1st Inn - 375/10(129.1) 2nd Inn - 241 /2(75.0)
NZ
VS
ENG
1st Inn - 476/10(162.5) 2nd Inn - DNB
CRR: 3.21 | New Zealand drew with England

NZ drew with ENG | New Zealand vs England, Highlights And Cricket Score 2nd Test Match - Commentary

England in New Zealand, 2 Test Series, 2019

Date: Nov 29, 2019 Start Time: 03:30 IST | 22:00 GMT | 11:00 Local
Venue: Seddon Park, Hamilton

Match Commentary

New Zealand vs England Highlights And Cricket Score 2nd Match - Test Commentary

End of Over : 129.1 NZ: 375/10

England were very poor with the ball in totality. Stuart Broad stood out with a 4-wicket haul and Chris Woakes also bagged a 3-fer. However, the bowling overall was very flat and indisciplined. The pitch has been good for batting but odd deliveries have bounced more than expected and there is some life in it for the pacers. Can the Kiwi bowlers extract something from it? Do join us in a short while to find out.

At last, the toil for England is over! They had to work really hard to get all the 10 Kiwi wickets, 775 legal balls to be precise! New Zealand had quite a few contributions coming from their batsmen, as has been the case with them mostly. Tom Latham stroked a fantastic ton on Day 1 and constructed an important century stand with Ross Taylor to put England on the back foot. The English bowlers with a refreshed approach started well this morning by picking two wickets but then the pair of BJ Watling and Daryl Mitchell shut the door on the visiting team for the most of the afternoon and morning sessions. Yet another partnership above 100 saw New Zealand getting to a strong first-innings total.

129.1 W

Sam Curran to Neil Wagner. OUT! Soft dismissal! A low full toss on middle, Wagner goes for the flick across the line but fails to keep it down. It flies straight into the hands of Sibley at mid-wicket. The umpire quickly checks for the front foot no ball and Curran is fine with his landing. New Zealand all out for 375!

Sam Curran is back into the attack with one more wicket left in the NZ innings.

Neil Wagner is the last man in for the Kiwis.

End of Over : 129 0 Runs NZ: 375/9
128.6 W

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Santner. OUT! CAUGHT! Santner departs and it was looking like a matter of when rather than if in this battle between Archer and Santner. Archer again bowls a short delivery down the leg side, Santner plays the hook shot and connects but not in the way he would have wanted. Santner perfectly picks out Chris Woakes at deep square leg as he finally holes out. Finally something to celebrate for Jofra Archer as he picks his first wicket in the 28th over he has bowled.

128.5 0

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Santner. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.

128.4 0

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Santner. Bouncer by Archer, Santner looks to hook but misses.

The steward who got hurt a moment back is now sitting in the balcony with some ice pack on his head. Meanwhile, some really dark clouds are slowly building around the stadium.

128.3 0

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Santner. Back of a length ball on middle, punched down towards mid on.

128.2 0

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Santner. Jaffa by Archer! Back of a length ball on off, it pitches and straightens. Santner looks to go back and defend but the ball just whizzes past the outside edge.

128.1 0

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Santner. Fullish on off, driven towards the man at mid off.

End of Over : 128 4 Runs NZ: 375/8
127.6 0

Chris Woakes to Matt Henry. Bouncer on middle and off, ducked under by Henry.

127.5 0

Chris Woakes to Matt Henry. Matt goes back in his crease and defends it out.

127.4 0

Chris Woakes to Matt Henry. This time Henry connects but hits it straight to the man at mid off.

127.3 0

Chris Woakes to Matt Henry. Good length ball outside off, Henry looks to drive at it but is beaten as the ball goes past his outside edge.

127.2 0

Chris Woakes to Matt Henry. Bouncer by Woakes, ducked under by Henry.

127.1 4

Chris Woakes to Matt Henry. FOUR! Straight as an arrow! Full ball on middle and off, Henry expertly drives this one straight down the ground through mid off for a boundary.

End of Over : 127 12 Runs NZ: 371/8
126.6 0

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Santner. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

126.5 0

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Santner. Bouncer on middle and leg, Santner leaves this one alone.

126.4 6

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Santner. SIX! Another one! Short ball down the leg side, Santner expertly helps his horizontal bat shot over the backward square leg region for a maximum. As the ball crosses the ropes, it directly hits a steward who was sitting behind the advertising boards on the head. He is asked by Sam Curran as to whether he is fine or not. T.V. replays later show that he has been taken in for some medical attention.

126.3 0

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Santner. Length ball on middle and off, defended.

126.2 6

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Santner. SIX! Flicked away! What a shot this one! On the hips of Santner, he gets up on one leg and just nonchalantly flicks this one over the fine leg region for a maximum.

126.1 0

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Santner. Length ball just outside off, defended towards the off side.

End of Over : 126 2 Runs NZ: 359/8
125.6 1

Chris Woakes to Mitchell Santner. The bumper barrage continues. Santner pulls it through mid-wicket for a run.

125.5 0

Chris Woakes to Mitchell Santner. Another short one down the leg side, Santner is happy to let it be.

125.4 0

Chris Woakes to Mitchell Santner. Good length ball around off, Santner looks to defend it to the off side but fails to lay wood on the ball. The ball dies down in front of Pope before he takes it.

125.3 0

Chris Woakes to Mitchell Santner. Short stuff from Woakes. As he bowls a bumper on middle and leg, Santner ducks under it.

125.2 1

Chris Woakes to Matt Henry. Full and on middle and leg, Henry nudges it to the leg side and gets off the mark.

Matt Henry is the new man in.

125.1 W

Chris Woakes to Tim Southee. OUT! Southee is bounced out! First catch for Ollie Pope with his gloves on. Steep bounce for Woakes as he digs in a short ball around off. Southee fails to move away from the line and has his bat hanging out. It kisses his gloves and settles into the gloves of Pope. Can New Zealand get to 400 from here?

End of Over : 125 9 Runs NZ: 357/7
124.6 0

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Santner. Length ball outside off, left alone.

124.5 4

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Santner. FOUR BYES! Another bouncer by Archer which climbs onto the batsman. Santner looks to stand tall and defend but he is beaten and so is Ollie Pope as the ball races behind for a boundary.

124.4 4

Jofra Archer to Mitchell Santner. EDGED AND FOUR! Length ball outside off, Santner has a poke at this one but the ball takes a thick outside edge and goes towards the third man region for a boundary.

124.3 1

Jofra Archer to Tim Southee. Length ball just outside off, Southee plays it towards point and sets off for a single. Santner is late to react to it but obliges in the end. He runs towards the striker's end where the fielder has a shy. He misses and Santner survives with a dive. Replays show that had the fielder hit, it would have been a very close call.

124.2 0

Jofra Archer to Tim Southee. Good length ball on the body, worked towards mid on.

124.1 0

Jofra Archer to Tim Southee. Bouncer on middle and off, Southee ducks under it.

Jofra Archer is back into the attack. He has had a toothless outing so far, with his figures reading 25-7-58-0.

End of Over : 124 5 Runs NZ: 348/7
123.6 0

Chris Woakes to Mitchell Santner. Back of a length ball this time, Santner gets on his toes and plays this one towards point.

123.5 0

Chris Woakes to Mitchell Santner. Another short ball, again Santner ducks under it.

123.4 0

Chris Woakes to Mitchell Santner. Bouncer on middle and off, ducked under by Santner.

123.3 0

Chris Woakes to Mitchell Santner. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

123.2 1

Chris Woakes to Tim Southee. On off, Southee hits this one towards cover for one.

123.1 4

Chris Woakes to Tim Southee. FOUR! Southee looking to be aggressive here! Bouncer on middle and off, Southee rocks back and slams this one past the bowler's head. He does not time it properly and thus gets a boundary near the long on region. The replays confirm that the ball has landed inside the field before hitting the boundary cushion.

End of Over : 123 1 Runs NZ: 343/7
122.6 0

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Santner. Full and on middle, Santner drives it to mid on.

122.5 0

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Santner. Length and around off, Santner looks defend this one to the off side but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The English players go up in appeal but the umpire is unmoved. There were two sounds heard at the point of impact. Replays later on show that there was a massive inside edge on it. Though England don't have any reviews left in the innings. They would not have mattered also.

122.4 1

Stuart Broad to Tim Southee. Another back of a length ball on middle, Southee pushes it awkwardly to the leg side for a run.

122.3 0

Stuart Broad to Tim Southee. BUMPER! Southee does not fiddle with it and lets it through.

122.2 0

Stuart Broad to Tim Southee. Back of a length and on middle, Southee hops around in the crease and keeps it out to the leg side.

122.1 0

Stuart Broad to Tim Southee. Full and on middle and leg, Southee pushes it to mid on.

End of Over : 122 8 Runs NZ: 342/7
121.6 1

Chris Woakes to Tim Southee. On the pads, Southee flicks this one towards square leg for a single.

121.5 2

Chris Woakes to Tim Southee. Another length ball wide outside off, Southee makes room and lifts this over covers. The batters are able to take a couple.

121.4 0

Chris Woakes to Tim Southee. Length ball on off, defended towards cover.

121.3 4

Chris Woakes to Tim Southee. FOUR! Blazed away! Length ball just outside off, Southee stays leg side of the ball and cuts it through the backward point region for a boundary.

121.2 1

Chris Woakes to Mitchell Santner. Another bouncer, this time Santner looks to hook but gets a top edge on it. The ball goes towards the backward square leg region but falls safe. The batters take a single.

121.1 0

Chris Woakes to Mitchell Santner. Short ball at head height, Santner takes one hand off his bat and awkwardly defends this one onto the ground off the splice of his bat.

End of Over : 121 8 Runs NZ: 334/7
120.6 4

Stuart Broad to Tim Southee. FOUR! Southee is lucky there. Stuart is making the ball talk. This time he bowls it a bit full and there is a hint of away movement on this one. Southee looks to push this one through the off side but gets an outside edge. The ball runs past the diving lone slip fielder and into the fence at third man.

120.5 0

Stuart Broad to Tim Southee. A low full toss outside off, Southee pushes it off the back foot towards mid off.

Tim Southee is the new man in.

120.4 W

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. OUT! CAUGHT! Would rather say commentator's curse. Two balls earlier I had praised this lad and unfortunately jinxed him. Broad this time bowls one wide of the crease and bangs it into the right-hander. Daryl pulls it with the full swing of the bat but fails to keep it down as it flies off the splice. Jofra Archer stationed at fine leg takes an easy catch. So, Daryl Mitchell has to take the long walk back to the pavilion. No century on debut for him.

Yet another warning given to Stuart Broad for running on the pitch! One more and he will be taken off...

120.3 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. Yorker on off, Daryl keeps it off right under his eyes.

120.2 4

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. FOUR! Beautifully driven. Daryl is playing a magnificent knock in his debut innings. Broad overpitches and Daryl leans on and drives it through covers for a boundary.

120.1 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. Full and on off, Daryl pushes it past the bowler. The fielder at mid off runs across and fields it.

We are told that after the end of the 119th over, Stuart Broad was given an official warning for running on the danger area. Meanwhile, the second new ball has lost its shape and the umpires have changed it. England won't mind that as the previous nut wasn't doing much for them.

End of Over : 120 2 Runs NZ: 326/6
119.6 0

Chris Woakes to Mitchell Santner. Full and around off, Santner drives it to mid off.

119.5 0

Chris Woakes to Mitchell Santner. Length delivery blocked off the front foot to the off side.

119.4 0

Chris Woakes to Mitchell Santner. Length and on off, Santner keeps it out with a gentle push towards mid off.

119.3 2

Chris Woakes to Mitchell Santner. Woakes goes short and wide of off stump. Santner pulls it through mid-wicket and scampers back for a couple.

119.2 0

Chris Woakes to Mitchell Santner. Back of a length and on off, Santner pushes it off the back foot to mid off.

119.1 0

Chris Woakes to Mitchell Santner. Good length and around off, Santner defends it to point.

End of Over : 119 2 Runs NZ: 324/6
118.6 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. Full and on middle and leg, pushed to mid on.

118.5 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. A harmless bouncer down the leg side. Daryl sways away from the line.

118.4 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. Good length and around off, Daryl flicks it to mid on.

118.3 1

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Santner. Full and on the pads, Santner flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.

118.2 0

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Santner. BOUNCER! Broad goes short on middle and leg, Santner is happy to duck it.

118.1 1

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. Length ball on middle and off, Daryl drives it through mid on for a run.

End of Over : 118 5 Runs NZ: 322/6
117.6 0

Chris Woakes to Mitchell Santner. Good length and around off, Santner defends it off the front foot.

117.5 0

Chris Woakes to Mitchell Santner. Length and on off, blocked to the off side.

117.4 0

Chris Woakes to Mitchell Santner. Santner blocks this back of a length ball to the leg side off the back foot.

117.3 1

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Daryl flicks this length ball off his pads towards the leg side for a run.

117.2 4

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. FOUR! Full and on the pads, Daryl flicks it across the line. The ball races to the mid-wicket fence where Crawley looks to go for the ball but comes second.

117.1 0

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Length and around off, Daryl defends it to covers.

Chris Woakes to operate from the other end. 25-6-57-2, his figures so far.

End of Over : 117 4 Runs NZ: 317/6
116.6 2

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Santner. Low full toss to begin with. Santner pushes it off his pads towards mid on where Stokes misfields. The batsmen sneak a couple.

Welcome back for the final session of the day's play. The English players are in the middle taking their fielding positions. They are followed by the two New Zealand batsmen Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner. Will the Englishmen stage a comeback in this session or will the hosts run away with the game? To find out, here we go...

... Day 2, session 3 ...

Smiles return in the English camp as they end a miserable session for them with the prized scalp of BJ Watling. Otherwise, it was an outstanding afternoon session for the Black Caps! On the back of the century partnership for the 6th wicket, they have pushed England into a corner. BJ Watling and Daryl Mitchell batted almost the entire session without any discomfort and notched up their respective fifties. It was a completely flat bowling show by the Englishmen and they looked bereft of ideas. They would hope that the wicket of Watling will spark a comeback for them. Do join us in a short while for the last session of the day.

116.5 W

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. OUT! CAUGHT! Watling departs after a terrific innings and one can say he has sucked the life out of the England players with this knock. Broad bowls a beauty, coming from over the wicket. He bowls a back of a length delivery which hurries onto the batter. Watling looks to get on his toes and defend but the ball goes off the splice of the bat towards gully where Rory Burns takes an easy catch. This has broken the 124-run stand between Mitchell and Watling and ends a frustrating spell of play for the English players. And with that the umpires have signalled that they will take the TEA BREAK!

116.4 1

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. Shortish ball on middle and leg, Mitchell pulls this one towards mid-wicket for a single.

116.3 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. Full ball on off, driven towards the man at mid off.

116.2 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. Full toss on the off pole, Mitchell plays this one back towards the bowler.

116.1 1

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Full ball on the pads, Watling whips it fine down the leg side for a single.

End of Over : 116 3 Runs NZ: 313/5
115.6 0

Joe Root to Daryl Mitchell. Floated on off, pushed to the man at cover.

115.5 1

Joe Root to BJ Watling. Again shortish on off, Watling punches it towards the off side and takes a single.

115.4 0

Joe Root to BJ Watling. Watling goes deep inside his crease and blocks it out.

115.3 1

Joe Root to Daryl Mitchell. Mitchell goes onto the back foot and punches this one towards long on for one.

115.2 0

Joe Root to Daryl Mitchell. On the pads, worked towards mid-wicket.

115.1 1

Joe Root to BJ Watling. Shortish on off, Watling plays this one towards long on for a single.

Joe Root, the skipper, brings himself back into the attack.

End of Over : 115 0 Runs NZ: 310/5
114.6 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. Fullish on off, driven towards mid on. Two maidens on the bounce!

114.5 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.

114.4 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. A high full toss this time, Mitchell punches it out towards mid on.

114.3 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. This time bowls it on off, Mitchell pushes it down to mid off.

114.2 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. Full toss on the leg pole line, driven towards the man at mid on.

114.1 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. Good length ball outside off, defended.

End of Over : 114 0 Runs NZ: 310/5
113.6 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Bouncer again, ducked under easily. End of the over and New Zealand having no trouble whatsoever.

113.5 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. On middle and leg, driven towards mid on.

113.4 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Bouncer on middle and leg, Watling does well to evade it.

113.3 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. On the leg pole line, worked towards the leg side.

113.2 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Length ball on off, blocked out.

113.1 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Starts the over with a full ball on off, it is pushed towards the man at short extra cover.

End of Over : 113 6 Runs NZ: 310/5
112.6 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. Good length ball on off, defended.

112.5 2

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. Full ball on the leg pole line, the batter drives this one down the ground towards long on for a couple.

112.4 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. Yorker wide outside off, Mitchell tries to dig it out but misses.

112.3 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. Slips a full ball down the leg side, Daryl tries to flick but misses.

112.2 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. Back of a length ball on middle, defended off the back foot to mid on.

112.1 4

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. FOUR! Easy pickings! Broad gets his line wrong and is duly punished. Short delivery down the leg side, Mitchell swivels and pulls it fine down the leg side for a boundary.

End of Over : 112 4 Runs NZ: 304/5
111.6 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Down the leg side, Watling looks to flick but misses.

111.5 4

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. FOUR! 50 up for BJ Watling! His 18th in Test matches and 4th consecutive 50-plus scores. Curran bowls a length ball outside off, Watling rocks back and crunches this one through the cover-point region for a boundary. Watling has taken a great amount of time to get to his half ton and now will be looking to convert it into a ton.

111.4 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Another one on off, driven towards mid off.

111.3 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Length ball on off, defended towards mid off.

111.2 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. A superb shot but results in nothing. Full ball on middle and off, Watling hits it straight as an arrow down the ground. It hits the stumps at the non-striker's end and nothing results.

111.1 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Length ball on off, defended off the back foot.

End of Over : 111 2 Runs NZ: 300/5
110.6 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

110.5 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. On off, driven towards mid off.

110.4 2

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. Back of a length ball on the off side, Mitchell rocks back and pulls this one towards square leg. Crawley in the deep parries the ball as he dives and keeps the batsmen down to two. With this couple, 300 runs are up for the Kiwis.

110.3 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. Full ball on off, driven towards mid off.

110.2 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. Outside off, left alone.

110.1 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. Length ball on middle. worked towards mid-wicket.

Stuart Broad is back into the attack. 21-6-50-2, his figures so far. He replaces Ben Stokes into the attack.

End of Over : 110 4 Runs NZ: 298/5
109.6 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Full ball wide outside off, Watling drives this one superbly towards cover but can't find the gap.

109.5 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Bouncer down the leg side, Watling ducks under it.

109.4 4

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. FOUR! Stand and deliver! It is just too easy for New Zealand here! Curran bowls a full ball again, just outside off. Watling drills it down the ground through mid off for a boundary. Moves to 48.

109.3 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Good length ball on off, pushed towards point.

109.2 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. On middle and leg this time, pushed down to mid on.

109.1 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Full ball on off, defended towards the mid off region.

Sam Curran is back for another spell. 20-6-55-1, so far from him.

End of Over : 109 8 Runs NZ: 294/5
108.6 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Good length ball on off, defended towards mid off.

108.5 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. On the pads, worked towards the leg side.

108.4 4

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. FOUR! Half ton up for the debutant, Daryl Mitchell! And what a way to get to it! Short of a length ball outside off, Mitchell rocks back and pulls this one through mid-wicket for a boundary. This also brings up the 100-run stand between Mitchell and Watling.

108.3 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Good length ball on middle, Mitchell looks to flick this one towards the leg side but gets a leading edge on it. It goes towards the bowler on the bounce.

108.2 4

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. FOUR! Graceful! Just wow! Stokes bowls a half-volley on off, Mitchell leans forward and creams this one through the extra cover region for a boundary.

108.1 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Good length ball on the off pole line, defended back towards the bowler.

End of Over : 108 4 Runs NZ: 286/5
107.6 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. Back of a length ball on the body, defended by Watling by getting up on his toes.

107.5 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. Full ball on off, pushed towards the cover region.

107.4 4

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. FOUR! Full ball on the pads, Watling has flicked it nonchalantly towards the mid-wicket region for a boundary.

107.3 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

107.2 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. Short of a length ball on middle, blocked out.

107.1 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. Good field placement by Root! Archer bowls one on the pads, Watling flicks but the ball goes on the bounce to Stokes standing at leg gully.

End of Over : 107 0 Runs NZ: 282/5
106.6 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Another ball on middle and off, defended down the ground.

106.5 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. On the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket.

106.4 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Good length ball on middle and leg, pushed back towards Stokes.

106.3 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Length ball outside off, pushed towards point.

106.2 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

106.1 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Good length ball on middle and off, defended.

End of Over : 106 9 Runs NZ: 282/5
105.6 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

105.5 1

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell. Bouncer again, this time Mitchell's pull connects, although only a top edge on it. The ball flies to deep backward square leg where it falls just short of Sam Curran who is running to his left. Does well to stop it and saves three runs.

105.4 4

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell. FOUR BYES! Another bouncer by Archer, this is way too high for the batter or even the keeper. Ollie Pope gets a hand to it but he cannot slow the ball down. The ball races away to the fine leg fence.

105.3 0

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell. Bouncer on middle and off, ducked under.

105.2 0

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell. Careful! That would be the message that Mitchell would be giving himself right now. Short of a length ball on off, Mitchell looks to pull this one towards mid-wicket but misses. After hitting a boundary off the previous ball, he should not be going wildly after those.

105.1 4

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell. FOUR! Beauty! What a shot by the debutant! Full ball on middle and off, Mitchell hangs back in his crease and drives this one down the ground through mid on for a boundary.

End of Over : 105 1 Runs NZ: 273/5
104.6 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Length ball outside off, played to the man at point.

104.5 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Full ball on off, Watling looks to drive this one towards the cover region but the ball goes off the inside half of the bat straight towards the bowler.

104.4 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Another one on off, pushed towards cover.

104.3 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Length ball on off, defended towards the off side.

104.2 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Good length ball on off, played back to the bowler.

104.1 1

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. On the hips, worked towards square leg for a single.

DRINKS! It has been all New Zealand since the Lunch break as Mitchell and Watling are amidst an unbeaten 81-run stand, but one must say, England have not shown the stomach for a fight. There has been no intensity to their play and their bowling has been mediocre as well. The way they are playing one could easily see the game going out of their hands by the end of Day 2 itself.

End of Over : 104 3 Runs NZ: 272/5
103.6 2

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. A little bit of width outside off, Watling uses the pace of the bowler and steers it through point for a couple.

103.5 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. Cranks it up, Archer. Good length ball on middle and leg at 143.2 kph, BJ taps it down from the back foot to the leg side.

103.4 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. Archer switches to 'round the wicket and serves a short ball down the leg side. An easy leave. The ploy is to bounce out the batsman with a leg gully in place but Jofra has not been accurate enough to execute the plan.

103.3 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. A 141.5 kph delivery, angling down the leg side, Watling offers no shot and lets it through again.

103.2 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. Back of a length delivery sliding down the leg side, Watling moves across and allows it through to the keeper.

103.1 1

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell. A rising delivery around leg, Mitchell stands back and glances it to deep square leg for a single.

End of Over : 103 0 Runs NZ: 269/5
102.6 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. Two maidens in a row!

102.5 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Back of a length ball on off, angling in, Watling leans back and tries to get away from the line. Fails to do so entirely as the ball takes his arm-guard and rolls behind to the keeper.

102.4 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. A length ball outside off, Watling drives it off his front foot to covers.

102.3 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Stokes bends his back to dig in a short ball on off, Watling defends it from the back foot.

102.2 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Short and wide outside off, stroked firmly to point.

102.1 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Angling in a full length ball on middle, Watling flicks it off his pads to mid-wicket.

End of Over : 102 0 Runs NZ: 269/5
101.6 0

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell. Bouncer but down the leg side, Mitchell has nothing to do with it. Maiden!

101.5 0

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell. Digs in a short ball wide outside off, it's left alone by Daryl.

101.4 0

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell. Appeal for an lbw! Not entertained by umpire Dharmasena. Archer foxes the batsman with a slower delivery. It's on middle and leg with a wobbly seam, Mitchell fails to flick and is hit on the pads. They appeal but it's too high. The replays later on confirm the same. Heading over the stumps.

101.3 0

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell. Bouncer! The batsman does well to evade it.

101.2 0

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell. Short in length on middle, jumping onto the batsman, Mitchell hops to defend with a straight bat but it strikes him on the gloves and rolls near the surface.

101.1 0

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell. On and around off, defended from the back foot to the on side.

End of Over : 101 7 Runs NZ: 269/5
100.6 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Solid as ever. A length ball on off, Watling covers the line and defends it stoutly.

100.5 1

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Short again and pulled again. This time in front of square leg for one.

100.4 4

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. FOUR! Hammered! There was a fielder in the deep but he had no chance. Short again by Stokes, around middle, Mitchell pulls it from the meat of the bat and sends it screaming away to the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

100.3 1

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Fractionally short on middle, Watling works it with the angle and sends it to deep square leg for a run.

100.2 1

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Short in length on middle, Mitchell is on top of the bounce as he pulls it behind square leg for a run. Daryl looks quite stylish while pulling the ball.

100.1 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Bouncer around off, Mitchell lets it through to the keeper.

End of Over : 100 3 Runs NZ: 262/5
99.6 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. A yorker around off, on the slower side at 115 kph, Watling is up to the challenge and jams it out safely. 100 overs done and dusted, it's been hard work for England.

The England players trying their best to get the ball changed by giving the umpire one reason or another. However, the umpires are buying none of it and are returning the ball back to the players straightaway.

99.5 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. A touch short again, around off, Watling pushes it from the back foot to covers.

99.4 2

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. Shortish and outside off, Watling hangs on the back foot and strokes it through cover-point for two.

99.3 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. Edgy! Back of a length ball on off, BJ stays back to hit it through the line but gets an inside edge onto the front leg. Everything happening in slow motion for England. Intensity is seriously lacking.

99.2 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. On a good length close to off, Watling is behind the line in defense. Solid and watchful!

99.1 1

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell. Full length ball on off, a gentle nudge in the gap at mid-wicket for one.

Double bowling change. The speedster Jofra Archer has the ball in his hand. He is still wicketless in the 20 overs he has bowled so far.

End of Over : 99 3 Runs NZ: 259/5
98.6 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Close to off, on a length, BJ gets forward and plays it with an angled bat to the off side.

98.5 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Fullish and angling in on middle, pushed down the ground to mid on.

98.4 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. A length ball around off, angling in, the face of Watling's bat opens slightly on contact as he pushes it to covers.

98.3 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Angles in a full length ball on off, Watling meets it with the full face of his bat and pushes it to mid off.

98.2 2

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Too straight in line, Watling eases it off his pads to deep backward square leg for a couple of runs.

Jofra Archer is stretching. Maybe, he will come from the other end.

98.1 1

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Back of a length ball on middle, Mitchell stands back and uses the angle of the bowler to work it behind square leg for a run.

Time for a change in bowling. With nothing happening, Joe Root turns to Ben Stokes for some inspiration. The current stand is worth 65 and it's taking New Zealand in a zone of comfort.

End of Over : 98 1 Runs NZ: 256/5
97.6 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Serves it on a length close to off, Watling is alert with a straight bat as he blocks.

97.5 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Fuller and on off, pushed with firm hands to mid off.

97.4 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Clever change in pace again by Woakes. A loopy one. Dipping into the batsman and lands very full on middle, Watling picks it and pushes it down to mid on.

97.3 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Good length ball on top of off, BJ is solidly behind the line in defense.

97.2 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Full and angling in on middle and off, Watling closes the face and works it to mid-wicket.

97.1 1

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Mitchell has played it towards mid-wicket. They pick up a single.

End of Over : 97 0 Runs NZ: 255/5
96.6 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Switches to over the wicket and bowls a bouncer around leg, Watling ducks once more. Fourth maiden since the beginning of this session!

96.5 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Yet another bouncer but it has no effect on the batsman. Easily ducked.

96.4 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Angles in a full length ball close to off, BJ strides forward and defends it to covers.

96.3 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Bumper! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment.

96.2 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. A pitched up ball on middle, knocked down towards mid on.

96.1 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Curran continues with his 'round the wicket angle and releases it from wide of the crease. Fails to control his line though and slips it down the leg side. Watling tries flicking but misses.

End of Over : 96 0 Runs NZ: 255/5
95.6 0

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Back of a length delivery on off, Mitchell nudges it from the back foot to cover-point. Completely insipid bowling going on!

95.5 0

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Well bowled! A tempter outside off, on a driving length, Mitchell shoulders arms.

95.4 0

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. A length ball around off, Daryl stays back and plays it with the angle to the right of mid on.

95.3 0

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

95.2 0

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Mishit! Woakes brings in a change of pace. An off cutter outside off at 115.8 kph, on the shorter side, Mitchell is early into his square cut and gets a bottom edge. It goes on one bounce to the keeper.

95.1 0

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Fullish and angling in on off, Daryl is on the front foot as he defends it back watchfully.

End of Over : 95 1 Runs NZ: 255/5
94.6 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

94.5 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Watling picked that bouncer early and lets it through to the keeper.

94.4 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Slightly short in length just outside off, Watling stands tall and guides it to the right of the gully fielder. A diving stop in that region means that there is no run on offer.

94.3 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Bouncer on middle and leg, Watling sits underneath it with ease.

94.2 1

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. Good length ball on middle and leg, Mitchell nudges it to fine leg for one.

94.1 0

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. Curran switches to 'round the wicket and angles in a short delivery with a leg gully in place. Mitchell has nothing to do with it.

End of Over : 94 1 Runs NZ: 254/5
93.6 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Solidly gets behind the line of the delivery and eases it to mid on.

93.5 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Woakes bends his back and digs in a short delivery outside off, BJ allows it through and Pope jumps to collect it over his head.

93.4 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Drops it slightly full and outside off, Watling draws forward and defends.

93.3 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Shortish and on off, Watling goes on the back foot and punches it square of the wicket on the off side. Finds point.

93.2 1

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Back of a length ball on middle and leg, Mitchell remains on the back foot and turns it through mid-wicket for one.

93.1 0

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Hurls in a length delivery in the channel outside off, staying a bit low, Daryl covers his stumps with a forward stride and then makes a leave.

End of Over : 93 5 Runs NZ: 253/5
92.6 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. On a good length around middle and off, Watling easily defends it on the leg side. A bit boring with nothing happening for the bowlers.

92.5 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. A length ball on off, BJ covers the line and blocks it from the back foot.

92.4 4

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. FOUR! Beautiful! He's in such great touch. Curran offers width outside off, Watling stands back and uses his lovely hands to steer it through backward point for a boundary. 250 up for the Black Caps!

92.3 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Good length ball on off, angling away, Watling stays back and defends it on the off side.

92.2 1

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. Fullish ball around leg, Daryl clips it in front of square leg for a single.

92.1 0

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. Well stopped, Crawley! Short in length and on off, Mitchell hangs on the back foot as he pulls it across the line. It goes on one bounce to mid-wicket where Crawley dives across to his right to stop the racing ball.

End of Over : 92 0 Runs NZ: 248/5
91.6 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Brings a full ball back into the batsman from around off, Watling brings a straight bat down and pushes it to mid on. A couple of maidens to begin the second session.

91.5 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Shortish again, on off, BJ rocks back and punches it through the line, finds the cover fielder.

91.4 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Fractionally short in length again, around off, Watling stays back to get on top of the bounce and defends it soundly.

91.3 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Back of a length delivery outside off, Watling plays at it nice and late as he dabs it down towards gully.

91.2 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Fullish and angling in on middle, BJ brings down a straight bat as he pushes it to mid on.

91.1 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Watling has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Chris Woakes to operate from the other end. The bowling has been quite flat from England when it should have been full of energy after taking the second new ball. Just going through the motions, it seems.

End of Over : 91 0 Runs NZ: 248/5
90.6 0

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. Close to middle and off, on a fuller length, Daryl defends it close to his body and pushes it to mid off.

90.5 0

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. Curran tries to lure the batsman into a drive by bowling a fuller length ball outside off, Mitchell is not falling for it.

90.4 0

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. Angling away from the batsman, on a good length, Mitchell covers the line and shoulders arms.

90.3 0

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. On middle and leg, helped to mid-wicket.

90.2 0

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. Daryl falls! A length ball close to off, Mitchell pushes it with gentle hands to covers and sets off for a run. Watling sends him back and Daryl slips while turning. Luckily, he is near enough to drag his bat inside the crease.

90.1 0

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. Curran begins the afternoon session with a pitched up ball around off, Mitchell drives it confidently off his front foot to mid off.

The England players are back on the field and are taking their fielding positions. The New Zealand batters, Daryl Mitchell and BJ Watling follow them out. Sam Curran to start the proceedings in the second session with the local lad, Daryl Mitchell on strike.

... Day 2, Session 2 ...

Absorbing session of Test cricket! England started on a positive note by dismissing both the overnight batsmen but failed to build on that. After the initial blows, BJ Watling and Daryl Mitchell allied and didn't allow the visitors to dictate terms. The former has once again shown a lot of composure while the debutant has not looked too troubled either. They have taken their time and are amidst a 57-run stand that has given the control back to New Zealand. The pitch has not offered a lot yet again and in spite of England opting for the second new ball, there wasn't anything substantial to encourage the bowlers. Also, there was no energy and intensity, and it was incredibly uninspiring from the touring party. The way things have panned out after the first hour, the Black Caps appear to be heading towards a solid first innings total. Can England snatch the momentum back in their corner post Lunch? Do join us in a short while to find out.

End of Over : 90 0 Runs NZ: 248/5
89.6 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Good length ball on off, pushed towards the off side. That will be the last ball of the extended morning session and it is LUNCH ON DAY 2!

89.5 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Good length ball on the off side, blocked out.

89.4 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.

89.3 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Jaffa! Perfect line and length by Woakes! Just around the off pole line, Watling looks to fiddle at it but the ball beats the outside edge as it straightens. The Kiwis would be looking to avoid a setback just before Lunch.

89.2 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Outside off again, left alone.

89.1 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Outside off, played towards point.

End of Over : 89 1 Runs NZ: 248/5
88.6 0

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. Down the leg side, Mitchell has nothing to do with it.

88.5 0

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. Good length ball on off, driven towards mid off.

88.4 1

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Back of a length ball outside off, this time Watling goes back and cuts it towards the gully region. Burns there flies to his left and gets a hand to the ball. He helps it keep it down to one.

88.3 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Another length ball on middle, the ball goes off the inside half towards the leg side.

88.2 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Another back of a length ball, it is dabbed down to the gully fielder.

88.1 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Length ball on the leg side, pushed towards mid on.

End of Over : 88 2 Runs NZ: 247/5
87.6 1

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Down the leg side, the batsman helps it towards fine leg and takes a single.

87.5 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Outside off, defended towards the off side.

87.4 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

87.3 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Length ball on middle and leg, tucked towards the leg side.

87.2 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Fullish this time, driven to mid off.

87.1 1

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Length ball on middle and leg, driven down to long on for one.

End of Over : 87 2 Runs NZ: 245/5
86.6 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. On a length outside off, left alone.

86.5 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Length ball on middle and off, defended by the batter.

86.4 1

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. Length ball on middle and off, Mitchell looks to defend but the ball goes off the leading half towards cover for a single.

86.3 0

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball but fails.

86.2 0

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. The sucker ball from Curran. Full ball wide outside off, Mitchell looks to drive at it. The ball beats the outside edge of the bat and goes to Pope. The England players appeal but nothing from the umpire.

86.1 1

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. On the pads, nudged towards fine leg for a single.

Double change. Sam Curran is back too. 14-4-46-1, his figures so far.

End of Over : 86 2 Runs NZ: 243/5
85.6 0

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Length ball outside off, left alone.

85.5 1

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. On the pads, flicked towards the mid-wicket region for a single.

85.4 1

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Full ball on off, driven towards the cover region for a single.

85.3 0

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Good length delivery on middle and off, Mitchell prods forward and defends.

85.2 0

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

85.1 0

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Full ball on middle, Mitchell has defended it out.

Chris Woakes is back into the attack. 18-3-51-2, his figures so far. He replaces Stuart Broad.

End of Over : 85 1 Runs NZ: 241/5
84.6 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. Length ball outside off, pushed towards point.

84.5 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. Short of a length ball, Watling sways away from it.

