nearly a yorker, outside off, Kyle Jamieson looks to drill it down the ground, but ekes out an inside edge onto the front boot.

Jacob Bethell to Kyle Jamieson, FOUR! The fielding has not been up to the mark from the hosts on Day 2. Bethell drags his length back, just outside off, Kyle Jamieson stands tall and punches it just to the left of Emilio Gay at extra cover. He moves to his left but fails to get his body behind the ball and lets it go past him, towards the deep cover fence for four runs.

Jacob Bethell to Kyle Jamieson, Again offering flight on it, much fuller, outside off, Kyle Jamieson clears the front leg and swings at it but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Jacob Bethell to Kyle Jamieson, A bit more flatter and fuller, on middle, Kyle Jamieson rolls his wrists and clips it to square leg.

Jacob Bethell to Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Bethell comes from around the wicket and bowls a loopy delivery, on off, fuller in length. Kyle Jamieson jams it to mid off.

Time for spin as Jacob Bethell (5-1-8-2) comes on to bowl with the 5-over old new ball.

Josh Tongue to Glenn Phillips, Hard length, outside off, Glenn Phillips shoulders arms at it.

Josh Tongue to Glenn Phillips, Fullish, outside off, nipping in, Glenn Phillips lunges to cover the stumps and leaves it away.

Josh Tongue to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! Deft touch! Tongue bowls a touch fuller, outside off, Glenn Phillips waits on it and just opens the face of the bat to steer it towards the right of the gully fielder for four runs.

Josh Tongue to Kyle Jamieson, On a length, outside off, Kyle Jamieson shuffles across and punches it to the right of the backward point fielder, Ben Duckett. Ben sees the batter taking a quick single and has a direct hit at the bowler's end, but Kyle Jamieson is well inside the crease.

Josh Tongue to Kyle Jamieson, Kyle Jamieson cops another blow! Another bouncer, on middle. Kyle Jamieson ducks half-heartedly and takes a blow on his back.

Josh Tongue to Kyle Jamieson, Good-length delivery, shaping in, around off, Kyle Jamieson tucks it straight to the short mid-wicket fielder.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, Pitches it up, does Baker, on off, Glenn Phillips pushes it to mid on.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! Runs are coming thick and fast! This time, Sonny Baker bowls a bit fuller than the previous delivery, on middle, shaping in. Glenn Phillips shuffles to cover the stumps and closes the bat face to flick it away from the short mid-wicket fielder for another boundary.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! That's a good shot from Glenn Phillips. Back of a length, just outside off, Glenn Phillips gets on his toes and punches it firmly through the vacant cover region for four runs.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, Oh, that reared up. Baker goes wide on the crease and hits the back of a length, on off. Glenn Phillips tries to come forward and angle it away on the off side but is taken aback as the ball kicks up. He does well to fend it down to point.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, Lands it on a short of a length, on middle. Glenn turns it to mid-wicket.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, Short of a length, over the stumps, Glenn Phillips shuffles across and looks to pull it hard, but the ball gets some bounce off the track and beats the horizontal blade.

Josh Tongue to Kyle Jamieson, Back of a length, outside off, Kyle Jamieson looks to fend it away, but misses on the outside edge.

Josh Tongue to Kyle Jamieson, Oh, that one nipped in sharply! On a nagging length, pitching it just outside off and jagging back in towards the batter. Kyle Jamieson looks to punch it away, but it sneaks past the inside edge.

Josh Tongue to Glenn Phillips, At the sticks, on a good length. Phillips stabs it down in front of cover and takes a quick single.

Josh Tongue to Glenn Phillips, Full, on off, Glenn Phillips lunges and pushes it back to the bowler.

Josh Tongue to Glenn Phillips, Beaten! A touch fuller, pitching it outside off, the ball moves away off the deck. Glenn Phillips once again brings out his front foot to defend it to the off side, but it zips past to beat the outside edge.

Josh Tongue to Glenn Phillips, Angling in, fuller in length, on off. Glenn Phillips presses forward and drives it through covers. The short cover fielder tracks back and cuts it to two runs. The 50-run stand comes up between these two batters.

Sonny Baker to Kyle Jamieson, FOUR! Beautiful looking shot. Baker hits the back of a length, outside off. Jamieson stands tall on top of the bounce and punches it away through covers for a boundary. 38 runs in the 5 overs we have had so far.

The physio makes its way out again for the concussion check. Kyle Jamieson looks fine to resume.

Sonny Baker to Kyle Jamieson, Another blow on the helmet. Baker bangs it in short and follows Jamieson as he backs away. Kyle attempts the pull but takes his eyes off the ball. It goes over the blade and thuds into the grill of the helmet. Kyle throws his bat on the ground.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, At 140 kph, jagging back in a bit, on a back of a length, on middle. Glenn presents a straight bat for the block. It goes off an inside edge to deep fine leg for one.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, A bit fuller, on middle and leg. Phillips wrists it to mid-wicket.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, At the stumps, on a good length. Glenn has just blocked that from the crease.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, Wow, that didn't bounce much. Just outside the line of the off stump, on a nagging length. Phillips hangs back to deal with it. It does not rise at all and sneaks under the vertical blade. We saw plenty of these at Lord's and for the first time perhaps here at The Oval. Yesterday, on Day 1, extra bounce was the theme. Possibly, with the sun beating down and the temperature on the higher side, the surface has started to act.

The physio has made his way out to tend to Kyle Jamieson. Not quite sure what the issue is, whether it is a delayed reaction to the earlier blow on the helmet or something else entirely. Sonny Baker will continue...

Josh Tongue to Glenn Phillips, Tight single. Nice and full, on off. Phillips drops it with soft hands in front of cover and hurries to the other end. Sonny Baker swoops in and has a shy at the batting end but misses. Jamieson was gone had the throw hit.

Josh Tongue to Glenn Phillips, More like it from Tongue. Josh goes wide on the crease and serves it in the channel, on a good length. Phillips has a feel for the delivery away from his body. He is lucky not to have nicked it behind.

Josh Tongue to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! Good shot. Tongue goes full in search of swing but ends up drifting onto the pads and the length is a bit too full as well. Phillips stays balanced at the crease and plays a wristy flick, away from the man at a catching mid-wicket to his left.

Josh Tongue to Glenn Phillips, Honing in on the off stump, on a good length. Phillips dabs it to backward point.

Josh Tongue to Glenn Phillips, Slightly fuller, attacking the front pad at 135 kph, on middle. Glenn brings his bat out in front. The ball straightens off the deck and it goes off the outer half to point.

Josh Tongue to Kyle Jamieson, Slanting in, on a nagging length, on middle and leg. Jamieson pushes out in front. It squirts off the outer half, wide of cover for a single.

The second new ball is now available. England have taken it straight away. Josh Tongue will make the first use of the red cherry. Two slips and a gully in place.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, Keeps it on a back of a length, on middle. Glenn tucks it to mid-wicket.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, Hurls it on a short of a good length. Glenn Phillips stands tall and defends it out.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! Nicely done. On a back of a length, on middle. Glenn Phillips rides the bounce nicely as he hops and pulls it between deep fine leg and deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Sonny Baker to Kyle Jamieson, DROPPED! That should have been taken. Ben Duckett is the guilty party. Baker sticks to the short ball and follows the batter as he backs away. Jamieson goes for the pull but gets the height and not the distance. It goes only as far as deep mid-wicket, where Duckett settles under it and gets both hands around his head, but the ball pops out and drops to the ground. Single taken. Sonny had already started celebrating, only to face disappointment.

Sonny Baker to Kyle Jamieson, FOUR! Edged away! A proper short ball by Baker this time, on off. Jamieson backs away, stands with an open stance and swings at it with a horizontal bat. The ball catches an outside edge and goes over the keeper. Jofra Archer is standing at a fine deep third but is beaten to his left.

Sonny Baker to Kyle Jamieson, FOUR! Gets it through! Baker lands it on a back of a length, outside off. This sits up to be hit for Jamieson, who presses back and punches it away. It goes uppishly but in the gap, well wide of cover to his left for a boundary.

Josh Tongue to Kyle Jamieson, Aerial but safe. Tongue feels Duckett should have done better there. Angled in at the hips, on a back of a length. Jamieson picks it up and plays it uppishly to deep mid-wicket. Ben is a few yards in off the ropes but does not commit himself to the catch and opts to collect the ball on the bounce. They cross.

The physio is out for the concussion check. The check is complete, but a new helmet is being brought on for Kyle Jamieson. We are ready to resume.

Josh Tongue to Kyle Jamieson, Taken but this has come off the helmet. Tongue dishes out the short ball, at the bodyline of the batter. Jamieson swings away but fails to connect. The ball pings Kyle on the helmet and it balloons behind the wicket on the leg side. James Rew moves to his left and takes the catch. A polite enquiry from England but turned down.

Josh Tongue to Glenn Phillips, Tongue bends his back and digs it in short, over off. Glenn Phillips tries to take it on initially before he bails out. James Rew leaps and sticks his hand out but the ball keeps climbing and sails over his head. The deep third fielder sprints and slides to his left to make the stop. The batters cross over for a bye.

Josh Tongue to Kyle Jamieson, Bye! At 133 kph, on a shortish length, on off. Jamieson shuffles across and looks to get under the ball to hook it away, but misses. The English keeper, as his initial reaction, moves to his left, but since the ball curls away, he gets wrong-footed. James Rew still does well to dive across to his right and gets a glove behind it. It dribbles to deep third for a bye. 21st bye of the innings.

Josh Tongue to Kyle Jamieson, Down leg, on a hard length. Jamieson gets inside the line and swings to get it away but misses.

Josh Tongue to Glenn Phillips, Bangs it in short, on middle. Phillips rolls his wrists over the ball and controls the pull. Plays it down to deep fine leg for a single.

Josh Tongue to Glenn Phillips, What happened there? Tongue bowls it into the deck, on middle. Phillips initially shapes up to make the leave, believing that the ball will slide down leg. It straightens off the deck and catches Glenn on the midriff.

It will be Josh Tongue (16-1-74-1) to operate from the other end.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, Into the surface, over off. Glenn pivots for the pull but ends up dragging it behind square leg and takes a single. The 300 is up for New Zealand.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, Bashed on a hard length, down leg. Glenn shoulders arms.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, Hurls it on a good length, on middle. Phillips gets behind the line to block it off.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, Hits the back of a length, on middle. Glenn stands tall to defend.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! Glenn Phillips gets to his FIFTY in a streaky fashion. This has been a gutsy knock from Phillips, who had to see off that testing spell from Jofra Archer late on Day 1. Baker goes short again, over the left shoulder. Phillips gets his hands high to control the pull and play it behind square leg. It goes off the top edge and beats the keeper to his left.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, FOUR BYES! Dug in short first up by Baker, around leg. Glenn Phillips swivels for the pull but the ball sails over his blade. It swings down leg after going behind the stumps and James Rew stands no chance.

All set to get underway on Day 2.  Joe Root leads his men out onto the park. At the moment, the sun is out, but there is a forecast of rain during the second session. Let's hope it stays away. Sonny Baker will kickstart things off. Glenn Phillips is on strike. Let's go...

About the pitch - The surface looks much better for batting than the one at Lord's. There has been a bit of extra bounce, which has occasionally troubled the New Zealand batters, but overall, it is a good surface for strokeplay. The spinners could find some assistance as the match progresses, with the sun beating down and high temperatures expected to make the surface increasingly abrasive. Stay tuned, as we are not far away from the first ball of Day 2.

Plans for Day 2 - England have gone with an all-seam attack, and with the second new ball three overs away, they will be confident of getting the remaining three wickets before turning their attention to batting. For New Zealand, the aim will be to push their total towards 350 and beyond. Glenn Phillips remains at the crease and is just one run away from bringing up his sixth Test fifty.

Small recap of Day 1 - England had the better of the first two sessions on Day 1, bowling with discipline on a surface that offered just enough assistance, whether with the new ball or the old. At times, they were rewarded for consistently hitting the right areas, while a bit of fortune also went their way. The hosts picked up four wickets while conceding 166 runs across the first two sessions, but New Zealand fought back strongly. Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell and Glenn Phillips led the recovery, adding 125 runs in the final session.

Warm welcome - It is certainly going to be a warm welcome, both on and off the field. The weather looks ideal not just for Day 2 but for the remainder of this Test as well. Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for a fascinating contest as the game is poised at a very interesting stage between England and New Zealand.

... DAY 2 ...

How's the score looking? Ask this to a Surrey lad and the reply will be that 300 is a very good first-innings score at The Oval. With Glenn Phillips in the middle, the Kiwis will hope that he bats for around an hour on Day 2 to take them as close to 350 as possible, which should be a challenging total. Additionally, Stuart Broad on air reckoned that given the brownish tinge this pitch has, you might see some turn come Day 3 and the pitch could get slower too. Because of the 30-minute delay due to rain in the morning, we are likely to have an extended day's play on Thursday, but the first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 10 am GMT. Our buildup though, will begin well in advance, so do tune in early. Until then, you can surf our tabs for all the action from international cricket including the Women's World Cup. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

You hit us hard, we hit you harder - That was Joe Root's philosophy. The inexperienced English attack was looking helpless against Phillips and Root decided to flip the switch. Flashback 2019 Ashes. Steven Smith knocked off his perch. Marnus Labuschagne hit on the helmet first ball. That time too, Root was the skipper. He channelised Jofra again and instructed the latter to go into that same tactic against Phillips, which had worked so famously against Australia 7 years ago. The move nearly worked. Jofra came charging in and got Phillips hopping and jumping, delivered a couple of blows on his body as well and even felled him a couple of times, but could not dislodge him. However, his final lethal spell of 8-2-22-0 which included a barrage of bouncers, especially at Phillips was worth watching, and can be a standalone highlight of Day 1.

The 'savage' show - England had made it a habit of striking early in every session. They removed Devon Conway early in the opening session, then got Henry Nicholls and Rachin Ravindra in quick succession after Lunch. Likewise, they removed Daryl Mitchell quickly after Tea as well. It was at that point that the Kiwi ship seemed to be rocking at 188/5. Along came Glenn Phillips and tore into the English bowlers, literally counterattacking, shifting them off their lengths and lines. In next to no time, he raised a 50-run stand with Tom Blundell and the balance shifted towards the visitors. The scoreboard might show Phillips batting at a strike rate of 66, but he was on 40 (39) at one stage. Because of the closing stages approaching, Phillips decided to get into a shell.

Day of starts - That's what the scorecard will suggest. In the top six, one batter dismissed in single digits and 5 others getting starts but not converting. New Zealand batters found themselves getting in, but not making it big. They got small but meaningful partnerships and kept the scoreboard ticking. However, it was the trio of Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell and Glenn Phillips who literally frustrated the hosts. Back-to-back 70-plus stands for the 5th and 6th wickets kept England honest.

Whose day? One would believe that the third session has made it New Zealand's day. 125/3 in 28 overs in that session, with Glenn Phillips taking the attack to the opposition. England bowled reasonably well for the first two sessions but that last session might have tilted the day in the Kiwis' favour.

Jacob Bethell to Kyle Jamieson, Temptation avoided. Flighted, around off, Kyle Jamieson drives it back to the bowler and that will be STUMPS ON DAY 1, NEW ZEALAND 291/7!

Final ball of the day? A tempter coming.

Jacob Bethell to Kyle Jamieson, Landed outside off, KJ pushes this towards cover.

Jacob Bethell to Kyle Jamieson, Shorter, outside off, 91 kph, Kyle goes back and works it towards mid-wicket.

Jacob Bethell to Kyle Jamieson, Tossed up a bit, 94 kph, Jamieson stays back to block.

Jacob Bethell to Kyle Jamieson, The arm ball, around middle and off, Kyle Jamieson lunges to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.

Jacob Bethell to Glenn Phillips, Short, outside off, Glenn Phillips punches this through the covers for a single, to move to 49 and hoping that he will stay there till the end of the day.

Interesting approach from Kyle Jamieson in that previous over, with Stumps drawing ever so close. Surely, Archer will bowl one more. 8-2-22-0 so far in this spell. In fact, Root has gone for a gamble. He has thrown the ball to Jacob Bethell, to try and entice Phillips into throwing it away. Can we have one more over if Bethell wraps this up quickly? 4-1-7-2 so far.

Josh Tongue to Kyle Jamieson, Josh Tongue sees the batter making room, so he follows and bowls another bouncer, down the leg side. Kyle Jamieson misses his pull and takes a blow on his body, before the ball bounces off toward the keeper.

Josh Tongue to Kyle Jamieson, Short and angling down the leg side, Kyle Jamieson is happy to let that one through.

Josh Tongue to Kyle Jamieson, FOUR! Excellent shot from Jamieson! Back of a length, on middle, Kyle Jamieson makes room and slaps it well over cover-point for four runs.

Josh Tongue to Kyle Jamieson, Whoa! Where has that come from? Short of a length, attacking the batter. Kyle Jamieson backs away and goes for an ugly hoick. He hits this miles in the air and mid-wicket runs back while deep mid-wicket comes running sideways to his left. Luckily for Jamieson, the ball lands in between and the batters get two runs. It is clear enough that Jamieson is not comfortable against the short ball, but with Stumps approaching, need such risks be taken?

Josh Tongue to Kyle Jamieson, Another bouncer, on off and middle. Kyle Jamieson once again sits under it to make a leave.

Josh Tongue to Kyle Jamieson, The English pacers are just sticking with the short ball plan. Josh Tongue starts off with a bouncer, on off, Kyle Jamieson ducks under it.

Time for Glenn Phillips to call for the physio now. That short ball has got him on his right finger, probably the index one. But this might be a tactical one too, with just around 10 minutes to go for Stumps. Call the physio, take out an over from the game. Gamesmanship. Josh Tongue is back into the attack. 15-1-68-1 so far. Might have time for just a solitary over tonight. We are ready to resume.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Now Glenn Phillips takes a hefty blow on his right glove! Back of a length, pitching just outside off and nipping in. Glenn Phillips hops a bit to defend it down, but the ball carries some extra bounce off the deck and hits the right glove of the batter.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Another bouncer, but down the leg side. Easily ducked under by Phillips.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Jofra Archer just keeps on making the batters uncomfortable, especially Glenn Phillips. Another nasty bouncer, angling in, into the batter's lane. Glenn Phillips sways away, loses his balance, and falls on his back.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Down the leg side, left alone.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Another short delivery, on off, shaping in. Glenn Phillips sits underneath and lets it travel to the keeper.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! Enough of ducking, says Phillips. A bouncer, around off, Glenn Phillips looks to sway initially, but at the last moment, opens the face of the bat and guides it, over short fine leg. Yes, over short fine leg, you read it right! Moves to 48.

One more for Jofra? Can he? Should he? 7-2-18-0 are his returns in this spell. He continues.

Jacob Bethell to Kyle Jamieson, On a nagging length, on off, Kyle Jamieson works it across the line to short leg.

Jacob Bethell to Kyle Jamieson, Full and around off, Kyle Jamieson blocks it out towards mid-wicket.

Around 18 minutes left for the close. In walks Kyle Jamieson at number 9, replacing Nathan Smith. He can bat, no doubt, but New Zealand need him to hang around till Stumps for now.

Jacob Bethell to Nathan Smith, OUT! CAUGHT! What a bonus for England! Jacob Bethell gives a wide smile with his hands on his head, as he knows it's not a good delivery. He spills out a low full toss, around the leg stump. Nathan Smith crouches down on one knee and tries to sweep it away, but the ball catches the top edge. The ball balloons toward the short fine leg region. It's Jordan Cox who runs backward from leg slip, judges the catch really well and pouches it near his chest. Smith's watchful intent is over and from 263/5, NEW ZEALAND ARE NOW 280/7!

Jacob Bethell to Nathan Smith, Outside off, a touch short, Smith looks to punch but there is extra bounce on that. Somehow manages to push it away.

Jacob Bethell to Nathan Smith, Fuller with some flight on in, much fuller in leg, around the boots of the batter. Nathan Smith misses his flick and wears on the front pad, before the ball rolls to leg slip.

Jacob Bethell to Nathan Smith, Full and straight, Nathan Smith goes back and helps it through fine leg. Jordan Cox tracks it down from leg slip but jogs to the ball, probably teasing Smith to take the third. But it is pretty much evident now that Smith and New Zealand will try and shield Phillips from the strike till Stumps.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Pitches it fuller, does Archer, on off, Glenn Phillips defends it to cover.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Back of a length, around off, Phillips hops to defend it down the pitch.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Smith, On a nagging length, at the stumps, Nathan Smith nudges it to the front of square leg and takes a quick single.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Smith, FIVE WIDES! Jofra Archer bangs another bouncer, but fails to control this one. The ball sprays way, way down the leg side. James Rew tries to leap to his left but fails to gather the ball and it races away to the deep fine leg fence.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Smith, Down the leg side, Smith gets outside the line and looks to tickle but misses.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Smith, Back of a length, on off, Nathan Smith takes a small leap and fends it back to the bowler.

Jofra Archer to Nathan Smith, A good short ball, outside off, angling in, Nathan Smith sways away from the line.

6-2-12-0 so far. This is the current spell of Jofra Archer. The figures don't suggest, but he has spit venom. England would be vying for Phillips' wicket before Stumps. Does Jofra have the steam to go on for some more time? Yes, he says. Has a lower order batter in his sight.

Jacob Bethell to Glenn Phillips, Short again from Bethell, just outside off, Glenn Phillips hangs back and punches it to mid off.

Jacob Bethell to Nathan Smith, Short and wide outside off, Nathan cuts it through point for a single.

Jacob Bethell to Nathan Smith, Flatter and fuller, around the pads. Smith works it to short leg.

Jacob Bethell to Nathan Smith, Full, around middle, Smith looks to work it to the leg side, but the ball goes straight on, beats the bat and goes off the front pad to the off side.

