| 0.0 : Time to see the Cooks, the Broads, et al in action! Yes, Test cricket. England are in their last leg of their tour of the Oceania continent. The first of the two-match Test series between New Zealand and England is about to commence. Weather permitting, we should have some exciting cricket between two quality sides. This one is a day-night Test, the first in the Kiwis' backyard. Auckland will play host to the same. We extend a warm welcome to you and hope that the rain stays away, letting the ac |
| Glancing at the sides, both look decently balanced ones. Ross Taylor was in a recovery mode leading up to this Test. It will be interesting to see if he is fit enough to take field. Also, Mitchell Santner's place is up for grabs and maybe Todd Astle will slot in there. For England, Ben Stokes has been struggling with his back. The chorus is that he might play just as a batsman. Is that the case? We'll find out shortly at the toss. |
| TOSS - Joe Root calls heads... Tails it is. NEW ZEALAND WILL BOWL FIRST. |
| KANE WILLIAMSON, the Kiwi skipper, states that he wants to make use of the conditions first up. He says that there's been a lot of cricket played by them leading up to this game although with the white ball, so there is sufficient practice for his boys. Adds that they had some practice with the pink ball over the week. Reckons that Ross Taylor is fit and raring to go. Asserts that BJ Watling will bat at 6 and Colin de Grandhomme will slot in at 7. |
| JOE ROOT - Says that they would have batted first anyway and hopes to make use of the daylight conditions with the willow. He confirms that he will bat at no.3 in this game. Reckons them to be lucky to have many options in bowling apart from variety. Asserts that Craig Overton is in the playing XI for them. States that Ben Stokes is getting better and better and he will bat at no.5. He is hopeful of this being a great series. |
| PITCH REPORT - Mark Richardson, out there, first has a word about the weather. He confirms that it is bright and sunny, adds that it is warm at the moment. Observing the pitch, he reckons that Kane Williamson's call to bowl first is a punt. The reason being, Richardson sees some grass on the surface but the cover isn't too much to worry the batters. States that the pitch will have more moisture. Reckons that the behaviour of the Pink ball in the evening session will be keenly watched. Adds that |
| New Zealand (Playing XI): Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson(c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling(wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult |
| England (Playing XI): Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, Joe Root(c), Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow(wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Craig Overton, Stuart Broad, James Anderson |
| We are a few minutes away from the first ball. The teams are in the middle, lining up for their respective anthems. The tourists' anthem plays first. |
| If England will be something first up, it could be the inclusion of Ben Stokes. The all-rounder adds the much-needed balance to their side, something which was majorly missing in the Ashes. At this point it's worthy to remember that he could miss out on bowling in this match. Their openers Alastair Cook and Mark Stoneman make their way out to the middle with the sun shining bright on them. Trent Boult will make the first use of the new pink cherry, with three slips and a gully. |
| 0.1 : T Boult to Cook, Boult steams in from over the wicket and lands it full and outside off. Cook shoulders arms and watches it sail to the keeper. Not much movement there. |
| 0.2 : T Boult to Cook, This is on a length around off, Cook punches it off the back foot towards covers. |
| 0.3 : T Boult to Cook, A hint of movement this time. It lands on a length and comes to Cook around off and middle. Alastair stays on the back foot and pushes it towards mid on. |
| 0.4 : T Boult to Cook, Hurled outside off again, Cook lets it be. |
| 0.5 : T Boult to Cook, First run of the Test series! Cook gets going. Gets this one on the pads, he nudges it through square leg to open the account. |
| 0.6 : T Boult to Stoneman, Stoneman covers his stumps and lets this delivery outside off go to the keeper. Good start for both the teams. |
| Tim Southee, as expected, will partner Boult with the new ball. Again, three slips and a gully are the fielders at catching position. |
| 1.1 : Tim Southee to Cook, Misdirected delivery to begin. This is speared full but down the leg side. Cook fails to tickle it away. Watling behind dives full stretch to his right and gathers that one. |
| 1.2 : Tim Southee to Cook, Over-correction. This is outside off, but well wide. Cook doesn't need to play at those and just lets it be. |
| 1.3 : Tim Southee to Cook, Much better from Southee. Lands it on a length just outside off, the ball nips in after pitching. Cook covers his stumps and lets it go. Good judgement. |
| 1.4 : Tim Southee to Cook, This is defended off the back foot with a straight bat. |
| 1.5 : Tim Southee to Cook, Fuller and outside off, Cook gets it off the inner half back towards the bowler. |
| 1.6 : Tim Southee to A Cook, Full on the pads, Cook looks to flick. Ends up getting an inside edge on the pads. The ball rolls through square leg and a run is possible and taken. Couple from the first two overs for England. |
| 2.1 : T Boult to Cook, Boult steams in and bowls this outside off, too wide for Cook to play at it. |
| 2.2 : T Boult to Cook, Serves this outside off again, Cook chooses to leave it alone. |
| 2.3 : T Boult to Cook, In line of the stumps, Cook gets behind the stumps and blocks it. |
| 2.4 : T Boult to Cook, Back of a length ball, Cook goes slap bats it over mid on. It was in the air for sometime but over the fielder stationed there. He will pick up one for it. |
| 2.5 : T Boult to Stoneman, Around off, Stoneman watchfully defends it. |
| 2.6 : T Boult to Stoneman, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 3.1 : Tim Southee to Cook, Scratchy start for Cook. Southee bowls this around off, Cook gets an inside edge and the ball goes between bat and pad towards square leg for one. |
| 3.2 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Full on middle and leg, Stoneman plays this to mid-wicket. |
| 3.3 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Pitched up on the pads of Stoneman who flicks it to deep square leg for a run. |
| 3.4 : Tim Southee to Cook, Outside off, Cook doesn't flirt with it. |
| 3.5 : Tim Southee to Cook, Alister shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 3.6 : Tim Southee to Cook, Pitched up, Cook pushes this through covers to retain strike for the next over. |
| 4.1 : T Boult to Cook, Darts in a yorker, Cook does well to get his bat down in time and block it. |
| 4.2 : T Boult to Cook, OUT! A change of length from Boult and New Zealand get an early breakthrough. Just the start they were looking for and Boult delivers. Cook was looking shaky from the start itself, not quite finding the middle of the willow. This time Boult serves him the perfect length, around off and makes him play at it. The ball moves away a bit after pitching and Cook feeds at it. He gets a thick outside edge and the ball flies to second slip where Tom Latham gets a simple catch. Cook |
| Joe Root walks in at number 3. |
| 4.3 : T Boult to Root, Welcomes Root by bowling it outside off, Root shoulders arms to it. |
| 4.4 : T Boult to Root, Length outside off, Root leaves it alone. |
| 4.5 : T Boult to Root, In line of the stumps this time, Root blocks it. |
| 4.6 : T Boult to Root, Root defends it from within the crease. |
| 5.1 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, This is bowled full outside off, Mark lets it be. |
| 5.2 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Banged short on the stumps, Stoneman ducks under it to let it go. |
| 5.3 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Defended off the front foot by Stoneman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 5.4 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Pitched up, Stoneman plays that into the ground. |
| 5.5 : Tim Southee to M Stoneman, Drags his length back, Stoneman goes for the pull but mistimes it and gives it back to the bowler. |
| 5.6 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 6.1 : T Boult to Root, Root defends this with a straight bat. |
| 6.2 : T Boult to Root, OUT! Talk about the big two and both are back in the hut without creating damage. Boult is on fire as he gets through the defense of the skipper. Length again, just shapes back just enough and Root who looked to work it on the on side gets an inside edge and brushes his thigh pad before shattering the stumps. A rare duck for the skipper and this his his third duck against the Kiwis. Deciding to bat at number three has not worked for him and will now have to watch the rest o |
| Dawid Malan joins Stoneman. Four slips and a gully for him. |
| 6.3 : T Boult to Malan, Off the mark straight away. Boult bowls this on leg, Malan flicks it away and moves to the other end. |
| 6.4 : T Boult to Stoneman, Stoneman defends this off his back foot. |
| 6.5 : T Boult to Stoneman, FOUR! Overpitched on leg, Stoneman hits it through mid-wicket to the boundary. |
| 6.6 : T Boult to M Stoneman, Around off, Stoneman defends it. |
| 7.1 : Tim Southee to Malan, No run. |
| 7.2 : Tim Southee to Malan, Around off, Malan gets behind the ball and blocks it. |
| 7.3 : Tim Southee to Malan, Drifting away from Malan who flicks it to square leg for nothing. |
| 7.4 : Tim Southee to D Malan, Drags his length back, Malan pulls this front of square for one. |
| 7.5 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, FOUR! Short and wide, Malan cuts this past backward point for a boundary. Good intent shown by Stoneman even after a couple of early set-backs. |
| 7.6 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 8.1 : T Boult to Malan, OUT! Peach! Boult is bowling probing lines and lengths and this wickets is a just reward for the same. He lands this on a length aiming at the off pole. It was around that good length zone. Malan should have come forward to this one but opts to stay back. But the line is such that he HAS to play at it. Does so and only manages a nick. The ball flies nicely to the left of Watling, who takes this with a dive to that side. The Kiwi skipper's decision to bowl first bearing fr |
| 0.0 : Ben Stokes walks in at no. 5 for England. |
| 8.2 : T Boult to Stokes, This is well outside off, Stokes lets it be. |
| 8.3 : T Boult to Stokes, Lovely again. This is full outside off, Stokes looks to play the drive away from the body. The ball just misses the outside edge. |
| 8.4 : T Boult to Stokes, This is well outside off, Ben lets it be. |