84.4 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. Full ball on middle, driven towards mid on.

84.3 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

84.2 1

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell. On the hips of Mitchell, he tries to flick this one down the leg side but misses. The ball goes off the hips towards backward square leg and the batters take a leg bye. 50-run stand up between the two with this. A good comeback after a poor start to the day for the Kiwis.

84.1 0

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell. Good length ball on the off side, pushed down to mid on.

End of Over : 84 3 Runs NZ: 240/5
83.6 1

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. On the pads, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. Mitchell will retain strike for the next over.

83.5 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

83.4 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. Down the leg side by Broad, it pitches and swings further away from the batter. Mitchell looks to flick but misses. Ollie Pope does well behind the stumps to dive to his left and gather the ball.

83.3 1

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. On the hips, flicked towards square leg for a single.

83.2 0

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Good length ball just outside off, pushed back to the bowler.

83.1 1

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. On the pads, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

End of Over : 83 3 Runs NZ: 237/5
82.6 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. Back of a length ball on middle and leg, Watling tries working it across the line but misses and takes a blow on his thigh pad.

82.5 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. Shortish delivery outside off, left alone by BJ.

82.4 1

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell. Straighter in line and Mitchell inside edges his attempted flick behind square leg for one.

82.3 0

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell. Lets the ball go outside his off stump.

82.2 0

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell. In the channel outside off, Mitchell shoulders arms.

82.1 2

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell. Angling down towards middle and leg, Mitchell eases it behind square leg for a couple of runs.

End of Over : 82 2 Runs NZ: 234/5
81.6 1

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. On the pads, flicked through mid-wicket by the batsman. Single taken.

81.5 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

81.4 0

Stuart Broad to Daryl Mitchell. Huge appeal by the England team but nothing from the umpire. Broad bowls a beauty on a good length, swinging in, with great seam position. Mitchell looks to move across and defend but he fails to do so. The ball hits him on the bent back leg but there are a couple of noises. The England players put in a loud appeal but umpire Dharmasena says nothing doing. There are no reviews left for England so no use of thinking about it. Replays roll in, Hot Spot shows no bat involved. The noise was that of the bottom of the bat hitting the boot of Mitchell. Ball Tracker comes into play now but shows the ball to be going over the stumps. Good decision by the umpire.

81.3 1

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. On the pads of Watling, he flicks this one fine down the leg side for a single.

81.2 0

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Length ball outside off, left alone.

81.1 0

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Good length ball on middle and off, defended.

End of Over : 81 2 Runs NZ: 232/5
80.6 0

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell. Bouncer down the leg side, Mitchell ducks under it.

80.5 1

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. On the pads, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

80.4 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. Outside off, this one is comfortably left alone.

80.3 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. Length ball outside off, left alone. Some swing and bounce on this one too.

80.2 1

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell. Some late movement for Archer! Good length ball outside off, Mitchell offers the leave. The ball goes past Mitchell and swings to the left of Pope who dives in that direction and gets a hand to it. Keeps it down to a bye.

80.1 0

Jofra Archer to Daryl Mitchell. Archer starts off with the new ball with a delivery down the leg side. Mitchell does not bother to chase it.

Second new ball is available now! The reserve umpire has handed it over and Joe Root gives it to Jofra Archer. A vital period, this. Archer has bowled a lot better this morning but is still wicketless.

End of Over : 80 6 Runs NZ: 230/5
79.6 4

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. FOUR! Creamed through extra cover! Full ball wide outside off, Watling leans forward and drives this one effortlessly through extra cover for a magnificent boundary.

79.5 0

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Another good length ball on off, pushed towards the off side.

79.4 0

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Good length ball on off, defended out.

79.3 0

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Full ball on off, driven towards cover.

79.2 2

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. On the pads, Watling flicks this one towards mid-wicket and takes a couple.

79.1 0

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Good length ball outside off, left alone.

End of Over : 79 0 Runs NZ: 224/5
78.6 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Another full ball on off, pushed towards cover again. Back-to-back maidens for England.

78.5 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Fullish this time, pushed towards cover.

78.4 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Good length ball on off, blocked out.

78.3 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Length ball outside off, angling into the batter but not angling in enough. Mitchell makes the leave.

78.2 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Good length ball on off, driven towards cover.

78.1 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Length ball on off, defended towards mid off.

End of Over : 78 0 Runs NZ: 224/5
77.6 0

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

77.5 0

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Another one outside off, Watling does not fiddle with it.

77.4 0

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Length ball on middle and off, defended out.

77.3 0

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Outside off, left alone.

77.2 0

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Length ball on middle, pushed back to the bowler.

77.1 0

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Full ball on middle and off, driven towards the man at mid on.

Stuart Broad is back into the attack. 17-5-39-2, his figures so far. He replaces Joe Denly.

End of Over : 77 1 Runs NZ: 224/5
76.6 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Bouncer on middle and off, Mitchell does well to evade it.

76.5 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Full ball wide outside off, Mitchell looks to jam it out but fails to do so.

76.4 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Some swing for Stokes here as he gets this one to angle in from wide outside off. Mitchell however leaves it alone as it is too wide.

76.3 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Length ball on middle and off, driven back to the bowler.

76.2 1

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Another length ball, on the leg pole line. Watling punches this one towards mid-wicket for a single.

76.1 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Length ball on middle and off, blocked out.

End of Over : 76 4 Runs NZ: 223/5
75.6 0

Joe Denly to Daryl Mitchell. Floated on middle and leg, driven towards mid on.

75.5 0

Joe Denly to Daryl Mitchell. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

75.4 0

Joe Denly to Daryl Mitchell. Floated on off, pushed towards cover.

75.3 2

Joe Denly to Daryl Mitchell. Drags one short now does Denly. Mitchell rocks onto the back foot and punches this one through point for a couple.

75.2 1

Joe Denly to BJ Watling. Floated outside off, pushed towards cover for a single.

75.1 1

Joe Denly to Daryl Mitchell. Tossed up on middle and leg, driven towards long on for a single.

End of Over : 75 2 Runs NZ: 219/5
74.6 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Outside off, again left alone by Watling.

74.5 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. This time Watling does not fiddle with it and leaves it alone.

74.4 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Jaffa by Stokes! He bowls a length ball outside off, angling into Watling. BJ looks to have a poke at it but the ball straightens to beat the outside edge of his blade. Something to think about for Stokes. Maybe, that's the line and length he needs to be bowling more.

74.3 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Very full ball outside off, Watling jams it out towards the man at cover.

74.2 2

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. On the pads this time, Watling expertly flicks this one in the gap towards mid-wicket for a couple.

74.1 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Full ball on off, driven towards the man at cover.

End of Over : 74 8 Runs NZ: 217/5
73.6 0

Joe Denly to Daryl Mitchell. Tossed up on middle and off, defended.

73.5 6

Joe Denly to Daryl Mitchell. SIX! Boom! Out of the ground! Denly gives this one a lot of air on middle and off, Mitchell steps down the track and lofts this one over the bowler's head for a biggie. First maximum of the match this one.

73.4 0

Joe Denly to Daryl Mitchell. Floated on the leg side, driven towards mid on.

73.3 0

Joe Denly to Daryl Mitchell. Floated outside off, Mitchell defends it off the front foot.

73.2 0

Joe Denly to Daryl Mitchell. Down the leg side, Mitchell guides this one down the leg side.

73.1 2

Joe Denly to Daryl Mitchell. Floated outside off, Daryl drives this one through the cover region and takes a couple.

End of Over : 73 2 Runs NZ: 209/5
72.6 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Full ball outside off, Watling jams it out towards point.

72.5 2

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Bouncer down the leg side, it is too high to trouble the batter. Ollie jumps high and gets a hand to it. The ball rolls towards the fine leg region and Pope recovers and gives it a chase to keep it in play. The batters take two byes.

72.4 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Another one outside off, left alone.

72.3 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Bouncer just outside off, BJ ducks under it.

72.2 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Length ball outside off, the batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

72.1 0

Ben Stokes to BJ Watling. Short of a length ball outside off, comfortably left alone by by Watling.

Drinks break. Good first passage of play for England as they have managed to pick two wickets during that period. Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls didn't add much to their overnight scores. The Three Lions have bowled a lot better and tidier on the second day. Currently, the Kiwis are under pressure but who better than BJ Watling to soak all that. He is calm and composed once again in his approach and is looking to build a stand with the debutant. Let's see whether he succeeds in the next half.

End of Over : 72 1 Runs NZ: 207/5
71.6 1

Joe Denly to BJ Watling. Drags one short, Watling plays this one very late towards point and takes a single to retain strike for the next over.

71.5 0

Joe Denly to BJ Watling. Outside off, pushed towards the cover region.

71.4 0

Joe Denly to BJ Watling. Tossed up on middle, Watling dances down the track and defends it off the inside edge onto the pads.

71.3 0

Joe Denly to BJ Watling. Tossed up outside off, Watling prods forward and defends.

71.2 0

Joe Denly to BJ Watling. Another one outside off, Watling leaves it alone.

71.1 0

Joe Denly to BJ Watling. Floated outside off, left alone by Watling.

Joe Denly is on now to bowl some leggies.

End of Over : 71 0 Runs NZ: 206/5
70.6 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

70.5 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. On a driving length outside off, Daryl gets forward to cover his stumps and allows it through.

70.4 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Waste of energy! A bouncer but wide outside off, Daryl stays back and lets it through to the keeper.

70.3 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Spears in a full ball on middle, a hint of movement in the air, Mitchell drives again but this time it has gone straight to mid on.

70.2 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Pitches it up and around off, it's driven off the front foot to mid on.

70.1 0

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell. Starts with a fuller length ball outside off, Mitchell gets forward and defends it to the off side.

Wow, we didn't see that coming? Ben Stokes is getting ready to bowl. All the news that he ain't fit to bowl has turned out to be false. The English all-rounder runs in...

End of Over : 70 4 Runs NZ: 206/5
69.6 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Good length ball on middle and off, defended out.

69.5 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Full ball on off, driven towards the cover region.

69.4 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

69.3 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Full ball on off, driven towards mid off.

69.2 4

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. FOUR! Good reply by Watling! Shortish ball outside off, Watling rocks back and cuts this one through point for a boundary.

69.1 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. NOT OUT! BJ is comfortably safe. Curran bowls a length ball around leg, Watling looks to flick it down the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads. The England players go up in appeal but after some thought, umpire Dharmasena shakes his head. The English players have a chat and eventually Root signals the 'T'. Replays roll in, Curran's foot is just inside the line. Hot Spot then comes into play and shows a clear inside edge on it. No need to look further. Watling survives and England have now lost both their reviews.

Review time! First one of the day and it is Watling who is the man in question. Looks to be pitching outside leg to the naked eye. No need for the Ball Tracker however, as Hot Spot shows an inside edge on it.

End of Over : 69 0 Runs NZ: 202/5
68.6 0

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Full ball outside off, driven towards the man at extra cover.

68.5 0

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Bouncer down the leg side, Daryl ducks under it.

68.4 0

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. On middle and leg, driven towards mid on.

68.3 0

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

68.2 0

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Full ball on off, driven down the ground but the man at mid off cuts it off.

68.1 0

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Length ball outside off, left alone.

End of Over : 68 1 Runs NZ: 202/5
67.6 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Length ball outside off, left alone.

67.5 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Full ball on off, Watling drives it firmly towards mid on and the man there runs to his left and stops it.

67.4 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Length ball on the hips, tucked towards the leg side by the batter.

The ball is getting replaced after 67.3 overs as it has lost its shape. The reserve umpire is out with a box of balls.

67.3 1

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. On the pads, Mitchell nudges it fine down the leg side for a single.

67.2 0

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. Full ball on middle and off, driven towards mid on.

67.1 0

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. Length ball outside off, left alone by Daryl Mitchell.

End of Over : 67 9 Runs NZ: 201/5
66.6 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

66.5 4

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. FOUR! Second boundary of the over, this time off the bat of Watling. Length ball outside off, Watling gets forward to play at it with soft hands. It catches the outside half of his blade and runs through the gap between gully and slip cordon for a boundary. Was always in control. Educational edge, you can say!

66.4 1

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Full ball on off, driven towards the man at mid on. This time the batters take a single.

66.3 0

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Full ball on middle, driven towards mid on.

66.2 4

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. FOUR! Good shot! A pressure reliever of sorts for New Zealand! Woakes bowls a rare loose delivery, just short and down the leg side. Mitchell rocks back and pulls this one through mid-wicket for a boundary. This is the first boundary after the 57th over.

66.1 0

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Full ball on middle and off, driven towards the man at mid on.

End of Over : 66 0 Runs NZ: 192/5
65.6 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Full ball on off, driven all along the ground to mid off.

65.5 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Length ball outside off, played towards the point region.

65.4 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Fuller on the pads, worked towards mid on.

65.3 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Another one outside off, pushed to the cover region.

65.2 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Full ball outside off, driven firmly but straight to the man at cover.

65.1 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. On middle and leg, tucked towards mid-wicket.

End of Over : 65 1 Runs NZ: 192/5
64.6 0

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Length ball just outside off, it pitches and straightens. Daryl looks to have a poke at it but the ball whizzes past his outside edge. Good end to the over by Woakes.

64.5 0

Chris Woakes to Daryl Mitchell. Full ball on off, Mitchell firmly drives this one towards the man at mid off.

64.4 1

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. On the pads, Watling flicks this one down to the fine leg region for a single.

64.3 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Outside off again, played towards the point region now.

64.2 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Fuller this time outside off, pushed towards the off side.

64.1 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Good length ball on middle and off, Watling drives this one down the ground but the man from mid off runs across to his right, dives and stops the ball.

End of Over : 64 0 Runs NZ: 191/5
63.6 0

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. Bouncer to end the over by Curran! Mitchell looks to play the hook shot but misses. A wicket maiden for Curran and England with a spring in their step now.

Third slip comes in...

63.5 0

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. Mitchell goes back and defends this one off the back foot.

63.4 0

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. Good length ball just around off, blocked out.

63.3 0

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. Full ball on middle and off, Mitchell punches this one towards mid on.

63.2 0

Sam Curran to Daryl Mitchell. Good length ball outside off, Mitchell looks to defend at it with soft hands but the ball goes off the outside edge on the bounce to the man at second slip.

The debutant and local boy, Daryl Mitchell walks out to bat. Proud moment for him and his mother is seen recording his walk to the middle.

63.1 W

Sam Curran to Henry Nicholls. OUT! CAUGHT! Young Curran gets a wicket and one can say it is well-deserved, the way he has been bowling throughout this Test. We faulted him for bowling too short at times on Day 1 but he has eventually hunted down a batsman with a half-tracker. Sam bowls a short ball just outside off, angling into the batter. It hurries onto him. Nicholls looks to go back and pull but the ball goes off the top edge towards backward square leg. Broad there in the deep comes a few steps ahead and takes the catch. The whole England squad looks pumped up after getting a couple of early wickets today.

End of Over : 63 0 Runs NZ: 191/4
62.6 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Good length ball on middle and off, defended by Watling off the front foot.

62.5 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

62.4 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Length ball outside off, left alone by Watling.

62.3 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. This time on the leg pole line, pushed towards mid on.

62.2 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Another one on middle and off, again Watling defends this one back to the bowler.

62.1 0

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. Length ball on middle and off, pushed back towards the bowler.

David Lloyd is heard on air saying that Ben Stokes won't bowl due to a knee injury and it's a real worry for England ahead of the South Africa Test series. Meanwhile, as expected, Chris Woakes is into the attack, replacing Jofra Archer.

End of Over : 62 3 Runs NZ: 191/4
61.6 0

Sam Curran to Henry Nicholls. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

61.5 2

Sam Curran to Henry Nicholls. On the pads of Nicholls, he flicks this one towards square leg and takes a couple.

61.4 1

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. JUST SHORT! A very difficult chance for Ollie Pope! Curran bowls a jaffa in his first over of the day, pitching on a length and just nipping away. Watling is squared up in defense and edges it behind. The ball does not have the pace on it to carry to Pope though and it falls just ahead of him as he dives forward. A missed chance this one for England. The ball goes towards the third man region and the batters take a single. Soft hands saved BJ!

Chris Woakes is loosening up...

61.3 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Good length ball outside off, pushed towards point.

61.2 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. Length ball wide outside off, left alone.

61.1 0

Sam Curran to BJ Watling. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

First bowling change of this morning. Stuart Broad is replaced by Sam Curran who has bowled 9 overs so far in this innings without any success. He was also culprit of bowling too short on Day 1 and needs to correct his length today. For a bowler of his kind, pitching up and looking for swing is the best option. He doesn't have the pace to trouble the batsmen with the short stuff. Two slips in place.

End of Over : 61 0 Runs NZ: 188/4
60.6 0

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls. Length ball on middle and off, pushed back towards the bowler.

60.5 0

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls. Length ball outside off, pushed towards the man at cover.

60.4 0

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls. Length ball on middle and leg, Nicholls looks to flick this one but misses and is hit on the hand.

60.3 0

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls. Length ball outside off, Nicholls plays the square drive but straight to the man at point.

60.2 0

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls. Length ball on middle and off, defended off the back foot.

60.1 0

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls. Archer comes over the wicket, he pitches the ball just around the off pole line and gets it to nip away a bit. The ball goes off the outside edge towards the man at point.

End of Over : 60 1 Runs NZ: 188/4
59.6 1

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Short ball on middle and leg, it rushes onto the batter. Nicholls pulls this one towards backward square leg where the fielder collects it in the deep and the batters take a single. Nicholls retains strike for the next over.

59.5 0

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Length ball around off, Nicholls shoulders arms this time.

59.4 0

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Nicholls is strong in his defense as he pushes this one towards the off side.

59.3 0

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. On off, pushed towards mid off again by Nicholls.

59.2 0

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. This time a full ball on middle, pushed towards mid on.

59.1 0

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Full ball on off, pushed towards the man at mid off.

End of Over : 59 0 Runs NZ: 187/4
58.6 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. Good delivery to finish the over by Archer. Short of a length ball just outside off, Watling drops his hands and lets it through to the keeper. Maiden for young Archer.

58.5 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. Fuller ball on middle, pushed towards mid on by the batter.

58.4 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. Outside off again by Archer, left alone.

58.3 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. Good yorker by Archer, just outside off. Watling does well to jam it out and the ball goes towards the gully region.

58.2 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. Similar line and length, this time Watling lets it through to the keeper.

58.1 0

Jofra Archer to BJ Watling. Length ball just outside off, Watling pushes this one towards the cover-point region.

End of Over : 58 1 Runs NZ: 187/4
57.6 0

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Length ball just outside off, left alone by Henry to get through the over.

57.5 0

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Again Nicholls prods forward to this full ball and pushes this one towards mid off.

57.4 0

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Fullish ball on the off side, Nicholls defends the ball presenting the full face of the bat.

57.3 0

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. On the pads, flicked towards the mid-wicket region by Nicholls.

57.2 1

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. On middle and leg, Watling works this one towards fine leg and takes a single. He gets off the mark with this single.

57.1 0

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Watling has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

End of Over : 57 4 Runs NZ: 186/4
56.6 0

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls. Outside off by Archer, pushed towards the cover region.

56.5 4

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Good shot by Nicholls! Archer sprays one on the pads, Nicholls flicks it nicely through the fine leg region for a boundary.

56.4 0

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls. Bouncer on middle and leg, Nicholls ducks under it and lets it through to the keeper.

56.3 0

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls. Good length ball on middle and off, pushed towards mid on.

56.2 0

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls. Bouncer on the off side, Nicholls offers no shot.

56.1 0

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls. Length ball wide outside off, left alone by Henry Nicholls.

BJ Watling is the new man in. He has been in amazing form in 2019 and averages 85.6. Watling has already hurt England once in this series and the visitors would like to send him packing early this time around.

End of Over : 56 4 Runs NZ: 182/4
55.6 W

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. OUT! TIMBER! What a start given to England by Stuart Broad! He looks delighted. Broad comes from around the wicket, bowls a length ball just around the off pole, angling in. Latham shoulders arms as he thinks the ball will not come back in. However, the ball pitches on the seam and just about nips back in further, clipping the top of off pole. This is the 6th time that Broad has dismissed Tom Latham in Tests. The southpaw departs without adding much to his overnight score and the touring team has an early opening on Day 2. Can they capitalize?

55.5 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. On middle and leg, Tom pushes this one back to Broad.

55.4 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Good length ball on middle, Latham prods forward and defends.

55.3 4

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. FOUR! Nice way to start off the morning! Full ball on middle and off, Latham shows the full face of the bat and drives this one down the ground through mid on for a boundary.

55.2 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Down the leg side, Latham looks to nudge it fine down the leg side but misses.

55.1 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Broad starts with a good length ball angling into Latham. Tom blocks it out with a straight bat.

Stuart Broad (14-5-33-1) to partner Jofra Archer from the other end.

End of Over : 55 5 Runs NZ: 178/3
54.6 4

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Wrong line from Archer. Serves a length ball down the leg side, Henry turns inside the crease and nudges it to fine leg for a boundary. Uses the pace to his advantage.

54.5 1

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Hit on the body! Archer bangs it in short, a well directed-one, Tom tries to duck but fails to evade it. The ball brushes his shoulders and runs fine down the leg side for a leg bye.

54.4 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Straightaway on the money! Good pace by Archer. He delivers a touch short delivery close to off at 140 kph and it shoots off the surface. Latham leans back and allows it through to the keeper. The pitch seems to have freshened up after all the rain last evening.

The England players are out in the middle. They are followed by the New Zealand batters, Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls. Jofra Archer will start the proceedings on Day 2 (to complete his unfinished over) with some renewed energy against Tom Latham, the centurion, on strike.

Pitch report - Mark Richardson is down near the surface. He says that the humidity is a lot lower than yesterday and hopes there won't be any rain today. Mentions that the pitch looks brown and it is just a very good batting track. Smiles and says that even he would look forward to batting here. Signs off by asking - Was it a mistake bowling first?

We are still awaiting confirmation on Ben Stokes' fitness. He left the ground due to a knee injury and it seems unlikely that he will bowl. England should consider themselves lucky that they went for an extra seamer or were they aware of this issue and knew that Ben is carrying an injury?

As far as the match situation goes, England are currently under the pump mainly due to Tom Latham's brilliant knock and his century partnership with Ross Taylor. Joe Root's decision to bowl first seems to be backfiring and he needs wickets and that too in a heap this morning to stay in contention. For the Kiwis, it will be all about driving home the advantage and putting on a massive first innings total. Which team will succeed in its cause? We will find that out soon as the action gets underway half an hour early to make up for the lost overs on Day 1.

Welcome ladies and gentlemen for the second day of the Hamilton Test. First up, on the weather front, it's a beautiful morning at Seddon Park and the sun is out in its full glory. The forecast is much better for the day, however, showers are predicted for later on. Let's hope for an uninterrupted game.

... DAY 2, SESSION 1 ...

Tom Latham led the charge for the Kiwis after losing the first two wickets. In Ross Taylor, he found an able ally and together they didn't allow the England bowlers to settle down into any kind of rhythm. Their century partnership put New Zealand on top and Tom went on to notch up yet another century for himself in 2019. It was a really tough day for the Three Lions and dropping Latham on 66 didn't help their cause. They now will have to bounce back on Saturday to avoid falling behind the 8-ball so early in this Test match. Will they succeed? Do join us at 1030 local (2130 GMT, Previous day) as there will be half an hour early start to make up for the lost overs. Until then, it's goodbye and cheers!

Right then, the rain refused to relent and the umpires have decided to CALL OFF the remaining of day's play! A satisfying first day for the Black Caps. They did lose the toss but their batsmen made sure to not let that become a disadvantage. England didn't get the kind of purchase from the surface that Joe Root expected at the toss. There was minimal movement on offer and the English speedsters were also quite indisciplined with their line and length.

Update 1634 local - No improvement in the conditions. It's raining heavily and the covers are on. Blackcaps have tweeted that the umpires are set for an inspection just before 1700 local. Not sure how with the rain still coming down hard...

Update 1603 local - Okay so that was just a short resumption as the groundsmen have come out with the covers. They are expecting that rains will hit hard anytime soon. And yes, here it comes. It has STARTED TO RAIN in Hamilton and the players have made their way back into the pavilion. More covers are coming on. It has turned completely dark. This is not looking good. Stay tuned for latest updates!

54.3 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Good length ball on middle and leg, staying low as well, Tom defends it from the back foot.

54.2 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Jofra bends his back and digs in a well-directed bouncer around off. Latham arches back and evades it.

54.1 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Archer speeds in from 'round the wicket and angles in a length ball around off. Latham defends it from the bottom end of his bat and it rolls behind. Archer has his hands on his head.

Some good news for you as the players have made their way out to the middle. The Kiwi batters, Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls are getting ready too. The artificial lights have been turned on as it is very dark. Jofra Archer to start the proceedings with centurion Tom Latham on strike.

We expected the players to be out in the middle but for now, it is the ground staff who are out there. With dark clouds hovering above the ground, they are expecting the showers to start anytime soon.

... Day 1, Session 3 ...

Another enthralling session of Test cricket! New Zealand enjoyed most of it and losing Ross Taylor was the only blemish for them. The afternoon segment saw a couple of notable moments. One involved a debatable lbw decision of Taylor which was overruled by the third umpire and another involved Tom Latham, who was dropped on 66 by Ben Stokes. The visitors had to work really hard to dislodge the century partnership. Tom though continued and completed a fabulous century. He is looking good for a big one and the hosts would be hoping that he bats out the entire day today. The English bowling has been good only in patches and they have leaked too many boundaries. As the players are leaving the field for Tea, we can see dark clouds enveloping the stadium. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope there won't be any rain interruptions. Do join us in a short while.

End of Over : 54 5 Runs NZ: 173/3
53.6 0

Joe Root to Henry Nicholls. Last ball before the Tea break and Nicholls has negotiated it well as he comes forward and defends it. New Zealand 173/3 at TEA ON DAY 1.

53.5 0

Joe Root to Henry Nicholls. Nicholls prods forward and blocks it out again.

53.4 1

Joe Root to Tom Latham. Latham punches this one off the back foot towards cover and takes a single.

53.3 0

Joe Root to Tom Latham. Floated on off, Latham prods forward and defends it.

53.2 4

Joe Root to Tom Latham. FOUR! 100 up for Tom Latham! This has been a controlled and solid innings from him. Floated on middle and off, Latham comes down the track and converts it into a full toss. He then drives this one through the mid on region for a boundary. Reached his half ton just before the Lunch break and has now reached his ton just before the Tea break. Can he keep this going and convert this into a daddy hundred?

53.1 0

Joe Root to Tom Latham. Floated on off, defended by Latham.

Joe Root is back into the attack to bowl the last over before the Tea break. 1-0-6-0,his figures so far.

End of Over : 53 0 Runs NZ: 168/3
52.6 0

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls. Bouncer to end the over by Archer but Nicholls does well to evade it.

52.5 0

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls. Length ball on middle and leg, angling into Nicholls. He tries to work it away but misses and is hit on the thigh pad.

52.4 0

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls. Length ball outside off, left alone.

52.3 0

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

52.2 0

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls. Length ball on middle and off, defended by Nicholls.

52.1 0

Jofra Archer to Henry Nicholls. Short of a length ball outside off, Nicholls guides this one towards the third man region. Burns at gully dives to his right and stops the ball.

Jofra Archer into the attack. 12-2-31-0, his figures so far.

End of Over : 52 4 Runs NZ: 168/3
51.6 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Length ball down the leg side, pushed towards mid on.

51.5 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

51.4 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. On the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket.

51.3 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Ohh! A scare for Latham! Length ball on middle and off, Latham looks to defend but gets an inside edge on it which goes onto his pads. Almost chopped on.

51.2 4

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. FOUR! Latham moves to 96 runs with this! Length ball wide outside off, Latham rocks back and cuts it exquisitely through the point region for a boundary.

51.1 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Length ball on middle and off, defended.

End of Over : 51 4 Runs NZ: 164/3
50.6 0

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Good length ball on off, pushed straight back towards mid on.

50.5 0

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Nicholls gets right behind the line of the delivery and defends it.

50.4 0

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Full ball on middle, punched towards the man at mid on.

50.3 4

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Superbly driven by Nicholls! Full ball on off, Henry drives this one beautifully through the gap at the extra cover region and the ball races towards the fence.

50.2 0

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Fullish ball on off, blocked out by Nicholls again.

50.1 0

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Length ball on the off pole line, blocked out.

End of Over : 50 4 Runs NZ: 160/3
49.6 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. A back foot punch by Tom finds the cover fielder again.

49.5 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Angling away from the batsman, Latham pushes it from the crease to covers.

49.4 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Goes on the back foot to a shortish ball and strokes it down to mid on.

49.3 4

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. FOUR! Latham enters into the 90s! A really bad delivery. Drifting down the leg side leg, all Latham has to do is to get some willow behind it. He does exactly that and earns himself an easy boundary down at fine leg.

49.2 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Shortish and around off, punched to the cover fielder.

49.1 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Back of a length ball around leg, Latham is on his back leg as he tries to work it on the leg side. Fails to connect and takes a blow on his thigh pad.

End of Over : 49 0 Runs NZ: 156/3
48.6 0

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Around off on a length, Nicholls pushes it with an angled bat to covers.

48.5 0

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Hurls a length ball in the channel outside off, Nicholls watches it closely before making a leave.

48.4 0

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Angles in a full ball around off, Henry covers the line and blocks.

48.3 0

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Fullish and on off, Nicholls drives it with good timing but finds mid off.

48.2 0

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

48.1 0

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Uses the angle of the bowler and helps it off his pads to square leg.

Stuart Broad back into the attack. Ben Stokes was in some visible pain on his left knee while he was bowling and he has been replaced as a result. Can England snatch another wicket before the Tea break?

End of Over : 48 5 Runs NZ: 156/3
47.6 1

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Turns it off his pads to deep square leg for a single.

47.5 0

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Fullish and around off, Nicholls gets forward and drives it back to the bowler.

Henry Nicholls is the new man in.

47.4 W

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. OUT! Right into the bread basket of Joe Root! Woakes has broken the century stand and finally the lady luck smiles on England. A length delivery outside off, Taylor tries to force his drive on the up but there is some extra bounce and he edges it straight to first slip. Yet another sharp catch taken by the English skipper. Taylor isn't happy with himself as he trudges back soon after completing his fifty.

47.3 4

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Fifty for Ross Taylor, 32nd in Tests! Woakes errs in his line and dishes out a length ball down the leg side, Taylor nudges it fine down the leg side for a boundary.

47.2 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Width on offer outside off, Taylor chops his attempted square cut to point.

47.1 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

End of Over : 47 7 Runs NZ: 151/2
46.6 4

Ben Stokes to Tom Latham. FOUR! 150 comes up with another boundary! England are not learning. They should have realized by now that Tom is very strong on his pads. But they are continuing to feed him there. Latham is cashing in with some lovely flick shots. A boundary results at mid-wicket. Again Stokes is feeling the pinch and is on his haunches.

46.5 1

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Taylor drops a length ball with soft hands to mid-wicket and steals a run right under Denly's nose.

46.4 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Slight inward movement off the pitch. A length ball on off, Taylor tries to work it away but fails to middle his shot properly. Stokes continues to limp in his followthrough.

46.3 1

Ben Stokes to Tom Latham. Fuller in length and angling down the leg side, Latham eases it down to long leg for another run.

46.2 1

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Aerial but safe! Short in length and around off, Taylor pulls it aerially over mid-wicket for a single. He was out caught attempting a similar shot in the previous Test.

46.1 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Back of a length ball on off, Taylor stands tall and taps it down to square leg.

End of Over : 46 4 Runs NZ: 144/2
45.6 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. On a good length around middle, Latham plays it with gentle hands to mid-wicket.

45.5 4

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. FOUR! Lovely wristwork by Latham. He has been sublime off his pads in this knock. Woakes feeds him there again and Tom has no qualms in putting it away to the deep mid-wicket fence.

45.4 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

45.3 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. PITCHING OUTSIDE LEG! End of the story. Woakes spears in a fuller length ball and Latham is beaten for pace as he tries to flick. He is rapped on the pads, they appeal vociferously but the umpire shakes his head. Joe Root consults his keeper and bowler before going for the DRS. As mentioned earlier, pitching was an issue. England have lost one review.

Very vocal appeal for an lbw by England! Umpire Dharmasena thinks...and thinks...and thinks...and then shakes his head. Joe Root seems to be sure here. He first has a look at his keeper and then has a chat with his bowler. DRS is taken after that and the replays find it to be pitching outside leg. England lose a review!

45.2 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Fullish and around off, Tom has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

45.1 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Chris Woakes is back into the attack. 10-1-24-1, his figures so far. He replaces Sam Curran into the attack.

End of Over : 45 7 Runs NZ: 140/2
44.6 1

Ben Stokes to Tom Latham. Slightly short around leg, Latham gets into an awkward position and somehow works it away to mid-wicket for a run. Stokes feels the pinch near his left knee. Is he carrying an injury?

44.5 0

Ben Stokes to Tom Latham. Gets forward to a full ball and helps it towards mid off.

44.4 0

Ben Stokes to Tom Latham. Latham has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

44.3 4

Ben Stokes to Tom Latham. FOUR! Century stand has come up! A cracking shot from Latham. Another delivery which is too straight in line and Latham flicks it firmly through mid-wicket. This has been an outstanding effort by this pair.

44.2 2

Ben Stokes to Tom Latham. Well stopped, Jofra! An overpitched ball around leg, Latham whips it off his pads to deep backward square leg. Archer moves across to his right from fine leg and dives to partially stop the racing ball. He parries it towards deep mid-wicket where Woakes picks it up and does the rest. Two runs saved.

44.1 0

Ben Stokes to Tom Latham. Starts his spell with a full ball on middle, Tom Latham works it towards mid on.

Ben Stokes into the attack now.

End of Over : 44 5 Runs NZ: 133/2
43.6 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

According to the commentators on air, there are forecasts of thunderstorms later in the day. Let's hope for the best and an uninterrupted day of cricket.

43.5 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. A low full toss on off, Taylor prods forward and drives it to mid off.

43.4 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Short and wide outside off, Taylor mistimes his cut towards gully.

43.3 4

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. FOUR! A bit unlucky for the debutant. Curran angles across a full ball around off, Taylor drives it past the cover fielder and it races away. Zak Crawley runs across to his right, gets to the ball near the fence and tries to flick it back in play. But to his bad luck, he does so on his legs and it deflects onto the rope.

43.2 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Fullish and around off, Ross gets forward and pushes it to mid off.

43.1 1

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Curran digs in a short ball on off, Latham tries to hook but fails to control. It takes the top half of his bat and goes down to deep backward square leg for a single. Had Sam been a little quicker in pace, it would have really hurried onto Tom.

End of Over : 43 2 Runs NZ: 128/2
42.6 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Lands it on a length close to off, at 143 kph, Taylor sticks on the back foot in defense.

42.5 1

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Angles in a full ball on off, Latham forces it down towards mid off and rushes across to the other end. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but it's a wayward one.

42.4 1

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Archer goes full on middle, Rosco eases it off his pads to deep mid-wicket and takes a single.

42.3 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. A good bouncer by Jofra, it's around middle and leg, Taylor takes his eyes off the ball, drops his hands and then allows it through.

42.2 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. A fuller length ball on off, at 140 kph, Taylor drives it back to the bowler and then moves away as he thought Archer will have a shy at the striker's end. Nothing like that happened.

42.1 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Skiddy delivery, full and sliding down the leg side, Taylor is early into his flick shot and hence fails to make any contact. It clips his pads and goes behind to Pope.

End of Over : 42 2 Runs NZ: 126/2
41.6 1

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. A gentle length delivery on middle, Taylor presents a straight bat and it takes the inside edge before rolling behind square leg. They cross.

41.5 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Fuller and outside off, Rosco drives it on the up but finds the mid off fielder.

41.4 1

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Curran pulls his length back slightly and delivers it close to off, Latham moves on the back foot and turns it wide of mid on for a run.

41.3 0

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Pitches it up and outside off, Latham drives it off his front foot but fails to beat the diving extra cover fielder.

41.2 0

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Another delivery in the zone outside off, an easy leave for Tom.

41.1 0

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Good length delivery in the channel outside off, Latham allows it through to the keeper.