Jacob Bethell to Nathan Smith, Tossed up, fuller, on off, Smith leans on it and blocks it down.

The physio is out in the middle now. Jacob Bethell is smiling, perhaps thinking, what if, that ball had ballooned towards the keeper? Meanwhile, Sonny Baker is stretching, indicating that he might be on from Archer's end. Right. All set to resume.

Jacob Bethell to Nathan Smith, Exceptionally fielded by Emilio Gay. A short ball, outside off, Nathan Smith rocks back and pulls really hard. Poor Gay, standing at short leg, turns around to avoid getting hit, but gets hit on his left shin. Is down in pain.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Short of a length, on middle, Glenn Phillips spots another bouncer and decides to duck under it again.

Change of angle. Archer is coming from around the wicket. His last ball of the day?

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Another bouncer, but down the leg side. Easily ducked under by Phillips.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Short, on off, Glenn Phillips squats under it.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Ouch. Archer hits Phillips this time. A short ball, at the body, the batter tries to sway but misses and is hit on the left shoulder. He shrieks in pain, but does not show it.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! Wonderfully played. On the back of a good length, just outside off, Glenn Phillips opens the face of the bat and pushes it toward the right of the gully fielder for four runs.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, A bouncer outside off, Glenn Phillips ducks again.

One more for Archer? Yes, he has the gas. Has to be his last spell of the day. He has now got a silly point and short leg. Additionally, Root might be thinking about getting Josh Tongue from this end, since he is so good against the tailenders. But he would not want to be batting for a couple of overs before Stumps either! Ouch!

Jacob Bethell to Nathan Smith, Short, and around off, Nathan Smith stays back and defends.

Jacob Bethell to Nathan Smith, LBW shout, but not given. Landed around off, going down with the angle, but straightening a bit. NS looked to work it to the leg side but missed. Seemed to be going down leg only.

Jacob Bethell to Nathan Smith, Quicker, outside off, the round-arm ball, Nathan goes back to defend and gets a bottom edge nearly onto his boot.

Jacob Bethell to Nathan Smith, Outside off, punched towards cover.

Jacob Bethell to Nathan Smith, Another good take. Full and down the leg side, Smith gets down to sweep but misses. The keeper does well to jump across to his left to collect that.

A man comes under the lid at short leg now. So we have a slip, a leg slip and a short leg.

Jacob Bethell to Nathan Smith, Fired down the leg side, Nathan Smith cannot get it away.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, And Phillips is down again! Another bouncer, at the head, Glenn is down while trying to sway and falls over. Gives a thumbs up and the crowd loves it at The Oval!

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, FOUR BYES! Poor James Rew. Archer loses his radar, slipping it down the leg side. Phillips looks to flick but misses. The ball pitches and keeps on moving away, with Rew's dive to his left unable to stop the ball.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Another scorcher. Short and at the head, Glenn sways away and can smell the leather as the ball whistles past his helmet. Remember the country where Jofra actually hails from - the one which has given us the likes of Malcolm Marshall, Sir Curtly Ambrose and Michael Holding. That was the 70s. This is 2026. Refreshing.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Glenn Phillips falls over again. Serious gas from Archer, on a back of a length, at the body, outside off, angling in, Phillips manages to sway away. Gets down on a knee, but then loses his balance and falls on his stomach to the off side. Sees the funny side of it, laughing merrily.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Another short ball, but Phillips is able to sway away as the ball is well outside off.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, The bouncer barrage continues. At the body, Glenn Phillips ducks.

Jacob Bethell to Nathan Smith, LBW shouts all around. Umpire Nitin Menon shakes his head. Joe Root is not interested in the review. Full and straight, Nathan Smith stays back to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. Possibly going down leg.

Jacob Bethell to Nathan Smith, Down the leg side, Nathan Smith looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.

Nathan Smith walks in next, at number 8, replacing Tom Blundell.

Jacob Bethell to Tom Blundell, OUT! CAUGHT! 50 and out for Blundell as another batter cannot convert his start! It is not the best of deliveries but England won't care. Full and around off, Tom Blundell gets down and slogs it with all his might, but in front of him is standing Mount Joe Root at short mid-wicket, who uses his height to the fullest and leaps to take the catch! Blundell is on his knees, thinking why did he have to counterattack, but he has to walk back now. The 75-run stand is broken and Root's inspirational captaincy to bring on Bethell works wonders for his side. NEW ZEALAND ARE 263/6, with roughly three-quarters of an hour left for Stumps!

Jacob Bethell to Tom Blundell, Down the leg side again, Blundell helps it towards short mid-wicket.

Jacob Bethell to Tom Blundell, FOUR! 50 FOR BLUNDELL! A resolute innings. It first started as a counterattack but after Mitchell's exit and Phillips' entry, he has toned down, significantly looking to bat deep. Gets a short ball, down the leg side and Blundell pulls it to the fine leg fence. The first batter to reach the 50-mark in this innings.

Jacob Bethell to Tom Blundell, On middle, Blundell looks to flick but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.

Finally, spin is introduced, in the form of Jacob Bethell.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, A bouncer again, let through comfortably this time.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, A NO BALL, but did Glenn Phillips glove that? This spell from Archer is certainly not comfortable for the Kiwi and he is clearly struggling. Another quick short delivery, at the body, almost like the bodyline, Glenn Phillips hops and looks to tuck it away, but seems to miss it. Or did he? The replays seem to suggest that he might have got a glove on it as the ball went through to the keeper.  Archer appeals and so do all the other English fielders. The umpire disagrees. Archer is frustrated and just when Root contemplates about the review, the umpire is informed by the third umpire that Archer has overstepped. Waiting for the UltraEdge for this ball.

Is that gone? Nearly every English cricketer is appealing. No, says umpire Adrian Holdstock. Does not matter. Jofra has overstepped!

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, On a length, around off, Glenn pats it down the track.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Another short ball, let through this time.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, BOOM! Phillips is on the ground again! Reminiscence of the 2019 Ashes. Archer steaming in. Smith dancing. Labuschagne swirling. 7 years later, it is Phillips. A quick short ball, around off, Phillips looks to evade that, but in trying to sway away, loses his balance and gets hit on his right shoulder.

Aha! Brian Lara days? Glenn Phillips has asked for his sunglasses as the pitch is too shiny to bat upon! Along comes Will Young, with the request. It is so sunny that the pitch is reflecting the sunlight. Right. Here we go then. Meanwhile, Jacob Bethell is rolling his arm over. Time for a spell?

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Around middle and off, nudged to the leg side.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Whoa! Did that take the outside edge? Archer thinks but his slip fielders don't. On a good length, outside off, Glenn Phillips is forced to follow the ball as it lands, bounces and then deviates off the seam massively, just past the outside edge!

Dinesh Karthik asks Nasser Hussain's opinion regarding England's line of attack in this innings. To this, Nasser replies that the hosts seem to have employed a sub-continental field and strategy for proper English conditions. He reckons that the skipper might have got a little bit funky with his field placements, which might have stopped the runs to a small extent, but not generated wickets.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, Another one in line of the stumps, around off, TB keeps it out.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, Full and straight, Tom keeps it out.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, On middle and off, worked towards short mid-wicket.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, FOUR BYES! The ball is still swinging. Full and down the leg side, Blundell looks to flick but misses. The ball moves further away and the poor keeper is blinded. Barely moves and the ball is past him in a flash to the fine leg fence. The stand moves to 70 (76).

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, A tad short, down the leg side, Blundell tucks it behind square leg. Jofra Archer gives it a good chase to his right from deep square leg but the batters run well to come back for the second.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, On a good length, around off, 130 kph, Tom Blundell blocks it out towards short mid-wicket.

Jofra Archer to Tom Blundell, Short again, outside off, Tom Blundell goes for a pull shot, but gets the inside edge. The ball bounces off toward the right of James Rew and the batter gets a single.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, TWO WIDES! Short of a length, but sprayed way away outside off. Glenn Phillips makes a leave. The ball is so wide that it beats the keeper and Joe Root, who is standing at first slip, has to stop the ball as it comes straight at him, just evading the outstretched right glove of the keeper. As a result, Root is distracted and the ball bursts off his hands and loops behind him. The batter gets a single. 250 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Pitches it up, does Archer, on off, Glenn looks to flick but misses. The ball clips the thigh pads and once again, the keeper, James Rew, does extremely well to stop it with a dive to his left.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Good-length delivery, outside off, Glenn Phillips gets on his toes and punches it to point.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, On a nagging length, around off, Glenn Phillips defends it to short mid-wicket.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Now that's a nasty bouncer from Jofra Archer. Back of a length, on middle, nipping in as the batter is swaying away from it. Glenn Phillips loses his balance by the end and drops on his back.

Jofra Archer to Tom Blundell, Archer bends his back, pitching it on the good length. Tom Blundell pulls it away to deep square leg for one.

Jofra Archer to Tom Blundell, WIDE. A bouncer, but that sails way over the helmet of the batter. Tom Blundell tries to hook it away, but misses. Wide signalled for height.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, On the back of a good length, outside off, Glenn Phillips once again decides to let it pass.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, Full-length delivery, shaping away, outside off, Glenn Phillips lets it through.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! BALLISTIC! Half volley, outside off, Glenn Phillips pounces on it, coming forward and hammering a drive through the covers. There is not much a gap between extra cover and cover but he threads it with power. Moves to 40 (39).

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, Another one which is a touch fuller, wide outside off, swinging away. Phillips yet again leaves it alone to the keeper.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, On a nagging length, outside off, Glenn Phillips shoulders arms this one as well.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, Pitches it fuller, does Fisher, wide outside off and nipping it away. Glenn Phillips makes a leave.

DRINKS BREAK. 77/1 in 14 overs since Tea. England were rejoicing with the wicket of Daryl Mitchell but Glenn Phillips seems to have taken the wind out of their sails. He has launched a scathing counter-attack, with the score looking far more respectable. The hosts did have a chance to go bang bang, but James Rew was unable to hang on to a fairly simple chance of Blundell. Additionally, Joe Root needs to figure out who will bowl the final part of a tiring day. It is a pretty young attack but bowling 15 overs on a hot day is pretty much demanding. This is exactly the sort of time England would have loved Ben Stokes to take the ball in his hand, but Root can still be the Midas man, either taking the ball himself or throwing it to Jacob Bethell. You never know, something might happen and the game might change suddenly.

Jofra Archer to Tom Blundell, FOUR LEG BYES. Down the leg side, Blundell misses his clip but the ball races off his thighs past the keeper, to the fine leg fence.

Jofra Archer to Tom Blundell, On off, jagging back in, Blundell misses his flick and is hit on the thigh.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Another brilliant piece of keeping from James Rew. A bouncer, at Phillips' face, the batter takes his eyes off but the ball just goes past his face, still climbing. But Rew leaps to his left, getting his right glove on the ball and taking some pace off. Keeps it to a bye. The umpire initially does not signal anything but then apologizes and signals a bye.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Back of a length, on off, Phillips is cramped for room and arches back, to dab it over the slips but ends up stabbing it towards gully.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Archer misses his line, spraying it down the leg side from a back of a length, Glenn Phillips looks to flick but misses.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Short of a length, on middle and leg, Glenn Phillips squats under it.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, A touch fuller, pitching it wide outside off and swinging away as well. Tom Blundell is happy to let that one through.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, On the fuller side, on middle and leg, Tom Blundell nudges it with soft hands to the right of the bowler.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, Nearly a yorker, on off, Tom Blundell drops his bat down and digs it away to the off side.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, Pitches it up, does Fisher, around the leg stump. Glenn Phillips flicks it to deep square leg and gets a single. 50-RUN STAND UP, IN 52 BALLS! Excellent counter-attacking effort, especially from Phillips, who has scored 36 of those.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, A touch fuller, on off, Glenn Phillips taps it back to the bowler, showing the full face of the bat.

Wow. Just the sort of field you want a photographer to click a photograph of. First slip. Second slip. Leg slip. Short mid-wicket. Mid on. Silly mid off. Extra cover. Deep square leg. Deep mid-wicket!

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, On a length, just outside off. Tom Blundell camps back and punches it firmly through cover. The short cover fielder, Emilio Gay, tracks back all the way and cuts it to three runs.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Good-length delivery, on off, Glenn Phillips tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Angling in sharply, around middle, pitching on a hard length. Glenn is cramped for room and dabs it to the leg side.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Pitches it on a good length, does Archer, on off. Glenn Phillips bunts it to cover.

Another fielding change. Harry Brook comes out from second slip to somewhere on the leg side. Seems like a short-ball plan against Phillips in particular.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Archer bangs another bouncer, on off, Phillips ducks under it.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, On a nagging length, outside off, Glenn Phillips taps it back to the bowler.

Jofra Archer to Glenn Phillips, Jofra Archer starts with a bouncer, on off and middle, Glenn Phillips stays on his back foot and tries to pull it away, but fails to get the proper connection off his bat. The ball flies and drops safely toward the left of the deep backward square leg fielder. Brace taken.

Time for some rest for Baker? His current spell reads 5-0-31-1. Indeed. Jofra Archer, who had gone off the field for a while, is back on. 11-2-36-1 so far. He has got a big strapping on his left wrist, as it is on that part where he landed heavily apparently, during a fielding effort.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, Full-length delivery, shaping away a little bit, around off. Tom Blundell gets on his front foot and pushes it back to the bowler.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, On the fuller side, just outside off, Tom Blundell rests it down.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, Sprays into the pads of the batter, does Fisher. Glenn Phillips clips it to square leg and gets a single.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, On middle and off, Glenn works it towards short mid-wicket.

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! What a shot. England have operated without a backward point for a majority of the day, but might just need one now, given that Phillips is so strong in that area. Fractionally short, outside off, Phillips gets on top of the bounce and punches it behind point for his 6th boundary. Phillips has moved to 32 (21), in a partnership of 43 (39)!

Matthew Fisher to Glenn Phillips, Theatrical appeal for LBW from Matthew Fisher. But a calm shake of the head from umpire Nitin Menon in response. The bowler knows it, because he has a big smile on his face. On a good length, outside off, wobble seam, slight bit of nip back in, Glenn Phillips looked to play it from the crease but got beaten by the late movement. Got hit high on the pads but it was the height that saved him from being adjudged LBW. Might have been out a week ago at Lord's.

Sonny Baker to Tom Blundell, Hard length, slanting in, on off, Tom Blundell hops and blocks it down.

Sonny Baker to Tom Blundell, On a length, outside off, Tom Blundell leaves it away.

Sonny Baker to Tom Blundell, FOUR! That's exceptional placement! Good-length delivery, just outside off. Tom Blundell plays it late, but opens the face of the bat to guide it into the gap between gully and third slip for four runs.

Sonny Baker to Tom Blundell, Very well bowled and very well played. Full and outside off, Tom Blundell gets a big stride in to meet the ball. But then, the ball swings back in a long way. However, Blundell adjusts well to meet the ball after the late swing, defending it down the track.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, More movement on this one. Coming in from outside off, Phillips works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, On a length outside off, swinging back in, Glenn Phillips works it towards short mid-wicket.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, On a nagging length, outside off, Tom Blundell dabs it down to cover-point. Maiden number five for Fisher.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, Back of a length, outside off, Tom Blundell makes another leave.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, Back of a length, pitched outside off, but slanting in, Tom Blundell lifts the bat up to make a leave, but the delivery flies over the top of the middle stump.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, One more leave outside off.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, On a length, outside off, Blundell lets it pass.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, MIXUP, BUT SAFE! That would have been disastrous for New Zealand. On a good length, outside off, Tom Blundell pushed it towards backward point and blindly set off for the single. But Glenn Phillips saw Jacob Bethell prowling over there and yelled a massive NOOOOOOOOOOOO! Blundell was already through his ice-skating course and had to apply his brakes way too late. He was well past the halfway mark and seemed gone for all money. Luckily for him, Bethell missed his shy at the striker's end, as he threw off balance with his left hand, getting across from point.

Jofra Archer is going off the field now. Mike Atherton on air informs us that while fielding in the previous over, Archer slipped and hence, perhaps, he is going to have a precautionary check. Henry Crocombe comes in as the substitute. Meanwhile, Matthew Fisher comes onto bowl now. 14-4-30-1 so far.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, A bumper to end the over, on off, Glenn Phillips lets it sail away.

Sonny Baker to Tom Blundell, Tap and single! Pitches it fuller, does Baker, on off, Tom Blundell taps it to cover with soft hands and takes a quick single.

Sonny Baker to Tom Blundell, Good-length delivery, wide outside off, Tom Blundell lets it pass.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, Fuller, outside off, Glenn pushes it towards mid off and takes a very quick single.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! AUDACIOUS! The struggle for Baker from this end continues. Another freebie, a short and wide ball outside off. Phillips crunches the cut through point and finds the boundary. The stand moves to 32 (21)!

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, Full and around off, Glenn Phillips works it towards mid on.

Josh Tongue to Glenn Phillips, On a nagging length, around off, Glenn Phillips camps back and dabs it through point. Ben Duckett has a chase at it and cuts it to three runs.

Josh Tongue to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! Solid shot from Phillips! A slightly overpitched delivery, on off, Glenn Phillips leans on it and drives it well toward the right of the mid off fielder for four runs.

Josh Tongue to Glenn Phillips, Pitches it up, does Tongue, on off, Glenn Phillips defends it down the track.

Josh Tongue to Tom Blundell, Full and outside off, Tom pushes it through the covers and gets the single this time.

Josh Tongue to Tom Blundell, On a good length, outside off, Blundell dabs it to the off side.

Josh Tongue to Tom Blundell, DROPPED! That should have been taken by James Rew. A length ball, down the leg side, Tom Blundell looked to flick it fine. He did get a tickle and the English keeper dived full length to his left to take the catch. Blundell was off immediately, but Phillips asked him to wait, indicating that the keeper might have put the ball down. But Blundell was on his way any which ways, till the umpires asked him to wait. And for a good reason! The replay shows that Rew put it down on the ground the moment his glove made contact with the ball. What a reprieve. Tom Blundell given a life on 34!

Is that gone? England are confident that Blundell has nicked it, but the umpires want to check it for a fair catch. Blundell is walking off, but he is asked to wait at the boundary lines. Oh my, Rew has put it down!

That might have seemed like an ordinary over, but it does appear as if Sonny Baker is not happy bowling from this particular end. Either it is his run up or the landing area - something is definitely bothering him.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, Hard-length delivery, pitching outside off, but nipping in sharply. Glenn Phillips lunges and lets it travel to the keeper.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! This time it's too full. Much fuller, pitched just outside off. Glenn Phillips plants his front foot toward the pitched area and drives it well through cover for four runs.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! What a shot that is from Phillips. A loose short delivery, outside off. Glenn Phillips frees his arms and slaps it up and over the cover region for four runs.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, Full and outside off, Phillips punches it straight to cover again.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, Outside off, driven straight to cover.

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, FOUR BYES! Bit of more effort. Full and miles down the leg side, Glenn Phillips looks to flick but the ball moves even further down. He misses while the poor keeper has no chance with a dive either. 200 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND.

It is interesting to note what do fast bowlers feel when they see another seamer bowl well behind the popping crease. Just before the Mitchell wicket, Sonny Baker was seemingly unhappy with his landing and even called coach Tim Southee down from the balcony for assistance. Whatever Southee said, worked, because the next thing we saw is Baker spreading sawdust well behind the popping crease. Now, Stuart Broad on air is not in agreement with that approach. He feels that the bowler is losing nearly a yard of pace, so unless overstepping is causing a major problem, Baker should not be bowling from so much behind the crease. Don't remember him bowling from so far behind in last Year's Hundred.

Josh Tongue to Tom Blundell, Yorker out of nowhere, on off and middle. Tom Blundell is alert and jams it down. The ball hits his own pads.

Josh Tongue to Tom Blundell, Oh, it misses the off stump by a few inches! Good-length delivery, just outside off. Tom Blundell shoulders arms at it, but it's a risky leave as the ball angles in a shade and just beats the off stump.

Josh Tongue to Tom Blundell, EDGED, SHORT! Pitched up, outside off, angling in. Tom Blundell lunges and tries to defend it down, but gets a thick outside edge. Luckily for him, the ball stays low and rolls toward the first slip fielder.

Josh Tongue to Glenn Phillips, Nice timing again. Back of a length, outside off, Glenn pushes it behind point and the ball goes almost towards the fence again. It is tracked down in time to keep the batters to three.

Josh Tongue to Glenn Phillips, Full and down the leg side, Phillips looks to flick but misses, getting hit on the pads.

Josh Tongue to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! Sweet timing! On a length, outside off, Glenn Phillips gets adjacent to the ball, drops the bat late and gently opens the face to guide it past gully, to the deep third fence!

Sonny Baker to Glenn Phillips, Fuller, but way down the leg side, Glenn Phillips looks to flick at it, but misses with a large gap. The keeper, James Rew, does excellently well to dive to his left and make a half stop. A bye has been taken by the batter.

Glenn Phillips is the new batter at the crease.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, OUT! TAKEN! Make it two for Sonny Baker. The debut is just getting better and better for the 23-year-old man. He bangs it hard on the length and generates a good amount of bounce. Daryl Mitchell rocks back and tries to pull it, but the ball climbs on him. He ends up splicing the ball toward mid-wicket, where Emilio Gay takes the dolly safely into his cusp. The curse of getting a start strikes again, as a fourth batter gets in and gets out in this innings. The 81-run stand has been broken and NEW ZEALAND ARE 188/5.

Sonny Baker to Tom Blundell, Much fuller, on off, Tom Blundell jams it to the left of short cover.