| 8.5 : T Boult to Stokes, On a length on the stumps, defended from the crease. |
| 8.6 : T Boult to Stokes, A wicket maiden for Boult as Stokes chooses to leave this delivery outside off. The seamer is making the right noises with the ball here. |
| 9.1 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Shot. Full outside off, driven through covers for a couple. |
| 9.2 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery. |
| 9.3 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Well outside off, Stoneman lets it be. |
| 9.4 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, OUT! England are in a procession here! It is almost a carbon copy of the Malan wicket. This time Southee is the beneficiary. Hurls this around the good length area from round the wicket. Thus, he got the angle that Boult is getting. Now, Mark's feet are stoned to the crease and they refuse to move. He ends up having a tame push at that. What next? The ball takes the outside edge and flies low to Watling's left. He is a pro and takes this one nicely with a dive low |
| Jonny Bairstow is the next man in. England would so dearly hope that he carries his ODI form here. They desperately need someone to be in the middle and spend some time, apart from accumulating some runs. |
| 9.5 : Tim Southee to Bairstow, Full and down the leg side, Jonny misses the flick. |
| 9.6 : Tim Southee to Bairstow, This delivery is blocked from the crease with a straight bat. |
| 10.1 : T Boult to Stokes, On a length on off, defended with a straight bat. |
| 10.2 : T Boult to Stokes, Fuller this time, pushed off the front foot to the off side. |
| 10.3 : T Boult to Stokes, OUT! CASTLED! Boult has his tails up at the Eden Park. He lands it on a length on off. Stokes does the cardinal sin of playing across the line. Misses the ball as he closes his bat face early and the next scene is that of the ball knocking the stumps. England would have pinned their hopes on him and now the big Ben walks back. Ahhh, another look shows how good the delivery was. It started from outside off and moved in sharply, something which Stokes failed to anticipate |
| Moeen Ali is the next batter in. Among his worst dreams last night would have been this, perhaps. Walking in with his side reeling at 18/5. |
| 10.4 : T Boult to Ali, Well outside off, Ali shoulders arms to it. |
| 10.5 : T Boult to Ali, Easy leave for Moeen this. This is hurled well outside off again. |
| 10.6 : Boult to Ali, Excellent delivery to end the over. A yorker on off, Ali digs it out well. |
| 11.1 : Tim Southee to Bairstow, Full on off, driven to the man at mid off. |
| 11.2 : Southee to Bairstow, OUT! Tim Southee, you little beauty! What a catch that is! He pitches this right up to Bairstow, inviting the drive. The Englishman is unable to resist the temptation. Plays that loose drive straight back. Now comes the best part of this scalp. It goes back to Southee, who, in his followthrough, gets low quickly and snaffles it to his left and then tumbles. Caught and bowleds are never easy, more so for a pacer. England's problems mount. |
| Chris Woakes makes his way out to the middle, replacing Bairstow. Wonder if he would have been padded up and ready. |
| 11.3 : Tim Southee to Woakes, Full on middle and leg, flicked straight to square leg. |
| 11.4 : Tim Southee to Woakes, Full outside off, driven nicely through covers for a couple to get going. For his side though, only this 'gets going' wouldn't be sufficient. |
| 11.5 : Tim Southee to Woakes, Worked away towards fine leg for a single. |
| 11.6 : Tim Southee to Ali, On a length on the stumps, defended from the crease. |
| 12.1 : T Boult to Woakes, This is too wide for Woakes to make any contact with that. |
| 12.2 : T Boult to Woakes, Another one well outside off, Woakes lets it be. |
| 12.3 : T Boult to Woakes, First runs off Boult's bowling after consecutive wicket-maidens. This is flicked away through wide mid on for a couple. |
| 12.4 : T Boult to Woakes, Full and outside off, Chris lets it go through to the keeper. |
| 12.5 : T Boult to Woakes, On a length and moving in a touch, Woakes fails to get any bat to that and wears it high on the thigh pad. |
| 12.6 : T Boult to Woakes, OUT! FIVE-FER FOR TRENT BOULT, his 6th in Tests! This bowled full around off, it swings in viciously. Woakes is a good enough batsman, we know. But this delivery is too good even for him. He looks to push it down the ground but fails to counter the inward movement. Misses and his stumps are shattered, along with England's hopes. One way traffic at the Eden Park as only bowlers seem to be present here. |
| Craig Overton is the next man in. |
| 13.1 : Tim Southee to Ali, On a length angling away, Ali fends at it but misses. |
| 13.2 : Tim Southee to Ali, Hurled on the stumps, turned away to mid-wicket. |
| 13.3 : Tim Southee to Ali, Full outside off, left alone by Moeen. |
| 13.4 : Southee to M Ali, OUT! Familiar sight yet again! Ali had a torrid time in the Ashes and here again, he hasn't begun well. Southee spears this full on off. Had Ali made contact with that, he could have taken it on the full. Misses the ball completely as his bat was moving towards off while the ball curls back in to disturb the woodwork. Fourth clean bowled in this England innings. Will they get to a quarter of a century, wonders our scoring colleague here. |
| Stuart Broad makes his way to the middle at no. 10. |
| 13.5 : Tim Southee to Broad, Lovely! Almost another one. Full delivery moving away from Broad. He has a feel for that but misses. |
| 13.6 : Tim Southee to Broad, This one is defended off the back foot. A wicket-maiden for Southee now. You can well find the usage of this term in this innings so far. |
| 14.1 : T Boult to Overton, Angling away on a length, Overton has a feel for that but misses. |
| 14.2 : T Boult to Overton, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 14.3 : T Boult to Overton, This ball is hit to the man at covers. |
| 14.4 : T Boult to Overton, Banged short on the stumps, ducked under by Craig. |
| 14.5 : T Boult to Overton, FOUR! A boundary! That could be the cheering part for England as this is just the third one. This is full and outside off, Overton square drives this and accumulates some runs. |
| 14.6 : T Boult to Overton, Again beaten! Length ball moving away, Overton fishes at it but gets beaten on the outside. Finally an over passes without a wicket falling in it. Consolation for England? |
| 15.1 : Tim Southee to Broad, Full on off, driven off the inner half back towards the bowler. |
| 15.2 : Tim Southee to Broad, Full again, Broad is hanging on the back foot and gets it off the outer half towards gully. |
| 15.3 : Tim Southee to Broad, This one angles away from Stuart. He looks to push at that and gets beaten again. |
| 15.4 : Tim Southee to Broad, OUT! SCREAMER! Kane Williamson, you bird-ly human! Southee bowls this full again, Broad has his feet glued inside the crease. In the second delivery of the over, he got it off the outer half towards gully, but safely. Here, he has to walk back. He looks to drive from the crease and gets a thick outside edge. The ball flies towards gully, almost past the fielder there. But Williamson dives full stretch and plucks it with his left hand. He is on the ground for a while |
| James Anderson is the last man in. How long can he delay the inevitable? |
| 15.5 : Tim Southee to Anderson, Full outside off, Anderson has a slash at that but misses. |
| 15.6 : Tim Southee to Anderson, This ball is defended from the crease. Another wicket-maiden, consecutive ones for Southee this time. |
| 16.1 : T Boult to Overton, That ball has struck the batsman on the thigh-pad. |
| 16.2 : T Boult to Overton, EDGED AND FOUR! Length ball slanting away from Overton. He slashes hard at it. The ball takes the thick outside edge and flies past the slip cordon for a boundary. |
| 16.3 : T Boult to Overton, Overton drives this one through covers for a couple. |
| 16.4 : T Boult to Overton, Hurled outside off, pushed through the point region for another couple. |
| 16.5 : T Boult to C Overton, Full and straight on middle and leg, flicked away towards mid on. |
| 16.6 : T Boult to Overton, FOUR! Authoritative! Back of a length delivery on the stumps, Overton transfers his weight on the back foot and thrashes this through mid-wicket for a boundary. 12 runs off this one, easily the most expensive over in the innings. |
| 17.1 : Tim Southee to Anderson, This is very wide outside off on a fuller length, Jimmy lets it be. |
| 17.2 : Tim Southee to Anderson, Full on middle and leg, clipped away through mid-wicket for one. |
| 17.3 : Tim Southee to Overton, Full on off, driven back towards the bowler. It hits Southee on the stomach. Overton shows a thumbs up in response, checking if his opponent is alright. |
| 17.4 : Tim Southee to Overton, Full outside off, Overton looks to play the drive away from the body but misses. |
| 17.5 : Tim Southee to Overton, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| Neil Wagner is seen warming up. Would you be changing your bowler at this stage? |
| 17.6 : Tim Southee to Overton, FOUR! Full on the stumps, Overton clears his front leg and smashes it over the bowler's head for a boundary. |
| 18.1 : T Boult to Anderson, That ball has struck the batsman on the thigh-pad. The batsmen have run through for a single. The umpire signals leg bye. |
| 18.2 : T Boult to Overton, Overton blocks this one off the front foot. |
| 18.3 : T Boult to C Overton, SIX! KABOOM! Short in length, Overton gives it his all and banishes it over deep mid-wicket for half a dozen. |
| 18.4 : T Boult to Overton, Now Craig rotates strike by playing it towards mid-wicket. |
| 18.5 : T Boult to Anderson, This one is defended off the back foot. |
| 18.6 : T Boult to Anderson, Full and going down leg, Anderson misses the flick. The ball goes off the pads towards the keeper. |
| 19.1 : Tim Southee to Overton, On a length outside off, Overton mistimes his punch off the back foot. |
| 19.2 : Tim Southee to Overton, This delivery is blocked off the back foot to the off side. |
| 19.3 : Tim Southee to Overton, FOUR! Nice. Short in length, pulled away through backward square leg for a boundary. Overton is having fun. |
| 19.4 : Tim Southee to Overton, Short again, Craig misses his attempted pull. |
| 19.5 : Tim Southee to Overton, This one is guided through point. Wagner chases it down and manages to cut it off just before the ropes. But his momentum is taking him away beyond the ropes. He manages to release the ball before going beyond. A couple results. |
| 19.6 : Tim Southee to Overton, The batsman does well to leave that bouncer. |
| 20.1 : T Boult to Anderson, On a length outside off, Anderson feels for it but gets beaten. |