Drinks break. Action-packed first hour of the afternoon session! A debatable decision to overturn Taylor's lbw and then a dropped catch to offer life to Tom Latham. New Zealand will be relieved while England will be feeling slightly down. There isn't a lot happening off the surface and they need to take all the half chances coming their way and also hope that luck also goes in their favour. The Kiwis right now are on top!

End of Over : 41 1 Runs NZ: 124/2
40.6 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Length ball on middle and off, Taylor has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

40.5 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Full ball on off, pushed towards the cover region.

40.4 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Archer bowls a bouncer but Taylor ducks under it and lets it through to the keeper.

40.3 1

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. On the pads of Latham, he flicks this one towards mid-wicket for a single.

40.2 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Probably the quickest ball of the day, clocking at 144 kph. Archer bowls a length ball angling into Latham. He looks to defend but misses. The ball goes off the thigh pad and into the hands of Root at first slip. The England players put in a stifled appeal but nothing from the umpire.

40.1 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Length ball just outside off, blocked out.

End of Over : 40 0 Runs NZ: 123/2
39.6 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. A gentle length delivery around off, angling away, a comfortable leave for Rosco to end the over.

39.5 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Curran continues to be very straight with his line, Ross works it off his pads but once again finds mid-wicket.

39.4 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Fullish and around off, Taylor closes the face of his bat slightly and helps it to mid-wicket.

39.3 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Straighter in line, Taylor tries to hit it to square leg but ends up pushing it towards mid on.

39.2 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Once again Curran takes a length ball away from the right-hander with his natural left-arm angle, Taylor guards his stumps and shoulders arms.

39.1 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Angles across a length ball around middle and off, Taylor covers the line and pushes it to mid off.

End of Over : 39 6 Runs NZ: 123/2
38.6 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Length ball outside off, Latham guides this one down to third man.

38.5 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. On middle and off, blocked out.

38.4 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Good length ball on off, Latham has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

38.3 2

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. DROPPED! Life for Latham and Stokes is the culprit! Archer bowls a superb back of a length ball, angling into the batsman. Tom, off the back foot, looks to have a poke at it but the ball straightens after pitching and he only manages to get an outside edge on it. The ball goes to the left of Stokes at second slip who makes a half-dive, gets two hands to it but puts it down. The ball goes towards the third man region and the batters take two. Stokes will be praying that this drop does not cost his team too much.

38.2 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

38.1 4

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. FOUR! On the pads of Latham, he has flicked this one wonderfully through the mid-wicket region for a boundary. This is the 5th boundary after the review was taken by Taylor. Runs coming thick and fast.

End of Over : 38 9 Runs NZ: 117/2
37.6 2

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Taylor drives this one through the cover regions and takes a couple.

37.5 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. On middle and off, Taylor hits it back to the bowler.

37.4 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Length ball on middle and off, defended off the front foot by the batsman.

37.3 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

37.2 4

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Overpitched again and punished by Ross Taylor. Full ball outside off, Taylor has driven it with grace through the cover region. The ball races away to the fence.

37.1 3

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Full ball on middle and off, Latham has driven it superbly through the mid off region. Archer gives this a chase and superbly keeps it in play with his super fast speed.

Sam Curran (5-1-22-0) is back into the attack.

End of Over : 37 10 Runs NZ: 108/2
36.6 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Bouncer by Archer and Taylor awkwardly pulls it away towards mid on. Good battle between these two here.

36.5 4

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Another length ball outside off, Taylor again cuts but this time the man at point dives to his left and gets a hand to it. However the touch is not strong enough to keep the ball in play and it trudges into the fence. Rosco is really going hard at Archer.

36.4 4

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Length ball outside off, this time Taylor gets it through point and the ball has raced away to the fence.

36.3 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Shortish and outside off, Taylor cuts this one but straight to the man.

36.2 2

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. 100 up for New Zealand and what a beautiful way to bring it up! Full ball on off, Taylor drives this one superbly through the cover region. Curran from mid off runs to his left, dives and makes a half stop as he keeps it down to two.

36.1 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Full ball just outside off, punched to the man at mid on.

First bowling change of the afternoon session that has begun on a sedate note. Jofra Archer is back on. 8 unconvincing overs from him so far.

End of Over : 36 4 Runs NZ: 98/2
35.6 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Gets behind the line of the delivery and blocks.

35.5 4

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. FOUR! This is delightfully driven! Latham has looked in excellent touch right from the beginning. Receives an overpitched delivery outside off gleefully and creams it through covers.

35.4 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Fuller and around off, Tom is on top of the bounce as he blocks it from the back foot.

35.3 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

35.2 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. A length ball on middle, Latham works it a bit uppishly on the leg side, doesn't carry to mid-wicket.

35.1 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Good length ball on off, Latham defends it from the front foot.

End of Over : 35 2 Runs NZ: 94/2
34.6 0

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

34.5 0

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Length ball wide outside off, Taylor goes for a wild slash but misses. Poor batting, getting restless!

34.4 0

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. NOT OUT! The faintest of nicks has saved Ross Taylor here, this is what the third umpire feels. The use of technology at its best one can say. Broad bowls a full ball on middle, Taylor looks to flick but fails to do so and is hit on the pads. The England players appeal loudly and the umpire raises his finger straightaway. Ross Taylor is not sure about the review. He talks with his partner and eventually goes for it. Replays come in! First, the Hot Spot comes in and shows no bat involved. Then, Snicko comes in and it shows that there is a spike when the ball crosses the bat. The third umpire again goes to see the Hot Spot and concludes that there is a nick on it. The decision is overturned and Rosco survives. The benefit of the doubt maybe to the batter but Broad will feel that he has been robbed of a wicket. There were two sounds but to be honest, the Snicko sound did not match up with when the ball passed the bat. Anyway, the decision is made and let's get on with the game.

Stuart Broad has struck gold here! He has managed to trap Ross Taylor right in front of the wickets. Rosco looks like a dead duck and it's a very late decision by him to take the DRS. The third umpire spots something on the Snicko although Hot Spot has not shown anything. Decision overturned. Very interesting call. Taylor didn't go for the referral straightaway and took it only after consulting his partner.

34.3 1

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. On the hips again, this time Latham tucks it behind square leg for a single. The English bowlers need to get their lines right and quickly.

34.2 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. On middle and leg, tucked towards mid-wicket.

34.1 1

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. On the hips, Taylor nudges it behind square on the leg side for a single.

End of Over : 34 1 Runs NZ: 92/2
33.6 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Full ball on off, worked towards mid on.

33.5 1

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Fuller ball, pushed towards the cover region and the batters take a single.

33.4 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Length ball outside off, Taylor shoulders arms this time.

33.3 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Bad decision by Taylor but it does not cost him. A full ball way outside off, Taylor goes to hit it through point with a flat-bat. He misses the ball by a whisker. No need to go chasing after these deliveries.

33.2 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Similar length, just outside off, Taylor punches it towards the man at mid off.

33.1 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Very straight ball on the fuller length. Taylor drives this one towards the man at mid on.

End of Over : 33 0 Runs NZ: 91/2
32.6 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. This time Latham works this one towards mid-wicket.

32.5 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Another one way outside off, Latham will not go chasing after those.

32.4 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Outside off, Latham does not fiddle with it.

32.3 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Latham rocks back and defends it out.

32.2 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. A stifled appeal but nothing doing for the umpire. Broad bowls a good length ball on middle and off, it pitches and nips into the southpaw. Latham looks to defend but only manages an inside edge onto the pads. The keeper and the slip cordon appeal but Broad knows there is an inside edge on that and hence returns quietly to his mark.

32.1 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Length ball just outside off, Tom pushes it back to the bowler.

End of Over : 32 1 Runs NZ: 91/2
31.6 1

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Good length ball on middle and off, Latham looks to punch the ball down the ground but the ball goes off the outside edge towards cover-point and the batters take a single.

31.5 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

31.4 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Latham gets onto the back foot and defends it out.

31.3 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Length ball outside off, Latham shoulders arms again.

31.2 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Full ball on off, pushed to the cover region.

31.1 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Length ball outside off, left alone.

End of Over : 31 2 Runs NZ: 90/2
30.6 1

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. On off this time, Latham pushes it down the ground and sets off for a single. Archer from mid off runs to his left, picks it up, turns 360 degrees and has a shy at the non striker's end but misses. However, he hits the stumps at the striker's end, the batters at both ends are well in.

30.5 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Jaffa by Broad! He bowls a length delivery on the off pole line, angling away from the batter. It shapes away a hint after pitching and just about beats the outside edge of Latham's bat.

30.4 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. On the pads, worked towards mid-wicket.

30.3 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Length ball on off, Latham plays this one with an angled bat towards point.

30.2 1

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. 50-run stand up between Taylor and Latham. A very important stand this one for the Kiwis and the team would want these two to stay out in the middle for as long as possible. Outside off, Taylor pushes this towards cover-point and takes a quick single.

30.1 0

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Full ball just outside off, pushed back towards the bowler.

End of Over : 30 2 Runs NZ: 88/2
29.6 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Length ball on middle and off, defended out by Latham.

29.5 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Latham has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

29.4 1

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. On the pads, Taylor flicks this one behind square leg and takes a single.

29.3 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. On off this time, Rosco pushes this one towards the man at cover.

29.2 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Full ball on middle and off, pushed down the ground towards the man at mid on.

29.1 1

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Length ball on off, Latham punches this one off the back foot towards cover-point and takes a single.

Chris Woakes to continue from the other end.

End of Over : 29 0 Runs NZ: 86/2
28.6 0

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Maiden to start the session! Full ball on off, pushed back to the bowler by Taylor.

28.5 0

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Length ball outside off, Taylor does not fiddle with it.

28.4 0

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Broad attacks the stumps now, Taylor shuffles across and pushes it towards the man at mid on.

28.3 0

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Way outside off, left alone by Taylor.

28.2 0

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Bowls it a touch fuller this time, Rosco defends this one towards the off side.

28.1 0

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Broad starts the second session with a length ball in the corridor just outside the off pole, Ross Taylor leaves it alone.

Back for the afternoon session. It was a hard-fought action before Lunch where New Zealand took themselves to safer shores after the current partnership between Tom Latham and Ross Taylor. Both batsmen have been very positive in their approach so far and that's been the key to their success. England have not hit their straps yet with the ball. They got two wickets but were quite ordinary overall. Need to find their rhythms quickly and bowl in probing areas to nip out a few quick wickets. Let's see what this post-Lunch session has in store for us. Stuart Broad with the first over after the break...

... DAY 1, SESSION 2 ...

England made their mark early on as Stuart Broad dismissed Jeet Raval cheaply. Kane Williamson was then dismissed off a jaffa by Chris Woakes just when it looked like he was starting to settle. Latham has looked very solid so far and he will be looking to build on his half ton. Ross Taylor is out with him in the middle and they are amidst a 47-run stand. If the English bowlers do not get a wicket early in the next session, they will be looking at a long day ahead as this surface has settled into a nice batting strip. Do join us at 1340 local (0040 GMT)!

A pretty good session of Test cricket this. The first hour of play belonged to England as they managed to get a couple of wickets in spite of not being too penetrative with the ball. The wicket of the Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson will be the biggest plus for them in this session but since Ross Taylor has stepped in, it has been all New Zealand.

End of Over : 28 2 Runs NZ: 86/2
27.6 2

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. 16th Test fifty for Tom Latham! Woakes is straighter in line again and this time Tom works it past the diving fielder in front of square leg. They collect a couple of runs and Latham will be a relaxed man after getting to his milestone on the last ball of the session. He raises his bat, however, belatedly and then makes his way to the dressing room. Lunch on Day 1!

27.5 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Lands it on a fuller length around middle, Latham helps it towards the fielder standing in front of square leg.

27.4 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Fullish and on off, driven off the front foot to mid off.

27.3 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

27.2 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

27.1 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. SAFE! Woakes serves a length ball in the line of the stumps, Latham tries to play at it with a straight bat but plays down the wrong line. It brushes his front pad, they appeal and umpire Dharmasena thinks for a while before lifting his finger. Taylor watches all that and immediately signals to his partner to take the DRS. Latham obliges and the replays find it to be marginally pitching outside the leg stump. Good use of the technology and Rosco also played his part.

Review time! First review of the day and Tom Latham is the man in question as Kumar Dharmasena has adjudged him out for LBW. Ross Taylor has straightaway suggested Latham to take the review. Let's see what the replays have to show, and it is pitching OUTSIDE LEG. Successful review and Latham survives.

Chris Woakes is back into the attack for what will be most probably the last over of the session.

End of Over : 27 6 Runs NZ: 84/2
26.6 4

Joe Root to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Boom! Root drops it short outside off and Taylor is quick to pick the length. He camps back and smashes it through backward point for a boundary. An ordinary first over by Joe!

26.5 0

Joe Root to Ross Taylor. Very full from Root, it's around off and Rosco hits it back to the bowler.

26.4 1

Joe Root to Tom Latham. Too full in length on leg, Tom clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

26.3 0

Joe Root to Tom Latham. Flatter and shorter on off, Latham punches it straight to covers.

26.2 0

Joe Root to Tom Latham. Flighted delivery, landing full on off, Latham presses forward in defense.

26.1 1

Joe Root to Ross Taylor. Tossed up ball outside off, it's driven through covers for a single.

Joe Root, the English skipper introduces himself into the attack just before the Lunch break.

End of Over : 26 1 Runs NZ: 78/2
25.6 1

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Good length ball on middle and leg, Taylor works it behind square leg for a single. A testing over for a change by Archer.

25.5 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Smell the leather! A well-directed bouncer by Archer, Taylor leans back and allows it through to the keeper.

25.4 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Good length ball on middle, Rosco defends it from the crease to the on side.

25.3 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Back of a length ball on middle and leg, angling down, Taylor offers no shot and it clips his thigh pad. The ball runs down to fine leg for a boundary but it's called a dead ball as the batsman was not offering any shot.

Craig McMillan has come up with an analysis showing how Tom Latham is trusting the bounce off the surface. McMillan points out how Latham has made a couple of tight leaves which missed the off pole by a very small margin but states that Latham is totally aware of what he is doing. Suggests that the English bowlers should aim to bowl a couple of meters fuller in length.

25.2 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. This one moves back into the batsman from a length outside off, Taylor blocks it solidly by getting behind the line.

25.1 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Beaten! Good length delivery close to off, it straightens a hint after landing and Taylor is caught pushing and missing inside the line.

End of Over : 25 8 Runs NZ: 77/2
24.6 4

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. FOUR! Easy pickings! Curran angles in a length ball around middle and leg, Latham picks it off his pads and eases it fine down the leg side for a boundary. 8 from the over and Latham has moved to 48!

24.5 0

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Again there's movement. The length is very, very full. It's also too wide outside off to bother the batsman.

24.4 0

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Curran tries to tempt the batsman with a delivery on a driving length. Once again there is a visible movement off the surface for Sam. Latham is content in leaving it.

24.3 4

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. FOUR! Curran serves a short delivery at 126 kph and it's bread and butter for Latham. He immediately moves back inside the crease and pulls it with authority in front of square leg for a boundary.

24.2 0

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Lands it on a length and outside off, a hint of away shape there, Latham camps back and punches it to the cover region.

24.1 0

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

End of Over : 24 0 Runs NZ: 69/2
23.6 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. A bit short in length on off, Taylor goes on his toes and defends it towards mid-wicket.

23.5 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Clocks in the 140s now! A 142 kph delivery, on a length around middle, Ross taps it down in front of short leg.

23.4 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Back of a length ball on off, Taylor hangs on the back foot and defends it with gentle hands to mid on. Archer is still not hitting his top pace. Is he injured?

23.3 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Good length ball on off, Rosco defends it from the crease and near his body.

23.2 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Taylor has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

23.1 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Hurls in a good length delivery in the zone outside off, holding its line, Taylor makes a watchful leave.

End of Over : 23 2 Runs NZ: 69/2
22.6 0

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Fullish and on off, Tom plays a nice looking drive but it goes straight back to the bowler again. Sam collects in his followthrough and that brings an end to this over.

22.5 0

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Slightly short and close to off, Latham defends it back to the bowler.

22.4 0

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Around off on a length, defended again.

22.3 0

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

22.2 0

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Good length ball around off, Latham gets back to cover the line and defends. There isn't much movement on offer.

22.1 2

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Fuller length ball outside off, Latham drives it delightfully through covers and beats the fielder there for a couple of runs.

Sam Curran is back for another spell before Lunch. 3-1-12-0, his figures so far. 2 slips and a gully in place for him.

End of Over : 22 1 Runs NZ: 67/2
21.6 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Back of a length and close to off, Taylor moves back and defends it stoutly.

21.5 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

21.4 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Good collection by Ollie Pope! He has been brilliant so far. Archer digs in a short ball around off, Taylor tries to hook but misses. Pope jumps and collects it with one hand. There are two fielders in the deep on the leg side waiting for a mishit from Taylor. The ploy nearly worked for Jofra and England.

21.3 1

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. A length ball on off, Latham closes the face of his bat and helps it past the left side of the square leg fielder for one.

21.2 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Slightly short and around off, Tom goes on his toes and defends it once again to mid on.

21.1 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Fuller length ball close to off, Latham pushes it with a straight bat to mid on.

End of Over : 21 3 Runs NZ: 66/2
20.6 1

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Angling down the leg side, Latham clips it behind square leg and crosses for a single.

20.5 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Slants in a full length ball on off, Tom brings down a straight bat in defense.

20.4 1

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Fuller in length and around off, coming in with the angle, Taylor nudges it off his pads to the right of mid on and collects a single.

20.3 0

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. On a length and wide outside off, Taylor stands across the stumps and shoulders arms.

20.2 1

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Pitches it up and around off, Tom pushes it with gentle hands towards covers and steals a quick single. The fielder comes up with a direct hit at the bowler's end but Latham is safely in.

20.1 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Angles in a length ball on off, Latham covers the line and defends it firmly down towards mid on.

End of Over : 20 8 Runs NZ: 63/2
19.6 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Slower ball on off, Taylor prods forward and defends it.

19.5 4

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Bouncer but way too high to trouble the batter. Taylor leaves it alone and it goes over Ollie Pope's head as well and into the fine leg fence.

19.4 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Length ball on off, nipping back in. Taylor looks to defend but the ball goes off the inside edge to hit him on the thigh pad. It goes on a couple of bounces to Pope behind the wickets.

19.3 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Movement for Archer! He bowls this one way outside off, it swings in but Taylor makes a comfortable leave.

19.2 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

19.1 4

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Beautiful stroke by Taylor. He lunges forward and strokes this one through mid on with exquisite timing. The ball races away to the fence.

Jofra Archer is back for another spell in this session. He wasn't effective in his first four overs and his pace was also quite down. Can he make amends? A short leg in place and that fielder is standing a couple of steps behind the usual position. Two fielders in the deep down the leg side as well.

End of Over : 19 3 Runs NZ: 55/2
18.6 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. This time outside off, left alone by the batsman.

18.5 2

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Good shot by Latham. Broad bowls one full on middle, angling into the batter. Latham flicks this one towards the gap at mid-wicket and takes a couple.

18.4 1

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. On the pads, worked towards mid-wicket for a single.

18.3 0

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Length ball way outside off, left alone.

18.2 0

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Full ball on middle and leg, played towards the man at mid on.

18.1 0

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Full ball on off, pushed towards the cover region.

End of Over : 18 1 Runs NZ: 52/2
17.6 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Full and on middle, pushed towards mid on.

17.5 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. This time the ball is not as close and again Latham shoulders arms.

17.4 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Length ball outside off, Latham makes a very confident leave as the ball misses the top of off pole by a whisker.

17.3 1

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Taylor nudges this one down to the fine leg region and takes a single.

17.2 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Down the leg side, Taylor tries to flick but misses.

17.1 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Length ball on off, Taylor looks to poke at it and gets a soft outside edge. But the ball falls just short of the two men placed at gully.

End of Over : 17 8 Runs NZ: 51/2
16.6 1

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. On the pads, Taylor works this one towards mid-wicket and takes a quick single.

16.5 2

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Full ball on middle and off, Taylor punches this one down the ground. Broad tries to get down and guide this one onto the stumps at his end with his fingertips but he misses. The man from mid on runs after it and keeps it down to two. 50 up for New Zealand!

16.4 4

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. FOUR! First boundary for Ross Taylor and it is a cracking one! Short length ball outside off, Taylor rocks back and cuts this one through the point region for a boundary.

16.3 1

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. On the pads, Latham glances this one towards backward square leg for a single.

16.2 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Almost! Broad bowls a full ball on the off pole line, angling in. Latham looks to work this one towards the leg side but the ball goes off the leading edge towards cover. Had Latham missed that one, he would have been plumb LBW.

16.1 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Full ball on off, pushed towards the man at mid off.

Stuart Broad is back into the attack. 5-2-11-1, his figures so far.

End of Over : 16 2 Runs NZ: 43/2
15.6 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Last ball of the over, this time it is on off. Taylor pushes it towards cover.

15.5 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Full ball on middle and leg, flicked towards mid-wicket.

15.4 1

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. On the pads, Latham looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards fine leg and the batters take a leg bye.

15.3 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Misses the stumps by a whisker! Length ball on the off pole line, it pitches and straightens. Latham shoulders arms but the ball goes just over the off pole.

15.2 1

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Taylor is off the mark. On the pads, he works this one towards square leg for an easy single.

15.1 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. On the off pole line, Taylor works this towards wide mid on.

End of Over : 15 2 Runs NZ: 41/2
14.6 2

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Good fielding in the deep. On the pads of Latham, he whips it behind square on the leg side. The fielder from square leg runs across and dives near the fence to keep the ball in play. The batters take a couple.

14.5 0

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. On middle and off, pushed to the man at mid on.

14.4 0

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Full length ball on middle and off, defended onto the ground.

14.3 0

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Fuller in length now, Tom defends it back to the bowler.

14.2 0

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. This time Sam attacks the stumps, Latham stays in his crease and pushes it back.

14.1 0

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Length ball just outside off, left alone by Latham.

With the fall of a wicket, the umpires have called for Drinks break. A good first hour of Test cricket. England didn't get enough purchase from the surface early on and that allowed the Kiwi openers to settle down. However, Jeet Raval attempted an audacious drive to throw his wicket away. In spite of that, the English bowlers didn't look too penetrative but the brilliant ball to get rid of Kane Williamson moments before would give them extra confidence and motivation. Ross Taylor has joined Tom Latham in the middle and he enjoys batting at this venue (averages 50). Let's see how the next hour pans out.

End of Over : 14 0 Runs NZ: 39/2
13.6 W

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. OUT! CAUGHT! Williamson departs and that is a superb take by Joe Root at first slip. Woakes bowls a jaffa, in the corridor just around off. The ball pitches and straightens up a bit, completely squaring up Kane who looks to work it away off the back foot. He though fails to close the face of his bat in time and the ball goes off the outside edge low to the right of Joe Root at first slip. He dives and takes a very good catch to dismiss his counterpart. Big breakthrough for the touring team and the Kiwis are having a stuttering start here.

13.5 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Williamson has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

13.4 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Short of a length ball down the leg side, Williamson looks to flick this one but misses. The ball goes off his thigh pad and Ollie Pope collects it. A stifled appeal but nothing else.

13.3 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Back of a length ball, pushed towards cover again.

13.2 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Another full ball, this time outside off. Pushed towards cover.

13.1 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Full length ball on the off pole, blocked out.

End of Over : 13 10 Runs NZ: 39/1
12.6 1

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Another one on the pads, this one is worked behind square for one. Williamson retains strike for the next over.

12.5 1

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. On the pads, worked towards mid-wicket for a single.

12.4 0

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

12.3 4

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. FOUR! Great balance and execution from Latham. Fuller length ball on middle and leg, Tom rotates his wrists and flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

12.2 4

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. FOUR! Curran gets greedy and pays the price. He tries to repeat his outswinger but from the middle stump line. The ball doesn't move enough and goes down with the angle. Latham neatly deflects it behind to fine leg for a boundary.

12.1 0

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. EDGED BUT SAFE! Curran is getting some shape going at the moment. Delivers an outswinger outside off, Latham pushes at it tamely and edges it in from of third slip.

End of Over : 12 9 Runs NZ: 29/1
11.6 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Shortish in length, pushed wide of mid on. 9 from the over!

11.5 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Williamson pushes this one back towards the bowler.

11.4 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Beaten! That has stayed a bit low. Good length ball outside off, it pitches and straightens. Williamson looks to defend but the ball beats the outside edge and goes to Ollie Pope on the bounce.

11.3 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Williamson has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

11.2 5

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Five runs! Overthrow and a needless one! On the pads, Latham works this one towards mid-wicket and sets off for a quick single. Crawley, the debutant, runs to his right, picks the ball up and has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses it by a fair margin. The cover fielder tries to back it up with a dive to his left but fails in his attempt. It sneaks behind and races away to the fence.

11.1 4

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. FOUR! Beautiful! As simple and as solid as you like! Full ball on the off pole, Latham just punches this one through mid off for a boundary.

End of Over : 11 0 Runs NZ: 20/1
10.6 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Outside off, Williamson shoulders arms to get through the over safely.

10.5 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Play and a miss! Good signs for Curran. Bowls it fuller this time. Williamson tries to defend it off the front foot but the ball beats the outside edge of his blade. This one went with the angle of the left-armer rather than nipping back in.

10.4 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Another length ball outside off, Williamson shoulders arms.

10.3 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Length ball on off, left alone by Williamson.

10.2 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Full ball on off, Kane pushes it towards cover.

10.1 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Swing straightaway for Sam Curran. He bowls a yorker but it swings away down the leg side. Williamson looks to flick but misses and Ollie does well to dive to his left and collect it.

Double bowling change. Sam Curran into the attack from the other end, replacing Stuart Broad. Let's see whether he gets some swing going or not.

End of Over : 10 3 Runs NZ: 20/1
9.6 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Solid from bowler and batsman! Fuller in length and around off, Tom is on the front foot in defense.

9.5 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Latham has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

9.4 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. The line is too straight from Woakes but Latham fails to work it across the line as it hurries into him and strikes him on the thigh pad.

9.3 3

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Kane Williamson is off the mark with a nice back foot punch. He rises on his toes to a shortish ball and strokes it through covers for three runs.

9.2 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. This time Chris brings a length ball back into the batsman with the angle. Williamson defends it by solidly covering the line.

9.1 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. On a good length outside off, Williamson has a comfortable leave to make.

Here comes the first bowling change from Joe Root. Jofra Archer gets a breather after bowling four overs and Chris Woakes comes in his place. He can prove to be a handful on this surface, feels the on-air commentators. Let's see...

End of Over : 9 0 Runs NZ: 17/1
8.6 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Once again the line is well outside off and Latham has nothing to do with it. Maiden again by Broad.

8.5 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Tom lets the ball go outside his off stump.

8.4 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Fullish and close to off, Latham plays it close to his body and pushes it towards mid on.

8.3 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Good length delivery in the zone outside off, left alone by Tom.

8.2 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Gem of a delivery! Broad has got his rhythm after picking the first wicket. He delivers a length ball close to off stump and forces the batsman to defend the line. Latham offers a straight bat but it straightens to beat the outside edge. Ishant Sharma of late has developed a mastery of removing the southpaws from this 'round the wicket angle. Stuart attempting something similar here.

8.1 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

End of Over : 8 1 Runs NZ: 17/1
7.6 1

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Shortish delivery on off, Latham once again taps it down with an angled bat to point. They collect a quick single.

7.5 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Serves it on a length and close to off, Latham pushes it with an angled bat to point.

7.4 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. On and around off, defended off the back foot by Tom.

7.3 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Superb delivery and excellent leave too. Archer hurls a length ball close to off stump, straightening a touch from there, Latham guards his sticks before making a leave.

7.2 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Angling into the batsman from around off, Latham has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

7.1 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

Kane Williamson, the Kiwi skipper, is the next man in. He will be off strike as Raval was dismissed on the last ball of the previous over.

End of Over : 7 0 Runs NZ: 16/1
6.6 W

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. OUT! Edged and gone! Jeet Raval has run out of patience. Full marks to Broad for luring the batsman into a drive. He lands it on a fuller length outside off, Raval is sucked into the cover drive but the ball moves away slightly off the seam to catch the outside edge. It flies straight into the hands of Joe Root at first slip and he makes no mistake. Finally a success for England after a few edges eluding them. The England skipper is all smiles! Raval's poor form continues and he departs with his head down. A wicket maiden for Broad.

6.5 0

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Good length ball on off, Raval works it across the line with the angle but finds the backward square leg fielder.

6.4 0

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Lands it on a length and just around off, Raval stays back and pushes it out with an angled bat towards point.

6.3 0

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Back of a length delivery in the channel outside off, Raval covers his stumps and shoulders arms.

6.2 0

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. The length is on the fuller side again, on middle and off, Raval presents a straight bat in defense.

6.1 0

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Full delivery on off, angling in, Raval strides forward to drive but mistimes it back in the direction of the bowler.

End of Over : 6 4 Runs NZ: 16/0
5.6 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Fullish and outside off, Latham drives it off his front foot to mid off.

5.5 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Two slips and two gullies in place now to plug in the gap through which the ball went to the boundary on the last ball.

5.4 4

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. EDGED AND FOUR! Soft hands again. Archer serves a slightly short delivery close to off and it straightens off the seam. Latham pokes his bat inside the line and edges it through the gap between third slip and gully. A few edges have come but none carried.

5.3 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Lets the ball go outside his off stump.

5.2 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Back of a length ball on off, Latham tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto the thigh pad. It then goes to point.

5.1 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Latham has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

End of Over : 5 2 Runs NZ: 12/0
4.6 0

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Edged again! But not carrying. Full in length on off, angling in and then straightening a touch, Raval takes his bottom hand off the handle as he tries to defend. The edge that is generated is too soft and the ball doesn't carry to the slip cordon.

4.5 1

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Shortish and outside off, Latham gets back and punches it square of the wicket on the off side. Denly misfields at point and they cross for one.

4.4 1

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Good length ball angling into the batsman from around off, Raval tries to flick but it takes the leading half of his bat and rolls to covers. They steal a single.

4.3 0

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Well left in the end! Good length ball outside off, shaping back in with some extra bounce, Raval covers his stumps and lets it go. That wasn't too far away from the off pole.

4.2 0

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Better from Raval this time. He has not flirted with a delivery in the channel outside off.

4.1 0

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Streaky! Broad ekes out an outside edge but it doesn't carry to the slip cordon. It's a bit fuller and outside off, Raval sticks his bat out inside the line and gets a soft outside edge. It drops in front of the third slip fielder.

End of Over : 4 0 Runs NZ: 10/0
3.6 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. First maiden of the morning! Extra pace and slight inward movement into the batsman, Latham gets hurried up a bit as he tries to flick it on the leg side. Misses and is hit on the thigh pad.

3.5 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Just ahead of a length outside off, angling in, Latham defends it with a straight bat. So far both the batsmen have been untroubled.

3.4 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Latham has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

3.3 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. In the channel outside off, Latham has nothing to do with it.

3.2 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. EDGED BUT SAFE! Back of a length ball on off, Latham gets back to work it on the leg side again but closes the face of the bat early. It flies off the leading edge but falls safely wide of gully and point.

3.1 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Angling into the batsman from around off, Latham works it off his pads but finds the fielder standing adjacent to the square leg umpire.

End of Over : 3 2 Runs NZ: 10/0
2.6 0

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. In the corridor of uncertainty, Raval chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

2.5 0

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Back of a length ball on off, Jeet is solid in defense once more.

2.4 0

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Close to the off stump line on a good length, Jeet hangs on the back foot and blocks it safely. The pitch isn't offering much at the moment to the seamers.

2.3 2

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Not perfectly timed but not overhit either! Broad pitches it up outside off and Raval drives it through covers for a brace.

2.2 0

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. This time the batsman is forced to play. Broad targets the off stump with a fuller length ball. Jeet gets behind the line and defends it to the off side.

2.1 0

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. A gentle delivery, on a length and outside off, Raval watches it closely before making a leave.

End of Over : 2 1 Runs NZ: 8/0
1.6 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Archer changes his length on this occasion and digs it in short. It's comfortably negotiated by Latham.

1.5 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Fractionally short in length and just outside off, Latham is on the back foot in defense.

1.4 0

Jofra Archer to Tom Latham. Good length ball on off, Latham remains on the back foot and defends it with the angle to the leg side.

1.3 1

Jofra Archer to Jeet Raval. Sliding down the leg side, Raval tickles it fine down the leg side for one.

1.2 0

Jofra Archer to Jeet Raval. Back of a length delivery in the region outside off, Raval has nothing to do with it.

1.1 0

Jofra Archer to Jeet Raval. Shortish and around off, from 'round the wicket, Raval defends it from the inner half close to his body.

Jofra Archer to steam in from the other end.

End of Over : 1 7 Runs NZ: 7/0
0.6 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Good length ball close to off, Tom makes another watchful leave to complete the first over. A good start for the home team.

0.5 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Excellent take by Pope! Back of a length ball around off, shaping in a bit, Latham shoulders arms and it flies behind. Ollie dives across to his right and collects it nicely.

0.4 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Appeal for an lbw, an extended one by Broad, nothing doing. A length ball on off, slanting in, Latham brings his bat close to his body and defends it from the inner half of his bat onto the pads.

0.3 4

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. FOUR! Much better from Latham. This will give him good confidence. Fuller length ball on middle, angling in, Latham tucks it off his pads and it races away through mid-wicket for the first boundary of this Test match.

0.2 2

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. EDGY! Stuart Broad delivers a length ball close to the off stump line and gets it to straighten from there. Latham sticks back to push inside the line and outside edges it wide of gully. A couple of runs taken.

0.1 1

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Broad begins with a good length ball around off, angling in, Raval nudges it fine down the leg side and gets off the mark with a single.

It's time for some Test cricket! Tom Latham and Jeet Raval are the Kiwi openers. Bright and sunny conditions at the moment but there are clouds around the stadium as well. It's going to be Stuart Broad to kick off proceedings for England. Three slips and a gully in place. Here we go...

Both teams have lined up in the middle for their respective national anthems. The English players are wearing black arm-bands. It is in honour of the sudden passing away of head coach Chris Silverwood's father-in-law. We're minutes away from the first ball...

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (WK), Daryl Mitchell (on Test debut, replacing Colin de Grandhomme), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Matt Henry (in for injured Trent Boult), Neil Wagner.

England (Playing XI) - Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Joe Denly, Joe Root (C), Ben Stokes, Zak Crawley (on debut, replacing Jos Buttler), Ollie Pope (WK), Sam Curran, Chris Woakes (in for Jack Leach), Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad.

Toss - Kane Williamson gives the coin a good flick and it comes down in favour of Joe Root. ENGLAND WILL BOWL FIRST! The English skipper feels that there is a lot of live grass on it and with five seamers it is a great way for them to get into the game. The Kiwi skipper also wanted to bowl first and reckons that it's a pretty good surface.

Injury zone - Both teams have been coping with some injury issues. On one hand Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme have been ruled out and on the other hand, Jos Buttler has been struggling with a back spasm. We will get to know about the changes in both teams at the toss which isn't far away.

Hello, folks! A Test match lasting for five days in today's age is a rare phenomenon and we were lucky to witness that in the first Test match where New Zealand displayed a courageous performance and achieved a win on the final day. The Kiwis always have been a team with more utility players and fewer superstars. They play with all their heart and give every team a good run for its money. Kane Williamson has led them well and New Zealand would be eyeing a series win to further prove their calibre as the number 2 Test team in the world. An under-performing skipper, misfiring batting and unconvincing bowling - that's England for you in Test cricket. Joe Root is under tremendous pressure at the moment and he will be eager to bounce back and draw this series to avoid his captaincy record (overseas) take yet another hit. The Three Lions will be hurt and their confidence will be really down but one cannot undermine their ability to roar back to form. All the updates from the Hamilton Test coming your way shortly. Stick around...

End of Over : 162.5 ENG: 476/10

A leather-hunting it has been for the Kiwis, toiling hard for 162.5 overs. England bowlers will be fresh and aiming to come out hard - but on a hot and humid day, on a pitch which has nothing to offer, they will have to toil hard to take 10 wickets. But if they get the Kiwis 5 down tonight, we could have a game on our hands. Stay tuned for the final session of the day.