Sonny Baker to Tom Blundell, Full-length delivery, on off and middle. Tom Blundell pats it to cover.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, Excellent fielding by Ben Duckett! Good-length delivery, around off, Daryl Mitchell drives away through cover and point. The ball races away, but Ben Duckett sprints back, slides, and flicks it just before it hits the boundary cushion. Meanwhile, the batter gets three runs between the sticks.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, Pitches it up, does Baker, on off, Daryl Mitchell leans on it and rests it down the track.

Josh Tongue to Tom Blundell, Full and wide outside off, Tom Blundell looks to drill it away but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Josh Tongue to Tom Blundell, On a length, outside off, Tom Blundell leaves it alone.

Josh Tongue to Tom Blundell, On the fuller side, on off and middle, angling in, Tom Blundell clips it toward the left of the short mid-wicket fielder, Emilio Gay, who flings himself away to make a good stop.

Josh Tongue to Tom Blundell, Full, on off, Tom Blundell pushes it back to the bowler.

Josh Tongue to Tom Blundell, FOUR MORE! Wonderfully played! Much fuller from Josh Tongue, on middle, Tom Blundell rolls his wrists and flicks it swiftly through mid-wicket for four runs.

Josh Tongue to Tom Blundell, FOUR! Lucky one! Back of a length, wide outside off, Tom Blundell gets on his toes and initially tries to punch it away, but gets two-minded and withdraws the bat. However, while withdrawing the ball connects the toe end of the bat, before it bounces off toward the right of the gully fielder for four runs.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, Hard-length, on middle, Daryl Mitchell clips it to square leg with soft hands.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, Back of a length, on off, Daryl Mitchell tucks it to square leg.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, FOUR! Short and punished! Back of a length, on off and middle, angling in vigorously. Daryl Mitchell stays on his back foot and pulls it hard and down toward the left of the mid-wicket fielder for four runs.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, Oh, there comes the inswinger! Good-length delivery, pitching it well outside off and swings it in. Daryl Mitchell looks to drive it through cover but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, On a nagging length, on off, Daryl Mitchell defends it down from his front foot.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, FOUR! Oh, cheeky from Mitchell! Baker bowls a back-of-a-length delivery, outside off. Daryl Mitchell goes deep into the crease, crouches a bit, and guides it gently toward the right of the gully fielder for four runs.

Sonny Baker to bowl from the other end.

Josh Tongue to Tom Blundell, A brace to end the over! Hard-length delivery, on middle and leg, Tom Blundell clips it to the left of the deep backward square leg fielder for a couple of runs.

Josh Tongue to Tom Blundell, Pitches it up, does Tongue, on off, Tom Blundell drives it along the carpet to mid off.

Josh Tongue to Tom Blundell, On the fuller side, on off, Tom Blundell dabs it late and opens the face of the bat slightly to guide it toward the third slip fielder.

Josh Tongue to Tom Blundell, Back of a length, wide outside off, Tom Blundell prods to cover the off stump and lifts his bat to let it travel to the keeper.

Josh Tongue to Tom Blundell, Closer to the off stump! Full length again, just outside off, Tom Blundell leans on the delivery and drives it back to the bowler.

Josh Tongue to Tom Blundell, Josh Tongue starts off with a fuller delivery, outside off, Tom Blundell lunges and shoulder arms at it.

A lonnggggggggg session awaits us. 41 overs are expected to be bowled, in a period of 150 minutes, on a day where 49 have been bowled in 240. Simply put, if England maintain the current over rate, we won't see more than 30 overs in this session. Unless, if Root takes the ball himself or throws it to Bethell, to improve the over rate. Remember, teams are docked points for slow over rate which affects the World Test Championship standings. Of course, if the team thinks it is not important if it is not going to qualify any which ways, then we cannot say anything. The players are back out in the middle and it will be Josh Tongue to kick things off to Tom Blundell for the third session. Let's resume.

... DAY 1, FINAL SESSION ...

Getting set - When is that period? Especially in this innings? 27 for Tom Latham. 24 for Henry Nicholls. 33 for Rachin Ravindra. That's three batters in the top four who got in and got out. Now, Mitchell and Blundell have reached that category. On the outer part, the surface does not look like offering much to the bowlers, but there is something definitely in it for the bowlers, because no batter has looked totally at ease yet. 41 overs are left in the day, so we might see spin at some point. That will be interesting on this 'brown' surface. The final session kicks off at 3.30 pm GMT.

The rearguard - When pushed against the wall, expect the Kiwis to fight back. And if one of them has the name of Daryl Mitchell, be 100 percent certified. Mitchell just got his head down amidst some really impressive bowling but it was Tom Blundell who has surprised everyone. Barring his 186 against Ireland recently, the keeper batter has struggled for runs. However, it was his counterattack that did not change England's lengths, but has got the scoreboard moving for sure. Currently, this stand reads 59 from 82 balls, that too, because the last 10 minutes were only for survival. Of those 59, Blundell has scored a quickfire 23  (32).

Change of plans - That's what one saw post Lunch from England. They kept attacking fields and played with the batters' minds, forcing them to try and manufacture runs. That saw them pick 2/28 in the span of around 7 overs. It was a tactic well executed, with the pitch offering nothing much to the bowlers apart from bounce. It was the pair of Josh Tongue and Sonny Baker which hunted the Kiwis down in that first hour of the middle session. Baker's dismissal of Ravindra was probably the sight of England's future, extracting pace and bounce off the surface.

91/2 in 24 overs - That's the statistic for this second session. It will be the Black Caps who would be the happier side, but for the moment. After England went bang bang after Lunch, Mitchell and Blundell have kept the English at bay.

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell, Full and outside off, smothered into the covers. TEA ON DAY 1, NEW ZEALAND 166/4!

Final ball of the session.

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell, Another outswinger, but the length is way short of full. Easy leave for the batter.

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell, The outswinger now, outside off, Daryl pushes at it and gets an outside edge. Does not carry to gully.

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell, Huge, huge shout! Did this come back enough? Holdstock says no. Archer on his knees. Root on his knees. Rew on his knees. Should England take the review? No, is the answer from the home side. On a good length, outside off, Mitchell shoulders arms, with a good stride. The ball nips back in off the seam and catches him on the pads, prompting an LBW appeal. Height seems to be the factor and yep, Ball Tracking projects the ball to be going over the off stump.

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell, Full and outside off, pushed towards mid off.

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell, Down the leg side, slightly short, Daryl Mitchell misses out on the tuck.

Looks like we will have time for one more over before Tea.

Harry Brook to Tom Blundell, Just past! Down the leg side, Tom clips it past leg gully for a couple.

Harry Brook to Tom Blundell, Finally bat on ball. Good yorker and this one swings in! Blundell defends.

Harry Brook to Tom Blundell, Number four on the trot. And this was wider than the previous three.

Harry Brook to Tom Blundell, That's a hattrick of leaves, well outside off.

Harry Brook to Tom Blundell, Outside off again, let through once more.

Harry Brook to Tom Blundell, Outswing! Interesting. On a length, outside off, Tom Blundell shoulders arms and the ball moves away a mile! Well taken by the keeper.

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell, A bouncer now, Mitchell ducks.

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell, Down the leg side, clipped behind square leg for a couple.

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell, Around off, on a length, defended solidly.

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell, Full and outside off, Daryl looks to drive but gets an inside edge towards mid on.

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell, Full and straight, Mitchell pushes this towards mid on.

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell, On a good length, outside off, nipping back in. Daryl Mitchell is caught in his crease as he looks to flick. Misses and is hit on the thighs.

Harry Brook to Daryl Mitchell, Terrific effort from Jacob Bethell. Short, outside off, Daryl Mitchell goes back and across and taps it behind point. The ball races away but so does Bethell. He charges towards the ball, gets there and with a valiant dive, pulls it back into play, going himself past the ropes. Saves a run for his side as the batters take three.

Harry Brook to Daryl Mitchell, Just outside off, fuller in length, Daryl Mitchell taps it back to the bowler.

Harry Brook to Daryl Mitchell, Full and around off, Mitchell pushes it towards mid on.

Harry Brook to Daryl Mitchell, Pitched fuller, on off, Daryl Mitchell pushes it to the right of the bowler.

Harry Brook to Tom Blundell, Landed outside off, Tom Blundell lets it be. The keeper, James Rew, is upto the stumps but cannot collect the ball. Fumbles and concedes a bye.

Harry Brook to Tom Blundell, Tossed up, much fuller, outside off, Tom Blundell jams it out, toward cover.

Will Brook get another? Or was his over a change of ends for Fisher? The former.

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell, This one holds its line. On a length, outside off, Mitchell pushes it towards cover.

Jofra Archer to Tom Blundell, On a length, around the pads, Tom Blundell misses his flick and is hit on the thigh pad, before the ball rolls to square leg. Leg bye taken.

Jofra Archer to Tom Blundell, FOUR LEG BYES. Lavish movement but it starts off too straight. Down the leg side, Blundell looks to clip it away, but misses. Still, the ball goes off his pads to the right of leg gully, to the fine leg fence. 50-RUN STAND IS UP, IN 56 BALLS.

Jofra Archer to Tom Blundell, Back of a length, pitching just outside off, but nipping sharply into the batter. Tom Blundell lifts his willow up to make a leave, but it attacks in and hits the back thigh pad. If only the ball had been delivered fuller, it would have been a sensational delivery.

Jofra Archer to Tom Blundell, A sharp indipper this time. On a good length, outside off, Tom Blundell looks to work it to the leg side but misses. The ball goes off his pads towards gully.

Jofra Archer to Tom Blundell, FOUR! Not that's some shot from Blundell! Back of a length, width to offer, outside off. Tom Blundell hops and punches it hard through point for a boundary. 150 IS UP FOR NEW ZEALAND.

Jofra Archer is back on. For the first time this session. 8-1-30-1 so far.

Harry Brook to Daryl Mitchell, Landed outside off, Mitchell lets it go.

Harry Brook to Daryl Mitchell, Fuller, at the stumps, Daryl Mitchell clips it to short mid-wicket.

Harry Brook to Daryl Mitchell, Full and straight, Mitchell defends.

Harry Brook to Daryl Mitchell, Short, outside off, turning away from the batter. Daryl Mitchell makes a leave at it.

Harry Brook to Daryl Mitchell, FOUR! Brook and Root will be smiling. On a length, outside off, Daryl Mitchell looks to heave it away and plays a rather ugly shot. He skews it off the outer half, but manages to clear mid off. Gets a boundary. The stand moves to 42 (48).

Harry Brook to Daryl Mitchell, Harry Brook scoots from over the wicket and bowls on a good length, just outside off, Daryl Mitchell just steers it to backward point.

Aha! Joe Root goes for the jugular. With around 20 minutes to Tea, Harry Brook has been given the ball and he will bowl medium pace.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, Outside off, punched back to the bowler.

It has taken nearly 43 overs, but England finally have their keeper come upto the stumps. Daryl Mitchell has been batting out of his crease right from the start. Oops. Fisher comes charging in, but at the last moment, when he is about to deliver, Blundell bails out. Apologizes, signalling that someone moved near the sightscreen.

Matthew Fisher to Daryl Mitchell, A touch fuller, around off, Daryl Mitchell pushes it toward backward point and gets a quick single.

Matthew Fisher to Daryl Mitchell, Outside off, dabbed into the off side.

Matthew Fisher to Daryl Mitchell, On a length, outside off, Daryl Mitchell defends it down.

Matthew Fisher to Daryl Mitchell, Full and straight, Mitchell lunges to defend it down the track.

Matthew Fisher to Daryl Mitchell, FOUR! Runs are coming thick and fast now. Good-length delivery, wide outside off, Daryl Mitchell opens the face of the bat and steers it wide of the backward point fielder for four runs.

Sonny Baker to Tom Blundell, FOUR! ELEGANT! No stopping that. Overpitched, outside off, Tom Blundell leans, expands his arms and drives it gloriously to the left of mid off for a boundary. The stand moves to 33 (40).

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, On a hard length, on leg, Daryl Mitchell tucks it to mid-wicket for one.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, Down the leg side, Mitchell cannot clip it away.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, FOUR! Oh, that has been hit with some intent. Full and outside off, Daryl Mitchell clears his front leg and lashes it over through cover, along the green carpet for four runs.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, On a length, around off, coming in, pushed towards mid on.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, Hard length, outside off. Daryl Mitchell steers it between backward point and gully and gets a couple of runs.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, Outside off, solidly defended.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, Good-length delivery, on middle and leg, Blundell flicks it into the gap between mid on and mid-wicket and gets a couple of runs.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, On middle and leg, Tom Blundell flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple.

Matthew Fisher to Daryl Mitchell, On a nagging length, shaping away from the off pole. Daryl Mitchell opens the face of his blade and guides it between backward point and gully for a single.

Matthew Fisher to Daryl Mitchell, Full and around off, Daryl Mitchell pushes it towards point.

Matthew Fisher to Daryl Mitchell, Angling in, on middle, Daryl Mitchell leans forward without much footwork and defends it down the track.

When NOT TO take the review? England have taken two reviews in this innings and lost both. Now, in hindsight, the second one might seem as a bad one, but that is the challenge for a fielding captain. He is standing at slip or gully, and needs proper information from his keeper and bowler primarily. Obviously, every bowler in the world feels that everytime the ball hits the batter's pads, it should be given out. And that's where, the captain needs to understand how much weightage does the bowler have in that review appeal. Unfortunately for Root, he is surrounded by inexperienced players in this match and he will take a while before understanding his team's nature and instinct.

Sonny Baker to Tom Blundell, And now this one zips past the outside edge. On a good length, outside off, Blundell plays inside the line but the ball moves away to beat him.

Sonny Baker to Tom Blundell, Similar ball, clearly a plan. This time, Tom Blundell gets outside the line and shoulders arms.

Sonny Baker to Tom Blundell, Down the leg side, shorter in length, TB looks to tuck it fine, but misses again.

Sonny Baker to Tom Blundell, On a length, outside off, Tom pushes it towards cover.

Sonny Baker to Tom Blundell, Aha... deliberate ploy? Or did that slip out of the hands? A full toss, around middle, Blundell is caught by surprise but manages to work it through mid-wicket for a couple.

Sonny Baker to Tom Blundell, Down the leg side, Tom Blundell cannot get it away.

Matthew Fisher to Daryl Mitchell, Outside off, pushed into the off side.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, Down the leg side, Blundell flicks it towards long leg for a run.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Blundell, Close run! Full, around middle, Tom Blundell works it through mid-wicket and gets it in the gap. Now, it seems like it is just a single but Blundell calls for the second and Mitchell is caught off guard. He stutters but manages to make it in time at the bowling end, with a wide throw helping him as well.

Matthew Fisher to Daryl Mitchell, Full and a bit too straight, Mitchell gets across and clips it behind square leg for a single.

Matthew Fisher to Daryl Mitchell, Close, close, surely? Mitchell has been hit on the pads but the LBW appeal has not been entertained by Adrian Holdstock. Good-length delivery, on middle and leg, shaping down, but also there is a hint of an outswing. Daryl Mitchell looks to clip it but gets beaten on the inside edge and wears on the pad. After a loud appeal got rejected by the umpire, Fisher goes to his skipper, indicating that there's a bit of outswing which is straightening the delivery. Root takes a long time, but takes the review. The UltraEdge shows no bat involvement but the Ball Tracking shows that it's going down the leg side. Second review lost by England.

Matthew Fisher to Daryl Mitchell, Full and outside off, Daryl Mitchell comes forward and defends it down the track.

Matthew Fisher is back on. 11-4-16-1 so far.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, The short ball comes, around hittable height, but Root has got that insured. There is the substitute, Shoaib Bashir, stationed at deep square leg for the pull. But Mitchell controls it nicely and gets a single.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, On a good length, outside off, DM pushes it towards point.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, Nice change. Baker slips in the full ball, outside off and Mitchell is caught napping. He is on his back foot and tentatively comes forward. He is able to leave the ball alone but had that been at the stumps, the cat might have been in front of the car's headlights.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, A short ball, down the leg side, Daryl Mitchell looks to nudge it fine but misses.

Sonny Baker to Tom Blundell, Similar ball, this time Blundell connects this time and works it past leg gully for a single.

Sonny Baker to Tom Blundell, On a length, down the leg side, Tom Blundell looks to tuck it fine but misses. It is not a mistake from the bowler, but a plan. There is a leg gully waiting. After all, this field is not exclusive for Steven Smith, is it?

DRINKS BREAK. Possibly the most exciting hour of this day. The conditions have not changed as such, but the bowling plans have. And some movement off the air is making the batters commit some mistakes. They are caught between attacking and defending. They understand that the scoreboard needs to be moving as they cannot just keep on defending. England have been brilliant after Lunch. The field placements have been more attacking, inviting the batters to play more shots and also, the lengths have been mixed quite a lot. There is the full ball and a short ball, and additionally, there is the double bluff as well. Nice to see Gary Kasparov have his moves played in a sport dominated by Don.

Josh Tongue to Daryl Mitchell, Around off, watchfully defended. Legal delivery this time.

Josh Tongue to Daryl Mitchell, On a length, around off, Mitchell defends it back down the track. Tongue looks to take his cap back but then, the umpire signals that it is a NO BALL for overstepping.

Josh Tongue to Daryl Mitchell, FOUR! Off the edge and away from the fielder! Josh Tongue pitches it up, on a good length, well outside off. Daryl Mitchell strides out and looks to offer an expansive drive. The ball catches the outside edge and flies wide of the gully fielder, who puts a dive to his right but fails to get near the catch. The ball races away to deep backward point for four runs.

Josh Tongue to Daryl Mitchell, Another crowd catch. On a good length, outside off, coming back in, Mitchell gets across and looks to tuck, but then takes his bat away. The ball goes off his hips to Jordan Cox at leg slip who dives to take the catch and the crowd is excited.

Josh Tongue to Daryl Mitchell, Full and outside of, Daryl Mitchell comes forward and drives it towards mid off.

Josh Tongue to Daryl Mitchell, Full, around off, driven towards mid off.

Josh Tongue to Tom Blundell, Down the leg side, helped towards fine leg for a single.

Sonny Baker to Tom Blundell, Full and outside off, Tom comes forward and pushes it with soft hands towards cover for a quick single. Fine over from the debutant.

Sonny Baker to Tom Blundell, Very full, outside off, hint of tail in, Blundell watches it carefully and pushes it towards gully.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, Double bluff. Baker goes fuller, outside off, Daryl Mitchell reaches out and pushes it through the covers for a run.

Man out on the hook, but in front of square on the leg side. Possibly a ball at the hips?

Sonny Baker to Tom Blundell, A good short ball, outside off, coming in, Tom Blundell leaps and works it to the left of leg gully, getting on top of the bounce, for a single to get off the mark.

Tom Blundell walks in next, at number 6, replacing Rachin Ravindra.

Sonny Baker to Rachin Ravindra, OUT! CAUGHT! Sonny Baker gets his first wicket in Test cricket and he leaps up high to punch the air in celebration. This is what pace and bounce can do. Baker bowls this on the back of a good length, just outside off. Now, Ravindra looks to play that through the off side, but he is neither cutting it, nor guiding it. Whenever a pitch has good bounce and there is a real fast bowler producing the goods, you need to be on top of the bounce and use the pace. Ravindra just plays a half-hearted shot, like a dab, almost looking to guide the ball as an afterthought. The indecision costs him as the fast-moving ball catches the outside edge. The ball flies flat to gully, where Jacob Bethell makes no mistake to move to his right and take the catch near his chest. Ravindra too, cannot convert his start, as he departs for 33. 58/1 has become 107/4 for New Zealand.

Sonny Baker to Rachin Ravindra, Outside off, on a length, Rachin Ravindra pushes it towards cover.

Finally, a change. It is difficult for a fielding captain to take his bowlers off, if they are bowling so well. But you do need to consider the heat and their fitness levels. Sonny Baker to continue. 6-2-14-0 so far.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, Outside off, worked towards short mid-wicket for a single.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, Another bouncer, let through this time.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, EDGED, FOUR! Ravindra is playing with his fortune here. A short ball, at a good height, around head and shoulder, Ravindra goes for the pull but is beaten by pace and bounce. The ball pitches and then shoots up, taking the top edge and flying over the keeper. There is a fine leg stationed but the ball goes just too fine, landing just short of the ropes and wide of the fielder.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, Outside off, pushed towards cover.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, FOUR! CRISP! Slightly overpitched, outside off, Ravindra comes forward and drives it to the left of Archer at silly mid off, down the ground, for a boundary.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, A short ball, outside off, Rachin Ravindra plays a loose shot, away from his body, getting a bottom edge towards wide mid off. It is actually a silly mid off, in the form of Jofra Archer.

Sonny Baker to Rachin Ravindra, Dropped short, pulled towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, Outside off, Mitchell looks to drive through the off side but gets a thick inside edge through mid-wicket, for a single.

Another catcher now. Joe Root gets Ben Duckett in at leg gully, in addition to the already present leg slip.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, A sharp bouncer, but down the leg side. Mitchell takes his hands away from the ball.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, Back of a length, outside off, nipping back in, Daryl Mitchell looks to defend but misses and gets hit on the thigh.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, Around off, pushed towards cover.

Sonny Baker to Daryl Mitchell, On a length, outside off, left alone.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, Full and straight, gone! But, for the inside edge. Tongue gets this pretty straight and gets past Ravindra's flick, hitting him on the pads. The slip cordon goes up but Tongue does not appeal. He reckons there was an inside edge.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, On a length, outside off, RR pushes it towards point.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, A wild bouncer slightly, Rachin ducks.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, FOUR! There goes the salmon again! But this time, cannot catch its prey. On a good length, around leg and middle, Rachin Ravindra looks to defend but the ball straightens and out of nowhere, bounces extra. He is caught off guard and looks to fend but cannot prevent the outside edge. It flies behind but Jacob Bethell, almost like how he pouched Latham's edge, cannot quite grab the ball this time, as it whizzes past his dive, to his right, to the deep third fence.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, Nice yorker, outside off, Ravindra stabs it out.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, FOUR! Nice shot but Tongue won't be too perturbed. Full and wide outside off, Rachin Ravindra leans and looks to play the square drive, but he hits it a lot squarer and that too, uppishly. Luckily for him, it is in the gap and races to the fence behind.