| 20.2 : T Boult to J Anderson, Edged! Anderson plays with soft hands and gets it off the outside edge towards the slip cordon. |
| 20.3 : T Boult to Anderson, This is around off, defended from the crease. |
| 20.4 : Boult to Anderson, OUT! Thanks for coming! Trent Boult picks up a 6-fer, to rightly, end the tourists' innings. Short in length outside off, Anderson has his weight on the back foot and looks to guide it over point. Fails to get the elevation and he ends up playing it towards the man there. Nicholls has to just leap a bit and grab that. 58 ALL OUT, ENGLAND! |
| Wow! What a start to this Test series! When a side's scorecard shows that it is bowled out for 58, there is hardly to write much about that team's batting. Clueless? Careless? Unfortunate? That's for you to choose. New Zealand's new-ball pair of Trent Boult and Tim Southee set about with their task in right earnest. Their lines and lengths were impeccable and the visitors were left gasping. |
| Both of them didn't have much alarming movements. The likes of Alastair Cook, Dawid Malan and Mark Stoneman fell prey for being tentative with their footwork. Joe Root and Chris Woakes got deliveries of top class, while Jonny Bairstow perished to a combination of a loose drive and a Southee brilliance. Boult's 6-wicket haul meant that England are well on the back foot, with still the first session of the series to be finished. |
| The session has been closed earlier than usual. We have the tea break now, post which, the Kiwi opening batters will make their way out to the middle. Can England do anything close to what their New Zealand counterparts did? Join us shortly to find out. |
| 0.1 : J Anderson to Raval, Risky run first up! This is on a fullish length around off, Raval taps it towards covers and sets off. Latham responds. The fielder from covers gets to the ball and fires an underarm throw at the striker's end but misses even as Latham was diving to make it in. Could have been catastrophic, had he hit. Raval and New Zealand are underway. |
| 0.2 : J Anderson to Latham, Bowls this outside off, Latham points his bat skywards and leaves it alone. |
| 0.3 : J Anderson to Latham, The ball is down the leg side but Latham still goes after it and misses his flick. |
| 0.4 : J Anderson to Latham, Length in line of the stumps, Latham blocks it. |
| 0.5 : J Anderson to Latham, Length around off, Tom Blocks this covering his stumps. |
| 0.6 : J Anderson to Latham, Latham shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| Stuart Broad will bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : S Broad to Raval, Broad starts by bowling one on the pads, Raval flicks it to square leg. |
| 1.2 : S Broad to Raval, On the pads again, this time Raval flicks it in the gap and will get one. |
| 1.3 : S Broad to Latham, On middle and leg, Latham plays this towards mid-wicket. |
| 1.4 : S Broad to Latham, Strange line from Broad, All of his four balls have been on that leg stump line. Latham, works this to the square leg fielder. |
| 1.5 : S Broad to Latham, Fuller in length, Tom eases this through mid-wicket and moves to the other end. |
| 1.6 : S Broad to Raval, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 2.1 : J Anderson to Latham, Length, around off, Latham is solid in his defense. |
| 2.2 : J Anderson to Latham, On that fourth stump line, a good leave by Tom. |
| 2.3 : J Anderson to Latham, Outside off, Latham tries to guide this past the cordon but gives it on the bounce to the third slip fielder. |
| 2.4 : J Anderson to Latham, Jaffa! Length, forces Latham to play at it and just passes his outside edge. |
| 2.5 : J Anderson to Latham, Around off, Tom shoulders arms to this one. |
| 2.6 : J Anderson to Latham, Latham defends this on his back foot. |
| 3.1 : S Broad to Raval, Raval let's this ball go to the keeper. |
| 3.2 : S Broad to Raval, Better from Broad in this over. Bowling on that off pole and making the batsman think. Around off again, Raval watches it go through. |
| 3.3 : S Broad to Raval, Beaten! That almost got the outside edge. Broad serves this around off, Raval tries poking at it but misses. |
| 3.4 : S Broad to J Raval, DROPPED! This time Broad gets the outside edge but Malan has put it down. Darts this on leg, the ball angles away from Raval who tries to flick it. He gets a thick edge to it and flies towards the slip cordon. Root, at second slip didn't commit to it as he seen a dicing Malan from third slip. Malan doesn't get his hand to it and the ball pops out of Joe's hand. The cricket between England and New Zealand continues. |
| 3.5 : S Broad to J Raval, Pitched up, Raval hits it to mid on. |
| 3.6 : S Broad to J Raval, Length around off, Raval gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 4.1 : J Anderson to Tom Latham, FOUR. |
| 4.2 : J Anderson to Latham, Full on middle, Latham drives it to mid off. |
| 4.3 : J Anderson to Latham, Latham defends it from within the crease. |
| 4.4 : J Anderson to Latham, Length ball on off, Tom gets behind it and sees it off. |
| 4.5 : J Anderson to Latham, On middle and leg, Latham gets an inside edge onto his pads trying to flick it away. |
| 4.6 : J Anderson to Latham, Defended off the front foot by Latham presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 5.1 : S Broad to Raval, Around off, Raval watchfully defends this. |
| 5.2 : S Broad to Raval, Pitched up, Raval drives this to mid off. |
| 5.3 : S Broad to Raval, Around off, Raval looks to flirt at it but gets beaten. |
| 5.4 : S Broad to Raval, Jeet chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 5.5 : S Broad to Raval, In line of the stumps, Raval defends this with a straight bat. |
| 5.6 : S Broad to Raval, Serves this on middle and leg, Raval hits this for the mid-wicket fielder to collect. |
| 6.1 : J Anderson to Latham, Outside off, left alone. |
| 6.2 : J Anderson to Latham, Latham taps this beside the bowler and decides to take a quick run. Raval rightly sends him back. |
| 6.3 : J Anderson to Latham, Fifth stump line, Latham doesn't bother playing at it. |
| 6.4 : J Anderson to Latham, Back of a length ball, Latham rocks back and plays it with soft hands. |
| 6.5 : J Anderson to Latham, Tom lets this ball go outside this off pole. |
| 6.6 : J Anderson to Latham, Outside off, Tom cuts it to point. |
| 7.1 : S Broad to Raval, New Zealand are happy to let the balls go outside their off stump, unlike England. Raval leaves this one too, outside off. |
| 7.2 : S Broad to Raval, Not this time! Back of a length ball around off, Jeet looks to poke at it and gets beaten. |
| 7.3 : S Broad to Raval, On middle, Raval gets behind the ball this time and taps it in front of him. |
| 7.4 : S Broad to Raval, Back of a length ball, Jeet is tentative and the ball almost kisses his outside edge. |
| 7.5 : S Broad to Raval, Good running. Back of a length delivery, Raval taps this towards covers and quickly gets to the other end. |
| 7.6 : S Broad to Latham, Latham flicks this ball off his pads. |
| 8.1 : J Anderson to Raval, Raval has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 8.2 : J Anderson to Raval, OUT! Raval has to depart. The dropped catch doesn't haunt the English much. Anderson strikes to the delight of his teammates. Back of a length ball on middle and leg, Raval tries to defend it from the crease but gets an healthy edge on it. The ball goes towards the keeper and Bairstow takes the easiest of catches. They start their celebrations and up goes the umpire's finger. |
| The skipper, Kane Williamson walks in next. |
| 8.3 : J Anderson to Williamson, Williamson gets behind the ball and watchfully defends it. |
| 8.4 : J Anderson to Williamson, Kane shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 8.5 : J Anderson to Williamson, In line of the stumps, Williamson blocks it with a straight bat. |
| 8.6 : J Anderson to Williamson, Ends the over by letting the ball go outside his off stump. Wicket-maiden for Anderson. |
| 9.1 : S Broad to Latham, Around off, Latham defends this. |
| 9.2 : S Broad to Latham, Back of a length ball, Latham looks to tuck it around the corner but the ball hits him on the thigh pad. |
| 9.3 : S Broad to Latham, Outside off, left alone. |
| 9.4 : S Broad to Latham, Played with soft hands to the off side and gets to the other end. |
| 9.5 : S Broad to Williamson, Outside off, Kane plays and misses. |
| 9.6 : S Broad to Williamson, In line of the stumps, Kane covers his stumps and defends it. |
| 10.1 : J Anderson to Latham, Outside off, Latham lets the keeper collect it. |
| 10.2 : J Anderson to Latham, The ball has taken the inside edge of Latham and thudded into his pads. |
| 10.3 : J Anderson to Latham, FOUR! Overpitched and Latham quickly gets bat to it and eases it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 10.4 : J Anderson to Tom Latham, FOUR! Even better this time! Full of authority. Anderson pitches it up again, Latham drives it superbly through covers for a back-to-back boundaries. |
| 10.5 : J Anderson to Latham, Tom lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 10.6 : J Anderson to Latham, Length on middle, Latham blocks it. |
| 11.1 : S Broad to Williamson, On middle, Kane plays this along the turf. |
| 11.2 : S Broad to Williamson, Around off, Williamson opens the bat face and plays it along the turf. |
| 11.3 : S Broad to Williamson, Defended off the back foot by KW. |
| 11.4 : S Broad to Williamson, Kane gets forward and taps it on off. |
| 11.5 : S Broad to Williamson, Williamson shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 11.6 : S Broad to Williamson, FOUR! Perfect cover drive from the skipper. Pitched up around off, Kane leans forward and crisply drives it past the cover fielder for a boundary. |
| Craig Overton is brought into the attack. |
| 12.1 : C Overton to Latham, Back of a length ball, Latham has been struck on his thigh pad as he misses his flick. |
| 12.2 : C Overton to Latham, Outside off, Latham goes after this it but misses his cut. |
| 12.3 : C Overton to Latham, Back of a length ball, Latham hops and blocks it. |
| 12.4 : C Overton to Latham, Latham defends this off his front foot. |
| 12.5 : C Overton to Latham, Tom lets this ball go outside his off stump. |
| 12.6 : C Overton to Latham, Back of a length ball, Latham defends this off his back foot. |
| Chris Woakes is introduced to the bowling crease. |
| 13.1 : C Woakes to Williamson, Around off on a back of a length, Williamson does well to defend it. |
| 13.2 : C Woakes to Williamson, Outside off, Kane reaches for it and guides this to the short third man fielder. |
| 13.3 : C Woakes to Williamson, Length in line of the stumps, Williamson plays it to mid off along the turf. |
| 13.4 : C Woakes to Williamson, Outside off, Williamson lets Jonny take this. |
| 13.5 : C Woakes to Williamson, Too wide for Kane to play at it. |
| 13.6 : C Woakes to Williamson, Outside off, Williamson leaves it alone. |