The last 35 balls make the reading good for New Zealand, as they tell about a collapse. But in reality, England just threw it away. They went for quick runs and perished. The session has belonged to the duo of Root and Pope, whose 193-run stand has taken the team to safety. Question is, is it good enough to enforce a result? Mind you, the forecast is very poor for Tuesday.

Fruitful session for both teams in terms of the runs and the wickets but England would be very, very happy. A lead of 101 and even though one would say momentum is with New Zealand, that lead is very, very significant. Around 35 overs left in the day and the visitors will aim for at least 4 wickets and in that, Kane Williamson for sure.

162.5 W

Neil Wagner to Stuart Broad. OUT! TIMBER! England have been bowled out! From 455/5 to 476 all out, this has been a big collapse but England will not mind it that much. Wagner bowls a slower full toss on off, it is swerving in. Broad goes onto the back foot looking to defend but is beaten as he might be waiting for the short ball. He brings his bat down late and misses the ball. Wagner hits and Broad has to walk back. This is Neil's 9th 5-wicket haul in Tests and he is pumped after getting toiled for huge parts of the day. England end their innings with a lead of 101 runs and TEA HAS BEEN TAKEN!

162.4 0

Neil Wagner to Stuart Broad. Fullish ball on off, Broad blocks it out.

162.3 0

Neil Wagner to Stuart Broad. A full toss to welcome Broad! He is surprised and just about manages to fend it back to the bowler.

Stuart Broad walks in at number 11.

162.2 W

Neil Wagner to Jofra Archer. OUT! CHOPPED ON! Archer is on his way right after hitting a biggie. Wagner bowls a full length ball just outside off, Archer looks to heave this one over the long on region but gets an inside edge on it. The ball rolls over onto the stumps and Archer has to take the long walk back. England lead by 101 runs.

162.1 6

Neil Wagner to Jofra Archer. SIX! Slammed! Good length ball just outside off, Archer makes room and slams this one down the ground over the long on fence for a biggie.

End of Over : 162 6 Runs ENG: 470/8
161.6 1

Tim Southee to Jofra Archer. Back of a length ball, Archer looks to pull but the ball goes off the inside half towards mid-wicket for a single.

161.5 1

Tim Southee to Sam Curran. Outside off, Curran cuts this one towards deep point for one.

161.4 0

Tim Southee to Sam Curran. Curran comes down the track to this length ball, looks to heave but gets an inside edge onto the thigh pads.

161.3 0

Tim Southee to Sam Curran. Outside off, Curran guides this one down to short third man.

161.2 4

Tim Southee to Sam Curran. FOUR! Slashed away! This time Curran gets his shot right as he slashes this length ball outside off through extra cover for a boundary.

161.1 0

Tim Southee to Sam Curran. Just short! Full ball wide outside off, Curran looks to have a slash at it but the ball goes off the bottom edge on the bounce to Watling.

Tim Southee back into the attack. 36-4-84-2, his figures so far.

End of Over : 161 1 Runs ENG: 464/8
160.6 0

Neil Wagner to Jofra Archer. Length ball on middle and off, defended out.

160.5 0

Neil Wagner to Jofra Archer. Bouncer on middle and leg, Archer gets down in time and lets the ball pass.

160.4 0

Neil Wagner to Jofra Archer. Length ball on middle and off, Archer goes back and defends.

160.3 0

Neil Wagner to Jofra Archer. Length ball outside off, Jofra leaves it alone.

160.2 1

Neil Wagner to Sam Curran. Yorker just outside off, Curran jams it out towards point and takes a single.

160.1 0

Neil Wagner to Sam Curran. Full ball on middle and off, flicked towards mid-wicket.

A conference going on. Taylor, Williamson, Southee and Watling are involved. Is it about the third new ball? It is due but not taken yet.

End of Over : 160 3 Runs ENG: 463/8
159.6 1

Mitchell Santner to Sam Curran. Full and around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.

159.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Sam Curran. Short and outside off, Curran looks to cut but gets a bottom edge which goes on the bounce to the keeper.

159.4 1

Mitchell Santner to Jofra Archer. Full and outside off, Archer leans and pushes it through the covers for a single to get off the mark.

159.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Jofra Archer. Tossed up, around leg, pushed back with an open face. Almost carries back to the bowler.

159.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Jofra Archer. Around off, punched back to the bowler.

159.1 1

Mitchell Santner to Sam Curran. Short and outside off, cut through point for a single.

End of Over : 159 1 Runs ENG: 460/8
158.6 0

Neil Wagner to Jofra Archer. A bouncer around middle, ducked under.

158.5 0

Neil Wagner to Jofra Archer. Landed outside off, angling away, left alone.

Jofra Archer walks in at number 10, replacing Woakes.

158.4 W

Neil Wagner to Chris Woakes. OUT! Edged and taken! Wickets, all of a sudden! And just when the third new ball is around the corner. Woakes departs as a sacrificial lamb to up the ante. Full and wide outside off, Woakes slashes hard, aiming to go through the covers but can only get a thick outside edge. Simple catch for BJ Watling. England lead by 85.

158.3 1

Neil Wagner to Sam Curran. A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a single.

158.2 0

Neil Wagner to Sam Curran. Punched off the back foot by the batsman.

158.1 0

Neil Wagner to Sam Curran. Landed outside off, Curran looks to punch but gets a bottom edge towards cover.

End of Over : 158 2 Runs ENG: 459/7
157.6 0

Mitchell Santner to Chris Woakes. Full and around middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

157.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Chris Woakes. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.

157.4 1

Mitchell Santner to Sam Curran. Outside off, punched off the back foot for a single.

Chris Woakes walks in at number 9, replacing his skipper.

157.3 W

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. OUT! Caught! The marathon innings ends at last. 226 in 441 balls. 636 minutes at the crease. Boy, have England missed you, Root. They as a team have rarely spent more than 600 minutes at the crease with the bat. New Zealand get 2 wickets in the span of 5 minutes after toiling for more than 3 hours without a scalp. Full and outside off, Root comes down the track and looks to go inside out. But he is not to the pitch of the ball and skews this high in the air. Does not have the distance and Henry Nicholls at sweeper cover runs in to take the catch. Wagner runs towards Root and pats him on the back. Nice sportsmanship. Now, the declaration?

157.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Full and outside off, Root looks to play the reverse sweep but gets hit on the glove. The ball bounces and goes to Watling who fumbles.

157.1 1

Mitchell Santner to Sam Curran. Landed outside off, dabbed towards short third man for a single.

End of Over : 157 7 Runs ENG: 457/6
156.6 2

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. A short ball, outside off, pulled through mid-wicket for a couple.

Sam Curran walks in at number 8, replacing Pope. Time for some entertainment.

156.5 W

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. OUT! CAUGHT! Stop the press. England have lost a wicket. The 193-run stand has been broken and after 374 balls, a batsman has been dismissed. Selfless shot from Pope. He could have played for his century but he chose his team instead. A short ball, outside off, Ollie looks to pull but gets a top edge, due to the extra bounce. The ball goes high in the air and Jeet Raval takes a simple catch at the ropes near mid-wicket. Well played, young lad.

156.4 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Full and wide outside off, driven through the covers for a single.

156.4 wd

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. WIDE. Full and miles outside off, almost outside the pitch, Root slashes hard but misses.

156.3 2

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Short and outside off, Root pulls it through mid-wicket. Mitchell Santner hares to his right from deep mid-wicket, dives and parries the ball to Jeet Raval running across from deep square leg. Two runs taken. Has Santner hurt himself though? Gets up gingerly and just about tests his knee.

156.2 1

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total.

156.1 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Full and wide outside off, now Pope plays an agricultural shot, a wild slash across the line but misses.

Neil Wagner now changes his shoes. So, a bit of a delay.

End of Over : 156 5 Runs ENG: 450/5
155.6 1

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Full and around off, pushed towards long on for a run. 450 UP FOR ENGLAND, lead by 75.

155.5 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Not all that short, but JR goes back and plays it from there, pulling it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

155.4 2

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Now the skipper jumps down the track and Santner fires it short and into the body. Joe works it through mid-wicket for how many? Another couple. Moves to 220.

155.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Slower, outside off, Root looks to play the reverse sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. He then deflects it away with his bat as the ball threatens to go back onto the stumps.

155.2 1

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Slowly tossed up outside off, Pope initially looks to go big but then adjusts, goes back and dabs it towards point for a single.

155.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Full and around leg, driven back to the bowler. Santner dives to his left to stop.

End of Over : 155 8 Runs ENG: 445/5
154.6 2

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.

154.5 1

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Outside off, played through point for a single.

154.4 4

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. FOUR! TAKE THAT! A length ball outside off, Pope shuffles across and hammers it straight back. Root at the other end has to get out of the way as the ball comes straight at him. He evades it though and the cherry races to the long off fence.

154.3 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Short and outside off, cut through point for a single.

154.2 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Short and wide outside off, Root reaches out and cuts it towards cover.

154.1 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. DROPPED! But a tough chance. Very tough chance. Full and around off, Root hammers this straight back. Poor Wagner barely has any time to react but manages to stick out his left hand. That is good reflex else his left knee would have been a goner. The ball goes to cover while Wagner is on the floor. Brave man. Strong man. Gets up in a trice and smiles. What does he have for supper?

End of Over : 154 2 Runs ENG: 437/5
153.6 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

153.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Full and around middle, reverse swept straight to Jeet Raval at backward point who fumbles but no run is conceded. Pope wanted one but Root sent him back.

153.4 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Looped wide outside off, hit uppishly towards long off for a run.

153.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Sees Root come down the track and loops this up generously. The skipper gets it as a low full toss and hits it back to the bowler.

153.2 1

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Around off, worked through fine leg for a single.

153.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Close call. The arm ball, outside off, Pope looks to steer it through point but mises. Not far from the outside edge.

DRINKS! Another hour where England have dominated. A double ton for Joe Root, a half ton for Ollie Pope, all these milestones coming in this hour. New Zealand have tried their best but luck has just not favoured them with numerous near misses. The only question that now remains is what total do England have in mind before they declare. Also, some good news regarding the weather as the sun has now come out and we can see the ground bathed in sunshine.

End of Over : 153 4 Runs ENG: 435/5
152.6 2

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. MISSES THE HELMET! Not of Root's, but the one behind the keeper. Nearly 5 penalty runs. Landed outside off, Joe looks to cut but gets a bottom edge. The ball bounces, past the off stump and poor Watling, for the umpteenth time today, has to dive to his left to stop the ball. It was heading straight to the helmet kept behind. Cannot stop it cleanly and parries it behind. Another couple taken.

152.5 1

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Short and wide outside off, cut to point for a single.

152.4 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Full and wide outside off, Pope reaches out to steer it to third man but gets a bottom edge which goes on the bounce to the keeper.

152.3 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. TOP EDGE, SAFE! More luck for Root. A short ball outside off, Root gets across and attempts an ungainly agricultural hack, similar to a pull. The ball takes the top edge and goes straight up in the air but there is no one close by catching it! Kane Williamson runs in from long off but cannot get there. A single taken.

152.2 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Outside off, a play and a miss.

152.1 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

Neil Wagner is back on at last. 3 short of his century.

End of Over : 152 2 Runs ENG: 431/5
151.6 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Outside off, pushed straight to point.

151.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Short and around off, picked from the line of the stumps towards point.

151.4 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Fired down the leg side, Pope misses his flick. Loses his balance slightly but Watling fumbles. No stumping chance as the back foot was in the crease.

151.3 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Outside off, slower this time, punched towards long off for a run.

151.2 1

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Arrowed down the leg side, helped through mid-wicket for a single.

151.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Landed outside off, dabbed straight to short third man.

Mitchell Santner is back on. 30-4-74-0 so far.

End of Over : 151 8 Runs ENG: 429/5
150.6 1

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a run.

150.5 1

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Outside off, dabbed to third man for a single.

150.4 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.

150.3 6

Matt Henry to Joe Root. SIX! Up, up and away! Boy, isn't that a surprise? His first biggie of the innings. Full and outside off, Root gets underneath this and sends it flying over long off!

150.2 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Around off, pushed towards mid on.

150.1 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. LEADING EDGE, SAFE! First real chance whole day. Full and around off, Root looks to flick but is early into the shot. The ball takes the leading edge and goes back to Henry but falls just short.

Root is applying some dry spray on his palms. Humidity is just too high.

End of Over : 150 7 Runs ENG: 421/5
149.6 4

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. FOUR! Off cutter and punished. Short and outside off, 97.7 kph, Pope cuts it through point and gets a boundary!

149.5 1

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Outside off, punched towards long on. Mitchell Santner gets across from short mid-wicket and mimes a throw at the bowler's end without even collecting the ball. Isn't that banned?

149.4 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Short and outside off, cut straight to point.

149.3 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Full and around off, Root gets across and wrists it beautifully wide of mid on but short mid-wicket cuts it across to his left.

149.2 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Around off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

149.1 2

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Full and around middle, Root tickles it through square leg. Matt Henry gives it a good chase from fine leg, slides to his left and saves the boundary. Another couple taken. THIS IS NOW THE HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL SCORE at this venue. England lead by 41 now.

End of Over : 149 1 Runs ENG: 414/5
148.6 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Length ball just outside off, dabbed towards the off side.

148.5 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.

148.4 1

Matt Henry to Joe Root. 200 FOR JOE ROOT! The English skipper has stepped up to the plate and recovered his best form. Good length ball on off, Root defends this one with soft hands towards the off side. The fielder from cover runs in and throws the ball at the keeper's end while diving. Had he hit, Ollie Pope would have been gone for all money despite a dive. That was a risk worth taking though as this has helped the skipper reach his double ton. Joe Root has now become just the 2nd player to score a double ton at this venue, the previous man being his counterpart, Kane Williamson against Bangladesh in February 2019. Records tumbling!

148.3 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. On the pads, flicked towards the on side.

148.2 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Brilliant fielding! Length ball outside off, Root drives this one beautifully towards the cover region but the man there dives to his right and holds onto the pole.

148.1 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Good length ball on middle and off, defended towards the cover region.

End of Over : 148 4 Runs ENG: 413/5
147.6 2

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Full ball on off, driven through the cover region for a couple. That brings up the 150-run stand between Ollie Pope and Joe Root. This stand has put the English players in complete control of the match.

147.5 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

147.4 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. On the pads, Pope looks to flick but is hit on the pads.

147.3 1

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Pitched up ball on middle and leg, worked towards mid-wicket for one. Root moves to 199.

147.2 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Length ball on middle and off, Root defends it out with a straight bat. He has now faced the most number of deliveries in a single innings in his Test career.

147.1 1

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Good length ball wide outside off, driven towards deep point for a single.

End of Over : 147 3 Runs ENG: 409/5
146.6 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. On the pads, worked towards wide mid on.

146.5 1

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. On middle and off, Pope drives this one towards cover for one.

146.4 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

146.3 1

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Another one on the pads, worked towards the leg side for a single.

146.2 1

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. On the pads, flicked to the man at mid-wicket for a single.

146.1 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Pope drives this one straight to the man at mid on.

Matt Henry is back into the attack. His figures so far read 30-6-75-1.

End of Over : 146 8 Runs ENG: 406/5
145.6 4

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. FOUR! Brilliant placement! Length ball just outside off, Root opens the face of the bat and guides this one exactly between gully and backward point for a boundary.

145.5 2

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. On the pads, Root flicks this one with soft hands towards mid-wicket for a comfortable couple.

145.4 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Similar delivery, same shot as the man at mid on is again in business.

145.3 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Root presents the full face of the bat and drives this one straight to the man at mid on.

145.2 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Pitched up ball on middle, Root works this one towards the leg side.

145.1 2

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. INSIDE EDGE, MISSES THE LEG STUMP! Lost his footwork there, did Root. Not luck, but. Full and outside off, Root pushes at this away from his body and does not move his feet at all. Gets a thick inside edge which goes past the leg stump towards fine leg. Two runs are taken. 400 UP FOR ENGLAND. Root moves into the 190s as well. It is now the highest score by a visiting batsman on this ground, going past Rahul Dravid's 190 in 1999.

The physiotherapist comes out now. Has a check on Southee. Is the heat and humidity getting to the bowler? There is a bowling change as well. Not what we anticipated. Daryl Mitchell it will be. 19-5-50-0 so far.

End of Over : 145 3 Runs ENG: 398/5
144.6 1

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Full and straight, tucked to deep mid-wicket for a run.

144.5 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Full and outside off, guided straight to short third man.

144.4 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Around off, defended solidly.

144.3 2

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Short and outside off, Root cuts it hard, on the bounce, to Daryl Mitchell at backward point. He gets down low to his left but fumbles. Excellent running as the batsmen return for the second.

144.2 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Around off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket this time.

144.1 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Full and around off, pushed towards mid on.

End of Over : 144 5 Runs ENG: 395/5
143.6 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Tossed up delivery on off, driven towards the cover region for one. Root retains strike.

143.5 1

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Another one floated on off, pushed towards cover-point for a single.

143.4 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Floated ball outside off, Root pushes it towards point for one.

143.3 1

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Another flat delivery. this time it is pushed to the man at mid off.

143.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Flatter delivery on middle, Pope defends it out.

143.1 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Floated on off, Pope gets down on one knee and sweeps this one towards backward square leg for one.

End of Over : 143 4 Runs ENG: 390/5
142.6 1

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Pitched up ball on middle and leg, flicked towards mid-wicket for one.

142.5 1

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Length ball on off, pushed in the gap at cover-point for one.

142.4 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Just outside off, played away from the body towards cover.

142.3 1

Tim Southee to Joe Root. A good length ball, outside off, coming in with the angle, worked with his wrists through square leg for a run.

142.2 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Around off, punched off the back foot.

142.1 1

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. A bit too straight, down the leg side, Pope tucks it towards short fine leg off the pads and takes a single. No signal, so must have been an inside edge.

End of Over : 142 3 Runs ENG: 386/5
141.6 1

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. 50 up for Ollie Pope! It has been a great innings by him as he has supported his skipper very well. Shortish outside off, Pope goes back and cuts this towards point. Jeet Raval there dives to his right but cannot hold onto the ball. That allows the batters to take a single and Ollie to get to his milestone.

141.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Pope pushes this one straight to the man at cover.

141.4 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Floated on off, Root pushes this one towards cover for one.

141.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Almost a blunder by Root! Santner bowls a floated delivery on off, Root looks to play the reverse scoop over short third man. He does not time it well and it falls just short. That would have been a waste if he had lost his wicket like this after such a wonderful knock.

141.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Root opens the face of the bat and guides this one straight to short third man.

141.1 1

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Shortish on off, Pope plays this one towards point for a single.

End of Over : 141 1 Runs ENG: 383/5
140.6 1

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. On the pads, Pope flicks this one towards mid-wicket for one.

140.5 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Almost a yorker, Pope jams it out back towards Southee.

140.4 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. This time Pope pushes it back towards the bowler.

140.3 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Pitched up on off, Pope drives it to the man at mid off.

140.2 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Length ball outside off, played towards point.

140.1 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Ohh! Off the bottom edge! Length ball just outside off, Pope looks to guide this one down to third man. However, he manages to get just a bottom edge on that one onto the surface. It went just past the off pole.

End of Over : 140 2 Runs ENG: 382/5
139.6 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Root goes back and plays this one towards point.

139.5 1

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Floated on off, Ollie pushes it towards cover and takes one.

139.4 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Again Pope goes deep in his crease. This time he punches it towards cover.

139.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Pope goes back and works this one towards mid-wicket.

139.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Drags it back, outside off. Pope cuts it to the man at point.

139.1 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Floated on the off pole line, defended towards cover for a single.

Mitchell Santner to bowl from the other end. 27-4-64-0 so far.

End of Over : 139 1 Runs ENG: 380/5
138.6 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Outside off, pushed towards point with firm hands.

138.5 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Good length ball this time, just outside off, pushed towards cover.

138.4 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Length ball on off, pushed towards cover.

138.3 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Good length ball on the off pole line, pushed towards mid on.

138.2 1

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Length ball wide outside off, pushed towards point for one. First run of the session.

138.1 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Starts the session with a length ball down the leg side. Root looks to glance but misses.

Gathering. New Zealand at the boundary line. Rain clouds above. The conditions were overcast in the morning and they seem to have become even more so now. Kane Williamson is giving a pep talk to his team and he is either smiling or his face is just like that. Out come Root and Pope. Tim Southee to begin proceedings post Lunch. 32-4-75-2 so far. Root to face. Here we go...

... DAY 4, SESSION 2 ...

38.2 overs, 110 runs and no wickets lost. What a session this has been for England! They have taken things by the scruff of the neck and eased their way into a lead when everyone was ruling them out early on in their innings. The Kiwi bowlers have bowled with a lot of discipline and induced a lot of edges but the England batters have rode their luck. But just like the saying goes, fortune favours the brave and it has favoured Root and Pope. They are amidst an unbeaten 117-run stand and and will be looking to score runs at a better run rate now with the pressure off their shoulders. With Root looking to go for the double ton and Pope for his ton, runs are surely on offer. Join us after the Lunch break at 1340 Local (0040 GMT) for all the action.

End of Over : 138 1 Runs ENG: 379/5
137.6 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. LUNCH ON DAY 4, ENG LEAD BY 4!

137.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

137.4 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Fired up around off, Pope goes back and defends.

137.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Tossed up outside off, driven straight to cover.

137.2 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Fired in around off, Root looks to work it to the leg side but gets it off the inner half behind square leg for a single.

Should be the last over before Lunch...

137.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

End of Over : 137 5 Runs ENG: 378/5
136.6 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. On middle, some reverse on offer, worked towards mid on.

136.5 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

136.4 4

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. FOUR! ENGLAND INTO THE LEAD NOW! Have to say, did not expect this at 24/2. Short and outside off, Pope latches onto the width and crashes it behind point for a boundary!

136.3 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Very full, around off, pushed towards mid on.

136.2 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Outside off, Pope looks to cut but gets a bottom edge. It bounces into the hands of Ross Taylor at wide slip.

136.1 1

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Full and around middle, flicked to deep mid-wicket for a run.

End of Over : 136 2 Runs ENG: 373/5
135.6 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Around middle, worked straight to short mid-wicket.

135.5 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Full and outside off, JR stays leg side of the ball and drives it to sweeper cover for a single.

135.4 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Fired down the leg side, Joe misses his flick.

135.3 1

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. A lovely drive again, this time it is past short extra cover and a single is taken. The stand moves to 110 now.

135.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Around off, driven towards short extra cover.

135.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Full and around off, spinning away, blocked down the pitch.

End of Over : 135 1 Runs ENG: 371/5
134.6 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Outside off, swinging away, Root plays that as late as he possibly can, guiding it towards backward point.

134.5 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Full and just outside off, watchfully defended.

134.4 1

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Down the leg side, flicked behind square leg for a single.

134.3 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.

134.2 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Outside off, punched towards cover.

134.1 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

End of Over : 134 2 Runs ENG: 370/5
133.6 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Landed outside off, dabbed to short third man.

133.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.

133.4 1

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. That spit. Landed outside off, 84.2 kph, Pope comes forward to defend but the ball rises suddenly, catches him by surprise and goes off the outside edge wide of slip towards third man. A run taken. Pope moves to 40 with that.

133.3 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Slower, 80.2 kph, fuller in length, around middle, worked through square leg for a single.

133.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. The arm ball, around off, Root plays this very late, off the pitch, towards point again.

133.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Full and outside off, pressed towards point.

End of Over : 133 4 Runs ENG: 368/5
132.6 1

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Around off, coming in with the angle, tucked through mid-wicket for a run.

132.5 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Full again, well blocked out.

132.4 2

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Outside off, Root punches this through the covers and gets a couple. The deficit is now down to single digits.

132.3 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Around off, slightly fuller, defended from the crease.

132.2 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Played to the point region by the batsman.

132.1 1

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Landed outside off, Pope taps it towards cover for a single.

Daryl Mitchell is back on. 16-5-40-0 so far.

End of Over : 132 10 Runs ENG: 364/5
131.6 4

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. FOUR! 100-RUN STAND IS UP! Excellent control. England getting more and more comfortable in this Test now. Full and outside off, Root gets down and plays the slog again, this time all along the ground, through mid-wicket!

131.5 2

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. TOP EDGE, SAFE! Are England going for some aggression finally? Full and outside off, Root gets down to play the slog but gets a top edge. The ball is in the air and deep mid-wicket gets to his left while mid on runs across to his right. However, the ball lands in between them and a couple of runs are taken.

131.4 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

131.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Outside off, punched straight to cover.

131.2 4

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. FOUR! Nicely done. Quicker ball from Santner, 90.1 kph, Root goes back and just uses the bowler's pace to guide it past first slip to the third man fence. The deficit is now 17.

131.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Full and around off, pushed straight to cover.

End of Over : 131 2 Runs ENG: 354/5
130.6 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Defends this solidly.

130.5 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Full and around off, Pope covers the line nicely and pushes it towards short mid-wicket.

130.4 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Full and around off, Ollie looks to defend but the ball squirts off the inside edge towards short mid-wicket.

130.3 1

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Landed outside off, played through point for a run.

130.2 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Fuller, around off, pushed towards mid on this time.

130.1 1

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.

End of Over : 130 1 Runs ENG: 352/5
129.6 1

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Last ball of the over, Pope pushes it towards cover for a single. Retains strike.

129.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Pope prods forward and watchfully defends this one towards the off side.

129.4 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Driven through the covers by the batsman.

129.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Santner drags it short, Pope pushes this one towards mid off.

129.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Another one on off, pushed towards the cover region.

129.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Outside off by Santner, Pope leaves it alone.

Change of gloves, AGAIN! It has been a humid day and it can be seen as this is the third time that the gloves have been changed.

End of Over : 129 1 Runs ENG: 351/5
128.6 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. The batsman has pushed it to the cover region.

128.5 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Another length ball on off, Root gets the bottom half of the bat on it and the ball stays near the surface.

128.4 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Length ball outside off, Root opens the face of the bat and guides it towards gully.

128.3 1

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. On middle and off, Pope gets down a bit and works this one towards deep square leg for one.

128.2 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Good length ball on off, pushed towards the cover region.

128.1 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Length ball on middle and off, defended towards the off side.

End of Over : 128 1 Runs ENG: 350/5
127.6 1

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Floated ball on off, Pope does well to squeeze this one through the cover region for a single.

127.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Pope goes back in his crease and plays this one towards point.

127.4 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Pope prods forward and pushes this one towards the cover region.

127.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Drags it short again, Ollie works this one towards mid-wicket.

127.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Shortish ball on middle and off, defended.

127.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Full and floated on off, pushed towards cover.

End of Over : 127 6 Runs ENG: 349/5
126.6 1

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Length ball on off, Pope pushes it with soft hands towards cover-point and takes a run.

126.5 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Pope has driven this one straight back towards the bowler.

126.4 4

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. FOUR! Cut away! Length ball wide outside off, Pope rocks back and cuts this one through the point region for a boundary.

126.3 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Length ball on middle and off, defended towards mid off.

126.2 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Full ball on off, pushed towards cover.

126.1 1

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Full ball on the pads, worked towards backward square leg for one.

End of Over : 126 3 Runs ENG: 343/5
125.6 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Another delivery which is floated wide outside off, Pope leaves it alone.

125.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Floated on off, pushed towards cover.

125.4 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Floated on off, Root plays the sweep shot but the ball goes off the inner half towards square leg for one.

125.3 1

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Shortish on the leg side, Pope goes onto the back foot and works this one towards deep square leg for one.

125.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Pope goes deep in his crease and defends it out.

125.1 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. On the hips, nudged down to fine leg for one.

End of Over : 125 3 Runs ENG: 340/5
124.6 2

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. On the pads, flicked away wonderfully by Pope towards deep mid-wicket for a couple.

124.5 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

124.4 1

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Length ball just outside off, Root guides this one towards third man for one.

124.3 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Root drives this one towards mid on.

124.2 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Root opens the face of his bat and guides this one down to gully.

124.1 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Pitched up ball on middle and off, driven towards mid on.

End of Over : 124 8 Runs ENG: 337/5
123.6 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Root again gets down on one knee but gets just a single off this one as he sweeps it towards square leg.

123.5 1

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Shortish on the body, Ollie works this one towards mid-wicket for one.

123.4 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Root goes deep in his crease and pushes this one towards cover for a single.

123.3 4

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. FOUR! Good shot by Root! Another one which is sprayed down the leg side, Root gets down on one knee and paddles it fine down the leg side for a boundary.

123.2 1

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Sprays one down the leg side, Root nudges it fine down the leg side for a single.

123.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Floated on off, pushed towards the off side.

End of Over : 123 0 Runs ENG: 329/5
122.6 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. On the pads again, Root pushes this one towards wide mid on.

122.5 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. This time Root drives this one towards mid on.

122.4 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Pitched up on off, Root plays a full-blooded drive but straight to Williamson at mid off.

122.3 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. On the pads, worked towards mid-wicket.

122.2 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Pitched up on off again, punches it to the man at mid off.

122.1 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Full ball on off, pushed down the ground towards mid off.

Matt Henry returns. 25-5-63-1 so far.

End of Over : 122 3 Runs ENG: 329/5
121.6 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Pope goes back in his crease and pushes it back towards Santner.

121.5 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. 150 up for Joe Root! The English skipper has played out of his skins here and will be feeling relieved after a long patch without a huge score. On the pads of Root, he flicks this one between square leg and mid-wicket and takes a single to get to the milestone. He will be looking to up the ante from here on.

121.4 1

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. On the hips of Pope, he nudges this one fine down the leg side for a single.

121.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Tosses one up on middle, Pope digs it out towards cover.

121.2 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Floats one outside off, Root pushes this one towards point and takes a single.

121.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Floated on off, pushed down to mid on.

Root wants a change of gloves. So more drinks, more towels, more time wasting... Mitchell Santner comes back on as well. 18-4-33-0 so far.

End of Over : 121 7 Runs ENG: 326/5
120.6 4

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. FOUR! That is a very good shot. Second boundary for Pope, on his 93rd ball! Short and outside off, Pope crunches his cut wide of gully and beats sweeper cover to his left. Moves to 23 with shot. The deficit is now 49.

120.5 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Outside off, punched to the right of gully this time, for a single. The call is for two but Mitchell Santner covers good ground at sweeper to his left. The stand moves to 60 now.

120.4 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Outside off, Root plays his favourite shot, the dab to third man but gully comes in his way.

120.3 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Outside off, fuller in length, pushed straight to cover.

120.2 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Outside off, left alone.

120.1 2

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Full and down the leg side, Root flicks it through square leg. The ball races away but Daryl Mitchell slides to his left from fine leg and makes a fine stop. Two runs taken.

End of Over : 120 6 Runs ENG: 319/5
119.6 1

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Outside off, punched through the covers for a single.

119.5 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Around off, pushed towards mid on.

119.4 4

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. FOUR! A rare bad ball. A short ball, down the leg side, Root swivels and pulls it fine, past the keeper, to the fine leg fence. The deficit is now 57.

119.3 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Around off, well blocked out.

119.2 1

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Outside off, this time Ollie leans and taps it towards point for a quick single.

119.1 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Full and outside off, swinging away, Pope drives but finds cover. That is his third drive, well-timed, in as many as 6 deliveries. Just cannot find the gap.

End of Over : 119 2 Runs ENG: 313/5
118.6 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

118.5 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. The knuckle ball from Wagner, 109.7 kph, full and outside off, Root is early into his drive but then adjusts with the late pace and pushes it towards cover.

118.4 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Outside off, punched straight to cover.

118.3 1

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Full and outside off, Pope drives this through the covers where Henry Nicholls dives to his left and makes a half-stop. A run taken.

118.2 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Outside off, driven straight to mid off.

118.1 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. 50-RUN STAND IS UP! In 143 balls. Ignore the pace but look at the resilience. The deficit is now just a few runs over 50. Full and outside off, Root leans and drives it through the covers for a single.

DRINKS BREAK. The first of the day. An hour where you might feel nothing has happened looking at the scorecard - 42/0 in 18.2 overs. But New Zealand have bowled really well and eked out plenty of inside edges. But none have resulted in wickets. The deficit is now just 64 and another good hour should make this Test look pretty good for the visitors. The pitch is starting to show some inconsistent bounce now, so batting will get difficult. Which means - first innings lead will be very crucial.

End of Over : 118 1 Runs ENG: 311/5
117.6 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Bouncer on middle and leg, Pope ducks under it.

117.5 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Full ball on the pads, worked towards wide mid on.

117.4 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Length ball outside off, pushed towards the point region.

117.3 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

117.2 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Full ball on middle and off, Pope drives this one beautifully down the ground. The ball hits the stumps at the non-striker's end. Mitchell tries to get his hand to it but fails to do so. The ball deflects off the stumps towards mid on.

117.1 1

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. On the hips, worked towards square leg for a single.

End of Over : 117 1 Runs ENG: 310/5
116.6 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Another good area, just outside off, Pope walks across his stumps and pushes it towards gully.

116.5 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Nice line, around off, angling away, but Pope is determined not to fiddle with those.

116.4 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Landed outside off, left alone.

116.3 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Around off, on a length, dabbed to third man, fine of wide slip, for a single.

116.2 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. INSIDE EDGE, MISSES THE STUMPS! 'C'mon!' yells Wagner in frustration. Full and outside off, Root looks to defend but gets an inside edge. The ball hits his left boot and rolls past the leg stump!

116.1 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Outside off, pushed straight to point.

While we are talking about patience, let us now talk about discipline. The Kiwi bowlers have been disciplined so far but England need their batsmen to follow that principle as well. True, no wickets have fallen but there have been too many inside edges. A change in the field now. Ross Taylor goes to third man while Tom Latham swaps his position at short cover to point, with another Kiwi fielder.

End of Over : 116 0 Runs ENG: 309/5
115.6 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Full and just outside off, solidly defended towards cover.

115.5 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Half volley outside off, Ollie stays leg side of the ball and drives it towards mid off.

It is all a game of patience today. The surface looks a pretty hard one but it is also slowing up. So, timing would be tested and it could be one of those pitches where if you get one wicket, a couple more could follow quickly.

115.4 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Full and around off again, Pope lunges to block.

115.3 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Around off, blocked solidly.

115.2 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Around off, coming in, defended to the leg side.

115.1 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Full and around off, swinging away, watchfully defended down the pitch.

End of Over : 115 2 Runs ENG: 309/5
114.6 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Full and outside off, Root looks drive but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.

114.5 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Outside off, punched off the back foot.

114.4 1

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Full and outside off, Ollie reaches out and pushes it towards point for a run.

114.3 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Around off, left alone.

114.2 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Outside off, pretty full and wide, Pope pushes at it but misses.

114.1 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Full and outside off, Root looks to push but the ball squirts off the inside edge through mid-wicket. A single taken.

Neil Wagner changes ends. 26-3-85-1 so far. This is the end which has seen cracks open up and offer indifferent bounce.

End of Over : 114 5 Runs ENG: 307/5
113.6 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Landed outside off, OP lets it through watchfully.

113.5 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

113.4 4

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. BOTTOM EDGE, FOUR! Ahhh... Pope and his luck with the edges. Full and outside off, Ollie looks to push away from his body but there is no feet movement. The ball takes the bottom edge and goes past the off stump, past the diving Watling, to his left and into the fine leg fence. The deficit is now 68.

113.3 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ollie Pope. Full and around middle, almost a yorker, bunted down the ground, past the bowler. Mid on mops it up.

113.2 1

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

113.1 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.

Another bowling change. Daryl Mitchell comes on. 12-4-28-0 so far. Ian Smith observes a substitute coming in with some drinks. He says that we have barely had 13 overs of play and substitutes are already on. With a scheduled Drinks Break, Smith wants players to control their urge to drink and quench their thirst. Professionalism.

End of Over : 113 1 Runs ENG: 302/5
112.6 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Tossed up around off, well defended.

112.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Walks into the shot now and pushes this towards mid on.

112.4 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Around off, watchfully defended.

112.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Full and wide outside off, good bowling, Pope reaches out and pushes it with hard hands towards point. Santner will like that. There is a possibility of an outside edge if Pope keeps doing that.

112.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Ollie Pope. Around middle, pushed straight to cover.

112.1 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Full and around middle, Root goes and works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Spin for the first time this morning. Mitchell Santner is on. 17-4-32-0 so far. We can expect quite a long spell from him, if New Zealand cannot get wickets.