This pitch is much better to bat on than the one at Lord's. But additionally, there is extra bounce as compared to the one there, which is why we have not yet seen an LBW or a proper bowled dismissal. Which makes it more interesting to see how will a spinner bowl on this surface, should he get a chance.

Matthew Fisher to Rachin Ravindra, A length ball, down the leg side, Rachin works it towards Ben Duckett at deep mid-wicket. He takes the single and wants the second but is sent back.

Matthew Fisher to Rachin Ravindra, On middle and off, let through.

Matthew Fisher to Daryl Mitchell, DROPPED! Another plan nearly comes to fruition. England have kept a leg slip in place for quite a while now and a chance is created. But not taken. Full and around middle and leg, Daryl Mitchell gets across and flicks it towards fine leg. There is Jordan Cox stationed at leg slip and he dives to his left, but cannot hang on. Great effort though. Single taken.

Matthew Fisher to Daryl Mitchell, Full and around off, 131 kph, gentle outswing, Daryl walks down the pitch and pushes it towards cover.

Matthew Fisher to Daryl Mitchell, On a good length, around middle and off, 130 kph, Mitchell nudges it towards short mid-wicket.

Matthew Fisher to Daryl Mitchell, Full and around off, Daryl Mitchell pushes it towards cover.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, Through the gate, but the batter is safe! What a nut. Excellent change of pace from Tongue. He slips in a slower ball, landing it on a length around off. RR lunges to defend but is beaten by the lack of pace. He is way too early as the bat comes down, but the ball comes much later. Goes between bat and pad and somehow, sneaks over the stumps to the keeper!

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, A bouncer, but misdirected. Down the leg side, Rachin ducks comfortably.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, Full again, this time around off, Rachin comes forward and pushes it towards mid off. Sets off for a single but then quickly changes his mind.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, FOUR LEG BYES. A bit too straight this time. Too full as well. Ravindra looks to flick but misses. However, the ball goes off his pads, way past the diving keeper to his right, to the fine leg fence.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, A good bouncer, around middle and off, Rachin Ravindra keeps his bat below the ball. The ball keeps on flying after going past the batter, seaming towards the leg side, but the keeper, James Rew, keeps his eyes on the ball and dives full stretch to his right to stop the ball.

Josh Tongue to Daryl Mitchell, On middle and off, on a length, Daryl Mitchell works it through mid-wicket for a single.

It does seem as if England's bowling coach has had a word with the bowlers. The biggest teaching seems to be having patience, as you don't need to get a wicket every ball. You need to set the batter (s) up, pile on the pressure and then reap the rewards of that pressure. So you need to try but not overtry. Additionally, there seems to be some movement off the air in this second session.

Matthew Fisher to Rachin Ravindra, On a good length, around middle, coming back in, Ravindra defends it down the pitch.

Matthew Fisher to Rachin Ravindra, Comes wide off the crease, does Fisher, from over the wicket and bowls it on a fuller length on middle, at 135 kph. Ravindra pushes it towards point.

Matthew Fisher to Rachin Ravindra, Full and around off, Rachin Ravindra defends it towards mid off.

Matthew Fisher to Daryl Mitchell, This time, the single is earned and Daryl is off the mark. On a good length, outside off, Mitchell stays in his crease, waits for the ball to arrive and then plays it late through the covers, for a quick run.

Matthew Fisher to Daryl Mitchell, Ooohh... play and a miss. On a good length, outside off, Mitchell looks to guide that behind point, looking for an easy single. Is more eager, hence, does not move his feet. Nearly nicks it behind.

Matthew Fisher to Daryl Mitchell, Full and around off, Daryl Mitchell defends it solidly.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, On middle and off, watchfully defended.

Josh Tongue to Daryl Mitchell, A wild bouncer, down the leg side, Daryl Mitchell ducks. James Rew, the keeper, actually does well to leap to his left to prevent four byes. Keeps the runs to just a single.

Daryl Mitchell walks in next, at number 5, replacing Henry Nicholls.

Josh Tongue to Henry Nicholls, OUT! CHOPPED ON! The fielding placement works and Josh Tongue has his first wicket in this match. As mentioned earlier, England had kept a massive gap between gully and mid off, deliberately wanting Nicholls to force the ball off the back foot, through that gap. And in that process, either edge it behind or drag it on. The latter has happened. Around short of a length, outside off, Henry Nicholls looked to guide it behind point but was just too close to the ball. Also, it was not a shot played with conviction. It was a tentative one and hence, it was more of a poke rather than a confident dab. As a result, there was not much feet movement and the ball went off the inside edge onto the stumps. Nicholls looks at the ground in disappointment before trudging off. Another batter unable to convert his start. From 58/1, NEW ZEALAND ARE NOW 79/3 as England strike pretty quickly after Lunch. Hang on. The camera pans onto Tongue's landing on that ball - was there anything behind the line? Oohhh... need more looks at that, if we get multiple angles. But as far as the present situation is concerned, the ball is deemed legal.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, Double bluff, but Ravindra was prepared. The fielding change suggested that a short ball was coming but Tongue slipped in a full ball, around off stump. But a prepared Ravindra came forward and worked it towards mid on for a quick single.

Another change. Mid-wicket now drops back to deep square leg. Good psychological game going on between fielding captain and the batters.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, Full and straight again, 143 kph, Ravindra defends it back towards the bowler.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, Full and straight, from around the wicket, Rachin Ravindra defends.

Good fielding planning by England against Henry Nicholls. They have kept a massive gap between gully and mid off, deliberately enticing Nicholls to go through the covers. They want him to force the ball off the back foot through that region and in that process, either edge it behind or drag it onto the stumps. It is a nicely attacking field without overly attacking.

Matthew Fisher to Henry Nicholls, Full and just outside off, going away with the angle, 133 kph, Henry Nicholls shoulders arms.

Matthew Fisher to Rachin Ravindra, Another short ball and Ravindra pounces on it. But there is protection in the deep. This is pulled aggressively but straight to deep mid-wicket. Just a run.

Matthew Fisher to Henry Nicholls, Shorter, down the leg side, HN gets back and works it towards Ben Duckett at deep square leg for a single.

Matthew Fisher to Henry Nicholls, On a good length, around off, 128 kph, nipping back in, Henry is hurried into keeping this out. He is late but manages to push it towards mid on. Seems to suggest to his partner that the ball stayed low. Doesn't seem so from the replay.

Matthew Fisher to Henry Nicholls, Hmmm... this one moves in from off stump. On a good length, Nicholls gets back and across, to defend it back to the bowler.

Matthew Fisher to Henry Nicholls, Full and straight, from over the wicket, 130 kph, Henry Nicholls defends it towards mid off.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, On a good length, around off, Rachin Ravindra pushes it towards point. A fiery maiden over from Tongue.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, A good followup ball. Banged in short, around middle and off, RR ducks under it.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, Lovely ball. Tongue goes for the big booming inswinging yorker and nearly executes it perfectly. Ravindra stumbles across to get it away and misses, getting hit on the pads. Tongue starts to go up in an appeal but then bails out. Going down leg.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, Outside off, left alone.

Fielding change. Deep square leg comes in towards mid-wicket and mid on is pretty straight as well. Oops... what happened there? No wonder Jofra Archer was smiling. After the previous ball, Archer, who was at mid on, threw the ball to Tongue, who was not looking and got hit on his right cheek! As the language might permit, a tongue-in-cheek moment for Josh and Jofra!

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, Good movement in. On a length, outside off, Ravindra comes forward to drive it through the off side but the incoming ball takes the inner half of the bat towards mid on.

Josh Tongue to Rachin Ravindra, Full and outside off, 138 kph, from around the wicket, Rachin Ravindra gets a good stride to defend down the track.

Will we see Baker from the other end? Nope. Josh Tongue has been brought back on. 5-0-18-0 so far.

Matthew Fisher to Henry Nicholls, On middle and off, this is watchfully defended. An eventful opening over after Lunch.

Matthew Fisher to Rachin Ravindra, NEARLY PLAYED ON! Interesting. Wonder whether Ravindra was beaten by pace or did that come slowly off the wicket. Ummm.... the replay shows the former. On a length, outside off, Rachin looks to play an expansive drive through the off side, possibly the covers but does not move his feet. Additionally, he is late on the shot and gets a thick inside edge. Luckily for him, it shoots past the stumps towards fine leg. A single taken.

Matthew Fisher to Rachin Ravindra, Similar line and length to the previous one, left alone this time.

Matthew Fisher to Rachin Ravindra, On a length, outside off, angling away, Rachin looks to force this through the off side but is a touch away from the ball. Gets a bottom edge on the off side.

Matthew Fisher to Rachin Ravindra, Slightly fuller, around off, Ravindra drives it towards cover.

Matthew Fisher to Rachin Ravindra, On a good length, outside off, moving away, Rachin Ravindra lets it be.

Welcome back. The conditions remain bright and sunny. The players are back on the field and it will be Matthew Fisher to start things off post Lunch. 7-4-10-1 so far. Ravindra to face.

... DAY 1, SESSION 2 ...

Bed in? That's what the cricketing logic says. Work hard through the first session as a batter, so that you can reap dividends in the second session. Nicholls has done that hard work and will aim to reap that reward in the afternoon now. The pitch looks like a good one to bat on and with absolutely no movement on offer, it is all about the batters showing confidence in their batting technique. At some point in time, Joe Root will have to turn to spin, to manage the over rate. 65 overs are left in the day and don't think we are going to get those with only seamers bowling. The second session is scheduled to start at 1.10 pm GMT.

Erratic bowling - Despite the early wicket, England wasted the new ball. They were just too straight, trying to get the ball to swing. But still, the Kiwis were not quite able to get as many runs as they possibly could have. It was attritional cricket going on, with Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls rebuilding after Conway's departure. But a few minutes before the close, Archer got the ball talking as Latham was turned around and caught at gully, after a rather watchful innings. Baker and Fisher though, looked impressive, trying to move the ball with pace and also keeping the line consistent.

Drizzle delays proceedings - Well, the forecast is for a bright and scorching 5 days of Test match, but out of nowhere, it started to drizzle in London this morning. That delayed proceedings by half an hour, but that had no effect on the proceedings. As in, moisture from the covers or the air, nothing. England barely got any movement with the new ball from one end but from the other, they got nearly 2 degrees of swing, though it lasted for a small time. And without the ball doing much, the hosts got a lucky break as Devon Conway gifted his wicket down the leg side to Matthew Fisher.

Hot day? Not quite yet. The sun is about to reach its zenith but it is definitely not that hot, that you could get only 25 overs in 2 hours. Agreed, that 4 pacers are bowling, but the overrate could have been loads better. Both sides would be happy with the returns, given that this is the opening session of a Test match.

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls, Full and well wide outside off, plenty of movement, but well wide to be played at. Nicholls lets it be. And that will be LUNCH ON DAY 1, NEW ZEALAND 75/2!

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls, FOUR! Another streaky boundary. Full and around off, Nicholls comes forward to defend but the ball pitches and then moves away. Nicholls gets squared up and the ball goes off the outside edge. Luckily for him, it escapes gully to his right, to the deep third fence.

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls, Short and outside off, Henry Nicholls cuts it uppishly. It lands just short of backward point.

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls, Back of a length, over the stumps, Henry Nicholls hops and looks to clip it, but fails to connect. The ball hits the hips of the batter and bounces away to short leg.

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls, Good-length delivery, outside off, nipping in further, Henry Nicholls lunges and shoulders arms.

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls, Jofra bowls on a length, outside off, Nicholls leaves it alone.

Final over of the session then. A very slow over rate, to say the least.

Matthew Fisher to Henry Nicholls, A short ball, pulled behind square leg for a run.

Matthew Fisher to Rachin Ravindra, Good fielding effort. Full and outside off, Rachin Ravindra leans and drives it through the covers. The ball races across the turf but point and gully track it down. Jordan Cox it is eventually, from one of the two positions, who gets to the ball, putting in a slide. He pushes the ball back but while doing so, his left leg touches the boundary skirtings. The boundary effort is referred upstairs and the third umpire is called into question. He checks multiple angles and eventually finds that when Cox touched the ropes, the ball was nowhere near him. One run saved, three taken.

Matthew Fisher to Rachin Ravindra, Full and around off, Rachin Ravindra defends.

Matthew Fisher to Rachin Ravindra, Back of a length, outside off, Rachin Ravindra lets it pass.

Matthew Fisher to Henry Nicholls, Just outside off, on a good length, Henry Nicholls pokes it to backward point for one.

Matthew Fisher to Henry Nicholls, On a length, outside off, Henry Nicholls leaves it alone.

Jofra Archer to Rachin Ravindra, Full and outside off, pushed towards mid off.

Jofra Archer to Rachin Ravindra, Some extra bounce now, outside off, pushed towards point.

Jofra Archer to Rachin Ravindra, Full and straight, defended back down the pitch.

Jofra Archer to Rachin Ravindra, Short of a length, on off, Rachin Ravindra ducks under it.

Jofra Archer to Rachin Ravindra, FOUR! SHOT! Full-length delivery, around the pads, Rachin Ravindra clips it away through the vacant mid-wicket region for four runs.

Jofra Archer to Rachin Ravindra, Good-length delivery, on middle, Rachin Ravindra defends it down.

Matthew Fisher to Henry Nicholls, On a length, outside off, Henry Nicholls pushes it to silly mid on.

Matthew Fisher to Henry Nicholls, Action replay. Fuller in length, just outside off, angling in a shade. Henry Nicholls prods and blocks it down.

Matthew Fisher to Henry Nicholls, On the fuller side now, just outside off, Henry Nicholls strides out and brings out his solid defence.

Matthew Fisher to Henry Nicholls, On a nagging length, around off, Henry Nicholls defends back to the bowler.

Matthew Fisher to Henry Nicholls, Swing and a miss! Back of a length, much away from off. Henry Nicholls frees his arms to cut it over the point region, but it beats the batter on the outside edge.

Matthew Fisher to Henry Nicholls, Oh, it comes off the thigh pad! Back of a length, shaping in, around middle. Henry Nicholls rocks back to flick it but gets beaten on the inside edge. The ball hits the back thigh pad and flies straight to the first slip fielder.

Not much movement available for the seamers now. In the morning, there was some 2 degrees of swing available, as per the on-air commentators. But conditions seemed to have gotten better for batting. And hence, that Latham breakthrough was a timely one for England. Matthew Fisher is back on as well. 5-3-5-1 so far.

Jofra Archer to Rachin Ravindra, FOUR! Too straight. Overpitched, on middle, Rachin Ravindra whips it through square leg to open his account in style. A fiery over though.

With around 20 minutes left for Lunch, Rachin Ravindra walks in next, at number 4, replacing his skipper, Tom Latham.

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham, OUT! CAUGHT! There is no water out there but how on earth did that salmon leap to catch its prey? My word, that is nothing short of a stunner from Jacob Bethell. For the last 5-10 minutes, there has been an excessive display of the phrase - London looking, Tokyo turning. And finally, one goes to hand. Or rather, is just plucked out of thin air. On a slightly shorter length, around off and middle, Tom Latham looks to help it through the leg side. But he is beaten by pace and ends up playing it way too late. He gets turned up, with his body pointing towards fine leg but the ball coming way quicker. Takes the outside edge, nearly the back part of the bat and flies through the slip cordon. But Bethell at gully dives full stretch to his right and takes a stunner! Latham is in disbelief but he has to walk back for a hard-fought 27 (75). The 44-run stand has been broken and NEW ZEALAND ARE 58/2!

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls, Full and down the leg side, Nicholls looks to flick but misses again. The ball goes off the hips towards fine leg and a leg bye is taken.

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls, Back of a length, on off, Henry Nicholls pushes it to cover.

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls, FOUR LEG BYES! Back of a length, on off, around the hips of the batter. Henry Nicholls lifts his front leg up and looks to pull it with style, but misses. Now, the ball goes off something, rolling past the second slip fielder to the deep third fence. Initially, it is given as runs, but then, Archer protests. Accordingly, don't know how and when, the umpire changes his decision and gives it as leg byes! Bowlers just don't like giving runs, do they?

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls, Archer bashes the length hard, just outside off, Henry Nicholls stands tall and guides it to cover-point.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, Pitches it up, does Baker, angling down the leg side. Tom Latham fails to connect his flick.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, Right into the blockhole, around off, Latham opens the face of his willow and digs it to gully.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, On a length, on off, Tom Latham pushes it to mid off.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, Shaping in, pitching it just outside off, fuller as well. Tom Latham lunges and pushes it toward the left of the cover fielder, who does well to field it. Latham wants a single, but Henry Nicholls rightfully rejects the call.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, Full, on off, Tom Latham closes the face of the bat and flicks it to short mid-wicket.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, Full and wide outside off, Tom Latham shoulders arms.

Kangaroos hop over the Tigers. Both, male and female. Such has been the day for Australian and Bangladesh cricket respectively. Two T20 matches, spaced nearly one after the other, resulting in wins for the Aussies. In the Men's match, the hosts probably misread the pitch and fumbled themselves out to 131. Looking at how the pitch played and how much the Aussies struggled to chase that, another 15-20 runs could have been precious. In the Women's match, in the T20 World Cup, Bangladesh were no match against the 6-time champions as Australia first restricted them out for a paltry 77 and then clinically hunted those runs down.

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls, A touch wider outside off, let through again.

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls, Full and outside off, Henry Nicholls watches it closely before taking his bat away.

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls, Miles down the leg side, HN cannot get it away.

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls, Full and outside off, just about some hint of movement, Henry lets it be.

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls, FOUR! ADMONISHED! Probably his first proper confident shot in this innings. Short and wide outside off, Nicholls, with a crouching stance, gets up and over the ball, slashing it over point, for his second boundary. Brings up the 50 FOR NEW ZEALAND as well.

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls, On a good length, from around the wicket, but too straight. Henry Nicholls clips it through square leg for a couple.

As expected, Jofra Archer has started to wind up near the boundary. Might see him in action soon. In fact, too soon! Archer is back and ready! 4-1-12-0 so far.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, Pushed fuller, on off, Tom Latham taps it to cover.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, A surprise bouncer from Baker, angling just down the leg side. Tom Latham detects the short delivery and instantly ducks underneath.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, Shaping in, at the stumps, fuller in length, Tom Latham leans forward and nudges it with soft hands to the leg side.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, Just outside off, not much movement on the delivery, back of a length. Tom Latham lets it travel to the keeper.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, Full-length delivery, but way wide outside off, Tom Latham strides out to cover the stumps and shoulders arms at it.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, Pitches it on a hard length, does Baker, on off, Tom Latham rocks back and fends it to the off side.

Josh Tongue to Henry Nicholls, FOUR! Not convincing but Nicholls will take it. Short and wide outside off, Nicholls reaches out and then leaps to cut. Gets it off the toe end but manages to get the ball over point for a boundary. The stand moves to 33.

Josh Tongue to Henry Nicholls, Oh dear... cover drive towards mid on? He is just not able to get any sort of rhythm here, is Nicholls. Overpitched, outside off, Henry Nicholls strides across to drive it through the covers but is nowhere near the pitch of the ball. He plays way too early and luckily for him, the incoming ball manages to hit the willow rather than the timber. Rolls towards mid on.

Josh Tongue to Tom Latham, Good running. Back of a length, around off, from around the wicket, TL pushes it through the covers and calls his partner through for a quick single.

Josh Tongue to Tom Latham, That's a lovely delivery. A near pinpoint yorker, around middle and leg, but Tom manages to dig it out towards square leg.

Josh Tongue to Tom Latham, On middle and leg, Latham gets across and pushes it towards mid on, who has now been moved a lot straighter.

Josh Tongue to Tom Latham, Full and straight, from around the wicket, Tom Latham flicks it towards mid on.

We have now had 7 overs in tandem between Baker and Tongue. Maybe one more for Baker at best, just because of how threatening he is looking. But Root will look for a bowling change soon. We are still around 40 minutes away for Lunch, so Archer will not come back at least for another 20-odd minutes.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, Full and at the stumps, Tom Latham nudges it to square leg and gets a single. A positive over for the Kiwis, 7 runs coming off the over.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, Back of a length, around the thigh pad of the batter. Tom Latham clips it wide of the deep fine leg fielder and gets a couple of runs.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, Now that's sharp fielding from Emilio Gay! Fuller in length, just outside off. Latham gets on his front foot toward the pitch of the delivery and pushes it well from the middle of his bat toward cover. Emilio dives to his right and extends his right arm to make an excellent stop.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, On a length, wide outside off, Latham offers no shot at it.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, Pitches it up, does Baker, on middle, Latham lunges to defend, but gets a thick inside edge. The ball rolls through square leg and the batter collects another brace.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, That's good cricket from Tom Latham! Good-length delivery, outside off, Latham opens the face of the bat and taps it into the gap between backward point and point for a couple of runs.

Josh Tongue to Henry Nicholls, On a good length, worked through square leg for a couple.

Josh Tongue to Henry Nicholls, That is a sharp bouncer. On middle and leg, Nicholls sways away from the line and the keeper has to leap to collect.

Josh Tongue to Tom Latham, Oh dear... advert for the football World Cup? A very risky call from Nicholls and he alone would have been responsible for his demise. On a good length, around off, the skipper looked to defend but got a thick inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolled away beside the pitch, on the off side and Latham looked at his partner, who agreed for the single. But the bowler was much quicker than Nicholls, got to the ball way early and attempted a flick. Connected alright but the shot missed the goal. The ball went past the stumps and Nicholls got in. Might have been short had that hit.