| 14.1 : C Overton to Tom Latham, Pitched up, Latham leans and drives this for the mid off fielder to collect. |
| 14.2 : C Overton to Latham, Drags his length back, Latham ducks under it. |
| 14.3 : C Overton to Latham, Around off, Tom shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 14.4 : C Overton to Latham, Outside that off pole, Latham gets behind it and plays it to mid off. |
| 14.5 : C Overton to Latham, Back of a length, Latham rocks back and punches it on the off for nothing. |
| 14.6 : C Overton to Latham, Back-to-back maidens for Overton. Latham leaves this ball outside the off stump. |
| 15.1 : C Woakes to Williamson, Kane shows the full face of the bat and blocks this. |
| 15.2 : C Woakes to Williamson, Outside off, Kane leaves it alone. |
| 15.3 : C Woakes to Williamson, Watchful batting from the Kiwis as the skipper defends this one too. |
| 15.4 : C Woakes to Williamson, Kane plants his foot and plays this on the ground. |
| 15.5 : Woakes to Williamson, Stifled appeal from the players but height and even down the leg perhaps. Back of a length ball, hurried onto Williamson and hits him high on the knee roll. Woakes appeals but doesn't get enough support from his players. |
| 15.6 : C Woakes to Williamson, Slightly fuller in length, Williamson gets low and blocks it. Four maidens on the trot now. |
| 16.1 : C Overton to Latham, Back of a length ball, Latham defends this off his back foot. |
| 16.2 : C Overton to Tom Latham, That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads of Tom. |
| 16.3 : C Overton to Latham, Outside off, Latham looks to put bat on ball but fails. |
| 16.4 : C Overton to Latham, Latham blocks this with a straight bat. |
| 16.5 : C Overton to Latham, Shortish length delivery, Latham defends it off his back foot. |
| 16.6 : C Overton to Latham, Five maidens in a row now. New Zealand already making England work hard. Length on middle, Latham whips this to the square leg fielder. |
| 17.1 : C Woakes to Williamson, 1 run. |
| 17.2 : C Woakes to Latham, Outside off now, Latham lets it be. |
| 17.3 : C Woakes to Latham, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 17.4 : C Woakes to Latham, Latham gets behind the ball and defends it. |
| 17.5 : C Woakes to Latham, Pitched up, Latham drives this towards mid off for a dot. |
| 17.6 : C Woakes to Latham, Back of a length, Tom tucks it away to the leg for one. |
| 18.1 : C Overton to Latham, Defended off the back foot by Latham. |
| 18.2 : C Overton to Latham, Back of a length ball, Latham shuffles in his crease and works it to deep square leg for one. |
| 18.3 : C Overton to Williamson, Easily done by Williamson, back of a length again, Kane gets behind the ball and works it to square leg for a couple. |
| 18.4 : C Overton to Williamson, Length around off, Williamson taps it on the off side. |
| 18.5 : C Overton to Williamson, On the pads this time, Kane works it towards square leg and picks up a run. |
| 18.6 : C Overton to Latham, Latham punches the ball on the offside for a dot. |
| Drinks have been taken. New Zealand after losing an early wicket, are being patient and not playing too many attacking strokes. |
| 19.1 : C Woakes to Williamson, On a length around off and middle, Williamson fails to tuck it away and wears it high on the thigh pad. |
| 19.2 : C Woakes to Williamson, Nicely done. On a length outside off, Kane hangs back, hops a touch and punches it through backward point. Gets three for the effort. |
| 19.3 : C Woakes to Latham, Hurled outside off, left alone. |
| Huge appeal for LBW against Tom Latham. England haven't got the umpire's nod. They have a quick chat and take it upstairs. Looks to be pitching outside edge on the first look... |
| 19.4 : Woakes to Latham, NOT OUT! England lose a review and Tom Latham survives. Full on the pads, Latham misses the flick and the ball goes off the pads to the off side. England appeal big time and aren't happy about not getting the nod. They have a small chat and opt for DRS. There is no inside edge and when the Ball Tracker comes into play, it is seen that the ball pitches outside leg. |
| 19.5 : C Woakes to Latham, Full on off, defended off the front foot. |
| 19.6 : C Woakes to Latham, Length ball around off, blocked from the crease. |
| The bearded Moeen Ali is brought into the attack. He didn't have the best of times with the ball in the Ashes. Will he do well here? |
| 20.1 : M Ali to Williamson, Ali begins with a quicker flatter ball on the stumps, Williamson goes back and works it away to the on side. |
| 20.2 : M Ali to Williamson, Floated up around middle, Kane comes down the track and blocks. |
| 20.3 : M Ali to Williamson, Fuller on the stumps, hit back towards the bowler. |
| 20.4 : M Ali to Williamson, SIX! Wow, that came out of nowhere! Tossed up delivery around off, Williamson gets down the track in a flash. Makes nice contact as he hits this one high over long on for half a dozen. |
| 20.5 : M Ali to Williamson, Quicker on the stumps, kept out with a forward defense. |
| 20.6 : M Ali to Williamson, FOUR! Lovely, lovely stroke! Flighted delivery yet again, Williamson decides to put his dancing shoes on again. Gets to the pitch of the ball and hits it straight over the bowler's head for a boundary. Safest spot, 10 runs off the over. |
| 21.1 : C Woakes to Latham, Fuller ball angling away, Latham gets forward and blocks. |
| 21.2 : C Woakes to Latham, Full on the stumps, defended with a lunge. |
| 21.3 : C Woakes to Latham, Full outside off, left alone. |
| 21.4 : C Woakes to Latham, Nice shot. Seeing the full ball, Tom gets forward and pushes it through covers for a single. |
| 21.5 : C Woakes to Williamson, Another appeal! My colleagues here spot the inside edge but perhaps Woakes doesn't. He delivers this on a length, Williamson looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. A prolonged appeal from Chris is turned down. Replay shows why. |
| 21.6 : C Woakes to Williamson, Outside off, pushed towards gully for one. |
| Long on in place, a bit wider. Also a silly mid on is positioned. |
| 22.1 : M Ali to Williamson, Floated around off, defended off the front foot to the off side. |
| 22.2 : M Ali to Williamson, Flatter on off, punched towards covers. There was a slight confusion as Kane started running but both of them were ball-watching. In the end, the run is denied at the right time. |
| 22.3 : M Ali to Williamson, Floated on the pads worked away round the corner for nothing. |
| 22.4 : M Ali to Williamson, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. |
| 22.5 : M Ali to Williamson, Tossed up outside off, Kane prods forward in defense. |
| 22.6 : M Ali to Williamson, FOUR! Deft and clever. Served in line of the stumps, Williamson plays the paddle just past the left of the keeper. The ball has enough to run away to the fence behind. |
| 23.1 : C Woakes to Latham, Full on off, driven to mid off. |
| 23.2 : C Woakes to Latham, Bouncer on the stumps, Latham ducks under it. |
| 23.3 : C Woakes to Latham, Full outside off, Latham lets it be. |
| 23.4 : C Woakes to Latham, On a length down the leg side, Tom has a go but misses. |
| 23.5 : C Woakes to Latham, Full on the stumps, defended with a straight bat back towards the bowler. |
| 23.6 : C Woakes to Latham, On a length around off, defended down the ground for nothing. A harmless maiden from Woakes. |
| Stuart Broad is brought back for another spell. In terms of success, New Zealand will have ticked yet another box as they have attacked Ali to force him out of the attack. |
| 24.1 : S Broad to Williamson, On a length around off, punched off the back foot towards covers. |
| 24.2 : S Broad to Williamson, FOUR! BEAUTIFUL. Slightly overpitched outside off, Williamson gets his stride out and takes out the cover drive. The placement and the timing is enough to take it to the fence. This also brings up the 50 runs for the Kiwis. |
| 24.3 : S Broad to Williamson, On a length outside off, Kane lets it go. |
| 24.4 : S Broad to Williamson, Punched off the back foot towards covers. |
| 24.5 : S Broad to Williamson, Full outside off, defended off the front foot back towards the bowler. |
| 24.6 : S Broad to Williamson, This delivery is defended towards point for nothing. |
| A quick change of gloves for Kane Williamson. He also has a quick sip. |
| Meanwhile, Moeen Ali gets a change of ends. Will that change his fortunes? |
| 25.1 : M Ali to Latham, Floated outside off, pushed towards covers for nothing. |
| 25.2 : M Ali to Latham, Slight confusion yet again! Tossed up delivery around off and middle, Latham gets low and sweeps it past short leg. He quickly comes down in search of a run, without having a look at his partner. Realises his folly and makes it back on time. |
| 25.3 : M Ali to Latham, Latham lunges and blocks it off the front foot. |
| 25.4 : M Ali to Latham, Nicely flighted, Tom pushes it towards mid on. |
| 25.5 : M Ali to Latham, Flighted ball on the stumps, Latham gets down the track and whips it away through mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 25.6 : M Ali to Latham, This one is stonewalled with a straight bat face. |
| 26.1 : S Broad to Williamson, Angling in on a length, Williamson gets inside the line and flicks it away through square leg for a couple. The trail gets down to 4 now. |
| 26.2 : S Broad to Williamson, On the pads, clipped to mid-wicket. |
| 26.3 : S Broad to Williamson, Full outside off, pushed defensively towards covers. |
| 26.4 : S Broad to Williamson, Full outside off, Kane lets it come to the bat before giving it direction towards point. |
| 26.5 : S Broad to Williamson, Full on the stumps, driven back down the ground. Mid on intercepts it. |
| Nice point. Simon Doull on air analyses Stuart Broad's action. He observes that as he releases the ball, his head and hence his body falls away to the other side. What it also does, is the fingers are on the side of the ball then and not on the middle. This, according to Doull, makes Broad lose his zip. |
| 26.6 : S Broad to Williamson, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 27.1 : M Ali to Latham, Flatter outside off, Tom goes back and slaps it towards covers. |
| 27.2 : M Ali to Latham, Floated up around off, defended with a lunge. |
| 27.3 : M Ali to Latham, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 27.4 : M Ali to Latham, Quicker on the stumps, Tom blocks. |
| 27.5 : M Ali to Latham, Served on the stumps, Tom gets down the track but finds mid on with the flick. |
| 27.6 : M Ali to Latham, Latham gets his front foot ahead and defends this one with the full face. A maiden for Ali now. |
| James Anderson is brought back for another spell. |
| 28.1 : J Anderson to Williamson, Full and outside off, Williamson defends this one with a lunge. The ball goes off the outer edge towards gully. |