End of Over : 112 2 Runs ENG: 301/5
111.6 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Landed outside off, pushed straight to cover.

111.5 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Full and outside off, Pope looks to drive but the ball goes off the inner half of the bat down the ground.

111.4 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Outside off, dabbed to third man for a run.

111.3 1

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. A streaky way to get 300 on the scoreboard. Trail by 75 now. Full and around off, angling away, Pope stretches out to drive but the ball takes the inside edge and goes to fine leg. A single taken.

111.2 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Full and outside off, angling further away, left alone.

111.1 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Around off, watchfully defended.

End of Over : 111 4 Runs ENG: 299/5
110.6 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.

110.5 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.

110.4 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Full and outside off, Root gets a big stride forward and blocks.

110.3 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Around off, watchfully dabbed to wide slip.

110.2 4

Tim Southee to Joe Root. FOUR! Uppish but safe! Williamson's innovative field placement nearly got him a wicket. A length ball outside off, Root looks to pull but the ball keeps a touch low. He plays the shot but it goes uppishly. Now, Williamson has stationed Ross Taylor at a squarish mid-wicket position. Not at the single-saving position, nor at the boundary. Somewhere in between. But it goes well wide of him, to his left and finds the fence. The skipper moves to 133. The deficit is also 76.

110.1 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Full and just outside off, watchfully pushed towards mid on.

End of Over : 110 6 Runs ENG: 295/5
109.6 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Excellent stop by Latham! Full and outside off, Pope leans and drives it through the covers but Tom at short extra cover dives full fledged to his left to stop the ball.

109.5 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

109.4 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Another bouncer, pulled away by Root towards square leg for one.

109.3 4

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. FOUR! Plays that one very late! Bouncer just outside off, Root stays deep in his crease and upper cuts this one over the keeper's head. The ball races away to the fence.

109.2 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Again Root goes to play this one in the gap between first slip and gully. However, it goes straight in the hands of the man at wide first slip on the bounce.

109.1 1

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. On the pads, Pope works this one towards square leg for a single.

End of Over : 109 4 Runs ENG: 289/5
108.6 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. On middle and off, Root goes back and pushes this one towards the left of the bowler.

108.5 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Root this time safely defends it towards the off side.

108.4 4

Tim Southee to Joe Root. FOUR! This time it is in the gap. Length ball outside off, Root opens the face of the bat and guides this one in the gap between wide first slip and gully. The ball races away to the third man fence. The man at gully did put in a full-stretch dive to his left but he still could not get to it.

108.3 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. On off, Root guides this with an angled bat softly towards the man at gully.

108.2 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Again Root goes deep in his crease and blocks it out.

108.1 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Length ball on middle and off, Root defends it back towards the bowler.

End of Over : 108 1 Runs ENG: 285/5
107.6 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Ollie rocks onto the back foot and defends this one towards mid on.

107.5 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Pitched up ball on off, pushed towards cover.

107.4 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Bouncer on middle and off, it is slow. Root comfortably swivels across and pulls this behind square for a single.

107.3 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Length ball angling into the batter, Root looks to push this one towards the off side but the ball goes off the inner half towards mid on.

107.2 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Another ball which is pitched up, defended towards the off side.

107.1 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Fullish ball on off, defended out.

Neil Wagner is into the attack for the first time in the day. 23-3-76-1, his figures so far.

End of Over : 107 1 Runs ENG: 284/5
106.6 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

106.5 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Another bouncer, successfully ducked under.

Neil Wagner is warming up. Looks like he will be coming on to bowl soon.

106.4 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

106.3 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. A short ball, around middle and leg, Pope initially looks to hook but then bails out. The ball keeps on climbing and Watling does excellently to dive to his left to gather.

106.2 1

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Full and around off, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

106.1 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. On a length around off, defended down the ground.

End of Over : 106 1 Runs ENG: 283/5
105.6 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

105.5 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Length ball outside off, punched towards the point region.

105.4 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Full ball on off, driven towards mid off.

105.3 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Beaten! Did that one pitch on a crack? Henry bowls a good length ball around off, the ball comes in after pitching. It shoots off the pitch. Pope looks to play at it but the ball whizzes past the outside edge. When the ball pitched, a puff of dust came out. Santner will like that!

105.2 1

Matt Henry to Joe Root. On off again, Root guides this one towards the point region and takes a single.

105.1 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Length ball just outside off, guided towards the man at gully.

End of Over : 105 0 Runs ENG: 282/5
104.6 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. A stifled appeal but nothing doing for the umpire. Southee bowls a length ball just outside off and gets it to nip back in. Pope gets back to defend but misses and is hit on the thigh pad. The Kiwi players appeal but the umpire shakes his head.

104.5 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Fullish on off, pushed towards cover.

104.4 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Pope gets right behind the line of the delivery and defends it.

104.3 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Length ball on middle and off, Pope looks to defend but misses. It hits the thigh pad and rolls towards the slip cordon.

104.2 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Length ball this time, outside off, Pope gets closer to the ball and defends it back towards the bowler.

104.1 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Good length ball just outside off, defended towards the leg side.

End of Over : 104 2 Runs ENG: 282/5
103.6 1

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Around off, coming in, tucked through mid-wicket for a single.

103.5 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Around off, defended from the crease.

103.4 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Full and outside off, a touch wide, left alone.

103.3 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Fractionally short in length outside off, Pope punches it through the covers but straight to the fielder.

103.2 1

Matt Henry to Joe Root. A length ball outside off, punched to sweeper cover for a single.

103.1 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Around off, curving away, punched towards cover.

End of Over : 103 5 Runs ENG: 280/5
102.6 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Ohh! Beaten! This time it is Pope. Good length ball on off, it nips back in. Pope looks to defend but does so outside the line and is beaten. The ball whizzes past the inside edge.

102.5 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Pope goes back in his crease and defends this one.

102.4 1

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Length ball just outside off, Root punches this one towards cover-point and takes a single.

102.3 4

Tim Southee to Joe Root. FOUR BYES! Down the leg side, Root goes for the flick but misses. Watling dives to his left but even he cannot get to the ball and the ball rolls into the fine leg fence for four byes.

102.2 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Woah! That has stayed incredibly low! Southee bowls a good length ball just outside off, it pitches and stays very low. Root tries to bring his bat down and defend but he misses the ball completely. Had that ball been on the stumps, Root would have been a goner. The ball might have pitched on one of the cracks that might have opened up.

102.1 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Good length ball just outside off, defended off the front foot towards mid off.

End of Over : 102 2 Runs ENG: 275/5
101.6 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Pope again goes onto the back foot and punches this one towards cover.

101.5 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. The batsman has punched that ball through the offside.

101.4 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Fullish on off this time, Pope drives this one towards cover.

101.3 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Length ball on off, defended off the back foot towards the bowler.

101.2 2

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Back of a length ball on middle, Pope plays a soft pull shot. It goes over the man at mid-wicket and the batters take two.

101.1 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Fullish ball on middle and leg, driven towards wide mid on.

End of Over : 101 2 Runs ENG: 273/5
100.6 1

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. On the pads, flicked towards square leg for a single.

100.5 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Length ball on off, it nips away a bit. Pope plays at it with soft hands but the ball goes off the outside edge towards the gully fielder. He dives to his right and holds onto it.

100.4 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Some movement on this fuller ball for Southee, Pope drives this one towards mid off.

100.3 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. On the fourth stump line, Pope shuffles across a touch and defends this one off the back foot towards mid off.

100.2 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Way wide outside off, Pope does not need to fiddle with it.

100.1 1

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Southee serves a length ball outside off, Root plays this one towards point and takes a single.

Tim Southee it will be to bowl from the other end. 26-3-63-2 so far.

End of Over : 100 4 Runs ENG: 271/5
99.6 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Length ball outside off, Ollie Pope makes a leave to get through the over.

99.5 2

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Henry starts with a length ball in the corridor just outside off, Pope guides this one down towards third man and takes a couple. England underway on Day 4.

The players are out in the middle. The overnight batsmen, Joe Root and Ollie Pope, walk out to the middle. Matt Henry to complete his pending over. Pope to face.

Pitch report - Mark Richardson is down for the pitch report. Says that the weather conditions are overcast. The cracks have opened up a bit more than yesterday but they still won't have much affect on the match.

Good morning ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Day 4 of the second Test match between New Zealand and England. After a wait of almost 9 months, has English skipper Joe Root got his team back into the contest by scoring a ton? With the weather looking pretty bleak for Day 5, one would assume that the visitors have done enough as they trail the Kiwis by 106 runs. After being under the pump for the first 2 days, England applied themselves really well on Day 3 as Rory Burns and Joe Root both got to their respective tons. The Kiwis made a mini-comeback in the third session by taking 3 wickets and pushing England on the back foot again. With half the English side back in the hut and a new man at the crease, can the Kiwis enforce a collapse? All the updates coming up!

... Day 4, Session 1 ...

So, that will be it from Day 3. Rain has cut short the play on 2 out of the 3 days but we will be hoping that we get 2 uninterrupted days of play from here on in. Do join us at 1030 local (2130 GMT, Previous day) as there will be half an hour early start again to make up for the lost overs. You can now switch over to catch all the updates from the Adelaide Test where Pakistan are under the pump. Cheers!

In the third session, the Kiwi bowlers came back strongly rather than getting petered out. First they got rid of the dangerous Ben Stokes and then debutant Zak Crawley also followed him soon. The thorn for New Zealand heading into Day 4 will be the English skipper who is still at the crease and will be looking to get his team as close as he can to the hosts' total (trailing by 106 runs).

Yet another absorbing day of Test cricket! After seeing New Zealand's dominance on the first two days, the picture changed on Day 3. England made a roaring comeback through the partnership between Joe Root and Rory Burns. The pair saw off the entire morning session safely and then followed the same for most parts of the afternoon as well. They raised a 177-run stand and Burns notched up his century before getting run out towards the end of the second session.

Play has been ABANDONED for the day! With all the rain around, it was next to impossible to get the ground ready by 1800 local. So that will be it. Stumps on Day 3!

Auskar - Wow. Just got up from sleep, switched on the TV and bang, bang! Stokes gone, Crawley gone. I must be lucky for NZ. @Auskar - 'Interesting observation. How about changing your sleeping patterns for the next 2 days?'

99.4 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Outside off, left alone by Ollie.

99.3 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Good length ball on off, pushed back towards the bowler.

Update 1732 local - It has started to drizzle. The intensity is increasing and the umpires have decided to take the players off the park. The covers are on to protect the playing area. More covers are coming now. Stay tuned for more updates...

99.2 2

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Bad fielding by Santner again! Outside off, Pope drives at this one and the ball goes towards cover where Santner is positioned. He misfields and that allows the batters to take a couple.

99.1 0

Matt Henry to Ollie Pope. Length ball on middle and off, blocked out.

Matt Henry is back into the attack. 21-5-54-1, his figures so far.

End of Over : 99 0 Runs ENG: 267/5
98.6 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Way outside the off stump, Joe lets it go.

Oh dear! Movement near the boundary line. Groundsmen are getting the covers ready. They seem to be anticipating some rain.

98.5 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

98.4 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Play and a miss! A good length ball on middle and leg, angling away from Root. He looks to have a poke at it but misses and the ball whizzes past the outside edge. Root looks really unhappy with the fading light and shares some quiet words with the square leg umpire.

98.3 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Fullish ball outside off, pushed towards the man at cover.

98.2 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Good length ball outside off, Root makes another leave.

98.1 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Length ball wide outside off, left alone.

End of Over : 98 1 Runs ENG: 267/5
97.6 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Good length ball on middle and off, defended back towards the bowler.

97.5 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Another one outside off, Pope shoulders arms.

The artificial lights are switched on as it has turned gloomy out there.

97.4 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Length ball outside off, left alone.

97.3 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. On the pads, Pope works this one towards mid-wicket.

97.2 1

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Back of a length ball on off, Root swivels and pulls this one behind square leg for a single.

97.1 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Full ball, almost a yorker on the off pole. Root jams it out back towards the bowler.

DRINKS! So, after two sessions completely dominated by the Englishmen, the Kiwis have staged half a comeback by sending Stokes and debutant Crawley back to the pavilion. The Kiwis still possess a lead of 109 runs but with Root still out in the middle, it is in danger of being extinguished. The New Zealand bowlers need to keep on doing the good work and pile on the pressure on the lower order batters now with Root looking well set.

End of Over : 97 1 Runs ENG: 266/5
96.6 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Length ball on the hips, pushed down the ground towards mid on.

96.5 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Outside off, angling away from Pope. He does not fiddle with it.

96.4 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Another length ball around off, pushed towards extra cover.

96.3 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Good length delivery on middle and off, blocked out.

96.2 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Length ball wide outside off, left alone.

96.1 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Full ball on off, Root pushes this one down the ground and sets off. Williamson from mid off runs across to his right and has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. Single taken.

End of Over : 96 1 Runs ENG: 265/5
95.6 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Angles in a length ball on off, Pope sticks back and defends it right under his eyes.

95.5 0

Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Ollie has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

95.4 1

Tim Southee to Joe Root. The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.

95.3 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Looks to drive it off his front foot but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

95.2 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Good length ball on middle, Root defends it from the crease to the on side.

95.1 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Hint of away movement outside off, Root shoulders arms.

End of Over : 95 3 Runs ENG: 264/5
94.6 2

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Too straight in line and Pope eases it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

94.5 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Edgy! A length delivery in the area around middle and leg, Pope is squared up in defense and it takes the leading edge before rolling back to the bowler.

94.4 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

94.3 0

Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Oohhh... this one stays low! Wagner angles across a good length ball outside off, Pope pushes at it but it goes under his bat.

Ollie Pope is the new batsman.

94.2 W

Neil Wagner to Zak Crawley. OUT! Caught behind! Crawley's 6-ball stay in the middle is over. Wagner comes up with a pinpoint delivery in the region around middle and off, Crawley goes nowhere with his footwork and has a tame push inside the line. It skids on with the angle, takes a faint outside edge and Watling completes the catch with a dive to his right. England trail by 113 runs with half their side back in the hut!

94.1 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Fullish and outside off, driven through covers for a single.

End of Over : 94 3 Runs ENG: 261/4
93.6 1

Tim Southee to Joe Root. On the pads and Root has worked it behind square leg for a single.

93.5 1

Tim Southee to Zak Crawley. NOT OUT! Crawley has dived his way to safety! A length ball around off, Zak drives it to mid off and sets off for a quick run. Kane Williamson attacks the ball and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end as Crawley dives in. The Kiwis are celebrating and it's referred upstairs. The replays confirm that the dive has saved the young man and he is off the mark in Test cricket. Will always remember his first!

Direct hit! New Zealand are celebrating. Has the dive saved Crawley? It's referred upstairs and the replays find Zak to be safe. He is off the mark in Test career in the most nervous way.

93.4 0

Tim Southee to Zak Crawley. Full and angling in on middle, Crawley knocks it down to mid on where the fielder stops it well.

93.3 0

Tim Southee to Zak Crawley. Edged but safe! Crawley is showing nerves. Southee delivers a ball moving away from the batsman, Crawley pushes inside the line and gets a soft outside edge wide of gully.

93.2 0

Tim Southee to Zak Crawley. Crawley lets the ball go outside his off stump.

93.1 1

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Short in length around off, Root pulls it through square leg for one.

End of Over : 93 13 Runs ENG: 258/4
92.6 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Digs it in on middle, Root pulls it down to fine leg for a run.

92.5 4

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. FOUR! Width on offer outside off, Root latches onto it and smashes it over backward point for a boundary. All the pressure is gone and we can now see a free-flowing Joe!

92.4 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Good length ball outside off, Root taps it down to covers.

92.3 4

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. FOUR! Root reaches his 17th Test hundred in a rather unconvincing way. The wait of 9 months is over. It's a long wait given the caliber of this batsman. He has been under the scanner for his dipping form and this knock has come at the best possible time. He reached there in an ugly manner though. Shortish ball close to off, Root is cramped for room as he tries to play the square cut. It catches the bottom edge and bounces over the leaping keeper for a boundary. Root is a relieved man. But his job is not done yet. England are still trailing by over 100 runs.

92.2 4

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. FOUR! Easy pickings! A length ball sliding down the leg side, Root deflects it fine down the leg side for a boundary.

92.1 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Outside off, played down off the back foot to point.

End of Over : 92 0 Runs ENG: 245/4
91.6 0

Tim Southee to Zak Crawley. Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Zack Crawley, the debutant, walks out to bat now.

91.5 W

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. OUT! Fine low catch by Ross Taylor at first slip! Southee produces a brilliant delivery from 'round the wicket. He angles it in around off and gets it to nip away a shade. Stokes reaches out for it with firm hands and gets a thick outside edge behind. Taylor dives across to his right to snap it safely. Stokes looks behind and after seeing Rosco claiming the catch and celebrating, he returns to the pavilion.

EDGED! But has that carried? Ross Taylor is claiming the catch and Ben Stokes takes his word. He is walking back.

91.4 0

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Too full in length and outside off, Stokes taps it down with soft hands to the off side.

91.3 0

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. This time Stokes leans into the drive and pushes it to covers.

91.2 0

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. On a length and close to off, Stokes blocks it off his back foot.

91.1 0

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Good length delivery in the corridor outside off, Stokes picks the line early and makes a leave.

Joe Root puts some drying spray on his hands. Seems he is feeling the heat of the 90s and has sweaty palms.

End of Over : 91 1 Runs ENG: 245/3
90.6 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Closer to off on a good length, Root defends it solidly to the off side.

90.5 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Switches to 'round the wicket and hurls in a good length ball outside off, Joe allows it through to the keeper.

90.4 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. On a length around off, Root stays back and defends it towards cover-point.

90.3 1

Neil Wagner to Ben Stokes. Full in length and on middle, Stokes uses the angle and clips it behind square leg for a run.

90.2 0

Neil Wagner to Ben Stokes. Ufff! This one stays low and goes underground! Wagner delivers it on a length close to off, Stokes tries to defend but it goes under his bat and misses the off pole by a whisker.

90.1 0

Neil Wagner to Ben Stokes. In the zone outside off, Stokes covers his stumps and shoulders arms. There was a hint of away shape!

End of Over : 90 5 Runs ENG: 244/3
89.6 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. A length ball on off, Joe stays back and pushes it towards wide mid off.

89.5 4

Tim Southee to Joe Root. FOUR! Off the thickish outside edge! Fullish ball outside off, Root tries to drive it with an angled bat but it takes the outer half and hurries past the diving gully fielder for a boundary.

89.4 1

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Yorker outside off, Stokes squeezes it out square of the wicket on the off side for a single.

89.3 0

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Lands it full and close to off, Stokes drives it off the outer portion of his bat to mid off.

89.2 0

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Short in length and outside off, Stokes shoulders arms.

89.1 0

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Full in length on off, moving back in, Stokes forces it down to mid on.

Bowling change. Tim Southee is back into the attack. His figures so far read 21-2-53-1.

End of Over : 89 4 Runs ENG: 239/3
88.6 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Wagner goes very full and on middle, Root gets his bat down in time as he digs it out.

88.5 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. A mishit! Width on offer outside off, Root chases it and throws his bat. It catches the bottom edge and goes behind. Watling dives across to his right and the first slip fielder collects the ball on one bounce.

88.4 4

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. FOUR! And this boundary takes him into the 90s! Wagner pitches it up around off and Root stylishly leans into the cover drive. He middles his shot beautifully and sends it screaming away to the fence.

88.3 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

88.2 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Gets behind the line of the delivery and blocks it solidly from the back foot.

88.1 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Fuller length ball angling in on middle, Root punches it down the ground and it goes over the bowler. The mid off fielder gets across to his right to stop the ball.

Just 8 overs and the second new ball has lost its shape. Very poor quality. The reserve umpire comes out with a box of balls.

End of Over : 88 4 Runs ENG: 235/3
87.6 0

Matt Henry to Ben Stokes. Uses the angle of the bowler and helps the length ball to mid-wicket.

87.5 0

Matt Henry to Ben Stokes. Fuller in length and outside off, driven solidly off the front foot to mid off.

87.4 0

Matt Henry to Ben Stokes. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

87.3 4

Matt Henry to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Sublime! Back of a length ball on off, Stokes camps back and punches it sweetly past the left side of the diving cover fielder. The mid off fielder chases but comes second best.

87.2 0

Matt Henry to Ben Stokes. A length ball around off, Stokes meets it with the full face of his bat and eases it past the bowler to mid off.

87.1 0

Matt Henry to Ben Stokes. Fractionally short and moving back into the batsman from around middle, Stokes pushes it firmly to mid on.

End of Over : 87 0 Runs ENG: 231/3
86.6 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Fullish and outside off, pushed off the front foot to covers.

86.5 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Root shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

86.4 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. On a length and outside off, Root keeps his weight on the back foot and allows it through the line.

Hammer time! One of the groundsmen is charging to the middle. He uses the hammer to level the surface near the bowler's landing area. Now Wagner takes the matter, or rather the hammer into his own hands and he too is leveling the surface near the landing area. 'Is he qualified to do that? ...quips the on-air commentator!'

86.3 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. This one straightens nicely. Fullish and on middle, Root is opened up slightly in his defense and he keeps it out off the outer half of his blade.

86.2 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Good length ball angling away from the batsman, wide outside off, Joe shoulders arms.

86.1 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. A cracking yorker on middle at 124.5 kph, Root keeps his eyes glued to the ball and digs it out down to mid on. As the innings has progressed, Joe has become a lot better with his transfer of weight into the shot. Initially Root was seen reaching out for the ball by leaning forward and now he is trying to play right under his watchful eyes.

Neil Wagner has been unleashed into the attack. 16-1-54-0, his figures so far. Can Wagner produce some magic with the second new ball?

End of Over : 86 1 Runs ENG: 231/3
85.6 0

Matt Henry to Ben Stokes. Henry sends an invitation for a drive outside off, Stokes declines the offer.

85.5 0

Matt Henry to Ben Stokes. Uppish but safe! A length ball on middle and leg, angling down, Stokes turns to work it on the leg side but closes the face of the bat early. It pops out off the leading edge but doesn't carry to mid on.

85.4 1

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Very full in length and around leg, it's clipped behind square leg for a single.

85.3 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Good length ball on off, defended off the back foot.

85.2 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Offers the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

85.1 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman.

End of Over : 85 8 Runs ENG: 230/3
84.6 4

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Slapped away! Short of a length delivery wide outside off, Stokes gets on top of the bounce and whacks it behind square on the off side. It flies over the gully fielder for a boundary.

84.5 0

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Good length ball on off, Stokes is on the back foot in defense.

84.4 0

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Fuller length ball around off, angling in, Stokes shows the full face of his bat as he tries to play it straight. It comes slightly off the inner half and squirts to mid off.

84.3 0

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

84.2 4

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Absolutely delightfully! Southee is very full and wide outside off, Stokes accepts the proposal of driving it through the line and creams it through the gap at covers.

84.1 0

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

End of Over : 84 0 Runs ENG: 222/3
83.6 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. A back foot punch this time by Root but he finds the cover fielder.

83.5 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Henry puts it on a length and close to off, angling in, Root defends it stoutly to the off side.

83.4 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

83.3 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. A length ball outside off, Root stays back and pushes it with an angled bat to point.

83.2 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Goes full and angles it on middle, Root flicks it across the line but finds the mid-wicket fielder.

83.1 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Almost a drag on! Henry dishes out a good length ball close to off and it holds its line upon landing, Root gets back inside the crease to punch it through the line but it takes the inside edge and strikes him on the right leg.

End of Over : 83 1 Runs ENG: 222/3
82.6 0

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Hurls a gentle delivery in the zone wide outside off, Stokes is in no mood to chase it.

82.5 0

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Slants in a length ball on off, Stokes remains back and pushes it to mid on.

82.4 0

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Pitches it up and outside off, Stokes plays a free-flowing cover drive but finds the fielder.

82.3 0

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Angles in a full length ball on off, Stokes covers the line and blocks it off his front foot.

82.2 0

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Lands it on a length and outside off, Ben shoulders arms with ease.

82.1 1

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Fullish and on the pads, clipped to square leg for one.

Tim Southee to continue...

End of Over : 82 3 Runs ENG: 221/3
81.6 2

Matt Henry to Ben Stokes. Fantastic effort by Wagner! An overpitched delivery on middle, Stokes whips it past mid on and Wagner gives the chase. He dives near the fence to keep it inside the line and saves two runs for his team. Great commitment.

81.5 0

Matt Henry to Ben Stokes. Good length delivery in the channel outside off, Stokes covers the line and shoulders arms.

81.4 0

Matt Henry to Ben Stokes. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

81.3 0

Matt Henry to Ben Stokes. Henry switches to 'round the wicket and spears in a full ball on off, Stokes meets it with a straight bat and pushes it off the inner half to mid on.

81.2 1

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Again the length is very full around middle, angling in, Root eases it wide of mid on and crosses for a single.

81.1 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Right on the money first up! Almost a yorker on off, Root brings his bat down in time and pushes it towards mid on.

We're back for the last session. It's going to be a vital phase of this Test match as the second new ball has been taken and the conditions are overcast. New Zealand would be hoping to take advantage of that! 35 overs are left in the day. Matt Henry (17-4-46-1) to run in first up...

... DAY 3, FINAL SESSION ...

76/1 in 28 overs - Another good session for England, just losing the centurion Rory Burns. The pair of Joe Root and Burns batted fluently in the afternoon and played some superb shots. They extended their partnership beyond the 150-run mark and also brought the deficit under 200. An error in judging the second run cost Rory his wicket and the Black Caps finally got the breakthrough they dearly needed since the start of Day 3. The second new ball has been taken and with the cloud cover and a new batsman in the middle, New Zealand would be hoping to make further inroads in the last session. Do join us at 1600 local (0300 GMT) for more action.

End of Over : 81 2 Runs ENG: 218/3
80.6 0

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Length ball outside off, left alone by Stokes to get through the second session of the day. That will be TEA ON DAY 3.

80.5 2

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Fullish ball just outside the off pole line, Stokes looks to defend but the ball goes off the outer half of the bat towards point for a couple.

80.4 0

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

80.3 0

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Good length ball on middle and off, Stokes defended it out.

80.2 0

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Way too wide outside off, Stokes shoulders arms.

80.1 0

Tim Southee to Ben Stokes. Some swing straightaway with the new ball. Southee comes from around the wicket and releases this one from way outside the off pole, it tails back in a lot but just not enough to trouble the batter.

SECOND NEW BALL IS AVAILABLE! New Zealand waste no time and take it straightaway. One more over left in the session. Tim Southee returns to bowl it. It's turning overcast now.

End of Over : 80 1 Runs ENG: 216/3
79.6 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Floated on middle and off, Root prods forward and defends.

79.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

79.4 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Santner bowls a floated ball outside off, left alone by Root.

79.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Root goes back deep in his crease and defends.

79.2 1

Mitchell Santner to Ben Stokes. Another one which is dragged back, Stokes goes onto the back foot and pushes it towards the cover region. The fielder there dives and makes a good half-stop but the batters take a single.

79.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Ben Stokes. Santner bowls a shortish ball on middle, Stokes pushes it down to mid on.

Mitchell Santner comes back on. 16-4-31-0, his figures so far.

End of Over : 79 0 Runs ENG: 215/3
78.6 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Full ball on off, driven towards the cover region.

78.5 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. On middle and leg, defended by Root.

78.4 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Again on off, pushed towards the off side.

78.3 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Very full ball on off, Root superbly drives it towards cover but straight to the man.

78.2 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. On the off side, Root opens the face of the bat and helps it to third man.

78.1 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Length ball outside off, played towards point.

End of Over : 78 6 Runs ENG: 215/3
77.6 0

Neil Wagner to Ben Stokes. Full ball on off, blocked out towards the off side.

77.5 0

Neil Wagner to Ben Stokes. On the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket.

77.4 0

Neil Wagner to Ben Stokes. Again Stokes drives it down the ground but this time straight to the man at mid off.

77.3 4

Neil Wagner to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! Overpitched ball on the off pole line, Stokes has driven this one with class through mid on for a boundary.

77.2 0

Neil Wagner to Ben Stokes. On the pads of Stokes, he works this one towards the leg side.

77.1 2

Neil Wagner to Ben Stokes. Good length ball on the off pole line by Wagner, bowling with a scrambled seam. Stokes shuffles across and works this one towards square leg for a couple.

End of Over : 77 0 Runs ENG: 209/3
76.6 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Outside off, length ball. Root leaves it alone.

76.5 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Full ball around off, Root shuffles and drives this one down the ground. The man from mid on runs across and stops it.

76.4 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. This time it is on off, driven towards extra cover.

76.3 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. On the pads, driven towards mid on.

76.2 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Pitched up ball just outside off, Root defends with a vertical bat.

76.1 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Full ball on middle, defended out.

End of Over : 76 5 Runs ENG: 209/3
75.6 0

Neil Wagner to Ben Stokes. Length ball wide outside off, played towards point.

75.5 0

Neil Wagner to Ben Stokes. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

75.4 0

Neil Wagner to Ben Stokes. On off, driven superbly towards the cover region.

75.3 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. On the pads of Root, he works it towards square leg for a single. Santner there picks up the ball and has a shy at the striker's end and hits. However, Stokes is well in.

75.2 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Way outside the off pole, Root shoulders arms.

75.1 4

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. FOUR! Great shot by Root. Good length ball outside off, Root opens the face of his bat and guides this one between gully and backward point towards the third man fence.

The reserve umpire has come out and changed the bails. The earlier ones in use were white in colour and it was quite tough for the third umpire to find out whether they were dislodged in the white background (Watling's jersey colour when he was breaking the stumps to dismiss Rory Burns). Bails of woody colour in place now. Well done! It's all about correcting mistakes and being proactive.

End of Over : 75 1 Runs ENG: 204/3
74.6 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ben Stokes. A gentle delivery in the channel outside off, Stokes lifts his bat skywards and allows it through.

74.5 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ben Stokes. Leans forward to a full ball and pushes it gently to short cover.

74.4 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ben Stokes. Closer to the off stump this time, on a length, Stokes middles his defensive shot and pushes it to mid off.

74.3 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ben Stokes. Action replay of the previous delivery. Ben has been quite watchful at the moment.

74.2 0

Daryl Mitchell to Ben Stokes. Pitches it up and outside off, Stokes strides forward and shoulders arms.

74.1 1

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Lands it on a length and outside off, Root drives it through cover-point for a single.

End of Over : 74 5 Runs ENG: 203/3
73.6 0

Neil Wagner to Ben Stokes. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. Successful over at last for the Kiwis!

73.5 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single.

73.4 1

Neil Wagner to Ben Stokes. High full toss down the leg side, Stokes flicks this one towards the fine leg region and takes a single to get off the mark. Interestingly, it's not called a no ball.

Ben Stokes is the new batsman with England trailing by 174 runs.

73.3 W

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. OUT! RUN OUT! Burns has thrown his wicket away just after getting to his ton. He will be fuming with himself right now. Wagner bowls this one the pads of Burns, he flicks this one towards mid-wicket and sets off for a single. Root calls Burns for the second and he obliges. Raval from deep mid-wicket runs in and throws it at the striker's end. Watling dislodges the bails and appeals. The umpire refers it upstairs. After numerous replays and various angles, the third umpire gives it out. Bruce Oxenford used all possible frames there to make his decision. Also, the colour of bails were white and to pick whether they were dislodged from the white background (Watling's jersey colour) was quite a challenge. Eventually, the right decision has been made and that's paramount. Even after scoring a ton, Burns walks out of the park looking like a disappointed man and rightly so. However, he has played a handy role in reviving his team's fortune.

Run out appeal! Rory Burns is the batsman under the scanner. It seems to be touch and go in the replays. The third umpire watches it from multiple angles and takes his own sweet time. Eventually Rory is found inches short of the crease in one frame.

73.2 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Back of a length ball on the leg side, Root pulls this one towards mid-wicket and takes a single.

73.1 1

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Here it is... SECOND TEST CENTURY FOR RORY BURNS! He has been given three lives and has made sure to make the most of it and put the Kiwis under the pump. On the pads of Rory, he flicks this one towards fine leg and takes a single to get to his ton. He removes his helmet and enjoys the ovation from the dressing room. The England opener will now be looking to convert this into a daddy hundred!

End of Over : 73 6 Runs ENG: 198/2
72.6 1

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. Another one outside off, this time Burns pushes it towards cover off the back foot and takes a single to move to 99. He retains strike for the next over.

72.5 4

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. FOUR! Punched away! Length ball wide outside off, Burns makes room and punches this one towards point for a boundary.

72.4 1

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. This time Root pierces the gap at cover inside the circle. The ball goes to the man at sweeper cover and that allows the batters to take one.

72.3 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Good length ball on off, pushed towards cover.

72.2 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Full ball on off, driven towards the cover region.

72.1 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Good length ball outside off, Root opens the face of the bat and guides this one towards short third man.

End of Over : 72 1 Runs ENG: 192/2
71.6 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Slower yorker by Wagner on off, at 112 kph. Burns does well to keep it out.

71.5 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Full ball on off, driven towards mid off.

71.4 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Wagner attacks the stumps now. Burns brings his bat down in time and the ball goes off the inner half towards mid on.

71.3 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Burns in two minds here! Wagner bowls this one on a length just outside off, the ball moves away from the batter. Burns initially looks to play at it but eventually pulls his bat away.

71.2 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Good running by the English batters. Root goes deep in his crease and pushes this length ball wide of mid on. Burns trusts his partner and sets off straightaway to complete an easy single.

71.1 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

End of Over : 71 0 Runs ENG: 191/2
70.6 0

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. Good length ball in the corridor outside off, Burns pushes this one towards point. Maiden to start off his new spell.

70.5 0

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

70.4 0

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. Burns drives this pitched up ball towards mid off.

70.3 0

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. Another one outside off, Burns shoulders arms to let that one through.

70.2 0

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. Now Mitchell goes fuller, Burns pushes this one towards mid off.

70.1 0

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. Mitchell start with a length ball outside off, Burns leaves it alone.

Daryl Mitchell is back on. 7-1-21-0, his figures so far. Can the local lad come up with something that can dislodge this high-flying batting pair?

End of Over : 70 1 Runs ENG: 191/2
69.6 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

69.5 1

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Slower again, full and dipping into the batsman, Burns flicks it wide of mid on for a run.

69.4 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Play and a miss! Width on offer outside off, Burns flashes and misses. Getting nervous in the 90s?

69.3 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Zippy delivery on this occasion. Wagner bowls it outside off and it skids through the surface after pitching. Burns guards his stumps and shoulders arms.

69.2 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Beaten completely! A knuckle ball by Wagner. It's very full and outside off, gripping and cutting away upon landing, Burns tries to force it away on the off side but is beaten.

69.1 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Fuller in length and outside off, Burns drives it off his front foot to mid off.

End of Over : 69 4 Runs ENG: 190/2
68.6 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Too full in length and outside off, Root mistimes his drive to covers.

68.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Interesting! Flatter and a touch shorter outside off, Root shuffles across the stumps and then defends close to his pads. There was some extra bounce and Joe somehow managed to keep it out to safely.

No attacking fielder other than a slip now. Short leg has vanished and there is a deep square leg in place.

68.4 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Tossed up ball on off, defended off the front foot.

68.3 4

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. FOUR! Superb shot! Loopy full ball around off, Root kneels and nails his sweep shot in front of square leg for a powerful boundary. England are in command!

68.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Flighted and full on middle, Joe leans forward and defends.

68.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Tossed up ball outside off, Root has nothing to do with it.

Drinks break. Another hour of play safely negotiated by the pair of Joe Root and Rory Burns. They continue to be in full control of their game and have extended their partnership to 162 runs. The deficit has also come under 200 and New Zealand will be feeling the heat at the moment. They did get the chance to run out Rory Burns but failed to take it and now the southpaw has three lives en route 93. He will be looking for his century and inflict more damage on the Kiwis.

End of Over : 68 5 Runs ENG: 186/2
67.6 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. On the pads, Root works this one towards the leg side and takes a single.

67.5 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Outside off, Root plays it with an angled bat towards gully.

67.4 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Again Root pushes at a length and again he gets a thick outside edge on it. This time the man at wide first slip takes it on the bounce.

67.3 4

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. EDGED AND FOUR! Root is a lucky man! Good length ball outside off, it pitches and nips away from the batter. Root pushes at it with soft hands but the ball goes off the outside edge through the gap between wide first slip and the keeper through to the third man fence.