Josh Tongue to Tom Latham, Full and wide outside off, 138 kph, might be a tempter, asking Latham to go after it. But it is like asking a saint to curse you. Tom calmly leaves it alone.

Josh Tongue to Tom Latham, Much better. Just around the off stump, on a length, Tom Latham is forced to play the 140 kph delivery, which he does, with a solid defense.

Josh Tongue to Henry Nicholls, Full and straight, 141 kph, from around the wicket, Henry Nicholls leans and tucks it towards fine leg for a single.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, Oh wow. Care for a banana an hour before lunch? Full and outside off, TL shoulders arms again but the ball pitches and then swings away a mile like a banana. The keeper collects it almost near first slip.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, Full and outside off, excellent pace, 141 kph, seaming away, Tom shoulders arms and it zips through to the keeper.

Sonny Baker to Henry Nicholls, Back of a length outside off, Nicholls pushes this through the covers for a single.

Sonny Baker to Henry Nicholls, Full and way wide outside off, easy leave for Henry Nicholls.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, Back of a length, outside off, decent bounce, Latham hops and pushes this through the covers for a single.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, There we go again. Full and just too straight, with the angle from around the wicket taking the ball further down the leg side. Tom Latham flicks it towards fine leg for a couple.

DRINKS BREAK. Right. Now, things are happening. It was a pretty eventless opening half hour, or say, even three quarters of the first hour. Cannot count Conway's wicket as an event because it was a gift. But in the last 15 minutes or so, the ball has started to move around a touch and got the batters hopping and fishing, despite Fisher being off the attack. Pun intended. Seems like we might be in for a proper Test battle for the next hour, if the bowlers can control their lengths. They are just a bit too straight at the moment.

Josh Tongue to Tom Latham, Full and straight, pushed through mid on for a single.

Josh Tongue to Tom Latham, Outside off, left alone.

Josh Tongue to Tom Latham, Another LBW appeal! Not out again. This one is much fuller, but down the leg side. TL misses his flick and is hit on the pads. Comfortably going down the leg side.

Josh Tongue to Tom Latham, Left alone, appeal for LBW, nothing from the umpire. On a good length, outside off, from around the wicket, Tom shoulders arms. The ball nips back in a long way and hits him, but way too high on the thighs. Maybe, that's what saved him as the umpire shakes his head on the LBW appeal. Ball Tracking shows it to be going over the top.

Josh Tongue to Tom Latham, FOUR! Too full and too straight. Latham accepts the gift and flicks it through square leg. The ball races away.

Josh Tongue to Tom Latham, On a good length, around leg and middle, Tom Latham defends.

Sonny Baker to Henry Nicholls, England waste a review. That is the verdict of the guy who watches the replay. But not the one who watched it live. Down the leg side, Henry Nicholls looked to flick but missed. Now, as the ball went past the bat, there was a sound and a woody one at that. The keeper collected and the whole Oval erupted. But Nitin Menon shook his head. Not surprisingly, Joe Root went for the review but to his misfortune, UltraEdge detected a spike when the ball was closer to the pad. Tough luck, but a promising opener from Baker.

Sonny Baker to Henry Nicholls, A crowd catch. Back of a length, outside off, nipping back in sharply, Nicholls looks to flick but misses. The ball goes off something and lobs back to the bowler. Baker catches it and appeals with utmost conviction but umpire Nitin Menon is not fooled. Neither is Root as he does not even consider a review. That went off the thigh pads.

Sonny Baker to Henry Nicholls, Outside off, on a good length again, another play and a miss. Not menacing as such.

Sonny Baker to Henry Nicholls, Now, that's a real snorter. If people had watched this bloke bowl to David Warner in a match of last year's Hundred, they would have remembered that contest. From around the wicket, Baker angles a sharp and quick ball into the left hander, on a good length outside off. The batter is forced to play at that but then, at the last moment, the ball moves away and bounces, to beat the outside edge. If Warner were a writer, he could publish a whole book on his struggles against Broad and Baker.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, Down the leg side, helped behind square leg for a run.

Sonny Baker to Tom Latham, On a good length, around off, Tom Latham defends it down the track.

Meandering along. Can we say that? 11 overs, 21 runs, 1 wicket. This is the effect of globalisation. Ermm.... we are so used to see runs and wickets coming thick and fast that anything else seems like out of the ordinary. Talking about meandering, Australia have just crawled past Bangladesh's target of 132 in the first T20I in Chattogram, getting there in the 19th over. Definitely not the easiest of pitches to bat on, by the looks of it. Meanwhile, Fisher gets a rest at last as Sonny Baker gets to bowl his first ball in Tests.

Josh Tongue to Henry Nicholls, Full and down the leg side, HN misses his tickle.

Josh Tongue to Henry Nicholls, Full and straight, Henry gets a good stride forward to block the ball towards cover.

Josh Tongue to Henry Nicholls, On middle and off, full again, watchfully dug out.

Josh Tongue to Henry Nicholls, Full and pretty close to the off stump, but Nicholls knows where his off stump is and shoulders arms. The ball nibbles away a touch before reaching the keeper.

Josh Tongue to Tom Latham, Similar ball, same result, just that the batter is different. Another run.

Josh Tongue to Henry Nicholls, On a good length, around middle and leg, Henry Nicholls works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, Another maiden over from Matthew Fisher! Full-length delivery, on middle and leg, Tom Latham misses his flick on the inside edge and gets pinged on the front pad, before the ball rolls to backward square leg.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, On middle and off, watchfully defended.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, Fuller again, angling in on the off pole. Tom Latham leans on the delivery and defends it to cover.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, Much fuller, outside off, Latham gets across and shoulders arms.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, Wide outside off, angling in, on a good length. Tom Latham covers the stumps and lifts his willow to let it travel to the keeper.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, On a good length, around middle and off, Tom Latham pushes it towards mid on.

Double bowling change? Nope! Fisher continues. Meanwhile, there is some disturbance near the sightscreen. Latham is not happy and Fisher nearly walks all the way down to the boundary and animatedly asks a spectator to just sit down. All in readiness now.

Josh Tongue to Henry Nicholls, A loud appeal from the bowler, but the umpire remains unmoved. Pitches it fuller, does Tougue, around the leg stump, Henry Nicholls misses his flick and wears it on the pad. The trajectory of the ball is surely going down the leg side.

Josh Tongue to Henry Nicholls, On a length, outside off, let through.

Josh Tongue to Henry Nicholls, Back of a length, wide outside off, Henry Nicholls withdraws his bat and lets it pass.

Josh Tongue to Henry Nicholls, On middle and leg, Nicholls hops and works it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs to get off the mark.

Josh Tongue to Henry Nicholls, Beaten! Back of a length, pitching it just outside off and nipping it away. Henry Nicholls stays on his back foot and defends the inside line, as the ball zips past the outside edge by a few inches.

Josh Tongue to Henry Nicholls, Back of a length, outside off, nipping back in sharply, Henry Nicholls gets caught in his crease as he looks to flick. Misses and the ball goes off his pads towards point.

Should be a bowling change now. Surely not 5 on the trot for Jofra? Whether he is wearing a sweater or not? Indeed not. Josh Tongue gets the ball now.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, Oh, a wild inswinger from Fisher, but still away from the off stump. On a nagging length, pitching it well outside off, but swinging in sharply. Tom Latham uses his back leg to cover the stumps and shoulders arms at it.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, Full and well outside off, let through.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, Back of a length, around the hips of the batter, slanting in. Tom Latham tries to flick it but fails to get any connection.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, On a good length, outside off, pushed towards point.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, Shaping in, down the leg side, pitching it on a hard length. Tom Latham looks to offer a flick at it, but withdraws his bat and ends up leaving it.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, On a length, outside off, coming in, left alone.

One more for Fisher? Root might consider it. After all, Fisher made his Test debut under Root's captaincy - as in, proper long-term captaincy and not as a stand-in one. Joe would be knowing about his strengths but as far as today is concerned, he will have to consider the rest for pacers as well. Fisher continues.

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls, And again! Jofra Archer tries to offer a wide yorker, but spills out a low full toss. Henry Nicholls attempts to drive it away, but it beats the outside edge of the bat.

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls, On a good length, outside off, extra bounce, Tom shoulders arms.

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls, Archer just misses his line! Pushes it fuller, but sprays it down the leg side. Henry Nicholls swings his willow to flick it aggressively, but fails to get the connection.

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham, Full and straight, ideally one should be playing forward. But Archer's pace keeps pushing batters back which means that Latham pushes this from his crease through mid on. Gets enough timing on it to beat the fielder from mid on to his right but not enough to get the boundary. Three runs taken.

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham, On a good length, outside off, Latham covers the stumps and makes a leave.

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham, That is a brute. On a good length, outside off, Tom Latham pushes at it, but the ball pitches, bounces and even seams away. Does everything but take the outside edge.

How times have changed. Remember the 2005 Ashes? Ricky Ponting getting caught down the leg side in one of the Test matches. Deemed unlucky by the on-air commentators. Come 2026 and Simon Doull does not mince words in saying that it was a poor shot from Conway. Down the leg side means it has to be punished. Opportunity missed by Conway. Talking about opportunities, here is a big one for Henry Nicholls, stepping in at number 3, once upon a time owned by Kane Williamson.

Matthew Fisher to Devon Conway, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Forget LBW, Conway has gifted his wicket away here. That's not the best of the deliveries from Matthew Fisher, but he gets away with it. England get their first breakthrough. This is a back-of-a-length delivery, sprayed down the leg side. Devon Conway transfers his weight on the back foot and tries to take on the loose delivery. He swivels and looks to pull it away, but plays the shot pretty late. The ball just manages to get some part of the glove before it gets into the gloves of debutant James Rew behind the stumps. New Zealand appeal and the umpire does not have to agree. Because Conway walks off! He departs for a scratchy 9 (15) and New Zealand are 14/1 after 6 overs! Bonus wicket for England.

Matthew Fisher to Devon Conway, Full and straight, Conway gets into a bit of a tangle, but manages to push the ball towards mid on. That is a very good application for being adjudged LBW, in case he misses the ball.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, Full, at the stumps, Tom Latham clips it to deep fine leg and gets a single.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, From around the wicket again, on a length, around middle, Latham blocks it out watchfully.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, On a hard length, angling in, around off, Tom Latham looks to have a poke at it, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Matthew Fisher to Devon Conway, On a length, around middle and off, angling away from over the wicket, 128 kph, Devon Conway pushes at it away from his body and guides it behind point for a single.

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham, Hard-length delivery, outside off, Tom Latham leaves it away. Anything outside off or not threatening the stumps, the Kiwi batters are opting to leave.

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham, Fuller in length and angling in, Tom Latham prods halfway and tries to defend it to the off side, but gets a slight inside edge before it hits the front pad. Latham sets off to take a single, but Conway rejects the call.

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham, On a length, outside off, Tom Latham yet again decides to offer no shot at it.

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham, On a length, outside off, nipping away. Tom Latham once again makes a leave at it.

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham, Pitches it up, does Archer, outside off, Tom Latham shoulders arms at it.

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham, A hint of an outswinger now! Back of a length, pitched wide outside off, threatening the batter that the ball might angle in, but it swings away, which straightens the delivery. Latham watches the ball carefully and lets it travel to the keeper.

Matthew Fisher to Devon Conway, Good-length delivery, outside off, shaping in, Devon Conway prods and opens the face of the bat to push it to point.

Matthew Fisher to Devon Conway, Off the inside edge! Much fuller now from Fisher, on off. Devon Conway lunges to drive it to cover, but gets nicked on the inside edge, before the ball rolls into the vast gap between backward square leg and short mid-wicket. Brace taken.

Matthew Fisher to Devon Conway, Fisher bends his back and bashes it hard on the length, around the hips of the batter. Devon Conway hops and tucks it straight to the backward square leg fielder.

Matthew Fisher to Devon Conway, Fuller in length, just outside off, Devon Conway leans on the delivery and eases it to the right of the bowler.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, On the back of a good length, around middle. Tom Latham rolls his wrists and flicks it to the left of the short mid-wicket fielder for a single.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, Good-length delivery, on off, slanting in, Tom Latham dabs it to point.

Jofra Archer to Devon Conway, Back of a length, outside off, Devon Conway isn't interested in offering any shot at it.

Jofra Archer to Devon Conway, FOUR! Flies off the edge! Full and wide outside off, Devon Conway reaches out and looks to steer it behind point, by the looks of it. However, he is beaten by pace and the ball flies off the outside edge. Luckily for him, it goes to the left of the diving fielder at gully and races to the deep third ropes, for the first boundary of the Test.

Jofra Archer to Devon Conway, Angling in, around the pads of the batter. Devon Conway looks to nudge it to mid-wicket but misses and gets pinged on the front pad. It is clearly going down the leg side.

Jofra Archer to Devon Conway, Back of a length, outside off, Devon Conway lets it travel to the keeper.

Jofra Archer to Devon Conway, An appeal for caught behind, but there's an ample amount of visible gap between the bat and ball. Hard-length delivery, into the corridor of uncertainty. Conway looks to block it from his back foot but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Jofra Archer to Devon Conway, A bit of extra bounce off the deck! Jofra Archer bangs this one on the length, just outside off. Devon Conway hangs back and tries to fend it down, but the ball gets some assistance from the track as it gets some extra bounce. The ball hits the gloves of the batter and bounces off between third slip and gully for a couple of runs.

Plenty of movement available for Fisher from this end. Meanwhile, here are the official revised timings (GMT) for Day 1 - Session 1 - 1030-1230 | Session 2 - 1310-1510 | Session 3 - 1530-1730 plus the additional half hour for the pending overs. Meaning, play can go on till 6 pm GMT tonight.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, On the back of a good length, wide outside off. Tom Latham covers the off stump and leaves it away. A probing maiden over.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, Pushes his length fuller, does Fisher, on the off pole. Tom Latham, with no such footwork, defends it back to the bowler.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, On a nagging length, outside off, Tom Latham gets behind the line and blocks it to cover.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, Another inswinger from Fisher, pitching it outside off. Tom Latham once again holds his stance and lets it travel to the keeper.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, Wow, that's a risky leave by Latham! Fisher pitches it well outside off, but swinging in sharply. Tom Latham covers the stumps and shoulders arms at it. However, the ball just glides past the off stump.

Matthew Fisher to Tom Latham, Good-length delivery, angling in, around off, Tom Latham hangs back and dabs it down the track.

Decent over from Archer there. The pace was up but there does not seem to be too much movement on this pitch just yet. Definitely nowhere near what we saw at Lord's. It will be Matthew Fisher to play at his home ground.

Jofra Archer to Devon Conway, Swing and a miss! Archer drags his length back, offering a lot of width, swinging away as well. Devon Conway crouches a bit and tries to slap it away through cover-point, but it zips past the top edge. Three runs coming off from the first over of this riveting contest.

Jofra Archer to Devon Conway, Fuller in length,on off, shaping in. Devon Conway prods halfway and defends it from the outer part of his bat to cover.

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham, Hard-length delivery, slanting in, on middle, Tom Latham hops a bit and clips it to the left of the short mid-wicket fielder and gets a single.

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham, Pushes his length fuller again, pitching it outside off and nipping it away. Tom Latham watches the ball and shoulders arms.

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham, Bouncer just on the second delivery, shaping away from the batter as well, just outside off. Tom Latham arches back and makes a leave.

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham, Right on the money! Jofra Archer starts off from around the wicket and bowls fuller, angling in, at the stumps. Tom Latham tucks it through square leg and takes a couple of runs to get off the mark.

Let's play! The English national anthem has been sung and we are ready for action. Quite a few English blokes are wearing sweaters, so it is not hot right yet. But it will surely become a challenge post the first session. Just a reminder that this is a delayed start, so Lunch is also delayed, and will be taken at 12.30 pm GMT. After that, the remaining two sessions would be adjusted, probably the middle one being extended by 15 minutes, but we will confirm that once we get an official confirmation. Right now, it is a pumped up Jofra Archer getting ready to play his first Test since the Ashes in December 2025, charging in to Tom Latham. The other opener is Devon Conway. Right, here we go!

National anthems - The sun is out in all its glory. We are not far away from the action. It is time for the teams' national anthems, with the visiting side's being the one to be played first.

England (Playing XI) - Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root (C), Harry Brook, James Rew (WK) (DEBUT) (IN FOR JAMIE SMITH), Jordan Cox (DEBUT) (IN FOR BEN STOKES), Jofra Archer (IN FOR GUS ATKINSON), Matthew Fisher (IN FOR OLLIE ROBINSON), Josh Tongue and Sonny Baker (DEBUT) (IN FOR SHOAIB BASHIR). Gosh. As many as 5 changes. Bit surprising to see Bashir left out, especially with the temperatures predicted to be soaring over the next 5 days. Not only would he have allowed the fast bowlers to be fresh, but provided assitance if the surface started to slow down or break a bit due to the extreme heat. But the other side of the talk would be that if Bashir would have also been retained, then the hosts would have had just 3 fast bowlers. That would have been trickier. So it will be the four seamers plus the part-time spin options of Bethell and Root.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tom Latham (C), Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls (IN FOR KANE WILLIAMSON), Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (WK), Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Will O'Rourke and Matt Henry. Good to see that the Kiwis have resisted from making any batting changes specifically, other than the forced one of Nicholls, despite the poor batting show at Lord's.

TOSS time - It is now time for the flip of the coin. Joe Root, the stand-in captain for this Test (possibly the series as well) in the absence of Ben Stokes, gives the coin a flick. Tom Latham calls it incorrectly and England's current batting best wants to make use of whatever moisture is there on the strip. Additionally, the surface tends to get better to bat as the days progress and hence, ENGLAND ELECT TO BOWL FIRST.

Covers off! That was quick. That is the thing with drizzles and mizzles. They are not strong enough to take players off the field but not light enough either to bring players onto the field, if the game has not begun or been halted for breaks or otherwise. Let's hope the cricketing action begins as per the revised guidelines.

A highway? Well, after all the drama in the opening Test, batters from both sides would not mind a flat deck for sure. But still, the balance cannot be totally tilted to one side. The Oval, which is the home ground of Surrey in English domestic cricket, witnessed three draws in 4 matches this season and one just hopes that is not the case with this Test match. Remember, domestic games are of 4 days while there is an additional day for a Test. So hopefully, we get a result, but in all likelihood, batters will enjoy this surface more than the ones owning the ball.

Toss delayed! Seems like the weather took us just too seriously. We challenged everyone to bring out the forecasts and manuscripts and forget humans, the weather gods themselves have intervened. A mild drizzle has hit the ground, which has forced the groundstaff to bring on the covers. But we are confident of having this blown over pretty quickly. So officially - Toss - 10 am GMT | Start - 10.30 am GMT | Lunch - 12.30 pm GMT. Accordingly, the remaining two sessions will be adjusted and in short, we should manage to have the allotted 90 overs of play within the stipulated time, despite the half an hour delay. One good thing for the players is that, because of the current wet weather, it won't be too hot at least for the first couple of hours. After that, well, all the best.

Plenty of cricket today - Afghanistan vs India. Bangladesh vs Australia (Men's). Australia Women vs Bangladesh Women (World Cup). Netherlands Women vs India Women (World Cup). South Africa Women vs Pakistan Women (World Cup). These are the international matches scheduled for Wednesday, in addition to this Test. Then there is the Tri Series of the 'A' teams from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and India, which is actually causing a lot of storm and compelling viewing. If you are a cricket fan, you just cannot get off your chair, with so many matches going on. Let's hope that this Test match too provides the equal amount of entertainment or more, as compared to the bounty of white-ball action elsewhere.

Glimpse of sunlight? No, we are not talking about the weather. That is of course going to be more than just a glimpse of the sun. But we are talking about New Zealand. The last few days have been rolly torrid for the country in general as far as cricket is concerned. First up, there won't be any Kane Williamson in the Test side, signalling the end of a massive era. Whether he is in form or not, his sheer presence is enough to give composure to his unit. Secondly, their massive loss at Lord's would have dented their confidence massively. They have slipped down to fourth in the World Test Championship and with India scheduled to visit them in November followed by The Kiwis' tour to Australia, things are definitely not going to be easier after this series to try and finish in the top 2 and qualify for the final. From the Women's perspective, the T20 defending champions are on the edge after losing both their opening matches of the ongoing World Cup. And they are yet to play hosts England, in a group, which was actually considered a pretty easy one for both, England and New Zealand. So amidst all that gloom, the Black Caps will hope that their turnaround begins from today, and extends across both genders. And an inexperienced English opposition might just be the one they needed to get going. 

A look at the future? Well, that's one way of looking at it, especially for England. After all the drama in the last week or so, they have been forced to field three debutants, having already named their playing XI a day in advance. Sonny Baker, Jordan Cox and James Rew are all set to be handed their Test caps, in the absence of Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson (both for protocol breach) and Jamie Smith (paternity leave). Additionally, Ollie Robinson has been ruled out of this Test due to a sore knee and that brings another newbie, Matthew Fisher, into the playing XI. He is not a debutant, having played his only Test against West Indies way back in 2022, in Barbados. So in short, what we are going to get is a pretty inexperienced and a new-look England XI. England's playing XI - Emilio Gay, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root (C), Harry Brook, James Rew (WK) (DEBUT), Jordan Cox (DEBUT), Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Matthew Fisher and Sonny Baker (DEBUT).