| 28.2 : J Anderson to Williamson, Punched off the back foot to the off side. |
| 28.3 : J Anderson to Williamson, Hurled on a length outside off, Kane hops a touch and pushes it towards covers for nothing. |
| 28.4 : J Anderson to Williamson, Outside off on a fuller length, hit towards mid off. |
| 28.5 : J Anderson to Williamson, Defended with the full face of the bat from the crease. |
| 28.6 : J Anderson to Williamson, On a length, whipped away towards mid-wicket. A maiden to begin this spell for Jimmy. |
| 29.1 : M Ali to Latham, Floated on the stumps, defended with a lunge forward. |
| 0.0 : A leg slip in place now. |
| 29.2 : M Ali to Latham, Tossed up on middle, Tom slinks down the track and keeps it out. |
| 29.3 : M Ali to Tom Latham, Flatter and quicker outside off, Latham goes back and cuts it past backward point for a brace. |
| 29.4 : M Ali to Latham, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 29.5 : M Ali to Latham, Pushed towards mid on for a single. |
| 29.6 : M Ali to Williamson, SCORES LEVEL! Ali floats it from round the stumps, Williamson wrists it towards wide mid on for a single. It also raises the 50-run stand between him and Latham. Nice hand from the skipper here. |
| 30.1 : J Anderson to Williamson, FOUR! Wow! Glorious! This is hurled outside off on a length, Williamson hops a bit and punches it to the off side. Finds the gap between mid on and covers and gets a boundary. |
| 30.2 : J Anderson to Williamson, Full on length, driven down the ground for nothing. |
| 30.3 : J Anderson to Williamson, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. |
| 30.4 : J Anderson to Williamson, FOUR! This one is even better. Overpitched outside off, Kane gets a stride out and unfurls yet another lovely cover drive. Beats the man diving at that position and he moves on to 41 with the boundary. |
| 30.5 : J Anderson to Williamson, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 30.6 : J Anderson to Williamson, On a length outside off, Kane jumps and pushes it towards the bowler. |
| 31.1 : M Ali to Latham, Tossed up on the stumps, Tom lunges and blocks. |
| 31.2 : M Ali to Latham, Latham gets down the track but defends this one. |
| 31.3 : M Ali to Latham, Flatter on the pads, worked away round the corner for one. |
| 31.4 : M Ali to Williamson, Floated on the stumps, defended with a prod. |
| 31.5 : M Ali to Williamson, Served on the stumps, blocked from the crease. |
| 31.6 : M Ali to Williamson, Slower through the air, defended off the front foot by KW. |
| Another spell for Craig Overton now. |
| 32.1 : C Overton to Latham, Hurled on a length, punched off the back foot towards covers. |
| 32.2 : C Overton to Latham, Outside off on a fuller length, Latham doesn't bother playing at that. |
| 32.3 : C Overton to Latham, Outside off, defended off the back foot. |
| 32.4 : C Overton to Latham, Punched off the back foot towards the man at covers. |
| Issue with the ball. England have taken it to the umpire. He checks it with the help of the 8-shaped gauge and deems it fit to continue. |
| 32.5 : C Overton to Tom Latham, Short in length, pulled away through square leg for one. |
| 32.6 : C Overton to Williamson, FOUR! Williamson is going from strength to strength. This is on a back of a length outside off, Williamson hops a touch and slaps it past backward point for a boundary. He is 5 shy of his personal fifty, even as New Zealand are 14 ahead now. |
| 33.1 : M Ali to Latham, Tossed up around off, defended with a lunge. |
| 33.2 : M Ali to Latham, Latham turns this one towards wide mid on for a single. |
| 33.3 : M Ali to Williamson, Now Williamson gets forward and wrists it towards mid on for a single. The stand moves to 66. |
| 33.4 : M Ali to Latham, Flighted ball on the stumps, defended by coming down the track. |
| 33.5 : M Ali to Latham, Quicker outside off, pushed towards covers. |
| 33.6 : M Ali to Latham, Tom goes back to this one and finds the cover fielder with the push. |
| 34.1 : C Overton to Williamson, Delivered on a length outside off, Kane goes back and glides it towards point. |
| 34.2 : C Overton to Williamson, This one is pushed towards covers from the crease. |
| 34.3 : C Overton to Williamson, Full and angling in, flicked straight to mid-wicket. |
| 34.4 : C Overton to Williamson, FOUR! 27th Test fifty for Kane Williamson! Not the best way to get there but he'll take it nonetheless. This is full around off, Williamson looks to push it down the ground. But the ball takes the outside edge and flies past second slip. Wasn't too far from the man. It then goes away to the fence behind. This is a really good hand from the skipper, leading from the front. New Zealand's lead at this juncture is 20, while the partnership is worth 70. |
| 34.5 : C Overton to Williamson, This ball is defended off the back foot towards the bowler. |
| 34.6 : C Overton to Williamson, On the pads, nudged away to fine leg for one. |
| 35.1 : M Ali to Williamson, Floated outside off, it spins in a touch. Kane goes back and slaps it towards point. |
| 35.2 : M Ali to Williamson, This one is defended off the front foot with a prod. |
| 35.3 : M Ali to Williamson, Williamson gets down the track to this one, somehow pushes this one through covers. Gets a brace as a result. |
| 35.4 : M Ali to Williamson, Once again Kane comes down the track but this time just bunts it. |
| 35.5 : M Ali to Williamson, Around off, lunged and blocked. |
| 35.6 : M Ali to Williamson, Flatter on the stumps, KW gets behind it and blocks. |
| A longish discussion ensues between Overton and Root. A short leg in place now. |
| 36.1 : C Overton to Latham, On a length around off, Latham pushes it towards cover-point for a single. |
| 0.0 : England have taken the ball yet again to the umpire. This time the rings aren't used to check it. |
| 36.2 : C Overton to Williamson, Full on off, driven back to the bowler. |
| 36.3 : C Overton to Williamson, Full and angling in around middle and leg, Kane is too good to miss out. He flicks it through mid-wicket and before deep square leg gets around to mop it up, a couple is taken. |
| 36.4 : C Overton to Williamson, FOUR! Impeccable. Such shots in the spot make you realize that batting is an art as much as it is a skill. This is pitched right up to the batsman, Williamson just push-drives it down the ground. Mid off puts a futile dive to his right and a boundary results. The lead is now worth 30. |
| 36.5 : C Overton to Williamson, Overton bends his back and bangs it short on the stumps, Williamson watches it and crouches low to let it pass. |
| 36.6 : C Overton to Williamson, On a length on the pads, worked away round the corner for nothing. With that, it's time for players to have SUPPER! |
| What a session it has been for the hosts! They are slowly and steadily moving ahead in this first day's play. After being dropped early in his innings, Raval didn't haunt England as he fell to Anderson for just 3. The hosts then played with caution post that and were happy to see what the pitch has to offer. They didn't try and go after every ball outside off and were more than satisfied to play textbook Test cricket. |
| Post drinks, Williamson and Latham didn't allow Moeen Ali to settle down and hit him for few runs. The duo then became more confident and it stroked its way to a fifty-run partnership which ensured that they get a lead, which now stands at 30. Skipper, Kane Williamson made a watchful half-century and is looking good for more. England didn't bowl that bad but just couldn't get more than a wicket. |
| It will be interesting to see what their plans are post dinner. The reason being that lights will be on and Anderson and Broad might just get the ball to talk. They will look to get these two out as quickly as possible and then run through the New Zealand menu. An interesting session awaits us. Join us then. |
| ... Day 1, Session 3 ... |
| The players are done with their dinner and come out once more. Kane Williamson and Tom Latham will look to continue to pile on the runs while Stuart Broad will bowl the first over of this session. Three slips and a gully in place. |
| 37.1 : S Broad to Latham, Starts off by bowling one at a back of a length, Latham rocks back and taps it in front of him. |
| 37.2 : S Broad to Latham, Outside off, Latham chooses to leave it alone. |
| 37.3 : S Broad to Latham, Drifts one into Latham's pads, he misses his flick, the balls hits his pads and rolls towards square leg as they steal a leg bye. |
| 37.4 : S Broad to Williamson, Kane is continuing from where he left. Pitched up and Kane drives it through covers. It won't go all the way but enough for them to come back for the third. |
| 37.5 : S Broad to Latham, OUT! A wicket for England in the very first over after dinner! The English muffins have helped England get the better of Latham. 400 Test wickets for Stuart Broad and he is all pumped up. Bowls this full on middle, Latham tries flicking this through mid-wicket but hits it uppishly a little square to the man in a catching position there. Chris Woakes, the fielder, takes a regulation catch with no fuss. Latham was disappointed with himself as soon as he played that shot. A |
| Ross Taylor strides in next to bat. |
| 37.6 : S Broad to Taylor, Taylor gets behind the ball and pushes it on the off side. |
| Chris Woakes will bowl from the other end. |
| 38.1 : C Woakes to Williamson, Back of a length ball, Kane rocks back and taps it in front of him. |
| 38.2 : C Woakes to Williamson, Outside off, Kane lets it go. |
| 38.3 : C Woakes to Williamson, Back of a length again, Williamson has been struck on his thigh pad. |
| 38.4 : C Woakes to Williamson, Williamson has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 38.5 : C Woakes to Williamson, Around off, Kane pushes this towards mid off. |
| 38.6 : C Woakes to Williamson, Full outside off, left alone. |
| 39.1 : S Broad to R Taylor, Pitched up, Taylor plays this towards mid on. |
| 39.2 : S Broad to Taylor, Length ball on the stumps, Ross flicks this to the square leg fielder. |
| 39.3 : S Broad to Taylor, Drags his length back, Taylor ducks in time to let Bairstow collect it. |
| 39.4 : S Broad to Taylor, Taylor shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 39.5 : S Broad to Taylor, Slightly full around off, Taylor plays this along the turf for the mid off fielder to collect. |
| 39.6 : S Broad to Taylor, Full on middle and leg, RT hits it to mid on. |
| 40.1 : C Woakes to Williamson, Back of a length on leg, Kane tucks it around the corner for one. |
| 40.2 : C Woakes to Taylor, Full on leg, Taylor whips this away through mid-wicket. A brace results. |
| 40.3 : C Woakes to Taylor, Effort ball from Woakes, Ross ducks under it to let the ball through. |