67.2 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Length ball on middle and off, Root goes deep in his crease and defends.

67.1 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Full ball wide outside off, Root jams it out towards point.

End of Over : 67 5 Runs ENG: 181/2
66.6 0

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Burns has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

66.5 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Tossed up ball on off, swept away through square leg for one.

Bowling change. Neil Wagner is back into the attack. 10-1-31-0, his figures so far. Can he provide the all-important breakthrough for the Kiwis?

66.4 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

66.3 4

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. FOUR LEG BYES! Whoa! This one turns square. Santner serves a flatter delivery on middle and it spins away after landing. Root is opened up in his stance as he tries to work it away. Fails to put bat on ball and is hit on the flap of the back pad. The bowler appeals but doesn't receive support from the keeper. It has hurried behind for a boundary at third man. The replays find the impact to be comfortably outside off.

66.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Root has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

66.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Flighted and outside off, left alone.

End of Over : 66 4 Runs ENG: 176/2
65.6 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. A pitched up ball outside off has been driven through the line but straight to covers.

65.5 4

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. FOUR! Easily done! Burns enters into the 90s! Short in length and around off, it nicely sits up for the batsman. Burns rides the bounce and pulls it handsomely to the deep mid-wicket fence. 150-run stand comes up as well! The deficit is under 200 now!

65.4 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. In the channel outside off, another leave made by Rory.

65.3 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Outside off, left alone.

65.2 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Full in length on middle and off, driven back to the bowler and Henry made a fine diving stop to his left.

65.1 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Knocks a full ball down the ground towards mid on.

End of Over : 65 4 Runs ENG: 172/2
64.6 1

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Short and outside off, cut through point for one.

64.5 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Root has pushed it to the cover region. One run added to the total.

64.4 1

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Turns it off his pads to the leg side, finds the gap and takes a run.

64.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Rory has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

64.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

64.1 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single.

End of Over : 64 4 Runs ENG: 168/2
63.6 1

Matt Henry to Joe Root. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.

63.5 1

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Run out chance missed! Burns survives. What was Henry thinking there? Fullish ball around off, Burns uses his wrists to flick it through mid-wicket and eyes the second run. He is sent back by Root and Rory charges back. But before that, the fielder (Wagner) from the deep has released his throw and it's in the direction of the stumps at the non-striker's end. But Henry tries to collect it ahead of the wickets and fumbles. That gives Burns the chance to dive back in safely. Latham was perfectly stationed behind the sticks and had Matt not intervened, Burns would have been found short. Big miss!

63.4 1

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Fuller length ball on middle, Root picks it off his pads and clips it to deep mid-wicket for one.

63.3 1

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Fuller in length and close to off, Burns works it on the leg side, in front of square leg, and jogs across for a single.

63.2 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. In the region outside off, angling away, Rory shoulders arms.

63.1 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.

End of Over : 63 6 Runs ENG: 164/2
62.6 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Quicker and flatter on off, defended off the back foot.

62.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Another good looking drive from the bat of Root but he finds the cover fielder.

62.4 4

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. FOUR! Beautiful timing and placement! Loopy delivery landing full and outside off, Root leans into the square drive and caresses it through the gap. The cover-point fielder gives the chase but it goes away spinning from him and he eventually fails to pull it back in play.

62.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Flatter and on middle, Root hangs on the back foot and helps it on the leg side.

62.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Floated and full on middle, Joe strides forward and defends it back.

62.1 2

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Skidding down the leg side, Root fails to flick and it goes off his pads to fine leg. They take a couple of leg byes.

End of Over : 62 1 Runs ENG: 158/2
61.6 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Another easy leave outside the off stump to complete an innocuous over.

61.5 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Outside off, left alone.

61.4 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Full in length close to off, angling away again, Burns parks his front foot forward and across before shouldering arms.

61.3 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. On a length and outside off, Burns strides forward and pushes it to mid off.

61.2 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Good length ball in the channel outside off, leaving the left-hander with the angle, Burns shoulders arms.

61.1 1

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Back of a length ball on middle and leg, Root nudges it towards fine leg and picks up a single. Given as a leg bye.

Matt Henry replaces Southee into the attack. 14-3-38-1, his figures so far.

End of Over : 61 1 Runs ENG: 157/2
60.6 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Goes down on one knee and sweeps a full ball from the off stump line. He sends it to deep square leg and retains strike with a single.

60.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Quicker through the air this time, it's flat and on the pads, Root moves back and taps it down to short leg.

60.4 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. An arm ball around off, Root prods forward and defends it ahead of his front pad.

60.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Extra flight there, it lands full and wide outside off, Root cracks his drive off the front foot but finds the cover fielder.

60.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Full and floated outside off, Root covers the line and leaves it alone.

60.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Flatter and a touch shorter on off, Root goes on the back foot in defense.

End of Over : 60 4 Runs ENG: 156/2
59.6 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Lets the ball go outside his off stump. Another over safely negotiated! Just wearing down the Kiwi bowlers.

59.5 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Pitches it up and around off, Burns drives it off his front foot to short cover.

59.4 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Slower delivery, full and wide outside off, Rory takes a stride forward and then allows it through.

59.3 4

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. FOUR! Crunched! Short in length and around off, Burns stands tall inside the crease and pulls it with authority to the deep mid-wicket fence. That's raced away.

59.2 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Full in length and outside off, Burns drives it on the up but finds the wide mid off fielder.

59.1 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Angling away from the left-hander, outside off. Burns keeps his bat close to his body as he makes a leave.

End of Over : 59 2 Runs ENG: 152/2
58.6 1

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Mishit! Good bowling by Santner. This time he manages to lure the batsman into a drive by giving it some extra air. Burns throws his bat at it and slices it down to deep point for a single. Not where he intended to play that shot.

58.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Continues to toss them up! Full and on off, this time it's blocked with the spin to mid-wicket.

58.4 0

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Nicely flighted by Santner and he lands it very full on off, Rory leans forward and defends it.

58.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Loopy delivery outside off, turning in a bit, Burns gets back and has enough time to play it towards mid-wicket.

58.2 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Bowls this one with a round-arm action, around leg, Root gets back and tucks it to fine leg for one. Just too easy to rotate the strike for these two.

58.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Tossed up ball landing full on middle, Root lunges and defends it to short leg.

End of Over : 58 1 Runs ENG: 150/2
57.6 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Fullish and on off, pushed off the front foot to mid off. End of the over and it continues to be easy going for England.

57.5 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Pitches it up and outside off, angling away, Rory allows it through comfortably.

57.4 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.

57.3 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Southee appears to be working on a plan to lure Burns into a drive and eke out an outside edge. This time though he serves it way wide outside off, Rory has nothing to do with it.

57.2 1

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Length ball outside off, Root goes back and cuts this one towards backward point for one. This single brings up 150 runs for England. They trail by 225 runs.

57.1 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Outside off, played towards point.

End of Over : 57 3 Runs ENG: 149/2
56.6 0

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. This time flatter by Santner, Burns goes deep in his crease and works this one towards mid-wicket.

56.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Tossed up delivery on off, turning back in. Burns goes back and defends.

56.4 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Shortish outside off, Root rocks back and cuts this one towards backward point for one.

56.3 1

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Flatter outside off, Burns shuffles and works this one towards the leg side for a single.

Leg side field is strengthened. Clearly aiming at Rory Burns' sweep shots.

56.2 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Santner drags it short, Root goes deep in his crease and works this one towards square leg for a single.

56.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Floated on off, Root prods forward and blocks.

End of Over : 56 2 Runs ENG: 146/2
55.6 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. A real tempter by Southee. He delivers it on the driving length and it's a slower one. Burns takes his front leg forward and then decides to make a leave.

55.5 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. A length ball close to off, Burns strides forward and defends it back solidly.

55.4 1

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Once again it's overpitched by Southee on middle, Root stands on top of it as he flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

55.3 1

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Pitches it up and outside off, Burns leans into the drive and sends it through point for a run.

55.2 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. A touch short in length this time, wide outside off, Burns has nothing to do with it.

55.1 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Good length ball on middle, Burns gets back to work it on the leg side but is late in closing the face of his bat. It takes the leading half and rolls to mid off.

End of Over : 55 1 Runs ENG: 144/2
54.6 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Extra loop on this delivery, it's full and on off, Root strokes it by pressing forward but fails to beat the diving short cover fielder.

54.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Too full in length and around off, driven back in the direction of the bowler.

54.4 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Flighted one, full and on off, Root lunges and defends it to the off side.

54.3 1

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Bowls this one with a quicker-arm action and lands it full around off, Burns goes down and sweeps it behind square leg for one.

54.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Flatter this time, around off and on the shorter side, Burns goes on the back foot and blocks.

54.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Flighted and full around off, Burns is on the front foot in defense.

Mitchell Santner to continue from this end post Lunch.

End of Over : 54 1 Runs ENG: 143/2
53.6 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Full in length and wide outside off, Root leans into the drive and middles his shot well. Although he finds the cover fielder.

53.5 1

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Nopes, that's a double bluff! Tim overpitches on middle, Burns does well to flick it through mid-wicket for a single.

Square leg drops back. Short stuff coming?

53.4 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Southee gets closer to off stump, it's on a length and Burns defends it from the crease to short cover.

53.3 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Lands it around off and takes it away with the angle, Burns sticks inside the crease and shoulders arms.

53.2 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. This one is further wide outside off, a very easy lave for Rory this time.

53.1 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Southee begins his new spell with a fuller length delivery outside off, Burns takes his front leg forward to cover the line and then makes a leave.

Back for the afternoon session! The men concerned are slowly coming back on the field. Joe Root has finally found some runs to silence his critics for the time being and Rory Burns is making full use of the lives granted to him last evening. But the thing is that they cannot afford to relax. England would want them to repeat their morning session performance and take them as close as possible to 375. New Zealand will try to remain disciplined with their bowling and hope for some support from the pitch. Tim Southee (14-2-34-1) to kick off proceedings.

... DAY 3, SESSION 2 ...

What a satisfactory morning for England! They were treading on thin ice at the close of play on Day 2 but the pair of Joe Root and Rory Burns applied themselves beautifully this morning and their century partnership has given the touring team breathing space. They are not out of jail yet as the deficit is over 200 and the current stand has to continue to bring them to safer shores. There is nothing on offer from the surface and the Black Caps will be ruing those dropped catches of Rory Burns. Both the English batsmen have scored their fifties and are looking determined for a big one. From where will the breakthrough come for New Zealand? Do join us at 1340 local (0040 GMT) to find out.

End of Over : 53 0 Runs ENG: 142/2
52.6 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Flatter delivery outside off, it pitches and skids back in a bit. Root offers no stroke and is hit on the pads. The Kiwi players put in a stifled appeal but nothing doing for the umpire. Hasn't skidded back in enough. That will be LUNCH ON DAY 3.

52.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

52.4 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Tossed up on off, Root defends by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

52.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Root prods forward and defends this one out.

52.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. On off this time, Root guides this one towards cover-point.

52.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Tossed up on the pads, tucked towards the leg side.

End of Over : 52 1 Runs ENG: 142/2
51.6 0

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

51.5 0

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. Fullish ball on off, driven towards mid off.

51.4 0

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. Another one way outside off, Burns does not fiddle with it.

51.3 0

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. Outside off, left alone.

51.2 1

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. 50 up for Joe Root! His 46th half century in Test cricket. On the pads of Root, he flicks this one towards mid-wicket for a single to get to his half ton. He is well set here and would be looking to take his side close to New Zealand's total first. Can the English skipper convert this start into a ton?

51.1 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Good length ball on middle and off, defended out.

End of Over : 51 1 Runs ENG: 141/2
50.6 0

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Floated on off, blocked out.

50.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Tossed up on off, pushed towards mid on.

50.4 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Root goes back deep in his crease and works this one behind square on the leg side for a single.

50.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Another one floated on middle, tucked towards the leg side.

50.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Floated on middle, defended out.

50.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. On the pads, worked away towards the leg side.

End of Over : 50 1 Runs ENG: 140/2
49.6 1

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. On the pads of Root, he flicks this one towards mid-wicket for a single.

49.5 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

49.4 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. NOT OUT! Good decision to review the umpire's call by Root. Good length ball down the leg side, Root looks to flick this one but fails to do so. The ball carries to BJ Watling behind the wickets who puts in a loud appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Root straightaway without consulting his partner signals the 'T'. Replays roll in, Hot Spot comes in and shows no bat involved. It shows that it has hit Root on the pad. Snicko confirms the same. Root survives and he will be looking to score big here.

Review time! Root has been adjudged caught behind but he has gone straightaway for the review. He seems very confident that there is no edge on it and the Hot Spot confirms it. Review successful and Root survives.

49.3 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. On the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket.

49.2 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Length delivery on middle and leg, driven towards mid on.

49.1 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Good length ball on off, defended by Root.

Daryl Mitchell is back into the attack. 5-1-19-0, his figures so far.

End of Over : 49 5 Runs ENG: 139/2
48.6 4

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. FOUR! Swept away! Burns has hardly missed a scoring opportunity in this innings. Tossed up delivery down the leg side, Burns gets down on one knee and sweeps this one fine down the leg side for a boundary.

48.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Another one on the hips, Burns goes back and defends.

48.4 0

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. On the hips, tucked towards the man at square leg.

48.3 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Floated on off, Root punches it towards mid off and takes a single.

48.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Tossed up on off, Root defends it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

48.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Root plays this one towards the man at point.

End of Over : 48 6 Runs ENG: 134/2
47.6 2

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Another fuller ball on off, this time Burns punches it down the ground through mid off and the batters take two as the fielder from mid off chases it and cuts it off.

47.5 2

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Full ball wide outside off, Burns middles this one over the cover fielder. The man at sweeper cover cuts it off and the batters take a couple.

47.4 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Yorker just outside off, jammed out towards mid off.

47.3 1

Matt Henry to Joe Root. On the pads of Root, he flicks this one towards mid-wicket for a single.

47.2 1

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Length ball on the pads, Burns punches this one towards mid-wicket. The bowler gives it a chase but cannot stop the single.

47.1 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Very full ball on off, driven towards the man at silly mid off.

End of Over : 47 0 Runs ENG: 128/2
46.6 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Another one outside off, Root gets down on one knee and punches it towards cover-point. Maiden!

46.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Outside off, pushed towards the point region.

46.4 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Tossed up on off, pushed towards cover.

46.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Similar delivery, Root goes back and defends.

46.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Flatter one just outside off, defended.

46.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Floated delivery outside off, blocked out.

End of Over : 46 2 Runs ENG: 128/2
45.6 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Length ball outside off, Burns shoulders arms.

45.5 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Bowls this one very wide outside off, Burns does not fiddle with it.

45.4 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Another good length ball outside off, left alone by the batter.

45.3 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Length ball outside off, left alone.

45.2 1

Matt Henry to Joe Root. On the pads, Root works this one towards mid-wicket and takes a single.

45.1 1

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. On off, Burns pushes it towards the cover region for a single.

End of Over : 45 3 Runs ENG: 126/2
44.6 2

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Santner sprays one down the leg side, Root goes back and nudges it fine down the leg side for a couple.

44.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Outside off, Root pushes this one towards the cover region.

44.4 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Floated on middle and off, defended well by Root.

44.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Root has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

44.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Floated on middle and off, Root defends it out.

44.1 1

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Yorker on the pads, worked towards backward square leg by Burns for a run. This brings up the 100-run stand between Root and Burns, just what the doctor ordered for England.

End of Over : 44 5 Runs ENG: 123/2
43.6 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Stifled appeal but nothing from the umpire. Length ball on middle and leg, Root looks to flick but misses. He is hit high on the pad and the Kiwi players put in a stifled appeal but nothing doing for the umpire.

43.5 1

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Length delivery just outside off, Burns goes for the drive but instead slices it through point for a single.

43.4 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. In the corridor just outside off, Burns shoulders arms.

43.3 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Pitched up on off, driven towards mid off.

43.2 4

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. FOUR! Driven beautifully! Identical delivery, this time Burns gets his timing right and the ball races through mid on and beats the diving attempt by the fielder there.

43.1 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. JUST SHORT! Henry bowls a full ball on off, inviting Burns to drive and he obliges. The ball takes the outside edge of Burns' bat and goes towards gully where Nicholls is positioned. However, the ball falls just short of him.

End of Over : 43 0 Runs ENG: 118/2
42.6 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Floated on middle and off, Root defends it with a straight bat.

42.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. On off, played towards point.

42.4 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Root prods forward and defends this one by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

42.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

42.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Again Santner gives this a lot of air on off, Root converts this into a full toss and drives this one towards cover. The man there makes a good diving stop.

42.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Floated on off, defended towards the cover region.

End of Over : 42 1 Runs ENG: 118/2
41.6 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Length ball on middle and leg, Burns goes back and defends.

41.5 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. On the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket.

41.4 1

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Fuller delivery on off, Root punches this powerfully towards the cover region. The fielder there dives to his left, half-stops it and that allows the batters to take a single.

41.3 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Good length ball just outside off, Root goes back and defends.

41.2 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. This time it is fullish by Henry, Root opens the face of the bat and guides it towards point.

41.1 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Henry starts his new spell with a good length ball just outside off, Root defends it out.

Matt Henry (10-3-24-1) returns for another spell this morning as New Zealand continue their search for the first wicket on Day 3.

End of Over : 41 2 Runs ENG: 117/2
40.6 0

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Santner floats this one just outside off, Burns comes onto the front foot and blocks it out.

40.5 1

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Skidding back into the batsman from the arm of the bowler, it's around middle and leg, Root moves inside the crease and turns it wide of short leg for a single.

40.4 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. This time Root prods forward to this floated ball and punches it back towards the bowler.

40.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Again Root goes onto the back foot and defends it out.

40.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Joe Root. Shortish delivery by Santner. It is bowled outside off, Root goes back and plays this one towards point.

40.1 1

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Floated delivery outside off, Burns gets down on one knee and sweeps this one through square leg for a single.

End of Over : 40 2 Runs ENG: 115/2
39.6 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Fullish ball just outside off, Root blocks it out.

39.5 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Outside off, Root pushes it towards point.

39.4 1

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Good length ball on off, Burns prods forward and drives this one towards the cover region and takes a single.

39.3 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Bangs it short around off and Root pulls it in front of square leg for a single.

39.2 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Good length ball on off, Joe remains on the back foot and punches it in front of square on the off side.

39.1 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Wagner continues to bowl from 'round the wicket to the right-hander. Delivers it on a length around off, Root drives it to covers with a hesitant front foot movement.

End of Over : 39 0 Runs ENG: 113/2
38.6 0

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Burns defends it from within the crease.

38.5 0

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Appeal for an LBW but turned down! Santner bowls a shortish ball outside off and gets it to spin back into the batsman. Burns looks to shuffle and defend this one towards the leg side. He fails to do so and is hit high on the pads. The Kiwi players put in a stifled appeal but nothing from the umpire. New Zealand opt not to take the review. Replays later show that there was an inside edge onto the pads.

38.4 0

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. On the pads, Burns works t away towards the leg side.

38.3 0

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Drags one back this time, Burns goes back and defends.

38.2 0

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Darts one outside off, Burns prods forward and blocks.

38.1 0

Mitchell Santner to Rory Burns. Starts with a ball right on the boot of Burns, he works this one towards square leg.

It's spin time! Mitchell Santner has been introduced into the attack. Wagner did get his slower ones to grip and move. Let's see how much assistance Santner gets here. A slip and short leg in place...

End of Over : 38 2 Runs ENG: 113/2
37.6 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Fullish ball on leg, driven towards mid on.

37.5 1

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. On the pads of Burns, he looks to flick this one but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards the leg side and the batters steal a leg bye.

37.4 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Variation from Wagner! Almost deceived Root with a beauty! Wagner steams in and bowls a knuckle ball from wide of the crease. It is a slow dipping yorker which swerves in the air. Root just about gets his bat down in time and the ball goes off the inner half of his bat towards fine leg for a single.

37.3 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Good length ball on off, driven towards mid off.

37.2 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Joe has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

37.1 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Fullish and on off, Root drives it off his front foot to mid off.

End of Over : 37 9 Runs ENG: 111/2
36.6 0

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

36.5 0

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. Length ball on middle and off, defended off the back foot by the batsman.

36.4 4

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. FOUR! On the pads, Burns looks in much better touch now as he flicks this one nonchalantly through mid-wicket for a boundary.

36.3 0

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. Fullish on middle, driven towards mid on.

36.2 4

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. EDGED AND FOUR! Mitchell pitches one up on the off side, inviting Burns for the drive. Rory obliges as he brings out the straight driver but the ball goes off the outside edge between the wide first slip and gully fielders towards the third man region for a boundary.

36.1 1

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Full ball on middle and leg to start off after the mini break, Root drives it down the ground and the mid on fielder slides to his left and keeps it down to a single.

Drinks break. Good show of intent by England in the first segment of the extended morning session. The current pair has pounced on every opportunity to score runs and has not allowed the Kiwi bowlers to build any pressure. Still, the tourists can ill afford to relax as there is plenty of work remaining.

End of Over : 36 2 Runs ENG: 102/2
35.6 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Length ball on middle and off, Burns goes back in his crease and blocks it out.

35.5 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. On the pads again, Root this time works it towards mid-wicket and takes an easy single.

35.4 1

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. 50 up for Rory Burns! His 6th half century in Tests! On the pads of Burns, he just nudges this one fine down the leg side and gets a single to get to the milestone. Dropped twice and he has made it count. Burns has quickly become the answer to England's opening woes. Quite consistent so far in his short Test career!

35.3 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Burns goes back in his crease and blocks this one out.

35.2 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Length ball on middle and off, punched the ball off the back foot.

35.1 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Good length ball on the pads, worked towards the leg side.

End of Over : 35 4 Runs ENG: 100/2
34.6 1

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. Almost carried to the man in the deep there! Bouncer on middle and off, Burns looks to hook this one for a biggie but mistimes it. The ball falls in the empty square leg region and he takes a single. 100 up for England with this single.

34.5 1

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Bad fielding this time! Santner is the culprit! Mitchell bowls this one full to Root, who works it towards cover. Santner there is sloppy as the ball goes off his hands towards mid off and the batters steal a run.

34.4 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Root has driven this full ball superbly towards the man at mid off.

34.3 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Full ball just outside off, Root opens the face of the bat and guides this one towards the man at wide first slip.

34.2 1

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. On the pads of Burns, he works this one towards mid-wicket for a single.

34.1 1

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Good fielding! Bouncer to start of the over, Root pulls this one all along the ground towards square leg. Wagner in the deep runs to his left, dives and keeps it down to just a single.

End of Over : 34 2 Runs ENG: 96/2
33.6 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Short delivery down the leg side, Root rocks back and pulls this one towards square leg for a single.

33.5 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Good length ball on middle and off, defended out.

33.4 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. One of the rare occasions when Root leans forward and drives the ball with full force. However, it is hit straight to the man at cover.

33.3 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Length ball just outside off, Root shoulders arms.

33.2 1

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Again full ball on middle and off, this time Burns works it towards wide mid on and takes a single. Moves to 47 with this.

33.1 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Pitched up outside off, Burns punches it towards the man at mid on.

End of Over : 33 0 Runs ENG: 94/2
32.6 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Fullish and outside off, Root plays it with an angled bat towards the slip cordon.

32.5 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Again Root prods forward and defends it out.

32.4 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Root has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

32.3 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Bouncer just outside off, Root hops and guides this one towards the man at gully. He has to be careful while playing that shot as he was dismissed in the exact same manner in the last Test match.

32.2 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Another one on middle and off, defended well.

32.1 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Root prods forward to this full ball and blocks it.

End of Over : 32 0 Runs ENG: 94/2
31.6 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. On the pads of Burns,, worked towards the leg side.

31.5 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Beauty by Wagner and he almost had Burns there! He bowls a full length delivery just outside off, on a driving length. Burns obliges and goes for the push but the ball grips on the surface and cuts back in. The ball sneaks through between the bat and pad of Burns and he is completely beaten. A fine diving collection by Watling there. Great cricket all around.

31.4 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Full ball on middle and off, driven towards the man at mid on.

31.3 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. On the pads, flicked straight towards the man at mid-wicket.

31.2 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Similar delivery to the previous one, pushed back towards the right of Wagner.

31.1 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Fullish ball on off, Burns has defended it back towards the bowler.

End of Over : 31 5 Runs ENG: 94/2
30.6 4

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. FOUR! Pulled away! Back of a length ball down the leg side, Root rocks back and pulls this one through square leg for a boundary. He was in total control of that shot. These are lovely batting conditions and England are looking at ease.

30.5 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Fullish this time, Root defends it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

30.4 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Another good length ball on middle and leg, Root pushes it back towards the bowler.

30.3 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Good length ball on middle and off, defended by Root.

30.2 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Fullish ball on off, Root looks to prod forward and defend but the ball goes off the inside edge onto the pads.

30.2 1

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. No ball for overstepping! On the pads, Root works this one towards the man at mid-wicket. Replays roll in and show that his foot was behind the line! Harsh one this on Daryl Mitchell.

30.1 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Length ball just outside the off pole line, pushed towards the left of the bowler.

Debutant Daryl Mitchell has been given the ball now. He bowled a single over last evening and in the interview later reckoned that there is variable bounce on the pitch. Can he make use of that?

End of Over : 30 9 Runs ENG: 89/2
29.6 4

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. FOUR! Another half-tracker down the leg side, Burns again spots it early, gets in position and pulls it away towards the backward square leg fence. Wagner needs to mix it up here, getting too predictable at the moment.

29.5 4

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. FOUR! Hooked away! The trap is spotted by Burns and he is ready. Wagner bowls a short delivery down the leg side, Burns rocks back and uppishly plays this one towards backward square leg for a boundary.

29.4 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Similar ball to the previous one, Burns again works it towards the square leg fielder. Looks like Wagner's plan is to trouble Burns with shortish balls down the leg side.

29.3 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. On the hips of Burns, he turns this one towards the square leg fielder.

29.2 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Similar ball by Wagner, Root this time pushes this one down the ground. Williamson runs across to his right from mid off and keeps it down to a single.

29.1 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Full ball on off, Root drives this one straight towards the man at cover.

End of Over : 29 4 Runs ENG: 80/2
28.6 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Angling across the batsman, outside off, Burns allows it through.

28.5 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Good length ball on off, defended off the back foot to the off side.

28.4 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Bouncer around off, Burns leans away from the line of fire.

28.3 4

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. FOUR! Short in length and angling into the batsman, Burns gets on top of the bounce and pulls it through backward square leg for a boundary. No chance there for the fine leg fielder as it breezed away to the fence in no time.

28.2 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Burns has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

28.1 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

End of Over : 28 8 Runs ENG: 76/2
27.6 1

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. In the air... WIDE OF LEG GULLY! Wagner hurries up the batsman with a well-directed short ball around leg, Burns is caught in an awkward position as he tries to fend it off. The ball takes the splice of his bat and flies wide of the diving gully fielder for a run. Eventful over, 8 coming off it!

27.5 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Ouch, that would have hurt! Wagner bangs in a short ball in the line of the stumps, Rory probably picks it very late and has no time of moving away. It hits him flush on the chest! Showing no pain, Burns.

27.4 2

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Fifty partnership! Wagner angles in a full length ball around off, shaping in a bit, Burns brings down a straight bat and works it off the inner half. It races past the right side of the mid-wicket fielder and Daryl Mitchell gives the chase. He slides near the fence to pull it back and the batsmen collect a couple of runs. 50-run stand comes up between the two, the deficit is exactly 300 now!

27.3 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Wagner returns to over the wicket line but still delivers a short ball on middle, Root pulls in front of square leg this time and collects a single.

27.2 4

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. FOUR! No stopping this one! Wagner bangs in a short ball around off, angling in, Root turns inside the crease and pulls it firmly behind square leg for a cracking boundary. Joe is looking comfortable whenever it is pitched short to him.

27.1 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Wagner steams in from 'round the wicket and slants in a length ball on off, Root remains on the back foot and presents a vertical bat in defense.

End of Over : 27 4 Runs ENG: 68/2
26.6 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Fuller and a little bit of shape as it lands on off, Rory pushes it down with a straight bat to mid on.

26.5 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Short in length and wide outside off, Burns drops his wrists and sway away.

26.4 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. A touch short and angling in from outside off, Rory goes on the back foot and defends it right under his watchful eyes.

26.3 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Good rotation of wrists by Burns as he flicks a full ball on the leg side. The mid-wicket fielder stops it with a full length dive.

26.2 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Good length ball on off, Burns defends it off his back foot.

26.1 4

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. FOUR LEG BYES! Back of a length delivery on middle and leg, angling down, Burns fails to glance it across the line and it goes off his thigh pad to the fine leg fence.

End of Over : 26 5 Runs ENG: 64/2
25.6 1

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Sliding down the leg side, Burns flicks it behind square leg for a single. A mixed-bag first over by Neil this morning.

25.5 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Short in length on off, Root once again eases it through his pull shot to deep mid-wicket. Another run added to the scoreboard.

25.4 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Bouncer outside off, Root ducks although the line was quite wide. It didn't bounce much there.

25.3 1

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Yet another bouncer by Wagner. Around leg and Burns fails to duck underneath it properly. It hits him on the shoulders and loops behind the keeper. The fine leg fielder makes a sliding stop near the fence and the batsmen steal a leg bye.

25.2 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Bangs it in on middle, Root loves hanging on the back foot and swivels to pull it to deep mid-wicket. A single taken.

25.1 1

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Wagner starts with a delivery on the pads, Rory shuffles across a bit and flicks it through mid-wicket for one.

First bowling change of the day. Neil Wagner comes on to bowl. He replaces Matt Henry.

End of Over : 25 2 Runs ENG: 59/2
24.6 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Fuller length ball on middle, Joe drives it down the ground but straight to mid on.

24.5 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Too full and around off, shaping away a bit, Root without moving his front foot much pushes it towards mid on. It's quite a questionable footwork by Joe. Sooner or later he might find himself in trouble.

24.4 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Better this time. Southee delivers a full ball around off with the seam pointing towards first slip, Root keeps his weight on the back leg as he pushes it to mid off.

24.3 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Plenty of outswing on this delivery right from the moment Southee releases the ball. But the line is too wide outside off to bother the English skipper.

24.2 2

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Drifting down the leg side with the angle, Root works it through square leg and returns for the second run.

24.1 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Serves it on a driving length outside off, Root shows a lot of restrain as he makes a leave.

End of Over : 24 1 Runs ENG: 57/2
23.6 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Beaten! Henry hurls across a length ball just outside off, Burns tries to defend it off his front foot but it straightens off the seam and beats the outside edge.

23.5 1

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Back of a length ball on middle, that's the length Root likes and he nudges it in the gap at mid-wicket for a single.

23.4 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. A near yorker on off, Root once again jams it out without getting entirely forward.

23.3 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Full and angling in on middle, Root turns it off his pads to mid-wicket.

23.2 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Fullish and around off, a hint of away shape, Root stays back and defends it with a loose bottom hand. Sums up the batting form of Joe. That was quite full but Root still stayed on the back foot.

23.1 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. A pitched up delivery outside off, Root played a mistimed off drive and Henry stopped it with his left hand in his followthrough.

End of Over : 23 2 Runs ENG: 56/2
22.6 1

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Southee loses his radar and delivers a full length ball down the leg side, Root flicks it behind square leg. Henry moves across to his left in the deep and they cross for a single.

22.5 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Identical to the last delivery, this time Root covers his stumps and allows it through to the Kiwi keeper.

22.4 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Southee goes full and lands it just outside off, Root has his weight on the back leg and just lunges to defend it on the off side.

22.3 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Back of a length delivery just outside off, at 131.6 kph, Root lets it through to the keeper.

22.2 1

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Full and angling down the leg side, Burns flicks it through square leg for a single.

22.1 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Fullish and on off, angling in, Burns brings down a straight bat and keeps it out off the inner half. It rolls away to one of the two short mid-wicket fielders.

End of Over : 22 4 Runs ENG: 54/2
21.6 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Good length ball on top of off, Root defends it from within the crease.

21.5 4

Matt Henry to Joe Root. FOUR! Root was in no control! Henry bangs in a short ball on middle and leg, Root hangs on the back foot to pull but it rises on his bat and takes the top edge. The ball runs fine down the leg side for a boundary. There are a couple of fielders deep on the leg side waiting for a mishit. Joe is lucky this time!

21.4 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. This time Henry brings a length ball back into the right-hander. Root remains on the back foot and keeps his eyes on the ball as he blocks it to the off side.

21.3 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. A probing line and length. On and around off, shaping away a shade, Root doesn't commit himself on the front foot entirely and just pushes it with gentle hands to cover-point.

21.2 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. The length is on the fuller side this time, angling in around off, Root brings down a straight bat and with minimum footwork drives it to mid off.

21.1 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Good length delivery in the corridor of uncertainty, Root shoulders arms.

End of Over : 21 1 Runs ENG: 50/2
20.6 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Lands it on a length close to off, Burns defends it from the crease to the on side.

20.5 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Pitches it up and around off, angling in, Burns leans forward and pushes it down to mid on.

20.4 1

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Digs in a short delivery on middle at 127 kph, Root turns and pulls it behind square leg for a single. 50 up for England!

20.3 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Once again a delivery with a hint of away shape. It pitches outside off and Joe shoulders arms.

20.2 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Gets close to off stump with an outswinger, Root is on the front foot as he pushes it towards mid off.

20.1 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. A gentle loosener by Southee. On a length and wide outside off, further moving away from the batsman. Root has an easy leave to make.

End of Over : 20 9 Runs ENG: 49/2
19.6 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Good length ball on off, Rory is on the back foot as he plays it down towards mid on.

19.5 4

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. EDGY FOUR! Fuller length ball outside off, holding its line after landing, Burns gets forward to defend but it takes the outside edge and runs wide of the slip cordon for a boundary.

Injury zone - News from the medical team about Jack Leach and Dominic Sibley has come in. Jack Leach has not been discharged from the hospital after reports of Gastro. As for Dominic Sibley, he was hit on the helmet by a bouncer bowled by Southee on Day 2. He too is still being monitored as a precautionary measure for a delayed concussion.

19.4 1

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Henry angles in a length ball on middle, looking for an away swinger from there. But the line turns out to be too straight and Root eases it behind square leg for a single.

19.3 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Hurls across a length ball outside off, Root has nothing to do with it.

19.2 4

Matt Henry to Joe Root. FOUR! This will make Root feel a lot better about himself with the bat. Back of a length ball outside off, Joe transfers his weight on the back foot and steers it behind square on the off side for a boundary.

19.1 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Starts his spell with a good length ball in the zone outside off. A hint of away shape there as well. Root makes a sensible leave.

Matt Henry to operate from the other end.

End of Over : 19 1 Runs ENG: 40/2
18.6 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Angling in a length ball close to off, Burns defends it well to end the over.

18.5 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Full in length outside off, Burns is solidly behind the line as he blocks it soundly.

18.4 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Tim switches to 'round the wicket and delivers a back of a length ball on off, Burns is on his toes in defense.

18.3 1

Tim Southee to Joe Root. A touch short and outside off, Root goes back and taps it down to the right of gully for a quick single. England are away on Day 3!

18.2 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Just a hint of swing on this occasion as Southee serves a fuller length ball close to off stump. Root pushes it out with an angled bat to covers.

18.1 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Southee begins with a good length delivery in the channel outside off, Root watches it closely before making a leave.

The sun is shining down at Seddon Park. It's time to get underway! Almost 3277 km away from Hamilton, David Warner cracked a triple ton in Adelaide. Currently, the deficit for England is one run more than Davey's highest Test score now and it's a tall task in front of them to wipe it off. England skipper Joe Root and Rory Burns walk out to the middle along with the New Zealand players. Tim Southee will start the proceedings. Here we go...

Pitch report - Mark Richardson is down there inspecting the third day's pitch. Richardson says he has noticed that there are some changes on the surface. States that the track has started to show signs of wearing out. Cracks have started to appear on the pitch and that will be something to look out for Santner.

Hello and welcome everyone as we step into the moving day of the second Test match in Hamilton. New Zealand have gained the upper hand after dominating the first two days and will be eager to keep their momentum going. England, on the flip side, are under the pump again and now they are dependent on their misfiring batting to bail them out. Already two wickets down, a big effort is required from the middle order. Rory Burns is lucky to be still out there after a couple of dropped catches and he would try to make the Kiwis pay for it. All in all, a very vital day of this Test is about to get underway. Stay with us for all the updates.