Warm welcome... sure? Absolutely. Take out all the forecasts. Bring out all the manuscripts if any. After the gloom at Lord's, we are ready to be baked at The Oval. There is no rain forecast for any of the upcoming 5 days of this Test and instead, we are going to be dished out some very, very, very hot weather. So yes, in a way, it is not a warm welcome, it is a hot welcome. But from a fan's perspective, after watching so many rainy / overcast / muggy / cloudy days in the first Test, this second one would be a warm surprise.

Can we play now? Enough of the noise from outside. Time to channel the focus from within. Plenty has happened in the last week or so. Some on the field (pitch and weather) and some off the field (less said, the better). But just as after every night, there is another day awaiting, the game moves on just like our lives. And just like that, the second Test between England and New Zealand is upon us, in the same city, London, but at a different venue - The Oval. So shall we just shred everything else away and focus on the game of cricket? Hello and a warm welcome on that note.

... MATCH DAY ...

Welcome back for the start of the post-Lunch session. Joe Root leads his men out onto the park. It will be the left-handed duo of Tom Latham and Devon Conway to open the innings for New Zealand. Jofra Archer will steam in first up. Archer to Latham. Two slips, a gully and a leg slip. Here we go...

... THIRD INNINGS ...

Can England make the ball talk? New Zealand were unable to make their starts count in the first innings and will be keen to rectify that this time around. Even with the old ball, the seamers found enough movement to stay interested, which should make for an intriguing couple of sessions today as England look to hit back with the ball. We will be back in a bit for the second session.

A stubborn stand - New Zealand struck early to reduce England to 238/9, who started the day 169 runs adrift. Given how quickly they picked up those wickets, it looked like it would be a straightforward morning's work for the Kiwi pacers. However, England's last-wicket pair had other ideas. That said, the tourists fell into a similar trap to England the previous morning, turning to the short-ball plan with the field spread out rather than sticking to the basics and attacking the stumps.

New Zealand finally get the job done - The last-wicket stand lasted 102 balls, the second-longest partnership of the innings, and added 53 valuable runs. A lead of 100 is still a healthy one for New Zealand, but Matthew Fisher and Sonny Baker did a commendable job at chipping away at the deficit. Matt Henry walks off with the ball held aloft after a richly deserved five-wicket haul. The seamer was outstanding throughout the innings, and New Zealand dearly missed his services at Lord's.

Kyle Jamieson to Sonny Baker, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! The resistance comes to an end. England have been bowled out for 291. New Zealand have secured a lead of 100 runs. Shaping back in, on a length, on off. Baker presents a straight bat for the block but pushes out in front with hard hands. It takes an outside edge and travels quickly to second slip, where Tom Latham bends and takes the catch around his right shoulder.

Kyle Jamieson to Sonny Baker, Pitched up, in the channel, curving back into the right-hander. Baker has a feel for it and is beaten on the outside edge.

Kyle Jamieson to Sonny Baker, Moving back in with a bit of extra bounce, on top of off. Baker fends it down.

Kyle Jamieson to Sonny Baker, Outside off, on the shorter side. Baker lets it go.

With about 7 minutes left until Lunch, New Zealand will come out to bat only after the break if England are bowled out now. If this last-wicket stand continues, though, we could see Lunch being pushed back.

Kyle Jamieson to Sonny Baker, Fuller and on middle. Sonny pushes it back to Jamieson.

Kyle Jamieson to Sonny Baker, Rearing up a bit, on off. Baker stabs it down on the off side.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, Lands it on a short of a length, on off. Fisher dabs it to backward point.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, FOUR! Whipped away and that brings up a maiden Test half-century for Matthew Fisher. On the fuller side, drifting onto the pads. Fisher gets his front pad out of the way and smears it through square leg for a boundary. A big smile on the face of Fisher. By the end of this Test, who knows just how important this innings could prove to be. The 50-run stand also comes up. The deficit is now 100 runs.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, Drags the length back and angles it into the pads. Fisher stays back to clip it away but misses and wears it high on the pads.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, Bowled on a length, on off. Matthew pushes it to cover.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, Shaping away, fuller and outside off. Fisher pushes away from his body and is beaten on the outside edge.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, On a back of a length, on off. Fisher taps it to mid off.

We have about 13 minutes left for Lunch break.

Kyle Jamieson to Sonny Baker, On a nagging length, outside off, Sonny Baker brings out his solid defence.

Kyle Jamieson to Sonny Baker, Full, swinging away, wide outside off, Sonny Baker lets it be.

Kyle Jamieson to Sonny Baker, Kyle Jamieson bowls it on the back of a good length, outside off, nipping in. Sonny Baker makes a leave at it.

Kyle Jamieson to Sonny Baker, Hits the deck hard, on the length. Sonny Baker stands tall and dabs it to cover.

Kyle Jamieson to Sonny Baker, Back of a length, pitching it wide outside off and swinging in vigorously. Sonny Baker leaves it alone.

Kyle Jamieson to Sonny Baker, On a good length, down the leg side, Sonny Baker misses his flick.

Kyle Jamieson (18-4-78-0) has been brought back.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, FOUR! Fisher swings and swings hard! Just a yard behind the good length, outside off. Matthew opens his stance and throws his hands at the ball. It flies off a thickish outside edge down to deep third for four runs.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, Full, on off, Matthew Fisher shuffles and drills it back to the bowler. Henry does well to make a half stop.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, On a nagging length, pitching it just outside off and swinging away. Matthew Fisher walks down the track to flick it to mid-wicket, but it glides past the outside edge.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, Good length, just outside off, Matthew Fisher bunts it to point.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, On the back of a good length, just outside off, Matthew Fisher opens the face of the bat before cutting it uppishly toward the right of deep third for a couple of runs.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, Back of a length, nipping away, Matthew Fisher defends down the wrong line and is beaten.

The second new ball is now available, and New Zealand have taken it straight away. Matt Henry to make first use of the new ball. 22-3-70-5 so far for Henry.

Nathan Smith to Matthew Fisher, A touch fuller, around off, Matthew Fisher walks across the line and clips it to deep fine leg for one.

Nathan Smith to Matthew Fisher, FOUR! Take that, says Fisher. He is on 39 now. Nathan Smith bowls it on a back of a length, just outside off. Matthew Fisher stays on his back foot and drills it away through cover for four more runs. The deficit comes down to 111 runs.

Nathan Smith to Matthew Fisher, Bouncer, around leg, Matthew Fisher ducks under it.

Nathan Smith to Matthew Fisher, Short, just outside leg, Matthew Fisher tucks it to deep fine leg for one.

Nathan Smith to Matthew Fisher, FOUR! Oh, this is wonderfully played by Matthew Fisher. The home fans are loving this batting display. Back of a length, on leg and middle. Matthew Fisher once again shuffles across the stumps and rolls his wrists to pull it into the gap between deep fine leg and deep square leg for a four.

Nathan Smith to Matthew Fisher, Sharp bouncer, on leg, Matthew Fisher shuffles across the stumps and lets it travel to the keeper.

Rachin Ravindra to Sonny Baker, Flighted delivery, on middle and leg. Baker pushes it to mid-wicket.

Rachin Ravindra to Sonny Baker, On a nagging length, outside off, Sonny Baker blocks it to the off side.

Rachin Ravindra to Matthew Fisher, Half a chance! Fractionally short, just outside off. Matthew Fisher rocks back to cut it away, but the ball grazes the toe end of the bat. A healthy deflection and Tom Blundell can only get fingertips to it. It goes through his legs and rolls behind. Single taken.

Rachin Ravindra to Matthew Fisher, Full, on off, Matthew Fisher drives it to the right of extra cover, who dives and makes a good stop.

Rachin Ravindra to Matthew Fisher, Oh, lucky escape! Pitches it fuller, on middle. Matthew Fisher tries to sweep it away, but catches the inside edge, and it goes to the leg slip fielder on the bounce.

Rachin Ravindra to Matthew Fisher, Short, on middle, Matthew Fisher eases it back to the bowler.

Nathan Smith to Matthew Fisher, Back of a length, outside off, Matthew Fisher pats it to deep point and gets the single to retain the strike for the next over. England trail by 120 runs!

Nathan Smith to Matthew Fisher, A tad fuller, just outside off, Matthew Fisher pushes it with soft hands to the right of short cover. Wants to get a single, but sees the fielder charging towards the ball quickly. Rejects the plan.

Nathan Smith to Matthew Fisher, Fullish, outside off, Matthew Fisher fends it to cover.

Nathan Smith to Matthew Fisher, FOUR! Not in complete control but safe! Bouncer, on middle, angling in. Matthew Fisher transfers his weight onto his back foot, lifts his front leg up and pulls it away. It goes off the top edge to deep fine leg for four runs.

Nathan Smith to Matthew Fisher, On a good length, outside off, Matthew Fisher punches it from his back foot to cover.

Nathan Smith to Matthew Fisher, Good running! Back of a length, on middle and leg, around the hips of the batter. Matthew Fisher tucks it behind square leg. The short mid-wicket fielder sprints to his right and the batter gets enough time to get the second run.

Change of ends for Nathan Smith (16-5-41-1).

Rachin Ravindra to Sonny Baker, Flatter trajectory, on off, Sonny Baker brings out his front foot and defends it down.

Rachin Ravindra to Sonny Baker, Rachin Ravindra drags his length back, on middle, Sonny Baker stands tall and nudges it to short mid-wicket.

Rachin Ravindra to Matthew Fisher, Flighted and fuller, on middle, Matthew Fisher rolls his wrists to flick it to square leg for one.

Rachin Ravindra to Matthew Fisher, Full, on off, Matthew Fisher again looks to block it, but connects it from the inner half of the bat.

Rachin Ravindra to Matthew Fisher, Tossed up, fuller, on off, Matthew Fisher lunges and defends it to cover.

Rachin Ravindra to Matthew Fisher, Short, on off, Matthew Fisher pushes it to cover.

Time for spin as Rachin Ravindra comes on.

Will O'Rourke to Sonny Baker, Pitches it up, on pads, Sonny Baker works it to Devon Conway at short mid-wicket.

Will O'Rourke to Sonny Baker, Back of a length, well outside off, Sonny Baker watchfully leaves it away.

Will O'Rourke to Matthew Fisher, Pushes his length fuller now, does O'Rourke, just outside off. Matthew Fisher leans on it and eases it to cover for one. England trail by 128 runs.

Will O'Rourke to Matthew Fisher, Bumper, on leg, Matthew Fisher looks to pull it away toward backward square leg, but misses.

Will O'Rourke to Matthew Fisher, Another bouncer, on middle and off. Matthew Fisher walks across the stumps, but when he sees the ball is following him, he ducks again.

Will O'Rourke to Matthew Fisher, Short in length, on leg. Matthew Fisher ducks and lets it pass.

Nathan Smith to Sonny Baker, Angling in, around the pads. Sonny Baker misses his flick and gets pinged on the pad.

Nathan Smith to Sonny Baker, This kicks up a bit, on a good length, outside off. Baker does well not to chase the ball and plays beside the line.

Nathan Smith to Sonny Baker, FOUR! Sonny Baker gets off the mark in Test cricket in a streaky fashion. Good-length delivery, just outside off. Sonny Baker tries to block it off his front foot, but gets a thick outside edge, before it rolls in the gap between the slip corridor and gully for four runs.

Nathan Smith to Sonny Baker, Wonderfully taken by Tom Blundell! Bumper, on middle and leg. Sonny Baker spots the shorter one and ducks immediately. Blundell shuffles to his left and leaps to catch it with one hand.

Nathan Smith to Sonny Baker, Hard-length delivery, just outside off, Sonny Baker defends it from the outer part of his bat to backward point.

Nathan Smith to Sonny Baker, Angling down the leg side, on a good length, Sonny Baker tries to flick but misses with a large gap.

Will O'Rourke to Matthew Fisher, Back of a length, on leg and middle. Matthew Fisher shuffles across the line but is late on the pull, and he misses.

The physio rushes out. He has also asked for a new helmet to be brought on for Matthew Fisher. The check is complete and Fisher is ready to resume.

Will O'Rourke to Matthew Fisher, Takes a blow on his helmet! Short, around off. Matthew Fisher shuffles across to pull it away, but his bat is nowhere near the ball. It hits the front grill of the helmet, and the umpire calls for a mandatory concussion check.

Will O'Rourke to Matthew Fisher, Short, on off, Matthew Fisher walks across the stumps and dabs it down the deck.

Will O'Rourke to Matthew Fisher, Bumper, on middle, Matthew Fisher ducks under this one.

Will O'Rourke to Matthew Fisher, Short of a length, on off, Matthew Fisher miscues his pull to the deep mid-wicket region and takes a couple of runs, while the short mid-wicket fielder has a long chase to collect the ball.

Will O'Rourke to Matthew Fisher, Will O'Rourke sees the batter making room, so he follows him down the leg side, on a back of a length. Matthew Fisher looks to pull it away, but misses on the inside edge and takes a blow on his right ribs, before the ball bounces to the keeper.

DRINKS BREAK! The first hour belonged to New Zealand, but they have been made to work hard here for the last wicket. The 73-over-old ball is still doing enough to keep the seamers interested, and from New Zealand's perspective, it's all about staying patient rather than chasing the wicket. 18 runs have been added by this English pair so far, so let's see how many more they can add.

Nathan Smith to Sonny Baker, On a length, on off, swings away. Sonny Baker leaves it alone.

Nathan Smith to Sonny Baker, That's too close! A touch fuller, just outside off, shaping a shade away. Sonny Baker tries to defend it but it gets past the outside edge.

Nathan Smith to Matthew Fisher, On a length, outside off, Matthew Fisher rocks back and pushes it to long off for one.

Nathan Smith to Matthew Fisher, Bouncer, on middle, Matthew Fisher sways away but fails to drop his bat at the same time. However, the ball just glides past the bat and swings away on its way to the keeper.

Nathan Smith to Matthew Fisher, Hard length, outside off, Fisher shuffles to scoop but misses.

Nathan Smith to Matthew Fisher, Shaping in, back of a length. Matthew Fisher looks to dab it to the leg side, but misses on the inside edge and gets thumped on the thigh pad.

Will O'Rourke to Matthew Fisher, Angled in, on a back of a length, on middle. Fisher shapes up to clip it away. He is beaten on the inside edge and wears it high on the thigh pad. It rolls down to deep third for a leg bye.

Will O'Rourke to Matthew Fisher, On a back of a length, angled in on middle. Matthew Fisher swipes it away to mid-wicket.

Will O'Rourke to Matthew Fisher, Dug in short, over the left shoulder. Fisher lifts his front leg and goes for the pull but the ball goes over his blade.

Will O'Rourke to Matthew Fisher, Nasty! Dug in short, following the batter. Fisher takes his eyes off the ball and catches it on the gloves.

Will O'Rourke to Matthew Fisher, Angling in, down the leg side. Matthew Fisher moves to the leg side, but is cramped for room and ends up jabbing it to square leg.

Will O'Rourke to Matthew Fisher, FOUR! SHOT! Bashes it hard on a length, on middle and leg, Matthew Fisher makes room and punches it well through the cover region for four runs.

Will O'Rourke comes into the attack.

Matt Henry to Sonny Baker, Full and on the pads. Baker misses out on the tickle. The ball brushes his pads and goes behind to the left of the keeper.

Matt Henry to Sonny Baker, Very full, on off. Baker squeezes it out to mid off.

Matt Henry to Sonny Baker, On a short of a length, just outside off, Sonny Baker blocks it close to his body.

Matt Henry to Sonny Baker, Back of a length, outside off, shaping away, Sonny Baker is beaten on the outside edge on the defence.

Matt Henry to Sonny Baker, Swings away, pitching it on the hard length, just outside off. Sonny Baker attempts to defend but plays down the wrong line.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, Good-length delivery, just outside off, Matthew Fisher opens the face of the bat before pushing it to cover-point. Single taken. The 250 comes up for England.

Kyle Jamieson to Matthew Fisher, Change of pace now, back of a length, outside off, Matthew Fisher pulls it to deep square leg and takes a single to retain the strike. England trail by 142 runs.

Kyle Jamieson to Matthew Fisher, The bouncers just keep on coming! Short, on off and middle. Matthew Fisher arches back and attempts an upper cut, but fails to make the connection.

Kyle Jamieson to Matthew Fisher, Short, on leg, Matthew Fisher shuffles across to pull, but misses. The ball also gets some extra bounce off the deck.

Kyle Jamieson to Matthew Fisher, Back of a length, angling into the body. Matthew Fisher rocks back and takes his eyes off the ball at the last moment. Takes a blow on his gloves and then to his body, before it rolls to backward square leg.

Kyle Jamieson to Matthew Fisher, Good length, on off, Matthew Fisher nudges it to mid-wicket.

Kyle Jamieson to Matthew Fisher, Back of a length, outside off, Matthew Fisher rides the bounce and steers it into the vast gap between deep third and deep backward point for a couple.

Matt Henry to Sonny Baker, On a length, outside off, nipping away, Sonny Baker leaves it alone.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, Excellent work in the deep! Back of a length, outside off. Matthew Fisher stands tall and cuts it to the right of deep point. Devon Conway runs to his right from deep backward point and dives to keep the ball in the field of play. Three runs taken.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, A fierce bouncer, on off, Matthew Fisher arches back and lets it pass.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, Fullish, outside off, Matthew Fisher looks to poke at it, but misses on the outside edge.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, Oh, that could have been curtains for the England innings. Moving away a touch, on a good length. Fisher angles it behind point. The batters commit to the second run. Devon Conway gets around and fires in a throw at the batting end. The ball bounces in front of Tom Blundell, who can't gather it cleanly. Fisher was struggling to make his ground but got home due to the fumble.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, Ouch! Tom Blundell takes a blow. All smiles around. On a good length, just outside off. Matthew Fisher shuffles across the stumps to scoop it. The ball deflects off the face of the bat and catches Blundell on the box before dribbling away.

Kyle Jamieson to Sonny Baker, Back of a length, outside off, Sonny Baker dabs it to cover.

Kyle Jamieson to Sonny Baker, Hard-length delivery, just outside off. Sonny Baker tries to defend it away from his body, but it just whizzes past the outside edge.

Kyle Jamieson to Sonny Baker, Digs it in short, outside off, Baker sways away from the line of the ball.

Kyle Jamieson to Sonny Baker, Bowled into the deck, holds its line, outside off. Baker defends down the wrong line and is beaten.

Kyle Jamieson to Matthew Fisher, Hits the hard length, on off. Fisher cuts it late to deep backward point for a single.

Kyle Jamieson to Matthew Fisher, On a back of a length, on middle. Fisher clears the front leg and swings it away to the left of deep fine leg for a couple of runs.

Sonny Baker is the last man in.

Matt Henry to Josh Tongue, OUT! TAKEN! Nathan Smith made the catch look tougher than it actually was, but all that matters is that he has managed to hold on. That completes the FIVE-FER for Matt Henry. This is fuller, on off and middle. Josh Tongue looks to loft it over mid on, but gets the connection from the toe end of the bat. Nathan Smith at mid on, backpedals and leaps to reverse scoop the catch, but spills it out in the first attempt. However, as he falls on his back, he extends his right hand to grab hold of the ball. England lose their 9th wicket for 238. The deficit is 153 runs.

Matt Henry to Josh Tongue, Good-length, at the stumps, Josh Tongue attempts the clip but misses and gets hit on the pad.

Matt Henry to Josh Tongue, Fullish, outside off, Josh Tongue tries to pat it away, but gets beaten due to the lack of bounce.

Matt Henry to Josh Tongue, Length, outside off, this one stays low, Josh Tongue looks to push it away but misses the connection yet again.

Matt Henry to Josh Tongue, Beats the defence! On a hard length, pitching it on off and moves away a shade. Josh Tongue brings his bat out in front, but the ball goes past the outside edge.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, Full, around middle, Matthew Fisher nudges it wide of short mid-wicket for one.

Kyle Jamieson to Josh Tongue, Bashes it on a hard length, does Kyle, outside off, Josh Tongue initially looks to play it to cover, but ends up withdrawing his bat.

Kyle Jamieson to Josh Tongue, Jamieson bends his back and offers another bouncer, on off. Josh Tongue ducks under it.

Kyle Jamieson to Josh Tongue, Short of a length, outside off, moving away. Josh Tongue gets on his toes, pokes at it, and is beaten.

Kyle Jamieson to Josh Tongue, Oh, beaten on the outside edge! Another back-of-a-length delivery, pitching it just outside off and nipping it away. Josh Tongue hops a bit and looks to defend, but it glides past the outside edge.

Kyle Jamieson to Josh Tongue, Back of a length, outside off, Josh Tongue sways away and makes another leave.

Kyle Jamieson to Josh Tongue, Bumper, but this one sails down the leg side. Josh Tongue lets it pass.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, Pitches it up, on off, Matthew Fisher fends it to cover.

Matt Henry to Josh Tongue, Full, on pads, Josh Tongue clips it to the left of deep fine leg for one.

Josh Tongue is in next.

Matt Henry to Jofra Archer, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! That is a very good take from Tom Blundell, who is standing up to the stumps, and Matt Henry gets his fourth wicket. Back of a length, pitching it just outside off, nipping it away. Jofra Archer hangs back and pokes at it, but it takes a thin outside edge. Blundell tracks the ball nicely, gets his gloves in the correct position and takes the catch at shoulder height. England are 236/8, with a deficit of 155 runs.

Matt Henry to Jofra Archer, Full, on middle, angling in, Jofra Archer works it to mid-wicket.

Matt Henry to Jofra Archer, Jagging back in, on a back of a length, on off and middle. Archer taps it down.

Matt Henry to Jofra Archer, Attacking the front pad, on a good length. Archer brings his bat out in front to defend.

Kyle Jamieson to Matthew Fisher, Fuller and on off. Fisher strides out and defends nicely.

Kyle Jamieson to Matthew Fisher, Goes short again, does Jamieson, outside off. Fisher sways away from the line of the ball.