| 40.4 : C Woakes to R Taylor, FOUR! First boundary for Ross. Outside off, Taylor hangs back and cuts it past backward point for a boundary. He likes it in that area and has played it very well. |
| 40.5 : C Woakes to Taylor, In line of the stumps, Ross blocks it with a straight bat. |
| 40.6 : C Woakes to Taylor, Defended off the back foot from within the crease. |
| 41.1 : S Broad to Williamson, Length around off, Kane opens the bat face and gives it to third slip on the bounce. |
| 41.2 : S Broad to Williamson, Short ball down the leg, Williamson gets low and allows the ball through. |
| 41.3 : S Broad to Williamson, Back of a length ball, Williamson goes back and tucks it towards deep square leg for a run. With that comes the 100 for New Zealand and the lead is now 42. |
| 41.4 : S Broad to Taylor, Taylor drives this to mid off. |
| 41.5 : S Broad to Taylor, Around off, Taylor goes for the flicks but gets an inside edge onto his pads and dies onto the ground. |
| 41.6 : S Broad to Taylor, Drifting on the pads of Ross who flicks it towards square leg for a single. |
| Is Williamson a goner? England think so. A run out appeal has been referred upstairs. The ball has hit the finger tips of Woakes and gone to hit the stumps at the non-striker's end. Is this the game-changer? |
| 42.1 : Woakes to Taylor, No run. |
| 42.2 : C Woakes to Taylor, Outside off, Taylor plays and misses. |
| 42.3 : C Woakes to Taylor, Beaten again! Around off, Taylor looks to fiddle with it and gets beaten once more. |
| 42.4 : C Woakes to Taylor, Gets behind the ball this time and blocks. |
| 42.5 : C Woakes to Taylor, Full on the stumps, Taylor defends it from the crease. |
| 42.6 : C Woakes to Taylor, Length around off, Taylor pushes this towards covers. |
| James Anderson is brought back into the attack. |
| 43.1 : J Anderson to Williamson, On a length around off, Williamson hangs back and guides it towards point. |
| 43.2 : J Anderson to Williamson, This is a different sort of run in with the umpire! Chris Woakes does it. This ball by Anderson is full on the pads, Williamson flicks it through backward square leg. Chris is stationed at square leg and as he looks to go to his right to get to the ball, he bumps into umpire Bruce Oxenford at square leg. The single is taken eventually and Woakes and the umpire share some smiles. |
| 43.3 : J Anderson to Taylor, This is bowled outside off, left alone. |
| 43.4 : J Anderson to Taylor, Fuller on off, defended back towards the bowler. |
| 43.5 : J Anderson to Taylor, Full and moving away a touch, Taylor looks to drive it but gets it off the leading edge past mid off for a couple. |
| 43.6 : J Anderson to Taylor, On the pads, clipped through mid-wicket for one. |
| 44.1 : C Woakes to Taylor, Back of a length ball on the pads, Taylor gets hit high on the knee roll. The bowler starts the appeal and then withdraws after the umpire shows no interest. |
| 44.2 : C Woakes to Taylor, Pushed to the cover region by Taylor. One run added to the total. |
| 44.3 : C Woakes to Williamson, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 44.4 : C Woakes to Williamson, On leg, Williamson flicks this towards square leg for a single. |
| 44.5 : C Woakes to Taylor, Outside off, Taylor goes flashing hard but is beaten. |
| 44.6 : C Woakes to Taylor, Similar shot and gets beaten again. Around off, Taylor looks to cut this close to his body and misses again. |
| 45.1 : J Anderson to Williamson, Pitched up, Williamson drives this to mid off. |
| 45.2 : J Anderson to Williamson, Full on the stumps, Williamson hits it back to the bowler. |
| 45.3 : J Anderson to Williamson, Full on the pads of Williamson who flicks it to the fielder at square leg. |
| 45.4 : J Anderson to Williamson, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 45.5 : J Anderson to Williamson, Flicks this squarer on the leg and will get one for it. |
| 45.6 : J Anderson to Taylor, In line of the stumps, Taylor hits it to mid on. |
| 46.1 : C Woakes to Williamson, Length down the leg, Williamson flicks it with a wristy shot to the fielder at square leg. |
| 46.2 : C Woakes to Williamson, Back of a length ball, Williamson hangs back and blocks it. |
| 46.3 : C Woakes to Williamson, Back of a length ball, Williamson punches this on the on side and quickly picks up a quick run. |
| 46.4 : C Woakes to R Taylor, Five Wides! Too high for any keeper to collect that. Woakes bangs this short and Taylor ducks under it. Bairstow jumps high but the ball evades him and races away to the boundary. |
| C Woakes to Taylor, FOUR! Well in control this time. Outside off, Taylor cuts it past backward point as the ball rolls to the fence. |
| 46.5 : C Woakes to Taylor, FOUR! Elegantly done! So pleasing to the eye. Overpitched on the stumps, Taylor drives it wide of the bowler along the ground for another boundary. |
| 46.6 : C Woakes to Taylor, Down the leg, Taylor works it on its way for a single. |
| The ball is now being inspected. England are having a problem with it once again. The umpire is having a look at it as the fourth umpire comes running in with a new set of balls. They have given them a replacement. |
| 47.1 : J Anderson to Taylor, Length on middle, Taylor hits it towards mid on. |
| 47.2 : J Anderson to R Taylor, OUT! The change of ball has done the trick for England. After hitting a couple of boundaries in the previous over he tries pulling this. Anderson bangs this short outside off, Taylor reaches for it and doesn't time it well. The ball goes high and towards mid-wicket where Chris Woakes takes another catch with a jump. Anderson gets his second. |
| Henry Nicholls is the next man in. |
| 47.3 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Around that fourth stump line, Nicholls lets it go. |
| 47.4 : Anderson to Nicholls, Back of a length ball, Henry flicks it around the corner for one. |
| 47.5 : J Anderson to Williamson, Bouncer! Kane does well to evade it. |
| 47.6 : J Anderson to Williamson, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| Craig Overton is back. |
| 48.1 : C Overton to Nicholls, Wide down the leg side, No trouble at all for the batsman as he still goes for the flick. |
| 48.2 : C Overton to Nicholls, Outside off, left alone. |
| 48.3 : Overton to Nicholls, Nicholls has been struck high on the pads, a half-hearted appeal from the players but the umpire stays put. |
| 48.4 : C Overton to H Nicholls, FOUR! Short ball around off, Henry pulls this through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 48.5 : C Overton to Nicholls, Pitched up in line of the stumps, Henry hits it back to the bowler. |
| 48.6 : C Overton to Nicholls, Outside off, Nicholls shoulders arms to it. |
| The final drinks break has been taken by the players. England will be the happier side in this session after sending back two in-form players. For New Zealand, their skipper is still in the middle and his presence out there will give the rest a needed confidence. |
| 49.1 : J Anderson to Williamson, Bowled on a length around middle and off, defended with a straight bat back towards the bowler. |
| 49.2 : J Anderson to Williamson, This is bowled outside off, Kane just lets it be. |
| 49.3 : J Anderson to Williamson, This delivery is defended solidly from the crease. |
| 49.4 : J Anderson to Williamson, Again, in line of the stumps, Williamson blocks this nicely. |
| 49.5 : J Anderson to K Williamson, FOUR! Streaky yet effective. This one is bowled fuller outside off, Williamson looks to defend. The ball goes off the outer half and goes through the gap between gully and the slip cordon for a boundary. |
| Another review time! An LBW appeal against Kane Williamson is taken upstairs by England. They'd have their fingers crossed and wish they don't lost this as well. |
| 49.6 : J Anderson to Williamson, WILLIAMSON STAYS, REVIEWS LOST! This never looked threatening, to be honest. Jimmy lands it on a length outside off, it goes on with the angle. Williamson wants to leave it alone and hence shoulders arms but the ball strikes him high on the pads. The players appeal and get a shake of head in response. After some thought, DRS is taken by England. The impact wouldn't have mattered if the ball would have hit the stumps as the batsman wasn't offering a shot. But the H |
| 50.1 : C Overton to Nicholls, On a length going across, Nicholls lets it go. |
| 50.2 : C Overton to Nicholls, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 50.3 : C Overton to H Nicholls, This time the ball goes off the outside edge towards the slip cordon on the bounce. |
| 50.4 : C Overton to Nicholls, Henry stands tall and blocks this one nicely. |
| 50.5 : C Overton to Nicholls, Fuller on the stumps, defended from the crease. |
| 50.6 : C Overton to H Nicholls, Another soft edge, it goes on the bounce towards gully. A maiden from Overton. |
| 51.1 : J Anderson to Williamson, Well played Williamson. Seeing the length of this one, he looks to duck. But he does well to have his eyes on the ball. The ball doesn't climb much and he does well to keep it down with his gloves. |
| 51.2 : J Anderson to Williamson, Length ball again, this time Kane has to hop to block. |
| 51.3 : J Anderson to Williamson, Fuller in length, clipped to mid-wicket. |
| 51.4 : J Anderson to Williamson, Short in length, Williamson pulls it nicely through backward square leg for one. |
| 51.5 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Hurled across Nicholls, he lifts his blade to let it pass. |
| 51.6 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Around middle and leg, defended to the on side for nothing. |
| 52.1 : C Overton to Williamson, Good bouncer. Overton bends his back and lands it outside off. Williamson looks to pull it but then, finding it a bit too high for his liking, withdraws from it. |
| 52.2 : C Overton to Williamson, FOUR! Tripe! After a good delivery, this one is a bonus for the batter. Hurled on a length on the pads, Williamson looks to flick. But the ball goes off his thigh pad and rolls to the fine leg fence. Leg byes signaled. |
| 52.3 : C Overton to Williamson, This one is defended from the crease towards mid off. |
| 52.4 : C Overton to Williamson, Full on middle and leg, driven to mid on for nothing. |
| 52.5 : C Overton to Williamson, Length ball outside off, punched towards cover-point for a single. |
| 52.6 : C Overton to Nicholls, On a length angling away, Nicholls hangs on the back foot and has a feel for that. Fortunately for him, he doesn't edge that. |
| Stuart Broad back for another spell. |
| 53.1 : S Broad to Williamson, Lovely whip. On a length outside off, Kane moves across and whips it off his hips through square leg for one. The lead moves to 81. |
| 53.2 : S Broad to Nicholls, This is slanted across the southpaw, Henry shoulders arms to that one. |
| 53.3 : S Broad to Nicholls, Delivered on a length on middle and leg, hit towards mid on. |