... DAY 3, FIRST SESSION ...

Right then, it's time to bid you goodbye. Do join us at 1030 local (2130 GMT, Previous day) as there will be half an hour early start again to make up for the lost overs on Day 1. You can now hop over to the concerned tab to get all the updates from the Adelaide Test where David Warner is nearing a triple century. Cheers!

Interview time! Daryl Mitchell, the debutant and star with the bat for New Zealand, says it was nice to contribute. Tells that England bowled well and he just kept his patience. Smiles and says that it was nice to get runs and spend time in the middle. Adds that it's always fun to bat with Watling as he keeps it nice and calm. Reckons that there is some extra bounce in the pitch and hopes to make use of that on Sunday.

Tim Southee and Matt Henry bagged a wicket each and a couple of catches also went down off their bowling. Had they been taken, England would have been in a more precarious situation. They have their backs to the wall and need Joe Root to stand up and show them the way. The deficit for them is quite big but New Zealand have shown that it's not too tough to score runs on this surface.

It was a really tough day for England. They struggled with the ball and lacked intensity in the field. The English bowling was completely flat and only Stuart Broad managed to make things happen. He finished with a 4-wicket haul while Chris Woakes also picked up three wickets. There were talks about the pitch to be on the flatter side but the Kiwi bowlers turned up with the ball and showed that there is some spice in the surface.

End of an extraordinary day of Test cricket! New Zealand have thoroughly enjoyed it again and are right on top. The day didn't start well for them but they didn't let that hamper their momentum. BJ Watling and Daryl Mitchell formed a strong alliance to put together a century stand and then some handy contributions from the lower order zoomed the Kiwi total to 375.

End of Over : 18 2 Runs ENG: 39/2
17.6 1

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. An interesting last ball of the day. Short ball down the leg side, Root rocks back and looks to pull with control. The ball though goes a bit uppishly and wide of the leg gully fielder towards fine leg. Joe Root survives and takes a single. Nervy way to end proceedings. That will be STUMPS ON DAY 2!

17.5 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Length ball outside off, left alone by Root.

17.4 1

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. On the hips again, worked towards fine leg for a single.

17.3 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Bowls from 'round the wicket now, on the hips of Burns who tucks it towards mid-wicket.

17.2 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Length ball on off, driven towards mid off.

17.1 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Down the leg side, Burns looks to flick this one but misses.

End of Over : 17 1 Runs ENG: 37/2
16.6 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Length ball outside off, played towards point.

16.5 0

Daryl Mitchell to Joe Root. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

16.4 1

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. Length ball on middle and off, Burns pushes this one down the ground. Williamson from mid off runs across and has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. The batters complete one.

16.3 0

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. Again outside off, left alone by Burns.

16.2 0

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. Another one outside off, Burns shoulders arms.

16.1 0

Daryl Mitchell to Rory Burns. Length ball outside off, left alone.

Daryl Mitchell, the local lad and debutant, who scored a half ton while batting has come on to bowl now. He will surely be carrying an extra spring in his step.

End of Over : 16 1 Runs ENG: 36/2
15.6 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Length and around off, Root defends it off the full face of the bat towards the off side.

15.5 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Length and down the leg side. Root lets it be.

15.4 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Length and around off, Root blocks it to the off side from within the crease.

15.3 0

Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Length and on middle and leg, Root stays back and taps it down in front of leg gully.

15.2 1

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Length and on the pads of Burns. He flicks it through square leg for a run.

15.1 0

Neil Wagner to Rory Burns. Poor start first up. Wagner bowls a bumper but it is way down the leg side. Burns is not interested to play as he ducks it.

Neil Wagner replaces Matt Henry into the attack. There is a slip, short leg and leg gully in place. Short stuff coming?

End of Over : 15 5 Runs ENG: 35/2
14.6 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Outside off, left alone.

14.5 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

14.4 4

Tim Southee to Joe Root. FOUR! Good shot by Root! On the pads, he flicks this one with ease towards the empty mid-wicket region. Jeet Raval in the deep runs to his left in an attempt to stop the ball from going over the fence but fails to do so.

14.3 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Good length ball on the off pole line, defended towards the cover region.

14.2 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Length ball outside off, left alone.

14.1 1

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Good length ball angling into the southpaw, Burns shuffles across and works this one towards mid-wicket for a single. They wanted the second there but it was not available.

End of Over : 14 0 Runs ENG: 30/2
13.6 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Outside off, pushed to covers by Root.

13.5 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Length delivery on off, defended back to the bowler off the front foot.

13.4 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. On a middle and leg line, Root flicks it straight to the man at mid-wicket.

13.3 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Henry dishes one on length and Root pushes it towards covers.

13.2 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Yorker on middle and leg, Root just about manages to bring his bat down in time and keeps it out to the leg side.

13.1 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Length and around off, defended to covers.

End of Over : 13 2 Runs ENG: 30/2
12.6 1

Tim Southee to Joe Root. Full ball on off, punched towards cover and Root takes a single to get off the mark.

12.5 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. On the pads, Root works this one towards mid-wicket.

12.4 0

Tim Southee to Joe Root. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

12.3 1

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. DROPPED! A tough chance but put down again and Burns gets another life. Southee bowls this one on middle and off, Burns goes across and flicks this one uppishly towards short mid-wicket. Jeet Raval stationed there flies to his left, gets two hands to it but fails to hold on. Raval looks disappointed to have dropped that after getting both his hands behind the ball. This is the second time that Burns has been dropped in this innings and one can feel his nerves jangling.

12.2 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Outside off, left alone.

12.1 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Bouncer on middle and off, Burns sways away from it.

End of Over : 12 0 Runs ENG: 28/2
11.6 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Another one on middle and leg, driven towards mid on.

11.5 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Henry attacks the stumps but Root is solid in his defense and plays this one towards the off side.

11.4 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. On middle and leg, played back to the bowler.

11.3 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Fullish ball on off, blocked out.

11.2 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Full ball on off, pushed towards the man at cover.

11.1 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Good length ball around off, watchfully defended.

End of Over : 11 4 Runs ENG: 28/2
10.6 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Good length ball just outside off, worked towards mid-wicket.

10.5 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Full ball outside off, pushed towards the man at short cover.

10.4 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Around off, left alone.

10.3 4

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. FOUR! Lucky, very lucky for Burns. Southee serves him a ball on the driving length outside off and Rory obliges. But he gets a thick inside edge which runs past the off pole and past the keeper's dive to his right. The ball races to the fine leg fence.

10.2 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Good length and around off, Burns shoulders arms to it.

10.1 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Bumper from Southee and Burns has to duck it awkwardly.

End of Over : 10 0 Runs ENG: 24/2
9.6 0

Matt Henry to Joe Root. Good length ball on middle and off, Root prods forward and defends.

Joe Root, the English skipper, walks out now. His team needs a big innings from him now more than ever.

9.5 W

Matt Henry to Joe Denly. OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! That is a superb take by the keeper and Denly departs now. Henry bowls a length ball just on the off pole line. It pitches and holds its line. Denly looks to defend with unsure footwork and the ball takes the outside edge. It goes low to the right of the Kiwi keeper, BJ Watling. He dives in that direction and holds onto the ball with both hands. Double blow for the English team and it looks like New Zealand are bowling on a track completely different from the one where the England bowlers were bowling.

9.4 0

Matt Henry to Joe Denly. Length ball outside off, nipping back in. Denly leaves it alone as it misses the off pole by a small margin.

9.3 0

Matt Henry to Joe Denly. Yorker by Henry, Denly does well to dig that out back towards the bowler.

9.2 0

Matt Henry to Joe Denly. On middle and leg, worked towards the leg side.

9.1 0

Matt Henry to Joe Denly. Good length ball just outside off, Denly pushes this one towards point.

End of Over : 9 4 Runs ENG: 24/1
8.6 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Another full ball on off, hit straight to the man at cover.

8.5 4

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. FOUR! Creamed! This time Burns gets this one out from the middle of the bat as he prods forward and drives this full ball through the covers for a boundary.

8.4 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Length ball outside off, left alone.

8.3 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Fullish ball outside off, pushed towards cover-point.

8.2 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. On off again, pushed towards point.

8.1 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Length ball on middle and off, defended out.

End of Over : 8 5 Runs ENG: 20/1
7.6 0

Matt Henry to Joe Denly. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

7.5 1

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. DROPPED! Ross Taylor is the culprit! Usually a very safe pair of hands but Taylor has dropped this one. Henry bowls a full delivery wide outside off, the sucker ball. Burns goes for the drive and gets a thick outside edge on it. The ball flies towards the right of first slip where Ross Taylor is positioned. He moves in that direction, gets two hands to it but the ball pops out of his hands. It rolls towards the fine leg region and the batters take a single. Life given to Burns and he should be looking to make the most of it now.

7.4 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. A pitched up ball outside off, driven off the front foot by Burns to mid off.

7.3 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Henry angles across a good length ball outside off, Rory makes an easy leave.

7.2 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Good length delivery on middle and leg, Rory works it around on the leg side but finds mid-wicket.

7.1 4

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. FOUR! Drives and drives well! Just a little too full from Henry. It's just outside off and Burns strokes it crisply down the ground for a boundary at long off.

End of Over : 7 4 Runs ENG: 15/1
6.6 0

Tim Southee to Joe Denly. Denly prods forward and defends this one off the front foot and into the ground.

6.5 4

Tim Southee to Joe Denly. FOUR! Good start to the innings for Denly! On the pads, Denly flicks this one nonchalantly through mid-wicket for a boundary. He is off the mark on the first ball.

Joe Denly walks out to bat at number 3. A lot of responsibility is on his shoulders to see off the remaining 15 overs or so for England without any further casualty.

6.4 W

Tim Southee to Dominic Sibley. OUT! This time Dominic has been given lbw! Early blow to the England innings as Dominic Sibley departs. Southee bowls a full ball on middle and leg. Sibley shuffles across a bit and looks to flick this one fine down the leg side but misses and gets hit on the pads. The New Zealand players appeal in unison and umpire Dharmasena raises his finger. Sibley has a chat with his partner about the review but they decide against it. The only thing that could have saved Sibley there was an inside edge and Sibley might be suggesting that he did not hit it. Replays later roll in and show THREE REDS. A good decision not to take the review.

6.3 0

Tim Southee to Dominic Sibley. Down the leg side, Sibley looks to flick but misses.

6.2 0

Tim Southee to Dominic Sibley. Stifled appeal but nothing from the umpire! Southee bowls a length ball just outside off with a scrambled seam. It nips back in, beating the defense of Sibley. He is hit almost on the box but the Kiwi players put in an appeal. Dismissed by the umpire. Too high for lbw!

6.1 0

Tim Southee to Dominic Sibley. Length ball just outside off, well left by Dominic.

End of Over : 6 3 Runs ENG: 11/0
5.6 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Good length ball outside off, pushed straight to the man at cover.

5.5 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Fuller ball on off, driven towards the man at mid off.

5.4 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. A length delivery on off, Rory covers everything necessary and blocks it down safely.

5.3 2

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Gets behind the line and punches it down the ground. The mid on fielder gives the chase and they take a brace.

5.2 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

5.1 1

Matt Henry to Dominic Sibley. Back of a length ball on middle and leg, Sibley glances it off his hips through square leg for a run.

End of Over : 5 1 Runs ENG: 8/0
4.6 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Burns shoulders arms to get through the over.

4.5 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Full ball on off, pushed towards mid off.

4.4 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Another one outside off, Burns shoulders arms.

4.3 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Length ball outside off, scrambled seam this time. Left alone again by Burns.

4.2 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Length ball outside off, left alone.

4.1 1

Tim Southee to Dominic Sibley. On the pads, flicked towards the square leg region for a single.

End of Over : 4 1 Runs ENG: 7/0
3.6 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Fullish ball on the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket.

3.5 1

Matt Henry to Dominic Sibley. Good length ball just on middle and off, Sibley looks to defend but the ball goes off the outer half of the bat towards point for a single.

3.4 0

Matt Henry to Dominic Sibley. Good length ball on middle and off, Sibley defends it into the ground.

3.3 0

Matt Henry to Dominic Sibley. Full ball on middle and off, defended back towards the bowler.

3.2 0

Matt Henry to Dominic Sibley. Bouncer outside off, Sibley sways away from it.

3.1 0

Matt Henry to Dominic Sibley. Full ball on off, Sibley pushes this towards the man at extra cover.

End of Over : 3 5 Runs ENG: 6/0
2.6 4

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. FOUR! Cracking shot! Southee overpitches it outside off and Burns just leans into the drive. He thumps it from the middle of his bat and sends it speeding away through covers for a boundary.

2.5 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Nearly a run out at the bowler's end! Fullish and on off, a hint of late inward movement, Sibley pushes it back to the bowler who goes down low and gets his fingertips on the ball. It runs behind to disturb the stumps but the non-striker was alert in parking his bat inside the crease. Everybody involved in this delivery and Sibley did really well there!

Physio comes out to perform the mandatory concussion check. The camera has panned to the steward who also took a blow on his head when Santner hit a six a little while back. He was hit flush on his cap but is doing well. Meanwhile, Sibley is also getting ready to resume his innings. He has changed his head gear.

2.4 1

Tim Southee to Dominic Sibley. BANG ON THE HELMET! Poor technique shown by the batsman. Southee digs in a short ball, well-directed, Sibley picks it very late, tries to duck and get away from the line but ends up taking a blow on the helmet. The ball deflects towards cover-point and they cross for a leg bye. Got into a really awkward position, Dominic. He was opened up in his stance trying to duck and sway but the ball kept on following him and struck him on the helmet.

2.3 0

Tim Southee to Dominic Sibley. Fullish and outside off, driven off the front foot but straight to mid off.

2.2 0

Tim Southee to Dominic Sibley. Serves a full length ball close to the off stump line, it straightens a touch, Sibley gets forward and blocks it with a vertical bat.

2.1 0

Tim Southee to Dominic Sibley. An outswinger by Southee, on a length and outside off, Dominic picks the line early and makes an easy leave.

End of Over : 2 1 Runs ENG: 1/0
1.6 0

Matt Henry to Rory Burns. Henry runs in from 'round the wicket and angles in a full ball on middle, Burns meets it with a straight blade and defends it back.

1.5 1

Matt Henry to Dominic Sibley. England are away! A delivery sliding down the leg side has been deflected to fine leg for a run.

1.4 0

Matt Henry to Dominic Sibley. Bowls it full and around off, Sibley gets forward and across before flicking it on the leg side. Good timing but the placement is not there. Straight to mid-wicket.

1.3 0

Matt Henry to Dominic Sibley. This one is on a driving length outside off, Sibley shuffles across slightly and then makes a leave.

1.2 0

Matt Henry to Dominic Sibley. Hurls in a length ball in the channel outside off, Sibley allows it through.

1.1 0

Matt Henry to Dominic Sibley. Fuller in length on off, angling in, Sibley gets behind the line and pushes it down towards mid on.

Matt Henry to share the new ball from the other end.

End of Over : 1 0 Runs ENG: 0/0
0.6 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. On a length around off, Burns gets behind the line and pushes it to mid off. Maiden!

0.5 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

0.4 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Burns has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

0.3 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Pitches it up and outside off, Rory drives it confidently off his front foot but finds mid off.

0.2 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Too full in length on middle and leg, Burns pushes it towards mid on.

0.1 0

Tim Southee to Rory Burns. Southee begins with a good length delivery in the zone outside off, Burns watches the line closely and shoulders arms.

End of Over : 75.0 NZ: 241/2

Right! A tour which had a lot of expectations, could not quite turn up the way it was advertised. The T20Is were a superhit but the Tests were very dull, except that final day of the first Test. However, the next two series which these two teams play promise much more excitement - New Zealand in Australia and England in South Africa. There will be the India-West Indies series as well in between. So you see, there is plenty of cricket to come before the year ends. For now, we just take a short break. See you soon. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Kane Williamson is handed the series trophy and that is yet another victory for New Zealand at home! Their 5th successive series win, beating West Indies, England (2017), Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and now England again. Good confidence heading into Australia.

New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson, is happy with the fight shown by his side in spite of losing the toss. Admits that the surface here was a tough one, not quite breaking up as much as they expected and also laments the time lost due to the weather. But putting it from the players' perspective, he lauds the intent from his team, with bowlers wanting to bowl in tough conditions even when nothing was going their way. Is looking forward to an exciting tour of Australia. Praises Daryl Mitchell for his contribution on debut and also Matt Henry for slotting in nicely. On their upcoming tour of Australia, Williamson admits that his side will have to adapt to some new challenges in that country.

England captain, Joe Root now, talking as a skipper. Is disappointed with the game being abandoned early and also with the pitch not quite opening up, but is happy with the bowling last evening and this morning. Is pleased with his young side which is always wanting to learn. Believes that if they keep up this consistency, they can become a side hard to beat. Admits that on flat pitches, it becomes difficult to pick wickets and not let shoulders droop. But also feels that England have learnt a lot in this series and can take a lot of positives to their next tour of South Africa. Reckons that the players are extremely lucky to have a support staff like the one currently.

NEIL WAGNER HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE SERIES. 2 consecutive 5-wicket hauls. No interview.

ENGLAND CAPTAIN, JOE ROOT, HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH. Says that it felt good to score a century after 15 innings. On the areas he was working on during his lean run, Root says that he worked on small technical things, like position at the crease and so on. On the match, he is glad to have contributed and believes that his team was in a position to force a result but could not quite do it. Feels the pitch did not break up as much as they expected it to but praises his bowlers and his batsmen for coming back from the big first match defeat.

Coming to the Black Caps - they will grab more eyeballs than the SA-Eng series. They travel across the Tasman to meet arch rivals Australia in a series, which could perhaps decide the second World Test Championship finalist. It is almost taken for granted that India will breeze through the group stages and end on top but by the looks of it, one of either Australia or New Zealand would meet them in the final. This series will go a long way in deciding that. The Kiwis have won just one Test series in Australia - way back in 1985/86 but one will agree that of all the NZ teams to have visited Australia in the last 30 years, this one is certainly the best. No disrespect to the rest. Please stay tuned for the presentation.

To sum up the tour, clearly England have a lot of work to do with their bowling. Their batting still looks decent but they lack penetrating bowlers except for Stuart Broad. They now travel to South Africa, where they should find conducive pitches to bowling. But do they have bowlers back home to exploit those? They have not lost a Test series in the rainbow nation since 1999 - so history holds them in good stead.

Was there a chance with the Black Caps at 28/2 and trailing by 73 on Day 4? Definitely. Was there a chance on the morning of Day 5? For sure. But England messed up whatever chances they had, dropping catches and missing run outs. As a result, a masterclass was witnessed from Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, both scoring centuries and racking up an unbeaten partnership of 213 till rain helped the bowlers by coming in post Lunch.

Perhaps choosing to field was the right call from Joe Root. In reply to NZ's 375, his own team managed 476 with the skipper himself coming back to form in style, amassing his third double century. Do not forget the contributions of Rory Burns and Ollie Pope.

A bit of a disappointing pitch from a spectator's and player's point of view. A batsman's paradise - yes. As many as 5 centuries. But look at the bowling strike rate - 100.09! A deathbed for the bowlers as all struggled. Yes, Wagner did get a 5-fer, Broad did get a 4-fer but at what cost? Heavy. The batsmen enjoyed, albeit scoring at an attritional rate but that hardly mattered in this Test.

Sigh. This was coming, wasn't it? THE GAME HAS BEEN ABANDONED AND THE SECOND TEST ENDS IN A DRAW. The umpires had a look at the ground and seeing the puddles forming, there was no way we could have had a resumption soon. Given the rain forecast, this was always on the cards but who knows, if England had held on to their catches this morning, would they have been in with a chance for a win? Ifs and buts are nothing but whims and fancies...

3.15 pm local update (0215 GMT) - Called off? Don't think so. It is raining, no one can win, no one can lose, why can't common sense be used? Paul Wilson and Kumar Dharmasena have a chat with one another, then the groundstaff and then with the captains. But no handshakes. So no official confirmation yet. But we are not far from an abandonment. We are hearing that there will be an official announcement at 4 pm local (0300 GMT). Cannot promise any positive news. Just delaying the inevitable...

3 pm local update (0200 GMT) - Rain, rain and more rain. We are hearing that the umpires could take a call at 3.15 pm local time. Would that be a call off? Don't see this rain stopping any time soon.

2.30 pm local update (0130 GMT) - Nothing much to update. If any, the rain has gotten heavier and looks set to reside. Hopefully, we get some news soon.

1.55 pm local update (0055 GMT) - Drip, drip, drip. The drizzle has begun. And now, it has increased. The rain is falling properly. Williamson and Taylor shake hands and the players go off the field. It is not too heavy right now, with only the main square being covered. But the forecast looks pretty grim. Please stay tuned for updates.

74.6 0

Joe Root to Ross Taylor. Full and around off, well defended.

74.5 0

Joe Root to Ross Taylor. Punched off the back foot by the batsman.

74.4 6

Joe Root to Ross Taylor. SIX! Another massive hit and there comes the century! His 19th in Tests. Full and outside off, Rosco gets down and mows the slog sweep again, well over mid-wicket! He really likes this venue. 1066 runs in Tests here, at an average of 56.10, with 6 centuries and 2 fifties in 23 innings. Gets it in the nick of time too, with the heavens about to open up.

74.3 6

Joe Root to Ross Taylor. SIX! 99 is the score for Rosco! Full and around middle, Taylor gets down and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket. There is a man in the deep but it does not matter as the ball sails over!

74.2 4

Joe Root to Ross Taylor. FOUR! THRASH! Into the 90s! Full and around off, Taylor gets down and mows the slog sweep over mid-wicket for a boundary! 200-RUN STAND IS UP AS WELL!

74.1 0

Joe Root to Ross Taylor. ALMOST A CATCH! Full on middle and leg, Taylor looks to flick but the bat hits the ground and the ball flies towards short mid-wicket. Rory Burns dives to his left but the ball falls short of him.

End of Over : 74 5 Runs NZ: 225/2
73.6 0

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. Full and around off, Williamson lunges and smothers it.

73.5 1

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Very full, outside off, drilled through the covers for one.

73.4 2

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Full and outside off, Rosco gets down and laps it through fine leg for a couple.

73.3 0

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Short now, outside off, cut straight to backward point.

73.2 1

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. Floated generously outside off, pushed through the covers for a run.

73.1 1

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Full and around off, eased through the covers for a single.

End of Over : 73 7 Runs NZ: 220/2
72.6 0

Joe Root to Kane Williamson. Another one on the pads, flicked towards the leg side.

72.5 4

Joe Root to Kane Williamson. FOUR! 100 for Kane Williamson! He has surely been lucky to get to this milestone but a man makes his own luck. Floated on middle and off, Williamson gets down on one knee and sweeps this one through backward square leg for a boundary. This is the Kiwi skipper's 21st Test hundred but this should be counted among his lucky ones.

72.4 0

Joe Root to Kane Williamson. On the pads, worked towards square leg.

72.3 2

Joe Root to Kane Williamson. Run out chance missed! How many lives has Kane Williamson got? Floated ball on off, Williamson pushes this one towards mid off and sets off. Curran there picks up the ball and goes for a direct hit towards the non-striker's end but misses. Had he hit, Williamson was gone for all money and that too so close to his ton. The ball goes towards fine leg as the back up fielder fails to collect it and Williamson is back on strike as he gets a couple. Moves to 99 with that.

72.2 0

Joe Root to Kane Williamson. Williamson prods forward and defends this one.

72.1 1

Joe Root to Ross Taylor. Down the leg side by Root, Taylor looks to pull but misses. The ball goes off the keeper's glove over the leg slip fielder and the batters steal a bye.

End of Over : 72 2 Runs NZ: 213/2
71.6 0

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

71.5 1

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Taylor takes this one on the full and paddles this towards the leg side for a single.

71.4 1

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. First run of the session as Williamson pushes this one towards cover and takes a single.

71.3 0

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. Williamson prods forward and defends again.

71.2 0

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. Floated on off, pushed down towards mid off.

Joe Denly to continue from the other end. 7-1-20-0 are his figures so far.

71.1 0

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. Shortish outside off, cut towards point.

End of Over : 71 0 Runs NZ: 211/2
70.6 0

Joe Root to Ross Taylor. Maiden to start the second session. Floated delivery on middle and off, Taylor is solid in his defense.

70.5 0

Joe Root to Ross Taylor. Taylor again dances down and blocks.

70.4 0

Joe Root to Ross Taylor. Floated on off, pushed towards mid off.

70.3 0

Joe Root to Ross Taylor. Taylor comes down the track to this floated ball and defends.

70.2 0

Joe Root to Ross Taylor. On the pads again, worked towards the leg side.

70.1 0

Joe Root to Ross Taylor. Starts with a flatter delivery on the pads, pushed back towards Root.

It has gone dark around the Hamilton region and showers are predicted in this session but the players and crowd alike will be hoping to have a full game. The floodlights are beginning to take effect too. The England players walk out to the middle followed by the formidable batting pair of Williamson and Taylor. Joe Root, the English skipper, to start the procedings. Here we go...

... Day 5, Session 2 ...

So, from the question of whether both batsmen will get to 50, we have come to whether both legends will get to a century. Looking at England's fielding and bowling, even 200s would not have been ruled out. But. An external factor. Rain. We are hearing that it is on its way towards Seddon Park and the entire afternoon might be in jeopardy. Join us back, hopefully, for some action, at 1.40 pm local (0040 GMT).

England started the day getting a chance down the leg side, only for Ollie Pope to fluff it. Then came an embarrassing moment for Joe Denly as he perhaps dropped the simplest of catches in cricket. That took the sting out of the England attack as they looked distraught and resigned to the fate of a dull draw. None of the bowlers were impressive enough to create a strong hold.

Wind back the clocks. Turn back the tides. The old duo of Rosco and Willy has come back in form, right in time for the upcoming Test series across the Tasman. 115 runs scored in 36 overs. Plenty of chances given, none taken.

End of Over : 70 9 Runs NZ: 211/2
69.6 4

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Terrific shot again! Short and down the leg side, Williamson pulls it to the left of short fine leg. The ball races away and Sam Curran runs very fast to his left from fine leg. Dives but misses. Too much power on it. LUNCH ON DAY 5, NZ LEAD BY 110!

69.5 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. A short ball again, pulled straight to short fine leg.

69.4 4

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Nicely pulled. A short ball, down the leg side, Williamson swivels and pulls it nicely through square leg. Moves to 92 now.

69.3 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. Again a bouncer, Williamson opts to duck.

69.2 1

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Bouncer on middle and off, pulled towards square leg for one.

69.1 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Length ball on middle and off, defended out.

End of Over : 69 1 Runs NZ: 202/2
68.6 0

Joe Root to Kane Williamson. Loud appeal but turned down! The height factor maybe? Root bowls a shortish ball on middle and leg, it pitches and straightens. Williamson looks to tuck it towards the leg side but misses. He is hit very high on the pad. Root and the England players put in a huge and lengthy appeal but the umpire turns it down. Root thinks about taking the review but eventually opts against it. The only factor that might be going against England looks like height here.

68.5 1

Joe Root to Ross Taylor. On the pads, flicked towards the mid-wicket region for a single. With this single, Ross Taylor becomes just the second New Zealand batsman to score 7000 Test runs, after Stephen Fleming. Class apart!

68.4 0

Joe Root to Ross Taylor. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

68.3 0

Joe Root to Ross Taylor. On the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket.

68.2 0

Joe Root to Ross Taylor. Floated on off, defended towards the leg side.

68.1 0

Joe Root to Ross Taylor. Full and around middle, watchfully defended.

Joe Root comes on to bowl now. 12 overs to go to the second new ball. 6 minutes to go to Lunch.

End of Over : 68 4 Runs NZ: 201/2
67.6 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. On middle and leg, pushed towards mid on.

67.5 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. On the pads of Williamson this time, he flicks this one fine down the leg side but the man at leg gully saves it.

67.4 1

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. On the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket for one. The lead is now 100 runs.

67.4 wd

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Wide! Bouncer but way too high over the head of Taylor. He leaves it alone.

67.3 1

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. Length ball on middle and leg, pulled towards backward square leg for one.

Now, the mandatory concussion check. Williamson just has a look at his helmet. He seems fine. Wait. The physio has not come out. It is the 12th man, Lockie Ferguson, who has come out with a helmet.

67.2 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. NOT OUT! But that might have hurt Williamson. He looks okay though. Bouncer on middle and leg, it hurries onto Williamson who looks to hook but misses. The ball goes onto hit his helmet and lobs towards Ollie Pope who does take the catch this time. England put in the mildest of appeals but nothing from umpire Dharmasena. The England players think about taking the review and take their chance by going for it at the last second. Replays roll in, Hot Spot and Snicko confirm no bat involved. However, the ball has hit Williamson on the helmet and might have hurt him a bit.

What has happened there? Pope and Stokes are celebrating and appealing for a catch. But Williamson is going nowhere. He just shakes his head with a smile. England have taken a desperate review and to their disappointment, nothing comes up on Snicko or Hot Spot. The ball has gone off the helmet.

The breeze seems to have picked up. Is the predicted rain coming on time?

67.1 1

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Ohh! Close one! Back of a length ball on middle. Taylor goes back and pulls this one uppishly but strongly towards square leg. The fielder there inside the circle dives to his left but cannot get to it. The ball goes in the deep and the batters take two.

End of Over : 67 2 Runs NZ: 197/2
66.6 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Landed outside off, dabbed to gully.

66.5 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

66.4 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

66.3 2

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Outside off, played through point for a couple.

66.2 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. On a good length outside off, defended from the crease.

66.1 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Yorker outside off, squeezed towards cover.

End of Over : 66 5 Runs NZ: 195/2
65.6 2

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Another length ball on middle following the no ball, this time Taylor pulls this one towards the square leg region. Woakes from mid-wicket and Archer from fine leg run towards it. They are unsure of who will field it. Eventually Archer stops the ball near the fence with his boot. Two runs taken.

65.6 2

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. No ball! Overstepping by Ben Stokes! Length ball on middle, Williamson pulls this one towards square leg for one.

65.5 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. Pitching just outside leg, coming towards Williamson, he does not look to offer a shot. The ball hits him on the arm guard, then onto the thigh pad and it rolls towards the leg side.

65.4 1

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Back of a length ball on middle, Williamson swivels and pulls this one towards square leg for a single.

65.3 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. This time Taylor pulls to this length ball but it goes straight to the man at square leg.

65.2 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Similar ball, worked towards the leg side again.

65.1 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Length ball on middle, worked towards the leg side.

Ben Stokes is back into the attack. 11-1-40-0 so far.

End of Over : 65 4 Runs NZ: 190/2
64.6 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. On off, pushed towards the cover region.

64.5 4

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Sprays one down the leg side, going down with the angle. Williamson just helps it towards the fine leg region for a boundary. First one after 52 balls.

64.4 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Full ball on middle and off, defended back towards the bowler.

64.3 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

64.2 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Good length ball on off, defended out.

64.1 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Good length ball on off, Williamson drives this one superbly towards the mid off region where the fielder makes a good stop.

End of Over : 64 2 Runs NZ: 186/2
63.6 1

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. Shortish outside off, Williamson punches this one past the diving point fielder. The man at sweeper cover collects and a single is taken.

63.5 1

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Bad bowling! Denly sprays this one down the leg side and allows Taylor to take a single towards square leg.

63.4 0

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Floated outside off, Taylor leaves it alone.

63.3 0

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Tossed up outside off, Taylor cuts this one but straight to the man at point.

63.2 0

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Rosco defends this one by presenting the full face of the bat.

63.1 0

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Floated on off, pushed to the man at cover.

End of Over : 63 1 Runs NZ: 184/2
62.6 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Good length ball on off, pushed towards mid off to get through the over.

62.5 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Length ball outside off, left alone.

62.4 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Fullish ball on off, pushed towards mid off.

62.3 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Good length ball on off, pushed towards the off side.

62.2 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Good length ball on off, defended back towards Curran.

62.1 1

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Starts the new spell with a ball on the hips, pushed towards square leg for a single.

Sam Curran is back on. 13-2-49-1, his figures so far.

End of Over : 62 4 Runs NZ: 183/2
61.6 2

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. Floated on off, Williamson sweeps this one towards backward square leg for a couple.

61.5 0

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

61.4 2

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. Shortish delivery on leg, Williamson pulls this one towards square leg for a couple.

61.3 0

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. Flatter one on off, defended towards cover.

61.2 0

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. Flatter this time outside leg. Kane defends this one towards the leg side.

61.1 0

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. Floated on the leg pole, defended off the front foot.

End of Over : 61 1 Runs NZ: 179/2
60.6 1

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Bad ball, on the pads, nudged down to fine leg for a single.

60.5 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Williamson prods forward and defends it onto the ground.

What is this? A semi-circle is on offer! A crowd of fielders is surrounding Williamson. A short mid-wicket, then another short mid-wicket to his left, then a silly mid on - these are on the leg side. On the opposite, there is a silly mid off, then a short extra cover and a short cover. All six of those are standing like dots on a paper, in a straight line.

60.4 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Length ball just around off, Williamson knows exactly where his off pole is and makes the leave.

60.3 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Fullish ball on off, pushed towards the cover region.

60.2 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Full ball wide outside off, jammed out towards point.

60.1 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Length ball outside off, left alone by the batter.

End of Over : 60 1 Runs NZ: 178/2
59.6 0

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

59.5 0

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Full and outside leg, flicked towards the bowler.

59.4 0

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Full and outside leg, Rosco looks to sweep but misses and is hit on the pads.

59.3 0

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Outside off, slightly short, Rosco goes back to cut but mistimes it towards cover.

59.2 0

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Full and around off, pushed towards cover.

59.1 1

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. A tossed up full toss, around leg, pushed down to long on for a single. 150-RUN STAND comes up with that. Guess this should be enough to make this a draw.

End of Over : 59 2 Runs NZ: 177/2
58.6 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Landed outside off, Rosco looks to tap and run to the off side but is sent back.

58.5 1

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. A fractionally short ball outside off, Kane looks to punch but gets it off the bottom half of the bat through point. By the time Jofra Archer gets to the ball from point, a quick single is taken.

58.4 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Full and just around middle, Williamson defends solidly.

58.3 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Around off, defended solidly.

58.2 1

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Low full toss, down the leg side, going for the yorker, Taylor flicks it through square leg for a single.

Good news on the weather side in Hamilton. The skies are looking clear with the sun shining bright. Let's hope it stays this way!

58.1 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Full and around off, driven back to the bowler. Nicely stopped by Woakes.

End of Over : 58 3 Runs NZ: 175/2
57.6 2

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. Full and around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple.

57.5 0

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

57.4 0

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. Around off, watchfully blocked out.

57.3 1

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Full and outside off, Taylor looks to drive but gets a thick outside edge wide of slip. A single taken.

57.2 0

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Floated around off, driven back to the bowler.

57.1 0

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

End of Over : 57 0 Runs NZ: 172/2
56.6 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

56.5 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Outside off, punched off the back foot.

56.4 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.

56.3 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Around off, defended from the crease.

56.2 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Yorker on the leg stump, Williamson digs it out at the last minute.

56.1 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Length and around off and middle, defended to the leg side.

End of Over : 56 8 Runs NZ: 172/2
55.6 4

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. FOUR! A bad ball to finish. Shorter and outside off, flatter one at that, Taylor picks the length in a trice and cuts it through point. The ball races to the fence in a flash.

55.5 0

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Floated on off, tapped towards point.

55.4 1

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. Tossed up on off, Williamson drives it through covers for a single.

55.3 1

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Flighted one around off, driven towards covers for a single.

55.2 1

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. Floated on off, pushed through covers for a run.

55.1 1

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Tossed up on off, driven through covers for a run.

End of Over : 55 1 Runs NZ: 164/2
54.6 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Good length and around off, tapped towards covers.

54.5 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Length and on off, punched off the back foot towards covers.

54.4 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Length and around off, Williamson defends it to the off side.

54.3 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Full and swinging in on the pads, Kane flicks it to mid on.

54.2 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Nicely played. Full and around off, Kane drives it with the straightest of bats. The bowler fields in his followthrough.

54.1 1

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Full and on the pads, worked towards deep square leg for a run.