Kyle Jamieson to Matthew Fisher, Another bumper, over off and middle. Matthew Fisher is late to duck and cops a blow on the back.

Kyle Jamieson to Matthew Fisher, Dug in short, over off. Matthew Fisher hops and defends.

Kyle Jamieson to Matthew Fisher, Hurls it on a hard length, on off. Fisher keeps it out on the off side.

Kyle Jamieson to Matthew Fisher, Moving away off the surface, on a good length, outside off. Fisher has a feel for it and is beaten on the outside edge.

Matt Henry to Jofra Archer, Jagging back in and skidding through, on a nagging length, on middle. Archer is beaten for pace as the ball sneaks past the inside edge and catches him high on the back pad.

Matt Henry to Jofra Archer, At 131 kph, on a good length, on off and middle. Archer is hurried as the ball skids onto him. Ekes out an inside edge onto the pads.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, Dishes it out on a short of a length, on off. Matthew angles it behind point for a run.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, Nearly carried! In and around the off stump, on a back of a length. Fisher looks to cover the line but the ball straightens a bit off the deck. It goes off an outside edge but drops short of Daryl Mitchell at first slip.

Matt Henry to Matthew Fisher, Hits the top of off, Fisher stabs it down on the off side.

Matthew Fisher walks out to bat.

Matt Henry to Jordan Cox, OUT! CAUGHT! New Zealand have England's last recognised batter. That is a crushing blow for the home side. Henry pitches it on a length, on middle and leg. Cox leans across and brings his wrists into play. He flicks but can't keep it on the ground. Tom Latham dives low to his right at short mid-wicket and takes a fine catch. England are now 7 down for 235, trailing by 156 runs.

Kyle Jamieson to Jofra Archer, Goes past the bat! Nipping away with a bit of extra bounce, outside off. Archer shuffles across to play the line of the ball but is beaten on the outside edge.

Kyle Jamieson to Jofra Archer, Brings the stumps into play with a fuller ball. Archer presents a straight bat for the block.

Kyle Jamieson to Jofra Archer, FOUR! Second boundary in three balls, this time off the back foot. Jamieson serves it on a back of a length, outside off. Archer gets on his toes to ride the bounce and punches it through point for four more.

Kyle Jamieson to Jofra Archer, Beaten! Bowled on a length, outside off. Archer is better off leaving it alone but pokes at it. He is lucky not to have edged it behind.

Kyle Jamieson to Jofra Archer, FOUR! Lovely shot. Fuller than the previous ball and slightly wide, on off. Archer leans on and angles the bat face to drive it to the right of the diving backward point fielder for a boundary. England trail by 160 runs.

Kyle Jamieson to Jofra Archer, Honing in on the stumps, on a length. Jofra is watchful in defence.

Matt Henry to Jordan Cox, Pushes the length up at 130 kph, just outside off. Cox extends his hands out in front for the drive. The bat turns in his hand. He mistimes the drive off the inner half to mid on.

Matt Henry to Jordan Cox, Drags the length back a bit, on middle. Cox gets on top of the bounce and defends it out.

Matt Henry to Jordan Cox, Angled in, on middle and leg, on a nagging length. Cox dabs it down on the leg side.

Matt Henry to Jordan Cox, Attacks the sticks, on a good length, Cox gets behind the line and blocks it off.

Matt Henry to Jordan Cox, FOUR! Clipped away! Very full, darted in at the toes. Jordan flicks it through square leg. Rachin Ravindra gives it a long chase but the ball wins the race.

Matt Henry to Jordan Cox, Delivers it on a short of a length, on off. Cox presses back and taps it down with a straight bat.

Matt Henry will bowl from the other end. 16-3-57-2 so far for Henry. Tom Blundell is standing up to the stumps. In case you missed it, Ben Stokes is back in action for Durham against Northamptonshire at Chester-le-Street as the latest round of County Championship fixtures gets underway today.

Kyle Jamieson to Jordan Cox, Into the deck, on off. Cox stands tall, rides the bounce and glides it behind point for a single.

Kyle Jamieson to Jordan Cox, Hits the back of a length, on top of off. Jordan walks inside the line of the ball and nudges it to mid-wicket.

Kyle Jamieson to Jordan Cox, At 128 kph, on a good length, outside off. Cox lets it be.

Kyle Jamieson to Jordan Cox, Keeps it full, around off. Jordan shuffles across and eases the drive to mid off.

Kyle Jamieson to Jordan Cox, Fuller and on off. Cox gets on the front foot and drives but without much timing to mid off.

Kyle Jamieson to Jordan Cox, Lands it on a good length, outside off. Cox shoulders arms.

We are all set for the action to get underway. It is a beautiful morning at The Oval, with the sun shining in all its glory and not a cloud in the sky. The two umpires and players have made their way out to the middle. Kyle Jamieson is ready at the top of his mark. Jordan Cox is on strike. Two slips and a gully await. Away we go...

A day for Thorpey - The cricket takes centre stage at The Oval today, but the occasion is about much more than what happens between bat and ball. The third day of this Test has been dedicated to the memory of the late Graham Thorpe, one of England's finest batters and a beloved figure of the game. The initiative aims to raise awareness of mental health and funds for Thorpey's Bat and Chat, a cricket programme created in his memory. We might see some of the players wearing the iconic headband that became synonymous with Thorpe during his playing days, while fans can also purchase one around the ground, with proceeds supporting the initiative.

What now? All eyes are on debutant Jordan Cox, who carries the responsibility of dragging England closer to New Zealand's first-innings total. With limited batting to come, he may have to do much of the heavy lifting himself. On the other hand, New Zealand will be hoping to make early inroads and secure a sizable lead. Stick with us for all the action from what promises to be a fascinating Moving Day at The Oval.

Kiwis halt England's momentum - England's batters all made starts apart from Jacob Bethell, but none could turn them into something substantial. Their best stand came for the third wicket, worth 74 runs from 105 balls, with Emilio Gay bringing up his second Test half-century. But once he fell, New Zealand seized back control. The visitors struck regularly through the evening session and by stumps, England were 222/6, still trailing by 169 runs.

The difference-maker - With England 1-0 up in the series after their statement win at Lord's, New Zealand know they must win this Test to keep the series alive heading into the final encounter. The platform for the visitors was laid by one man, Glenn Phillips. He not only anchored the innings but also brought up his maiden Test century, becoming just the third New Zealander after Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill to score centuries in all three international formats.

Ready, set, go - Here we are for Day 3 action at The Oval, and there is hardly any better ground in world cricket to watch a Test match than this famous old ground in south London. New Zealand hold the upper hand after two engrossing days. Good morning, and welcome to what could be a defining day in this Test.

... DAY 3, SESSION 1 ...

A crucial day awaits - New Zealand were 263/6 at one stage and still managed to post 391, thanks largely to Glenn Phillips' outstanding century. England will need Jordan Cox to produce a similarly influential innings if they are to narrow down the deficit. The Kiwi pace attack did not quite hit their straps straight away with the new ball, but they were far more disciplined than England had been earlier in the match. Their quicks will be raring to go after a good night's rest and will be eager to carve out a significant first-innings lead. The first ball on Day 3 will be bowled at 10 am GMT, and we look forward to your company then. For now, you can switch tabs and follow the action from the Women's T20 World Cup, where Scotland and West Indies are battling it out. Cheers!

Kiwis land key blows - In reply, England were off to a positive start, with Ben Duckett getting a few boundaries away before he was run out. Emilio Gay was unfazed by that setback and carried on confidently to bring up his second Test fifty. Joe Root looked fluent, while Harry Brook was busy at the crease, but New Zealand then turned to a tactic that Australia used effectively during the Ashes. By bringing Tom Blundell up to the stumps, they restricted the scoring options for Root and Brook. With the squeeze applied, Matt Henry trapped both the master and his apprentice in front of the stumps. Just when it looked like Jordan Cox and James Rew would see the day through without any further casualties, the latter fell in the closing stages.

Earlier in the day - With New Zealand starting the day at 291/7, England had a genuine opportunity to keep the tourists under 350 with the second new ball on the horizon. Instead, what unfolded in the first session was the same old story and something this England side has often been criticised for. After doing all the hard work, they moved away from what had been working for them and switched to the short-ball plan with a tailender at one end. That allowed the runs to flow. Glenn Phillips brought up a magnificent maiden Test century, while Kyle Jamieson, despite copping a few blows, went on to score a valuable 41 after being dropped on 15. As a result, New Zealand were able to finish with 391.

An attritional day of Test cricket - While the opening day was fairly even, there is little doubt that Day 2 belonged to New Zealand. The visitors made England pay for their inability to wrap up the innings swiftly in the morning and then backed it up with a disciplined effort in the field to edge ahead in the contest. The story with the bat for England has been somewhat similar to that of New Zealand. Their batters have managed to get starts, but they are still searching for that meaningful contribution which the Kiwis found through Glenn Phillips.

Matt Henry to Jofra Archer, Good-length delivery, at the stumps, Jofra Archer shuffles across and blocks it back to the bowler. That will be Stumps on Day 2 with England trailing by 169 runs.

Matt Henry to Jofra Archer, On a length, outside off, Jofra Archer guides it to the left of Glenn Phillips at gully.

Matt Henry to Jofra Archer, Oh, that's a risky shot to play! Back of a length, well outside off. Jofra Archer pokes at it away from his body and is beaten on the outside edge.

Matt Henry to Jordan Cox, Back of a length, just outside off, Jordan Cox rocks back and punches it to deep backward point for one.

Matt Henry to Jordan Cox, A touch fuller, pitching outside off and swinging away. Jordan Cox lunges and watchfully leaves it away.

Matt Henry to Jordan Cox, Pitches it up, does Henry, on off, Cox pushes it to cover.

We will get one more over in. Matt Henry to bowl.

Will O'Rourke to Jofra Archer, Good-length delivery, just outside off, Jofra Archer hangs back and pushes it to cover-point.

Will O'Rourke to Jofra Archer, Short and outside off, Archer lets it travel to the keeper.

Will O'Rourke to Jordan Cox, Back of a length, on off. Jordan Cox gets on his toes and knocks it towards the deep backward point region for a single.

Will O'Rourke to Jordan Cox, Just outside off, angling in, fuller in length. Jordan Cox works it across the line to the left of short mid-wicket.

Will O'Rourke to Jordan Cox, Bumper, but it's outside off. Jordan Cox isn't bothered to offer any shot at it.

Will O'Rourke to Jordan Cox, Full, on middle, Jordan Cox clips it towards the left of the deep square leg fielder and gets a brace.

Matt Henry to Jofra Archer, Pitches it up, does Henry, on off, Jofra Archer drives it to mid on.

Matt Henry to Jofra Archer, Nice and full, on off, Jofra Archer pushes it back to the bowler.

Matt Henry to Jofra Archer, Henry drags his length back, just outside off, Jofra Archer punches it from his back foot to cover.

Matt Henry to Jofra Archer, Much fuller, just outside off. Jofra Archer prods and rests it to cover.

Matt Henry to Jofra Archer, Full, just outside off, Jofra Archer fends it to cover.

Matt Henry to Jordan Cox, On a length, around middle, Jordan Cox tucks it to deep square leg for one.

Will O'Rourke to Jofra Archer, Fuller and down leg. Archer misses out on the tickle.

New Zealand strike at the back end of the day. Jofra Archer walks out to bat with about 10 minutes left in the day's play.

Will O'Rourke to James Rew, OUT! TAKEN! Just what the Kiwis wanted. The short ball tactic works for Will O'Rourke and he gets his second wicket now. This is another bumper, on middle and leg. James Rew rocks back and tries to pull it, but is rushed, and the ball catches him on the gloves. It balloons behind the wicket, where Daryl Mitchell backpedals at first slip and pouches it safely. The dropped catch does not cost New Zealand much. England are now 217/6, trailing by 174 runs.

Will O'Rourke to James Rew, Angling in, full, around middle. James Rew pushes it to mid on.

Will O'Rourke to James Rew, Appeal for caught behind, but turned down. Short of a length, on middle. James Rew tries to hook it away, but it goes past the top edge.

Will O'Rourke to James Rew, Bangs in a bumper, on middle. James Rew ducks and lets it pass.

Will O'Rourke to Jordan Cox, Tap and run! Hard length, on off, Jordan Cox dabs it in front of cover and takes a quick single.

Nathan Smith to James Rew, Tom Blundell goes back to his usual position. This is on a nagging length, on off. James knocks it to cover.

Nathan Smith to James Rew, Hits the back of a length, on off. Rew whips it to mid-wicket from the crease.

Nathan Smith to James Rew, Stays on a back of a length, around the off pole. James stabs it down on the off side.

In between overs, Matt Henry and Tom Latham walked up to Rachin Ravindra to offer a few words of encouragement and lift his spirits.

Nathan Smith to James Rew, Delivers it on a back of a length, on off. Rew stands tall and punches it to point.

Nathan Smith to James Rew, Fuller and around off. James stabs it down on the off side.

Nathan Smith to James Rew, Bowled on a back of a length, outside off, Rew lets it go.

Will O'Rourke to Jordan Cox, Fuller and on middle. Jordan dabs it down on the leg side.

Will O'Rourke to Jordan Cox, Dug in short, outside off. Jordan ducks under it.

Will O'Rourke to Jordan Cox, Almost chopped it on! On a hard length, on off. Cox plays it with an angled bat. Gets an inside edge and it bounces past the off stump.

Will O'Rourke to Jordan Cox, Outside off, that is left alone for the keeper to collect.

Will O'Rourke to James Rew, DROPPED! The misery for Rachin Ravindra in the field continues. A well-directed short ball by Will O'Rourke, over the left shoulder. Rew pivots for the pull but the ball gets big on him. It catches the top edge and goes down to deep fine leg. Ravindra is late picking it up and getting in off the ropes. That forces him to put in the dive. The ball catches him high on the palm and drops to the ground. Single taken. This is the 3rd catch put down by Rachin in this series, informs Nasser Hussain.

Will O'Rourke to Jordan Cox, Into the surface, on off. Cox pats it in front of point and crosses over.

Nathan Smith to James Rew, Nipping away, on a good length, outside off. Rew shoulders arms.

Nathan Smith to James Rew, Keeps the stumps in play, on a length. Rew is solid in defence.

Nathan Smith to James Rew, Fuller now, on middle. James clips it to short mid-wicket.

Nathan Smith to James Rew, A little too straight, at the hips, on a back of a length. Rew nudges it to square leg.

Nathan Smith to James Rew, Drags the length back a bit, on off. Rew stays back and dabs it to gully.

Nathan Smith to James Rew, Targeting the top of the off stump. James gets behind the line and keeps it out.

Will O'Rourke to James Rew, This kicks up a bit from a good length, on middle and leg. James pushes out in front. It goes off an inside edge to deep fine leg for a run. The stand moves to 37 and the deficit is now 177 runs.

Will O'Rourke to James Rew, FOUR! Fine shot! Fractionally short, on off. Rew picks the length early and swivels. Pulls it wide of Devon Conway at square leg for his fourth boundary.

Will O'Rourke to Jordan Cox, Good stop! Banged in on a hard length, on off. Jordan gets on his toes and cuts it away. Rachin Ravindra at backward point moves to his right and dives to make the stop. Just a single.

Play will go on till 6 pm GMT to make up for the overs lost due to the rain.

Will O'Rourke to Jordan Cox, Seamed delivery, wide outside off. Jordan Cox looks to cut it away, but gets beaten on the outside edge due to some extra bounce.

Will O'Rourke to Jordan Cox, Oh, well bowled! Nipping in sharply, pitching on the good length, just outside off. Jordan Cox looks to push it away, but gets beaten and it thumps the back thigh pad.

Will O'Rourke to Jordan Cox, Drifts down leg, on a good length. Cox fails to help it away.

Nathan Smith to James Rew, Fuller and bowled by going wide on the crease, around off. Rew angles it to gully.

Nathan Smith to James Rew, Attacks the stumps, on a good length. Rew pats it down the strip.

Nathan Smith to James Rew, From around the wicket, on a short of a good length, on off. James keeps it out off the back foot.

Nathan Smith to Jordan Cox, Into the surface, over middle. Cox shapes up to shovel it away from the crease, but the ball keeps low. Jordan somehow manages to get it away to deep fine leg for one.

Nathan Smith to Jordan Cox, Honing in on the off stump, on a nagging length. Cox stands tall and drives on the up past the diving cover fielder. Mitchell Santner, on as a sub, goes after it from mid off and hauls it in. Two runs taken.

Nathan Smith to Jordan Cox, Angled in at the sticks, on a good length. Cox taps it to cover.

Will O'Rourke to James Rew, Outside off, on a good length. James Rew lifts his bat and makes the leave.

Will O'Rourke to James Rew, Short, on middle, James Rew squats under it and lets it go.

Will O'Rourke to James Rew, Another back-of-a-length delivery, wide outside off. James Rew defends inside the line and it goes through to the keeper.

Will O'Rourke to James Rew, On a back of a good length, pitching it outside off, swinging away. James Rew leaves it alone.

Will O'Rourke to Jordan Cox, Good-length delivery, on off, Jordan Cox pushes it with soft hands to cover and gets across to the other end quickly.

Will O'Rourke to Jordan Cox, There comes the fierce bouncer, angling in, around middle and leg. Jordan Cox ducks underneath. Will O'Rourke gives the batter a little smirk.

Nathan Smith to James Rew, Hard length, on off, James Rew blocks it back to the bowler.

Nathan Smith to James Rew, Fuller and on the pads, clipped to mid-wicket.

Nathan Smith to James Rew, On a back of a length, on off. James hangs back to defend.

Nathan Smith to James Rew, Outside off, that is left alone for the keeper to collect.

Nathan Smith to Jordan Cox, At the hips, turned away behind square leg for a single.

Nathan Smith to Jordan Cox, FOUR! The 200 is up for England. On a hard length, just outside off. Jordan Cox gets on top of the bounce and slaps it through cover for four. The deficit is now 188 runs.

Kyle Jamieson to James Rew, FOUR! Another boundary, and this time it's toward the leg side. Full and on middle, Rew uses his wrists to whip it away toward the left of the mid-wicket fielder for four runs.

Kyle Jamieson to James Rew, Angling in, full and down the leg side, James Rew lets it go.

Kyle Jamieson to James Rew, FOUR! A shot of high quality. Much fuller, wide outside off, nipping away. James Rew lunges toward it and crouches as well to drive it away. There's a fielder in the cover region, who dives to his left, but fails to stop that one as the ball races away for four runs.

Kyle Jamieson to James Rew, Pitches it up, on off, Rew leans on it and eases it back to the bowler.

Kyle Jamieson to James Rew, Pushes the length a bit fuller, does Jamieson, on middle. James Rew works it to the leg side.

Kyle Jamieson to James Rew, Shaping in, just outside off, on a hard length, James Rew defends it right under his eyes.

Matt Henry to Jordan Cox, Short, down the leg side, Jordan Cox opts to flick it but misses.

Matt Henry to James Rew, Angling in, full, around leg, James Rew glances it to deep fine leg for one. England trail by 200 runs.

Matt Henry to James Rew, Good-length delivery, outside off, James Rew lets it pass. The keeper fumbles to gather it but takes it on the second attempt.

Matt Henry to Jordan Cox, Angling down the leg side, a touch fuller in length, Cox rolls his wrists and clips it to square leg for an easy single.

Matt Henry to Jordan Cox, On a hard length, just outside off, Jordan Cox pats it to cover.

Matt Henry to James Rew, Pitches it fuller, does Henry, at the stumps. James Rew flicks it away toward the right of the deep fine leg. By the time the fielder can get around and get rid of the ball, the batters run three.

Kyle Jamieson to Jordan Cox, Back of a length, around off, Jordan Cox fends it to the left of the bowler.

Kyle Jamieson to Jordan Cox, Bumper, outside off, Jordan Cox thinks of pulling it, but sees the ball climbing on him. For that reason, he sways away to leave it.

Kyle Jamieson to Jordan Cox, Full, outside off, Jordan Cox lets it travel to the keeper.

Kyle Jamieson to Jordan Cox, Full-length delivery, angling down the leg side. Jordan Cox misses his flick, and it just brushes off his pad. The keeper dives to his left and takes a one-handed catch.

Kyle Jamieson to Jordan Cox, Hooping back in, very full, on middle. Cox wrists it to mid-wicket.

Kyle Jamieson to Jordan Cox, A hint of away shape, on a length, outside off. Jordan lets it through.

Matt Henry to James Rew, Back of a length, around off, James Rew stands tall and punches it to cover.

Matt Henry to James Rew, Angled in at the hips, Rew fails to help it away and wears it on the thigh pad.

Matt Henry to James Rew, Back of a length, outside off, Rew shoulders arms at it.

Matt Henry to James Rew, Angling in, full around middle, James Rew clips it to mid-wicket.

Matt Henry to James Rew, Outside off, on a length, Rew lets it go.

Matt Henry to James Rew, FOUR! Edged and away! A touch fuller, outside off, James Rew strides out to block it out, but the ball catches the outside edge. The ball dribbles away, beating the gully fielder for four runs.

Kyle Jamieson to Jordan Cox, FOUR! That will make him feel a lot, lot better. Pitches it fuller, does Jamieson, outside off. Jordan Cox lunges and bends his back leg to drive it through point along the green carpet for four runs. The debutant is off the mark.

Kyle Jamieson to Jordan Cox, Nearly dragged on! Back of a length, just outside off, seaming in. Jordan Cox tries to dab it with an angled bat, but gets a thick inside edge. The ball bounces past the off stump. Cox gets a bit lucky here.

Kyle Jamieson to Jordan Cox, Jamieson switches to over the wicket for the right-hander. He offers a hard-length delivery, outside off. Jordan Cox stands tall and bunts it to cover.