| 53.4 : S Broad to Nicholls, A touch fuller, Nicholls misses the flick and gets it off his pads to the on side. The batters steal a leg bye, even as Bairstow gets to the ball and has a mime of a throw at the bowler's end. |
| 53.5 : S Broad to Williamson, Outside off, left alone. |
| 53.6 : S Broad to Williamson, Fuller outside off, Kane has a lunge and leaves it without playing. |
| 54.1 : C Overton to Nicholls, This is outside off, Nicholls covers his stumps and lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 54.2 : C Overton to Nicholls, Slanted away on a length, Henry shuffles across and withdraws his bat to let it go. |
| 54.3 : C Overton to H Nicholls, This delivery is on a shorter length. Nicholls goes back and pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a single. |
| 54.4 : C Overton to Williamson, This is a shot of a man in control. Gets slightly forward to this one and meets the ball with the full straight face of the bat. Drives this through covers and some excellent running gets Williamson three. He moves to 78 now, as the lead increases to 86. |
| 54.5 : C Overton to Nicholls, Short in length, going away. Nicholls doesn't bother playing at that. |
| 54.6 : C Overton to Nicholls, Another one outside off, left alone. |
| 55.1 : S Broad to Williamson, Hurled on a length outside off, pushed defensively back towards the bowler. |
| 55.2 : S Broad to Williamson, On the pads, clipped through square leg for one. |
| 55.3 : S Broad to Nicholls, This delivery is kept out towards mid on. |
| 55.4 : S Broad to Nicholls, Bowled across on a length, left alone by HN. |
| 55.5 : S Broad to Nicholls, Fortunate. On a length just around off, Nicholls goes back to defend. Ends up getting an inside edge. The ball goes through his legs and strikes the back leg before rolling to the leg side. |
| 55.6 : S Broad to Nicholls, This ball is defended from the crease. |
| Spin time. Moeen Ali is back into the attack now. Hasn't had a good time so far. Can he change it? |
| 56.1 : M Ali to Williamson, Tossed up outside off, Williamson lunges and pushes it through covers for a single. |
| 56.2 : M Ali to Nicholls, Flatter on the pads, Nicholls goes back and works it past short leg for one. |
| 56.3 : M Ali to K Williamson, Slower through the air outside off, Williamson comes ahead and glides it towards backward point for another run. Moves to 81. |
| 56.4 : M Ali to Nicholls, Some more air given to this one around off, Henry gets down and sweeps it to fine leg. One more run added to the total. |
| 56.5 : M Ali to Williamson, The first dot in the over after 4 singles. Williamson goes back and punches it towards cover-point. A diving effort by the point fielder after getting to his right prevents a run. |
| 56.6 : M Ali to Williamson, Shortish in length again, Kane goes back and pushes it through covers for one. Brings up 150 for the Kiwis. The lead is 8 short of reaching 100. |
| 57.1 : S Broad to K Williamson, Full on the stumps, driven towards mid on for nothing. |
| 57.2 : S Broad to Williamson, Banged short on the stumps, Williamson lets it pass. |
| 57.3 : S Broad to Williamson, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 57.4 : S Broad to Williamson, This ball is driven straight towards mid on. |
| 57.5 : S Broad to Williamson, Full outside off, Kane drives it towards mid off. Thinks of taking a single before deciding against it. |
| 57.6 : S Broad to Williamson, Williamson lets the ball come to him before blocking it. Thinking the ball to be rolling on the stumps, he pokes his bat at it and pushes it towards the slip cordon. |
| 58.1 : M Ali to Nicholls, Floated around off, Nicholls gets forward and blocks. |
| 58.2 : M Ali to Nicholls, This one is paddle swept through short fine leg for a couple. |
| 58.3 : M Ali to Nicholls, Served on the stumps, pushed back towards the bowler. |
| 58.4 : M Ali to Nicholls, Flatter and quicker outside off, Nicholls goes back and looks to cut. It is the skidder and hence he ends up chopping it off the bottom half to the off side. |
| 58.5 : M Ali to H Nicholls, Floated on a fuller length, driven towards covers. |
| 58.6 : M Ali to Nicholls, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 59.1 : S Broad to Williamson, Bowled full outside off, Kane has a feel for that. The ball moves away just a touch and he gets beaten on the outside. Seems to be a sound as the ball passes the blade but as it turns out, the bat just hits the back pad at that time. |
| 59.2 : S Broad to Williamson, This delivery is pushed towards covers for a single. |
| 59.3 : S Broad to Nicholls, Broad comes round the wicket and lands it on a length around off. Nicholls stands tall and pushes it towards covers. |
| 59.4 : S Broad to Nicholls, Full on off, driven straight back to the bowler. Stuart does well to collect it on the followthrough. |
| 59.5 : S Broad to Nicholls, Full again, Nicholls gets it off the inner half towards mid on for a quick single. |
| 59.6 : S Broad to Williamson, On a back of a length, Williamson gets on his toes and plays it square on the off side for one. The lead is three shy of reaching three figures. |
| 60.1 : M Ali to Williamson, Floated outside off, pushed defensively towards mid off. |
| 60.2 : M Ali to Williamson, Flatter on the stumps, defended from the crease. |
| 60.3 : M Ali to Williamson, Flighted delivery, hit to the man at silly mid on. |
| 60.4 : M Ali to Williamson, A touch shorter, Kane goes back and punches it through covers for one. |
| 60.5 : M Ali to Nicholls, Turn! Nicely floated outside off, Nicholls lets it be. But the ball lands and spins away. |
| 60.6 : M Ali to Nicholls, This one is pushed towards backward point for a quick run. The man there was a bit deep and hence that allowed the batters to cross. |
| Chris Woakes comes back for another burst. Can he prise out a scalp here? The Kiwi lead is 99 now. |
| 61.1 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Full and outside off, Nicholls doesn't bother putting bat to that. |
| 61.2 : C Woakes to Nicholls, NEW ZEALAND'S LEAD TOUCHES 100! Nicholls works this length ball towards wide mid on and gets to the other end. |
| 61.3 : C Woakes to Williamson, Angling in on a length, Kane works it away with the angle to fine leg for one. He moves to 86, while the stand is worth 36. |
| 61.4 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Full and outside off, Nicholls just lets it go to the keeper. |
| 61.5 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Straight and full well outside off, Nicholls minds his own business and lets it pass to the keeper. |
| 61.6 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Full on off, hit back to the bowler. |
| We are now getting into the extra half hour. 7 overs are left in the day. |
| Meanwhile, Craig Overton has been handed the ball now. |
| 62.1 : C Overton to Williamson, Full and angling in, Williamson lets it come in and blocks it towards point. |
| 62.2 : C Overton to Williamson, This is full in length, gets it off the outer half towards slips. |
| 62.3 : C Overton to Williamson, Full on the pads, Kane fails to flick it and wears it low on the pads. A stifled appeal is turned down. |
| 62.4 : C Overton to Williamson, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 62.5 : C Overton to Williamson, Williamson stays in the crease and blocks this one. |
| 62.6 : C Overton to Williamson, Worked away through square leg for a single. |
| 63.1 : C Woakes to Williamson, Length ball angling in, Williamson gets off strike but nudging it to fine leg for one. |
| 63.2 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Full and outside off, left alone. |
| 63.3 : C Woakes to Nicholls, This is blocked to the off side for nothing. |
| 63.4 : C Woakes to Nicholls, On a length outside off, punched off the back foot towards covers. |
| 63.5 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Hurled outside off on a length, left alone by HN. |
| 63.6 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Hands on head moment for Woakes. He lets out a full delivery, Nicholls looks to blast it through the off side. The ball moves in a touch and goes through to the keeper. Almost similar to the way Moeen Ali was out. |
| 64.1 : C Overton to Williamson, Full outside off, driven to covers. |
| 64.2 : C Overton to Williamson, Once again Kane whips it to fine leg for one. |
| 64.3 : C Overton to Nicholls, Short in length, pulled away through square leg. Stokes gets to his left in the deep and saves a couple. |
| 64.4 : C Overton to Nicholls, Banged short on the stumps, Henry ducks to let it go. |
| 64.5 : C Overton to Nicholls, Another bouncer on the stumps, Nicholls sinks low for the keeper to do the rest. |
| 64.6 : C Overton to Nicholls, On a length, Henry defends it from the crease to short leg. |
| 65.1 : C Woakes to Williamson, From wide of the crease, he bowls it full on off. Kane pushes it back down the ground. |
| 65.2 : C Woakes to Williamson, This one is worked away off the pads for nothing. |
| 65.3 : C Woakes to Williamson, Full and outside off, Williamson covers his stumps and lets the ball pass to the keeper. He still is 11 short of a ton. |
| 65.4 : C Woakes to Williamson, This ball is defended off the back foot towards covers. |
| 65.5 : C Woakes to Williamson, Hurled on the pads, worked away through backward square leg for one. |
| 65.6 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Full outside off, driven to covers. |
| 66.1 : C Overton to Williamson, Slower delivery on a fuller length on off and middle. Williamson lets it come on the bat and blocks it. |
| 66.2 : C Overton to Williamson, Angling in on a length, helped away to fine leg for one. |
| 66.3 : C Overton to Nicholls, Length ball down the leg, Nicholls lets it go to the keeper. |
| 66.4 : C Overton to Nicholls, Back of a length delivery, Henry lets it go. |
| 66.5 : C Overton to Nicholls, This delivery is defended from the crease with a straight bat. |
| 66.6 : C Overton to Nicholls, On the pads on a length, worked away through backward square leg to retain strike. |
| 67.1 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Full outside off, left alone. |
| 0.0 : Neil Wagner is seen padded up. He could be in next, if a wicket falls, in the role of a nightwatchman. Perhaps in that case, BJ Watling may not walk in at 6. |
| 67.2 : C Woakes to Nicholls, This is worked away through backward square leg for a single. |
| 67.3 : C Woakes to Williamson, Williamson keeps it out watchfully from the crease. |
| 67.4 : C Woakes to Williamson, Punched off the back foot towards point for nothing. |
| 67.5 : C Woakes to Williamson, On a length outside off, Kane withdraws his bat and lets it go. |
| 67.6 : C Woakes to Williamson, Straight ball on a length outside off, Williamson watches the ball sail into the keeper's mitts. |