Chris Woakes into the attack now. 7-3-8-1 so far.

End of Over : 54 2 Runs NZ: 163/2
53.6 2

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. Shorter and around middle, Williamson pulls it to mid-wicket for a couple.

53.5 0

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. Full and on the pads, flicked to square leg.

53.4 0

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.

53.3 0

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

53.2 0

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. Landed outside off, nicely floated, left alone.

53.1 0

Joe Denly to Kane Williamson. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Joe Denly into the attack now. 1-1-0-0 so far.

End of Over : 53 3 Runs NZ: 161/2
52.6 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Full and around middle, Taylor looks to flick but gets a leading edge towards cover.

52.5 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Around off, watchfully defended.

52.4 1

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Full on middle, punched down the ground for a run.

52.3 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. A bouncer now, Taylor ducks.

52.2 1

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Around middle, worked through the leg side for a single.

52.1 1

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Fuller one outside off, Taylor drives it through cover-point for a run.

DRINKS BREAK. What an hour. Nothing has happened, yet plenty has happened. New Zealand have not lost a wicket but they have given two catches and a run out opportunity - only for England to shell all. All the lives have been given to Williamson and it seems like the visitors are just going through the motions. The duo is pressing on the acceleration now and with the lead crossing 50, it is getting more and more difficult for England to enforce a result.

End of Over : 52 3 Runs NZ: 158/2
51.6 1

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Full and outside off, eased through the covers for one.

BOWLED! But a dead ball. Broad was charging in but Williamson backed away at the last moment. Broad though, continued to steam in and fired in a yorker, at the base of off stump.

51.5 1

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Short again, pulled through square leg for a run.

51.4 0

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Down the leg side, Taylor looks to pull it away but misses.

51.3 1

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. A short ball, Williamson pulls it through square leg for a single.

51.2 0

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. A bouncer now, Williamson ducks.

51.1 0

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Full and outside off, Williamson looks to drive but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.

End of Over : 51 0 Runs NZ: 155/2
50.6 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Miscommunication! More luck for Williamson. Taylor defends this length ball off his pads to the leg side. Kane runs down the track in a jiffy but Rosco sends him back. Archer runs across towards the ball and throws it towards the non-striker's end. Williamson has to turn back and run. Though he makes it with a dive. Archer's throw misses the stumps and the fielder backing up at mid off does well to field it by diving across to his right.

50.5 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Slightly fuller and around off, driven to mid off.

50.4 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Good length and around off, blocked towards covers.

50.3 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Length and around off, defended to mid-wicket.

50.2 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Back of a length and on off, Ross hops inside the crease and blocks it to the leg side.

50.1 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Length and angling on off, Taylor defends it with soft hands to the leg side.

End of Over : 50 1 Runs NZ: 155/2
49.6 0

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. A bouncer on middle, ducked under.

49.5 0

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Full and outside off, Williamson just dead-bats it.

49.4 0

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Another back foot defense on offer.

49.3 0

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Around off, well kept out.

49.2 0

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Full and around off, watchfully defended towards mid off.

49.1 1

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. A short ball, around off, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single.

End of Over : 49 2 Runs NZ: 154/2
48.6 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Length ball on middle and off, defended.

48.5 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

48.4 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. DROPPED! What has Denly done there? This has to be one of the easiest catches which has been put down. You just cannot afford to give lives like these to one of the best batsmen in the world. Archer bowls a slower delivery on the pads, at 122.6 kph. Williamson goes for the flick towards mid-wicket but does so uppishly. It goes straight to Denly at short mid-wicket, softly, right at stomach height. He gets the ball in his hands but has put it down somehow. Archer started celebrating even before the catch was taken but they is cut short. He just has a smile on his face. Williamson lives on to die another day.

48.3 1

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Length ball on middle and off, defended towards cover-point for one.

48.2 1

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. On the pads, worked towards the leg side for a single.

48.1 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Bouncer down the leg side, Williamson ducks under it.

End of Over : 48 3 Runs NZ: 152/2
47.6 1

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Length ball wide outside off, the batter cuts it towards deep point but just a single taken.

47.5 0

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Length ball on off, defended.

47.4 1

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. On off, it is driven towards the cover region for a single. The lead for New Zealand is now 50 runs.

47.3 0

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Full and just outside off, watchfully kept out.

47.2 0

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Around off, slightly slower in pace, watchfully defended towards cover.

47.1 1

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Full and outside off, Williamson drives this through the covers. Initially, he calls for the couple but a good fielding effort makes him change his mind. 150 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND, lead by 49. The skipper moves to 60.

End of Over : 47 2 Runs NZ: 149/2
46.6 1

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. On the hips, Williamson works this one towards mid-wicket with soft hands and takes a single.

46.5 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Full ball on off, driven towards mid off

46.4 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Down the leg side, Williamson looks to flick but misses,

46.3 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Good length ball on off, pushed towards the point region.

46.2 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Bouncer on middle and off, Williamson sways away.

46.1 1

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. On the pads, worked towards the leg side for a single.

End of Over : 46 3 Runs NZ: 147/2
45.6 0

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Length ball on off, pushed towards point.

45.5 0

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

45.4 3

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Bad fielding and worse fall for Crawley! Fullish ball around off, Taylor pushes this one towards the cover-point region. Crawley from point runs to his right, gets down to gather the ball but misses it. He falls down after tumbling in his followthrough. The ball trudges towards the deep and the batters take three.

45.3 0

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Full ball on off, pushed towards mid off.

45.2 0

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Outside off, played towards point.

45.1 0

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Pitched up ball on off, driven towards wide mid off.

Stuart Broad into the attack for the first time in the day. Can he bring the match to life and give England the chance to enforce a result?

End of Over : 45 1 Runs NZ: 144/2
44.6 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Another bouncer, this time on middle. Williamson ducks under it.

44.5 1

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Bouncer on middle and leg, Taylor pulls this one towards backward square leg for a single.

44.4 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Pitched up ball on off, Taylor drives this one towards the man at mid off.

44.3 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. On the pads, flicked towards the short mid-wicket fielder.

44.2 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. On off, Taylor drives this one towards the cover region.

44.1 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Full ball on middle and leg, pushed towards the man at mid on.

Jofra Archer to bowl for the first time today. 7-0-19-0 so far.

End of Over : 44 9 Runs NZ: 143/2
43.6 1

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single.

43.5 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Around off, Taylor looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.

43.4 4

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. FOUR! More width and bang. Short outside off, Taylor cuts it away through the covers this time!

43.3 4

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Free gift for Taylor and he gets to his half century. Short and wide outside off, Taylor slashes it over point and gets a boundary.

43.2 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Around off, coming in with the angle, Rosco hops and defends.

43.1 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. A short ball, outside off, Taylor pummels the pull straight to square leg.

End of Over : 43 10 Runs NZ: 134/2
42.6 1

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. On off, Taylor plays this one towards point and takes a single to retain strike.

42.5 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

42.4 1

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. On the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket for a single.

42.3 4

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. EDGED AND FOUR! Length ball on off, Williamson looks to play it late, trying to defend but plays it too late for his liking. The ball takes the outside edge and goes through the vacant slip cordon for a boundary through third man.

42.2 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Length ball on middle and leg, angling in. Williamson looks to tuck it towards the leg side but the ball goes off the outside edge towards point.

42.1 4

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. FOUR! 32nd Test fifty for Kane Williamson. What a batsman, pure class! This is a pitched up ball on off, Williamson leans into the shot and drives this one through the extra cover region for a boundary. This also brings up the 100-run stand between Williamson and Taylor. The experienced duo bringing the Kiwi ship to safe shores once again.

End of Over : 42 8 Runs NZ: 124/2
41.6 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Bouncer way down the leg side, Taylor leaves it alone.

41.5 1

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. Another short delivery, this time down the leg side. Williamson pulls this one towards backward square leg for one.

41.4 1

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Short ball on the body, Taylor pulls but the man at square leg dives to his left and parries it which allows the batters to take a single.

41.3 4

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Length ball just outside off, Taylor goes back and cuts this one fiercely through the point region for a boundary.

41.2 1

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. On the hips of Taylor, he nudges it down to fine leg for a single.

41.1 1

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Shortish ball outside off, Taylor pulls and the ball goes towards the man at deep mid-wicket for a single.

End of Over : 41 2 Runs NZ: 116/2
40.6 2

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Good length ball just outside off, Williamson just times his punch down the ground. The man from mid off gives it a chase and keeps it down to a couple.

40.5 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Another fullish ball, pushed back towards the bowler.

40.4 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Full ball on off, pushed towards cover.

40.3 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Pitched up ball on off, Williamson opens the face of the bat and pushes it towards gully.

40.2 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Bouncer on middle and leg, ducked under by Williamson.

40.1 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Good length ball on middle and off, blocked out.

End of Over : 40 1 Runs NZ: 114/2
39.6 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Back of a length ball on middle, Taylor pulls this one powerfully but straight towards the man at mid-wicket.

39.5 1

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. Good length ball on off, pushed towards cover for a single.

39.4 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. Length ball outside off, left alone by the Kiwi skipper.

39.3 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

39.2 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. Down the leg side, flick shot missed.

39.1 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. A bouncer on middle, Williamson ducks.

End of Over : 39 10 Runs NZ: 113/2
38.6 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

38.5 4

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. LEADING EDGE, FOUR! Full and around off, swinging in, Taylor looks to flick but the ball goes off the leading edge through the vacant gully region to the third man fence!

38.4 1

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Full and outside off, Rosco drives it through the covers where the fielder does well to stop the ball. A quick single taken.

38.3 1

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Down the leg side, Rosco looks to flick but misses. The ball goes off his thigh pads and the batsmen take a leg bye.

Joe Root has got some imaginative captaincy here. He has got a couple of short mid-wickets and a silly mid off for Ross Taylor.

38.2 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Around off, solidly defended.

38.1 4

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. FOUR! CLASSY! Overpitched outside off, Taylor leans and drives it through the covers!

End of Over : 38 4 Runs NZ: 103/2
37.6 4

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Good reply by Williamson, Stokes bowls another back of a length ball on off. Williamson pulls this towards mid-wicket for a boundary.

37.5 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

37.4 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. DROPPED! Williamson gets a life and Ollie Pope is the culprit! Stokes bowls one down the leg side, near the hips. Williamson looks to flick but does not get any bat on it. The ball goes off his gloves, onto the hips and then to the left of Ollie Pope. The keeper does dive to his left, gets two hands to the ball but fails to hold onto it. A regulation catch for a keeper. Will this prove to be the game-changer? Stokes does not want Pope to let his confidence down and is seen applauding him.

37.3 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. Bouncer on middle and off, ducked under.

37.2 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. Down the leg side this time, Williamson does not fiddle with it.

37.1 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. Bouncer on middle and leg, Williamson ducks under it.

End of Over : 37 0 Runs NZ: 99/2
36.6 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

36.5 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Outside off, punched straight to silly mid off.

36.4 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Full and outside off, driven straight to silly mid off.

36.3 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. NOT OUT! Taylor is comfortably in. Good length ball on off, Rosco defends it back towards the bowler. Curran gathers the ball and throws it at the striker's end in a flash. He hits and the leg umpire goes upstairs for a safety check. Replays show that Taylor is well in.

RUN OUT? Or not? Sam Curran has fired in a throw at the striker's end, just to check Taylor's footwork. No one is overly perturbed or excited but we have the mandatory third umpire check. Here come the replays. Taylor is back in before the ball can hit the stumps.

36.2 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. This time on middle and leg, Taylor defends.

36.1 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Pitched up ball just outside off, Taylor prods forward and blocks.

End of Over : 36 1 Runs NZ: 99/2
35.6 1

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. This time Taylor finds the gap and is able to pull it towards the man in the deep at mid-wicket for a single.

35.5 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Another pull shot superbly timed by Taylor, the fielder at mid-wicket does well to dive to his right and gather it.

35.4 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Back of a length by Broad again, Taylor looks pulls but straight to the man at mid-wicket.

35.3 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Down the leg side again, Taylor defends.

35.2 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Length ball outside off, pushed towards the off side.

35.1 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Back of a length ball on the leg side, Taylor goes back and initially looks to tuck it fine. But then, he seems to think better of it, with a short leg in place. So, he looks to abort his shot and is cramped for room. As a result, the ball hits his glove and deflects onto the rib and drops down. Could have so easily gone to short leg or the keeper.

Ben Stokes to bowl from the other end. 6-1-17-0, his figures so far.

End of Over : 35 2 Runs NZ: 98/2
34.6 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. This time on the off pole line, Williamson prods forward and defends. Gets through the first over of the day easily.

34.5 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Good length ball on middle and off, Williamson defends it back towards Curran.

34.4 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Pitched up ball outside off, Williamson defends.

34.3 2

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. New Zealand are underway on Day 5. Williamson shuffles across and flicks this one off his pad towards deep mid-wicket for a couple.

34.2 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. This stayed a touch low, Williamson defends stoutly.

34.1 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. On a length around off, solidly defended.

The players are out in the middle. Williamson and Taylor get ready to resume their innings. Who will start the proceedings with the ball? Sam Curran it will be, to Williamson. Here we go...

Pitch report - Mark Richardson is down for the pitch report. Starts by saying that the forecast for the afternoon is heavy rain. Mentions that there has not been enough sunshine to make serious cracks and dry out the surface. States that the odd ball has stayed low but the track is still very good for batting.

Talking about the match, New Zealand are just 5 behind and have 8 wickets in hand. In an extremely hypothetical situation, the Brits can try and bowl New Zealand out under a lead of 100 and then chase it down. But do they have the time?

Not the best of days to play cricket, with heavy clouds welcoming us. More clouds are expected on the way and the forecast for the afternoon is for rain and for serious rain.

Welcome, welcome, all come! 2-0, 1-0 or 1-1? The first and third results look highly unlikely given that there is rain scheduled around Lunch. But can England pick up a few wickets and gain some confidence ahead of the South African tour? The final day of the series beckons.

... THE FINAL DAY ...

So how do we look at Day 5? If we get a full day's play, anything can happen. England then become favourites to produce a result if anyone can, with New Zealand still trailing by 5 and 2 down, but with fickle weather forecast, a draw might be the most realistic thing emerging. The English bowlers look tired and secretly would be hoping that they get some rest. Or at least, conditions in their favour, wherein they can nip out batsmen quickly. Join us at 10.30 am local (2130 GMT, previous night) for all the action from the final day of this match and series. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Once the Kiwis conceded a lead of 101, victory for them was more or less thrown out of the window. Given that the forecast for Tuesday is not very promising, England needed to strike as many times as they could before that lead was erased and they did. Both the Kiwi openers were dismissed inside 9 overs and it seemed like more were going to come but the old warhorses, Williamson and Taylor have held fort amidst a 68-run stand.

Excellent day for England, excellent day for Joe Root. He maintained his form since last night, not throwing it away and carrying on and on. In Graham Gooch's words, his 'daddy hundred' helped his side gain a lead of 101. Do not forget Ollie Pope who was excellent for his 75. Wagner did get 5 wickets but those were what we call 'cheap scalps' as the English batsmen just threw their bats at everything.

Ben Stokes hurries across to take his cap from umpire Kumara Dharmasena, hoping that there will be one more over but the answer is no. That will be STUMPS ON DAY 4. An intriguing day's play, which had some action, a little bit of thrill and depending on the weather on Tuesday, we might still get a result.

End of Over : 34 5 Runs NZ: 96/2
33.6 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Length ball on middle and off, defended out.

33.5 4

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Close one! Taylor should be looking to avoid playing shots like that but cannot curb his instinct. Stokes bowls a back of a length ball just outside off, Taylor gets on his toes and cuts it uppishly just to the left of Rory Burns who is standing at gully for that catch. Had that gone to Rory, Taylor would have been cursing himself. Instead, he gets a boundary.

33.4 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. This time a bouncer on middle and off, Taylor ducks under it.

33.3 1

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. On the pads, worked towards square leg for one.

33.2 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. Bouncer down the leg side, Williamson ducks under it.

33.1 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. Length delivery fine down the leg side, Williamson flicks but straight to short fine leg.

End of Over : 33 0 Runs NZ: 91/2
32.6 0

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Tossed up on middle, Rosco shows the full face of the bat and blocks it out.

32.5 0

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Taylor prods forward and defends this tossed up delivery.

32.4 0

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Another shortish delivery which is cut away but again stopped in the point region.

32.3 0

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Floated on off, pushed towards the cover region.

32.2 0

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Floated on middle, watchfully defended.

32.1 0

Joe Denly to Ross Taylor. Shortish and outside off to start the spell, Taylor goes back and cuts but straight to backward point.

Spin time! Joe Denly into the attack to bowl some leggies.

End of Over : 32 1 Runs NZ: 91/2
31.6 1

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.

31.5 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Bouncer on the leg pole line, Taylor initially looks to pull but in the end bails out and looks to defend. He misses the ball and is hit on the left elbow.

31.4 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Full and around off, worked straight to short mid-wicket.

31.3 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. A bouncer now, Rosco ducks.

31.2 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot.

31.1 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Around middle, Taylor looks to flick but the ball hits his pads and lobs over short leg.

End of Over : 31 2 Runs NZ: 85/2
30.6 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Poor keeping by Ollie Pope and England have been given a penalty of 5 runs as the ball has hit the helmet of the keeper. Woakes bowls one down the leg side, Williamson looks to flick but misses. The ball lands in front of Pope but he fails to gather the ball. It rolls behind and hits the helmet and the umpire signals for a penalty of 5 runs.

30.5 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Full ball on off, watchfully defended.

30.4 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.

30.3 1

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Another length ball on off, pushed towards the cover region for a single.

30.2 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Length ball outside off, played towards point.

30.1 1

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. On the pads of Williamson, he works it towards cover for a single.

End of Over : 30 4 Runs NZ: 83/2
29.6 4

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Beautiful shot! Full ball on off, driven towards the cover region with precision in the gap for a boundary.

29.5 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. The batsman works it down the leg side.

29.4 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Back of a length ball on off, Taylor looks to pull but misses and is hit on the body.

29.3 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Another bouncer which is sprayed down the leg side and does not trouble the batter.

29.2 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Length ball on middle and leg, Taylor tucks this one towards mid-wicket.

29.1 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Bouncer down the leg side, left alone.

End of Over : 29 4 Runs NZ: 79/2
28.6 1

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. On the hips, worked towards the leg side for a single.

28.5 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. On middle and off, defended towards silly mid on.

28.4 3

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Full ball on off, pushes this one towards the cover region for three runs. This brings up the 50-run stand between Williamson and Taylor. The experienced New Zealand duo has done well to stabilise things after two early wickets and will be looking to carry on from here.

28.3 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.

28.2 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Another full ball on off, Williamson prods forward and defends.

28.1 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Starts the new spell with a pitched up delivery on off, defended by Williamson.

Chris Woakes is back into the attack. 5-3-2-1, his figures so far. Absolute class!

End of Over : 28 1 Runs NZ: 75/2
27.6 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Bouncer to end the over. This time Taylor does go for an agricultural hook but misses.

27.5 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. This time a bit behind in length, Taylor defends it towards cover.

27.4 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Good length ball on off, pushed towards the cover region.

27.3 1

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. On the hips, worked towards fine leg for a single.

27.2 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. Bumper again, Williamson without any trouble ducks under it.

27.1 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. Bouncer on middle and leg, ducked under.

End of Over : 27 2 Runs NZ: 74/2
26.6 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Curran bowls a low full toss on the leg pole, Taylor punches this one towards mid on.

26.5 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. On the pads of Rosco, he tucks this one towards mid-wicket.

26.4 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Good length ball outside off, Taylor leaves it alone.

26.3 1

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. On the pads, Williamson works this one towards mid-wicket for a single.

26.3 wd

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Wide! Another bouncer but this one is way too high for Williamson to play at.

26.2 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. On the pads, worked towards the leg side.

26.1 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Bouncer down the leg side, the batter ducks under it.

End of Over : 26 6 Runs NZ: 72/2
25.6 2

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Length ball outside off, cut towards point for a couple.

25.5 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Another bouncer, this time angling into Rosco. He is cramped for room as he tries to defend. The ball hits Taylor on the glove and rolls towards the off side.

25.4 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Bouncer on middle and leg, Taylor ducks under it.

25.3 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

25.2 0

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. Bouncer down the leg side, Taylor ducks under it.

25.1 4

Ben Stokes to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Back of a length ball on off, room on offer. Taylor hops and slaps this through the point region for a boundary.

End of Over : 25 1 Runs NZ: 66/2
24.6 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Fullish ball on middle and off, blocked out.

24.5 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Yorker by Curran, Williamson just about manages to jam it out back towards the bowler.

24.4 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Good length ball on off, Williamson initially looks to play at it but then opts to leave the ball alone.

24.3 1

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. On the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket for a single.

24.2 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

24.1 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Full ball on off, driven straight to Archer at mid off.

End of Over : 24 0 Runs NZ: 65/2
23.6 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. Bouncer on middle and off, angling away. Williamson this time sways away from it.

23.5 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. Short of a length ball again, Williamson looks to pull but misses again.

23.4 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. Length ball outside off, left alone.

23.3 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. Punched off the back foot by the batsman.

23.2 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. On the pads, worked towards the leg side.

23.1 0

Ben Stokes to Kane Williamson. OUCH! Hit on the box! Back of a length ball on middle, Williamson looks to pull but misses, The ball hits him right on the box and he is in some visible pain. Winded but he is okay to continue.

Ben Stokes to bowl now.

End of Over : 23 6 Runs NZ: 65/2
22.6 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Pitched up ball on off, driven down the ground but straight to the man.

22.5 4

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Short ball on middle and leg, Taylor rocks back to pull but gets a top edge on it. The ball gets enough contact on it as the ball trudges into the square leg fence.

22.4 1

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Length ball wide outside off, Williamson looks to cut but misses. The ball bounces in front of Pope who fails to gather it and the ball goes past him. That allows the batters to take a bye.

22.3 1

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. On the pads again, Taylor flicks this one towards backward square leg for a single.

22.2 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. On the pads, worked towards mid-wicket.

22.1 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Full ball on middle and off, driven towards mid on.

End of Over : 22 4 Runs NZ: 59/2
21.6 0

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Full ball on off, driven towards mid off.

21.5 0

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

21.4 4

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Back of a length ball on off, Williamson swivels and pulls this one towards mid-wicket for a boundary.

21.3 0

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. On off, played towards the point region.

21.2 0

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Williamson drives this pitched up delivery towards the off side.

21.1 0

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Good length ball on off, defended.

Stuart Broad is back into the attack. 4-0-14-0, his figures so far.

End of Over : 21 6 Runs NZ: 55/2
20.6 2

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Funny but a fine stop by substitute fielder Mahmood in the deep. On the pads, Taylor glances this one fine down the leg side. Mahmood in the deep runs to his right, puts in a dive. Gets a hand to the ball but it somehow bounces on top of his body, onto his back and then onto his boot. The main thing is he keeps it in play and the batters take two. Smiles all around.

20.5 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Curran corrects his line, Taylor comes onto the front foot and blocks.

20.5 wd

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Wide! Way wide outside off, Williamson does not go chasing after it.

20.4 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Length ball in the corridor outside off, left alone.

20.3 0

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. Yorker on the off pole, jammed out.

20.2 2

Sam Curran to Ross Taylor. On the pads, Taylor clips it towards the gap at mid-wicket and that allows the batters to take a couple.

20.1 1

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Length ball on off, Williamson works this one wide of mid on for a single.

End of Over : 20 4 Runs NZ: 49/2
19.6 1

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Around off, Kane gets across and tucks it wide of short mid-wicket for a run.

19.5 2

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Full and outside off, Williamson leans and drives it through the covers. Ben Stokes covers a lot of ground to his right from sweeper and keeps the batsmen to a couple.

19.4 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. A face-high bouncer now, swayed away from.

19.3 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Good length ball outside off, blocked from the crease.

19.2 1

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Around off, tucked through mid on for a single.

19.1 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. A bouncer around off, Taylor ducks.

End of Over : 19 0 Runs NZ: 45/2
18.6 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Good length ball, around off, well defended.

18.5 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

18.4 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. A wild bouncer, down the leg side, ducked under again. Williamson looks at umpire Dharmasena for the wide but does not get it. That was really too high.

18.3 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. A face-high bouncer, Williamson again arches his back, watches the ball till the last moment and lets it pass.

18.2 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Full and around off, well blocked out.

18.1 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Around off, watchfully defended from the crease.

Sam Curran is back into the attack. 3-0-12-1, his figures so far.

End of Over : 18 2 Runs NZ: 45/2
17.6 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Another bouncer, watchfully ducked under.

17.5 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

17.4 1

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Outside off, punched off the back foot for a single. Ouch! What has happened to Jofra? He is holding his left knee and limping slightly. Looks good enough to continue for now.

17.3 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. A bouncer on middle, Williamson arches back and takes his head away in time.

This is very interesting. Mark Richardson on air says that he was having a chat with Stuart Broad this morning about England's struggles with the ball and the latter said that it was never England's plan to bowl New Zealand out! The aim was to let them bat for two days and then on what they felt was a wearing pitch, bat the Kiwis out of the game and defeat them by an innings.

17.2 1

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Down the leg side, Taylor nudges it towards fine leg. Ollie Pope himself runs after it before fine leg can come across. A single taken, leg bye signalled.

17.1 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Full and around middle, pushed towards mid on.

DRINKS BREAK. Early hiccups for New Zealand but they are recovering nicely. The Williamson-Taylor stand is just 15 but is looking composed and solid. The deficit has come down to 58 and with 18 overs left in the day, that might just get erased, especially if Taylor bats the distance. England have not found much movement apart from Sam Curran but they have got bounce. Will they rue the absence of a spinner?

End of Over : 17 0 Runs NZ: 43/2
16.6 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Around off, solidly defended from the crease.

16.5 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

16.4 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Around off, defended towards mid on.

16.3 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. A length ball outside off, Williamson makes another fine leave but Woakes did generate some extra bounce on that.

16.2 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. On middle, pushed towards mid on.

16.1 0

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. A length ball, around off, tucked towards short mid-wicket.

End of Over : 16 1 Runs NZ: 43/2
15.6 0

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Outside off, let through.

15.5 1

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Outside off, pushed through point for a run.

15.4 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. A short ball outside off, Williamson ducks but takes his eyes off the ball. Turns his back to it and is hit on the inside of the arm guard. That is why no pain was showed.

15.3 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. On a good length outside off, defended from the crease.

15.2 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. A meaningless bouncer, down the leg side, Williamson ducks.

15.1 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Full ball on off, driven straight to the man at mid off.

End of Over : 15 1 Runs NZ: 42/2
14.6 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Around off, defended back to the bowler.

14.5 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Around off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

14.4 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

14.3 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Full and around off, pushed towards cover.

14.2 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Outside off, on a length, Taylor shoulders arms.

14.1 1

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Full and around off, Williamson looks to flick but the ball swings in late and goes off the inside edge through square leg. A single taken. The deficit is now 59. The skipper moves to 20.

End of Over : 14 5 Runs NZ: 41/2
13.6 1

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Again that same shot, this time for a single as Denly is there to guard the boundary at deep point.

13.5 4

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. FOUR! That is the area for Kane Williamson. In total control. Forget the previous two balls which have beaten the outside edge by moving off the deck. Outside off, on a length, the skipper arches back slightly and punches it behind point. Kane will play that shot. He will get runs. But why are England changing the field? Joe Denly is now being moved to deep point.

13.4 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Outside off, another play and a miss.

13.3 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Did that hit a crack? Perhaps it did. Outside off, Williamson looks to poke at it but then the ball seams away a fair distance and he is beaten.

13.2 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

13.1 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Down the leg side, Williamson misses his flick.

End of Over : 13 0 Runs NZ: 36/2
12.6 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.

12.5 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Short and wide outside off, RT looks to cut but misses.

12.4 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Around off, watchfully defended.

12.3 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Full and around middle, worked straight to short mid-wicket.

12.2 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Outside off, angling away, Rosco shoulders arms.

12.1 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Full and straight, Taylor just about gets his bat down in time to defend.

End of Over : 12 3 Runs NZ: 36/2
11.6 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Around off, watchfully blocked out.

11.5 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

11.4 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Outside off, played straight to point.

11.3 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.

11.2 1

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Down the leg side, Taylor misses his flick and the ball goes off his thighs to the leg side. A leg bye taken.

11.1 2

Jofra Archer to Ross Taylor. Full and around off, flicked wide of mid on for a couple.

End of Over : 11 1 Runs NZ: 33/2
10.6 1

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

10.5 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Full and outside off, Rosco looks to push but then aims to withdraw his bat. Is late and gets beaten.

10.4 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.

10.3 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

10.2 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Around off, defended from the crease this time.

A fielding change. Root has moved a catcher, very very square of the wicket. Somewhere between short mid-wicket and silly mid on. Joe Denly it is.

10.1 0

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Full and just outside off, Taylor gets a long stride forward and defends. That is generally a good sign, meaning that Taylor is getting his feet moving pretty quickly. Woakes will be aiming for that front pad.

End of Over : 10 4 Runs NZ: 32/2
9.6 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Good length ball on off, defended by Williamson.

9.5 4

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Williamson pounces! Length ball outside off, Williamson has room to punch it through the empty point region and the ball races to the fence.

9.4 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. KW this time goes onto the back foot and defends.

9.3 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Good cricket all around! Archer steams in and bowls a well-directed bouncer. Williamson spots it early, gets down on his knees and lets it go.

9.2 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Length ball on off, blocked out.

9.1 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. On a length around off, solidly defended.

Ross Taylor is in next, at number 4, replacing Latham.

End of Over : 9 0 Runs NZ: 28/2
8.6 W

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. OUT! CAUGHT! Latham departs! Beauty by Woakes, he bowls a length ball from round the wicket. The ball is angling in, but straightens a touch after pitching. Latham looks to defend off the back foot but the ball goes off the outside edge towards first slip where Joe Root takes a simple catch towards his left. Both the openers back in the hut for New Zealand and England off to a perfect start. They still lead by 73 runs. Chris Woakes starts his spell with a wicket maiden.

8.5 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Pitches it up this time, Latham defends by presenting the full face of the bat.

8.4 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. On middle and off, watchfully defended.

8.3 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. On the hips of Latham, he looks to flick but misses to get hit on the thigh pad.

8.2 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. This time Latham pushes the ball down to the man at mid off.

8.1 0

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Woakes starts with a length ball just outside off, Tom goes back and defends with a vertical bat.

Chris Woakes into the attack.

End of Over : 8 2 Runs NZ: 28/1
7.6 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Archer will not trouble Williamson by bowling like this. Outside off again, Williamson does not bother to play at it.

7.5 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Outside off, again Williamson shoulders arms.

7.4 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

7.3 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Length ball on off, Williamson punches this one off the back foot towards point.

7.2 0

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Williamson goes onto the back foot and defends it out.

7.1 2

Jofra Archer to Kane Williamson. Great fielding again! Back of a length ball on off to start by Archer, Williamson opens the face of the bat and guides this one off the outer half of his bat towards the third man region. Stokes hares after the ball, slides near the ropes and keeps the ball in play. Saves two for his side.

The first bowling change comes around. Jofra Archer is here.

End of Over : 7 8 Runs NZ: 26/1
6.6 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Brilliant fielding! Length ball outside off, he drives this one with ease towards the cover-point region. Ben Stokes there dives to his left and saves at least a couple.

6.5 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Length ball on off, Latham blocks it out.

6.4 4

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. FOUR! Bad bowling! On the pads, Latham flicks it nonchalantly in front of square leg for a boundary.

6.3 2

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Back of a length ball on off, Latham pushes this one through the cover-point region. This time Denly hares after it and keeps it to a couple.

6.2 2

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Fullish ball on the off pole, Latham whips this one towards mid-wicket. Curran gives it the chase and keeps it down to two.

6.1 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Length ball on off, Latham stands tall and blocks.

The hammer is on the pitch. Broad is having his landing area sorted. The vibration is pretty heavy due to the impact of the hammer and the stumps are moving a touch.

End of Over : 6 5 Runs NZ: 18/1
5.6 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. On the pads, Williamson prods forward and defends it back towards the bowler.

5.5 2

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. On the pads of Williamson, he flicks this through square leg for a couple.

5.4 3

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Outside off, Latham shuffles across and pushes this one through point. The batters take three comfortably.

5.3 0

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Good length ball on middle and off, Latham prods forward and defends.

5.2 0

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. A bit ahead in length this time, Latham shows the full face of the bat and blocks it out.

5.1 0

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. Length ball on off, pushed towards mid off.

End of Over : 5 1 Runs NZ: 13/1
4.6 0

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Another one outside off, Williamson offers no shot.

4.5 0

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Length ball outside off, Williamson does not fiddle with it.

4.4 0

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Length ball on off, Williamson blocks it out.

4.3 0

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Another good length ball on off, defended towards mid off again.

4.2 0

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Good length ball on off, pushed out towards wide mid off by Williamson.

4.1 1

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Bowls a yorker on the off pole, Latham digs it out towards mid on and takes a single.

End of Over : 4 2 Runs NZ: 12/1
3.6 2

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Nice shot by Williamson, he gets high on his toes and pushes this one through point for a couple.

3.5 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. On a good length on off, Williamson shoulders arms.

3.4 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Another one on a similar line, pushed towards cover this time.

3.3 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Length ball around off, pushed towards point.

3.2 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Jaffa by Curran! Bowls a length ball on the off pole line, Williamson looks to defend off the back foot but does so inside the line. The ball goes past his outside edge. Oohs and Aahs all around.

3.1 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Length ball on off, defended towards the off side.

End of Over : 3 4 Runs NZ: 10/1
2.6 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Wider outside off, easier leave this time.

2.5 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Good judgement? Brave leave? We will let Latham decide. On a length outside off, Tom shoulders arms. The ball comes in a long way and just misses the off stump.

2.4 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Outside off, angling in, let through.

2.3 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Around off, defended from the crease.

2.2 4

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. FOUR! Confidence-boosting shot. Outside off, on a length, Latham just punches it through the covers and the ball races away.

2.1 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Around off, on a length, solidly defended.

End of Over : 2 5 Runs NZ: 6/1
1.6 4

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. FOUR! That is where Williamson collects most of his runs. Add a boundary more to that. Full and outside off, swinging away, Kane gets across, opens the face of the bat and deftly guides it behind backward point!

1.5 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Around off, swinging in, watchfully defended.

1.4 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Outside off, driven straight to short extra cover.

1.3 0

Sam Curran to Kane Williamson. Full and around off, angling away, left alone.

Kane Williamson walks in at number 3 now, replacing Raval.

1.2 W

Sam Curran to Jeet Raval. OUT! LBW! Jeet Raval walks back and Curran strikes in his first over. What a start for England! Curran bowls a length ball just outside off, angling into the batter. Raval looks to defend off the front foot but fails to do so. The ball hits the pads and the England players put in a loud appeal. Umpire Dharmasena raises his finger and the English players are pumped up. Raval goes to Latham to ask whether he should take the review. They opt against it and Raval walks back. First blood to the visitors. Replay come in and show that there is A MASSIVE INSIDE EDGE. How has Raval not picked that up himself, is a big question!

1.1 1

Sam Curran to Tom Latham. On the pads of Latham, he flicks this one towards square leg for a single.

Sam Curran to share the new ball with Broad. Worth a try for 3 overs. If it does not work, get on Chris Woakes or Jofra Archer. Curran had picked up Latham LBW at the Bay Oval.

End of Over : 1 1 Runs NZ: 1/0
0.6 0

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Length ball outside off, left alone by Raval to get through the first over.

0.5 1

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Close call! What are New Zealand doing here? Jeet Raval would have been dismissed without even facing a ball. Good length ball on the pads, Latham works this one towards mid-wicket and sets off for a run. Raval responds but there was no single there. He hesitates but still goes for the run. Crawley gets to the ball and has a shy at the striker's end but misses. Had he hit, Raval was gone for all money. However, he survives and he should be looking to make the most of this life. New Zealand are underway.

0.4 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Good length ball on off, Latham presents the full face of the bat and defends.

Massive disturbance behind the sightscreen.

0.3 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Broad pulls the length a bit behind, Latham pushes it towards mid on.

0.2 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Another fullish ball, this time Latham comes on the front foot and defends.

0.1 0

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Broad starts the innings with a fullish ball outside off. Latham looks to defend but the ball goes off the outer half towards point.

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