Kyle Jamieson to James Rew, Full, on middle, James Rew flicks it behind square leg for one.

Kyle Jamieson to James Rew, Oh, that was a tight leave! Back of a length, pitching it outside off, nipping in vigorously. James Rew covers the off stump and lets it through, but the ball wasn't far away from the top of the off stump.

Kyle Jamieson to James Rew, Kyle Jamieson comes from around the wicket and bowls much fuller, angling in, on off. James Rew flicks it toward square leg, where the fielder dives to his right and makes a good stop.

Matt Henry to Jordan Cox, Moving away off the surface, outside off. Cox thinks about going after it but then bails out.

Matt Henry to Jordan Cox, At 130 kph, nice and tight, on a good length, on middle. Cox is pinned in the crease as he dead bats it.

Matt Henry to Jordan Cox, Stays full, on middle. Jordan lunges for the block.

Matt Henry to Jordan Cox, Fuller now, on middle. Jordan mistimes the drive to mid on.

Matt Henry to Jordan Cox, Over the off stump, on a back of a length. Cox stabs it down on the off side from the crease.

DRINKS BREAK! With the fifth wicket falling for the Englishmen, the umpires have called for drinks on the field. England were looking good when Emilio Gay and Joe Root were building a strong partnership, but from 142 for 2 it has become 177 for 5. With two new batters out in the middle, the hosts are looking in a bit of trouble. Jordan Cox walks out next.

Matt Henry to Harry Brook, OUT! LBW! Trapped in front. A double strike from Matt Henry and New Zealand are cock-a-hoop. It is that nip-backer again from Henry, on a good length, on off and middle. Brook is caught in the crease as he tries to deal with it. He looks to cover the line with a vertical bat, but the ball cuts back in off the surface to go past the inside edge. It goes on to hit Harry on the back pad right in front of the stumps. An easy decision for the umpire, and Brook does not bother to review. England lose both batters in quick succession. They are now 5 down for 177, with the deficit being 214 runs.

Kyle Jamieson to James Rew, Around the off stump, full in length. James blocks it out by getting forward.

Kyle Jamieson to Harry Brook, Full and on off, Harry leans on and drops it with soft hands in front of point. Glenn Phillips gets to the ball quickly from gully and has a shy at the batting end but misses. Rew would have been in anyway.

Kyle Jamieson to Harry Brook, FOUR! Easy pickings! Too full, drifting down leg. Brook does not miss out as he tickles it fine of Rachin Ravindra at deep fine leg for a boundary.

Kyle Jamieson to Harry Brook, Attacking the front pad with a fuller ball. Brook hangs low and defends it watchfully.

Kyle Jamieson to James Rew, Angled in from around the wicket, on a good length, on middle. Rew tries to defend it late and right under his eyes. It goes off an inside edge behind square leg for his first run in Test cricket.

Kyle Jamieson to Harry Brook, On a length, on middle. Brook clips it wide of mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Matt Henry to James Rew, Fuller and on off. Rew leans on and defends it down.

Out walks James Rew on debut.

Matt Henry to Joe Root, OUT! LBW! A loud shout, and it has been given. Joe Root has sent it upstairs, though. Nip-backer from Henry, wobble seam ball, on a good length. Root presses half-forward with the keeper upto the stumps and he tries to keep it out with an angled bat. Joe's bat stays behind the front pad as he is taken by surprise by the ball jagging back in, and it catches him high on the flap of the front pad. The Ball Tracking has the impact as umpire's call, and it is hitting the top of the middle stump. The on-field call has been upheld. New Zealand are jubilant as they have the big fish. Root falls two shy of 14,000 runs in Test cricket. England are now 170/4, trailing by 221 runs.

Matt Henry to Joe Root, Fuller than the previous ball, in line with the off stump. Root defends with the bat close to the front pad.

Matt Henry to Harry Brook, Nearly sneaked through! A bit of nip back into the right-hander, on a length, around the off pole. Brook prods forward but the ball catches the inside edge and goes down to deep fine leg. They cross.

Matt Henry to Harry Brook, Missed out! Angled in at the hips, Harry fails to help it away and wears it on the thigh pad.

Matt Henry to Harry Brook, Hits the back of a length, on off. Brook gets his hands high to force it away but mistimes it down the strip.

Kyle Jamieson to Joe Root, At 131 kph, on a length, outside off. Joe shoulders arms.

Kyle Jamieson to Joe Root, Outside off, on a short of a good length. Joe shuffles across and taps it down to cover.

Kyle Jamieson to Joe Root, Pitches it up, on off. Root pushes it to mid on.

Kyle Jamieson to Joe Root, FOUR! Off the edge! Bowled on a back of a length, outside off. Root gets on his toes to angle it behind point. He plays it with soft hands and it goes off the outer half to the left of gully for a four. Root is now 2 runs away from 14,000 runs in Test cricket.

Kyle Jamieson to Harry Brook, Goes fuller, on the pads. Brook flicks it wide of mid-wicket and crosses over.

Kyle Jamieson to Harry Brook, Lands it on a length, outside off. Brook offers no shot.

A double change as Kyle Jamieson (7-1-38-0) comes on.

Matt Henry to Harry Brook, This is on a back of a length, on off. Harry opens the bat face and dabs it wide of backward point for one more run. England trail by 227 runs.

Matt Henry to Harry Brook, In and around the off stump, on a good length. Harry hurriedly chops it down behind point.

Matt Henry to Harry Brook, Pushes the length up, on middle. Harry wrists it to mid-wicket.

Matt Henry to Harry Brook, A bit shorter, on middle. Brook nudges it to mid-wicket.

Matt Henry to Joe Root, Pushed down leg, on the fuller side. Root loses his balance slightly as he misses out on the tickle. Tom Blundell gets a glove on it, and it dribbles behind to deep fine leg for a bye.

Matt Henry to Joe Root, Attacks the front pad with a full ball with Tom Blundell standing up to the stumps. Root stabs it down on the off side.

Will O'Rourke to Harry Brook, Bangs another bouncer, does Will, over middle. Harry Brook sways away and lets it pass.

Will O'Rourke to Joe Root, On a shortish length, just outside off. Joe Root pulls it to deep square leg, where Mitchell Santner fumbles a bit, but that costs nothing to the Kiwis. The batter takes a single.

Will O'Rourke to Joe Root, Short of a length, but this one is way outside off. Joe Root lifts his willow up and is happy to make a leave.

Will O'Rourke to Harry Brook, A tad fuller, just outside off, Harry Brook stays on his back foot, before tapping it towards cover to get a single.

Will O'Rourke to Joe Root, Short and outside off, Joe Root drags his pull toward deep square leg for another single.

Will O'Rourke to Harry Brook, Angling in, around off and middle, on a good length. Harry Brook nudges it to wide mid on for a single.

Nathan Smith to Harry Brook, Back of a length, on middle, Harry Brook pulls it away to deep backward square leg for one.

Nathan Smith to Harry Brook, Edged, but short! On a nagging length, just outside off. Harry Brook stands tall to defend it, but it catches the outside edge before it goes to the second slip fielder on a bounce.

Nathan Smith to Harry Brook, Short, on off and middle, Harry Brook hangs back and rests it down.

Nathan Smith to Harry Brook, Angled in at the sticks, on a good length. Harry keeps it out on the off side.

Nathan Smith to Harry Brook, Tom Blundell is standing up to the stumps. This holds its line, on a good length, on off. Brook presents a straight bat for the block but is beaten on the outside edge.

Nathan Smith to Joe Root, On a length, around off. Root guides it wide of point for one.

Will O'Rourke to Harry Brook, FOUR! Uppish but safe! Full-length delivery, outside off. Harry Brook leans onto it but mistimes his drive. The ball is in the air for a moment, but is well wide of the mid off fielder to his right. The ball races away to the long off fence for four runs.

Will O'Rourke to Harry Brook, Another bumper, wide outside off. Harry Brook tries to cut it up and over the backward point region, but under edges it. The ball bounces off toward the left of second slip.

Will O'Rourke to Harry Brook, Will O'Rourke drags his length back, on middle and leg. Harry Brook crouches to make a leave.

Will O'Rourke to Harry Brook, On a nagging length, outside off, Harry Brook pushes it to backward point.

Will O'Rourke to Harry Brook, SIX! That's the first biggie of the inning. Back of a length, around off. A premeditated forward press by Harry Brook before he gets on his back foot. He gets the front leg out of the way, and despite his body weight falling backwards, he carves it over the deep point fence for six runs. 150 up for England, and the deficit is now 239 runs.

Will O'Rourke to Joe Root, Fires a fuller one, on middle and leg, Joe Root flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Nathan Smith to Harry Brook, On a hard length, just outside off, Harry Brook pushes it to cover.

Nathan Smith to Harry Brook, Back of a length, outside off, Harry Brook guides it straight to gully.

Nathan Smith to Joe Root, Nice and full, around the pads, Joe Root clips it to deep fine leg for another single.

Nathan Smith to Joe Root, Back of a length, outside off, Joe Root bunts it late to point.

Nathan Smith to Harry Brook, Pitches it up, does Smith, around leg, Harry Brook clips it to deep fine leg and gets a single.

Nathan Smith to Harry Brook, At 128 kph, on a length, outside the off stump. Brook presses forward and defends inside the line of the ball. It goes off the outer half to gully.

Will O'Rourke to Harry Brook, Very full, tailing back in at the off stump. Brook gets his bat down and squeezes it out wide of backward point for a single to get off the mark.

Fifty and out for Emilio Gay. The 74-run stand has been broken. Harry Brook is in at number 5.

Will O'Rourke to Emilio Gay, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! A wicket out of nowhere for New Zealand. O'Rourke bowls a sharp bouncer from over the wicket, pitching it on middle and angling away. Emilio Gay initially thinks of ducking under it, but he sways away at the last moment. He takes his eyes off the ball and cannot drop his wrists in time, keeping his bat hanging in front of his chest. No appeal from anyone behind the bat, but the bowler seems to have heard something, and Tom Latham wants to take a chance with the review. The UltraEdge pops up and shows that the ball grazed the shoulder of the blade before going behind to the keeper. Emilio Gay has to depart. England are 142/3, trailing by 249 runs.

Will O'Rourke to Emilio Gay, Back of a length, around off, Emilio Gay shuffles across and defends it to the off side.

Will O'Rourke to Emilio Gay, FOUR! After staying on 49 for a while, Emilio Gay has finally brought up his second FIFTY in Test cricket. Will O'Rourke bowls a bouncer, on middle. Emilio swivels on his back foot and pulls it away toward the deep mid-wicket fence for four runs.

Will O'Rourke to Emilio Gay, Emilio is taking his time to get to his half-century! Hard-length delivery, around the thigh pad. Emilio Gay tucks it to mid-wicket.

Will O'Rourke to Emilio Gay, Back of a length, angling in, on middle. Emilio Gay rocks back and nudges it to short mid-wicket.

Nathan Smith to Joe Root, Angling in, on a length, on off. Joe Root pats it back towards the bowler.

Nathan Smith to Joe Root, A bit full on middle and leg, Joe Root is solid in defence. This is good bowling from Nathan Smith.

Nathan Smith to Joe Root, Nagging length, just outside off, Joe Root hops a bit and taps it to short cover.

Nathan Smith to Joe Root, Much fuller, on middle and leg, Joe Root stays in his crease and defends it to mid on.

Nathan Smith to Joe Root, Back of a length, into the body, Joe Root is squared up as the ball hits him high on his pads and rolls back towards the bowler.

Nathan Smith to Joe Root, Angling in, on a length, on off. Joe Root eases it to the gully fielder.

Will O'Rourke to Emilio Gay, Emilio Gay stays on 49! Back of a length, on off, Emilio Gay stays back and stabs it to short cover.

Will O'Rourke to Emilio Gay, No Ball! A full toss and down the leg side, Emilio Gay tries to flick it but misses. Tom Blundell dives to his right and does well to stop it. O'Rourke has overstepped by a big margin.

Will O'Rourke to Emilio Gay, Bangs it short and outside off, Emilio Gay punches it to the gully fielder.

Will O'Rourke to Emilio Gay, Back of a length, on off, Emilio Gay eases it to mid off again. Still on 49.

Will O'Rourke to Emilio Gay, A tad fuller, on off, Emilio Gay covers his line and defends it to mid off.

Will O'Rourke to Emilio Gay, Beaten! That's a good ball. Hard length, just outside off, shaping away. Emilio Gay tries to block it but gets beaten all ends up.

Will O'Rourke to Joe Root, A bit fuller, outside off, Joe Root pushes it to mid off and scampers across for a single.

Nathan Smith to Emilio Gay, On a good length, outside off, and it keeps low. Emilio Gay shoulders arms at it. A maiden from Nathan Smith and Emilio Gay stays on 49.

Nathan Smith to Emilio Gay, Nathan Smith goes full and on the stumps, Emilio Gay defends it solidly off the front foot.

Nathan Smith to Emilio Gay, Angling in, on off, on a length. Emilio Gay stays back and blocks it to short cover.

Nathan Smith to Emilio Gay, On the stumps, fuller in length, Emilio Gay stabs it to the left of the bowler.

Nathan Smith to Emilio Gay, A yard behind good length, Emilio Gay eases it to backward point.

Nathan Smith to Emilio Gay, A bit fuller, outside off, Emilio Gay blocks it to the gully fielder.

Will O'Rourke to Joe Root, FOUR! A bit streaky this time! Hard length, just outside off, angling in. Joe Root tries to block it with soft hands. He gets a thick outside edge as the ball races past gully for a boundary. England trail by 255 runs.

Will O'Rourke to Joe Root, FOUR! Joe Root moves to 32 now! Short again, on middle, angled in. Joe Root latches onto it and pulls it powerfully through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Will O'Rourke to Joe Root, Angling in, on a length, on off. Joe Root blocks it to mid off.

Will O'Rourke to Joe Root, FOUR! That's a poor delivery, and Joe Root cashes in! Short and wide, Joe Root reaches out to it and slaps it through backward point for a boundary.

Will O'Rourke to Joe Root, Will O'Rourke goes short and outside off, Joe Root taps it to the point fielder.

Will O'Rourke to Emilio Gay, Full and angling down the leg side, Emilio Gay attempts the flick but it goes off the pads to square leg. A stifled appeal from behind the stumps, but it has been given as runs, so there might have been an inside edge.

Nathan Smith to Joe Root, A touch fuller, outside off, Joe Root eases it to the cover fielder.

Nathan Smith to Joe Root, Hard length, just outside off, shaping in. Joe Root punches it to point.

Nathan Smith to Joe Root, Angling in, on off, Joe Root covers the line and blocks it solidly.

Nathan Smith to Joe Root, FOUR! Through mid off for a boundary! Much fuller and outside off, Joe Root drives it down the ground. Mid off dives to his right to stop it, but fails to do so. The ball races away to the fence.

Nathan Smith to Joe Root, Nathan Smith keeps it full, outside off, Joe Root pushes it to short cover.

Nathan Smith to Joe Root, On a back of a length, outside off, Joe Root dabs it to backward point.

Nathan Smith to operate from the other end.

Will O'Rourke to Emilio Gay, Shaping away, outside off, Emilio Gay thinks of going after it but aborts at the last moment.

We are all set to resume. It has brightened up considerably as the two umpires and players take the field. Will O'Rourke is ready at the top of his mark. Emilio Gay to face the first ball after the break. Let's play...

3.26 pm GMT - Good news! The rain has relented, and it has indeed turned out to be nothing more than a passing shower. We already have a resumption time. If there is no further rain, play will resume at 3.35 pm GMT. The main cover is still on, but that appears to be more of a precautionary measure than anything else.

3.20 pm GMT - It is still drizzling, and the skies remain pretty grey overhead. The good news, though, is that there is a decent breeze blowing across the ground, which should help move the clouds away. Looking at the radar, it does suggest that the weather should clear up soon, so hopefully this turns out to be nothing more than a brief interruption, and we can get back underway before too long.

3.05 pm GMT - We are going off. The drizzle has picked up, and the umpires call for the covers. New Zealand are understandably reluctant to leave the field, as these are ideal bowling conditions. According to Nasser Hussain, we could be looking at a break of around half an hour. Stick around for further updates.

Game stopped due to : Rain Stoppage

Will O'Rourke to Emilio Gay, Dishes it out on a good length, outside off, Emilio Gay leaves the harmless delivery.

Will O'Rourke to Emilio Gay, A wayward bouncer, down the leg side, Emilio Gay ducks under it.

Will O'Rourke to Emilio Gay, Good length, outside off, holds its line. Emilio Gay leaves it alone.

Will O'Rourke to Joe Root, This one nips back in. Hard length, into the body, Joe Root jams it out to cover for a quick single.

Will O'Rourke to Joe Root, Will O'Rourke starts with a back of a length ball, on off, Joe Root hops a bit and blocks it to backward point.

Welcome back. There is still a bit of drizzle in the air, but we are good to go. Tom Latham and his men disperse from the huddle and take the field. Will O'Rourke will steam in first up. Joe Root is on strike. Two slips, a short leg, a leg slip and a gully in place. Here we go...

... DAY 2, SESSION 3 ...

A flawless fightback - Since that setback, it has been a flawless batting display. Joe Root joined Emilio Gay at the crease, and the duo have looked absolutely untroubled. Gay is simply refusing to give up and looks in sublime touch, agonisingly close to a half-century on 48. At the other end, the master batter has cruised to an unbeaten 19. England walk off for Tea at 118/2, now trailing by 273 runs with 8 wickets in their kitty. Let's just hope the rain stays away for the rest of the day. Can these two bat out the entire final session, or will New Zealand find a way to break this stubborn stand? Join us at 3 pm GMT right after the Tea break to find out!

Patience is the key - Out here, it is all about patience and persistence for the bowling side. Will O'Rourke looked the most threatening of the New Zealand quicks, constantly testing the batters' resolve. The Kiwis' persistence paid off just after the drinks break when Nathan Smith struck gold again, dismissing Jacob Bethell for just 9 runs to put England under a bit of a squeeze.

England take the honours - A session that certainly belonged to England, but the game still looks evenly poised. England started this session at a cautious 15 for no loss, but Ben Duckett quickly turned up the volume with some attacking shots. Runs were flowing beautifully while he was out there. Duckett’s quick-fire 36 was cut short by a sensational direct hit from Nathan Smith. England reached 68/1 at the halfway mark of the session, trailing by 323 runs. Once Duckett departed, the New Zealand bowlers seized the moment and tightened things up beautifully.

Kyle Jamieson to Emilio Gay, Shaping in, around the pads of the batter. Emilio Gay tries to flick it, but fails to connect with it. The ball brushes the pads and rolls away to the right of the keeper. Half-hearted appeal from the bowler, but that is surely going down the leg side. That will be Tea on Day 2!

Kyle Jamieson to Emilio Gay, Jamieson keeps his length fuller, closer to the off pole. Emilio Gay fends it back to the bowler.

Kyle Jamieson to Emilio Gay, Nice and full, in the corridor of uncertainty. Emilio Gay blocks it to cover.

Kyle Jamieson to Emilio Gay, Pushes the length fuller, around the pads, Emilio Gay clips it to deep square leg and picks up a couple of runs. That brings up the 50-run partnership between these two batters. It has started to drizzle but we carry on for now.

Kyle Jamieson to Emilio Gay, Jamieson drags his length back, swinging it away from the left-hander. Emilio Gay shuffles across and is happy to let that one through.

Kyle Jamieson to Emilio Gay, Just outside off, pitching it on a good length, Emilio Gay camps back and knocks it to cover.

Matt Henry to Emilio Gay, On a nagging length, around off, Emilio Gay taps it to the left of gully and takes a single.

Matt Henry to Emilio Gay, FOUR! Streaky! Good-length delivery, just outside off. Emilio Gay tries to defend it with soft hands, but gets nicked on the outside edge. It goes down and goes past the right of the gully fielder for four runs.

Matt Henry to Joe Root, On a length, just outside off, Joe Root clips it ot the right of the square leg fielder and gets a quick single.

Matt Henry to Emilio Gay, Back of a length, outside off, Emilio Gay punches it to deep backward point for one.

Matt Henry to Emilio Gay, Oh, what happened there? Emilio loses his footing and drops to the ground. On a hard length, nipping in, attacking the middle stump. Emilio hops to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pad. He loses his balance and falls on his knees.

Matt Henry to Emilio Gay, Bashes the length hard to generate some good bounce, around off. Emilio Gay rocks back and blocks it to point.

Kyle Jamieson to Joe Root, Pitches it up, does Jamieson, around off, Joe Root drives it gently to mid off.

Kyle Jamieson to Joe Root, Back of a length, outside off, Joe Root hops a bit and bunts it to cover-point.

Kyle Jamieson to Joe Root, On a nagging length, outside off, Joe Root shuffles across the stumps and opens the face of the bat to guide it toward backward point.

Kyle Jamieson to Joe Root, Pitches it up, on middle, Joe Root leans on it to defend, but catches the inside edge, before the ball rolls to square leg.

Kyle Jamieson to Joe Root, FOUR! Not entirely from the middle off the bat, but Root will take those runs. Back of a length, pitching it wide outside off, nipping away. Joe Root extends his arms and cuts it late, from the toe end of the bat. The ball drops short and dribbles away toward the left of the second slip fielder.

Kyle Jamieson to Joe Root, Fires a fuller one, wide outside off, swinging away. Joe Root lunges and lets it travel.

Double change as Kyle Jamieson (5-1-32-0) comes back into the attack now.

Matt Henry to Emilio Gay, Fuller now and closer to the off stump. Emilio Gay blocks it out.

Matt Henry to Emilio Gay, Lands it on a short of a length, outside off. Gay lets it go.

Matt Henry to Joe Root, Just outside the off stump, on a nagging length. Root pats it in front of cover and takes a quick single.