| Last over of the day coming up. Craig Overton to deliver that one. Nothing less than a wicket would please Joe Root. A couple of slips in place apart from a short leg. |
| 68.1 : C Overton to Nicholls, Nicholls stays on the back foot and punches it towards covers. |
| 68.2 : C Overton to Nicholls, FOUR! Gorgeous stroke in the dying moments of the day. This is pitched up outside off, Nicholls gets his front foot forward and pushes it past mid off for a boundary. The lead is now is 114, while the stand is 49. |
| 68.3 : C Overton to Nicholls, 50-run partnership between Nicholls and Williamson. This has been a useful association for the hosts. He lets this one come to him and guides it through the slip cordon for a brace. |
| 68.4 : C Overton to Nicholls, On the pads, flicked through square leg for one. |
| 68.5 : C Overton to Williamson, On a length outside off, punched towards covers. Nicholls wanted a run but had to be sent back. |
| 68.6 : C Overton to Williamson, Williamson sees off the final delivery of this day. He keeps this length ball from the crease to the off side for nothing. He goes back unbeaten on 91. That's the end of Day 1 of this Test series. |
| Craig Cummins is with Mike Hesson for a chat. The New Zealand coach says that they were happy to bowl first after winning the toss. Reckons that his bowlers found their lines and lengths pretty early and reaped rewards for those efforts. States that it was always going to be difficult batting against the new ball. Concedes that they are looking to bat a couple of sessions and then take it from there. All in all, he is happy with how the things have panned out as of now. |
| New Zealand. Wow! What a day they've had. Kane Williamson, the skipper, has led from the front and is looking good for a triple figure mark. He stitched stands over fifty with Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls. The one with the latter is still undefeated. Looking at the way his skipper has batted, Latham would rue missing getting a significant score. That was evident from his reaction after he got dismissed. |
| England's bowlers toiled hard without much success. Often, when you don't have a big score to play with, early wickets hold the key and motivate the bowlers. Stuart Broad succeeded in getting the outside edge of Jeet Raval early, only to see it spilled by his skipper. Post that, there weren't much chances that came across. In the last session, Latham and Ross Taylor's dismissals triggered interests but a collapse was not to be. |
| Earlier, New Zealand bowlers ran through England's batting to skittle out the hosts for a almost-nothing 58. Trent Boult and Tim Southee shared the spoils and that left Williamson not needing to look at anybody else for a spell. The left-arm seamer impressed one and all with a 6-fer, thereby registering his best bowling figures in an innings in Tests. That meant that the hosts have a stronghold on the game, being ahead by 117 runs. Will the home-side-dominance continue even tomorrow? Please be w |
| ... Day 2, Session 1 ... |
| New Zealand are well and truly on top. After a dream spell from a certain Trent Boult last morning, the hosts managed to dismantle the English batting line-up in the blink of an eye. Having bundled out for a scanty 58, England needed wickets and that too in heaps to stand a chance. They did get one in the name of Jeet Raval but skipper Kane Williamson arrived to the fore to keep the opposition at bay. |
| Tom Latham and his captain strung an 84-run stand which took their side into the lead before the southpaw departed. Ross Taylor couldn't add much to the total but it was Henry Nicholls who offered good resistance to Kane as the duo then managed to see off the remainder of the day. The Kiwis lead by 117 at the moment and with their skipper inching closer to a ton and the batsmen to follow next, it wouldn't be wrong the predict that they will run away with the show. Do England have it in them to p |
| Pitch Report - Mark Richardson inspecting the pitch tells us that the weather is good at the moment as it is not raining but thunderstorms are predicted for the day. Informs the pitch was under cover for a really long time and hence the surface is really cold. Adds there is a lot of moisture in it and if the sun is out, he is sure that it will have some juice for the pacers. |
| Michael Atherton interviews James Anderson who has a glum look on his face. He is really disappointed with their performance yesterday and says that they are desperate to come back in the game. Continues to call it really disappointing on their part and all they can do is work hard. Further says their preparations have been good but finds it hard to fathom what happened last morning. Informs there isn't enough in the surface to generate swing but says it does in the last session when the lights |
| It's time to get underway. The overnight pair of Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls is out along with the players and the umpires. Chris Woakes will steam in first up. Two slips and a gully in place... |
| 69.1 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Woakes comes from around the wicket and drops it on a back of a length on middle and off, Henry stands back and shows full face of the bat. |
| 69.2 : C Woakes to Nicholls, First runs of the day! Woakes goes fuller and angles it into the pads, Nicholls walks across and clips it past the man at mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 69.3 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Another one on a back of a length outside off, blocked gently. |
| 69.4 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Stays back to a length ball and works it off the inner half towards square leg for a quick single. |
| 69.5 : C Woakes to Williamson, Comes from over the wicket to the right-hander, fuller on off, Kane defends it down solidly. |
| 69.6 : C Woakes to Williamson, Comes back in from a fuller length outside off, Williamson hangs back in defense. Tidy stuff from Woakes. |
| Stuart Broad to have a go from the other end. Strong breeze is blowing across the stadium. It's heavily overcast... |
| 70.1 : S Broad to Nicholls, Broad is lucky to get away with that one! Filler and swinging down leg, Nicholls fails to put bat on ball. |
| 70.2 : S Broad to Nicholls, Another one relatively fuller on middle and leg, Nicholls bunts it back to Stuart. |
| 70.3 : S Broad to Nicholls, Pitches it right up there, curls back in just a touch, Henry wrists it off the inner half towards mid-wicket for nothing. |
| 70.4 : S Broad to Nicholls, Good length delivery on middle and leg, shown tight defense. |
| 70.5 : S Broad to Nicholls, A shout for an LBW! On a length and around leg, it skids a bit off the deck and pings Henry on the pads who fails to put bat on ball. The ball goes off the pads towards gully and the batsmen cross for a leg bye. Broad keeps appealing but umpire Bruce Oxenford shakes his head. Pitching outside leg! |
| 70.6 : S Broad to Williamson, Back of a length outside off, punched firmly but finds mid off. |
| 71.1 : C Woakes to Nicholls, On a fuller length outside off, the line is not threatening which allows the southpaw to make an assured leave. |
| 71.2 : C Woakes to Nicholls, There you go! Nicholls nearly falls in the trap! That seems to be the plan for him. Fuller ball, tempting Henry to go after it who obliges. Looks to drill one through covers sans any feet movement. The ball shapes away a bit to beat the outside edge by not much. |
| 71.3 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Back of a length outside off, moving further away this time the batter is happy to let it pass. |
| 71.4 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Drags his length back on middle and off, Nicholls walks across to pull but the length isn't an ideal to get going. Keeps it out towards mid-wicket. |
| 71.5 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Fuller on off, HN drives it towards Ali at mid off. |
| 71.6 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Coming back in from outside off, Henry covers the line before making a leave. |
| 72.1 : S Broad to Williamson, FOUR! Ahhh... Delightful from Kane! Broad overcooks it on middle and off, Williamson brings his bat down in time and just presents a straight bat. Gets it off the meat past the man at non-striker and mid on fielder had no chance to stop that one. Superb! |
| 72.2 : S Broad to Williamson, Stays back to a length ball and stabs it out in front of the cover fielder. |
| 72.3 : S Broad to Williamson, Moves on to 97 with a nice clip through square leg for a brace. Good running! |
| 72.4 : S Broad to Williamson, Beaten all ends up! Lovely from Broad! He drops it on a length around off, Kane plays for the initial line but the ball leaves him alone. Whizzes past the outside edge. Ooohsss and aaahsss to follow from the cordon. |
| 72.5 : S Broad to Williamson, Back of a length on middle and off, a tentative push into the cover region. |
| 72.6 : S Broad to Williamson, Marginally fuller on middle and off, worked towards mid on. |
| 73.1 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Fuller and angling in from wide of the crease, Henry is solid in defense. |
| 73.2 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Fuller again and this one keeps coming in, Nicholls plants his front foot across before lifting his bat to make a leave. Close! |
| 73.3 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Sprays a touch wider outside off, brings it back in, Henry has no qualms in leaving that one alone. |
| 73.4 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Good from Woakes! Continues to bowl it in the channel of uncertainty, Nicholls is happy to lunge forward and offer a water-tight defense. |
| 73.5 : C Woakes to H Nicholls, Very full on off, the southpaw goes hard at it but ends up hitting it straight to the short cover fielder. |
| 73.6 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Short of a good length outside off, Nicholls gets on top of the bounce and steers it neatly behind point. Won't get a boundary as Stokes from that position chases it down. They take two. |
| First change of the day as Craig Overton comes on to bowl. |
| 74.1 : C Overton to Williamson, Starts off from over the wicket and hurls it on a length and angles it in on middle, Kane walks across and tucks it towards mid-wicket. Immediately shouts 'Wait On'. |
| 74.2 : C Overton to Williamson, Good length outside off, pushed off the front foot towards cover. |
| 74.3 : C Overton to Williamson, On a length and outside off, easy leave for the Kiwi skipper. |
| 74.4 : C Overton to Williamson, Fullish in length on off, stroked but not off the middle to the cover fielder. |
| 74.5 : C Overton to Williamson, Good length delivery on middle and off, worked towards mid on off the back foot. |
| 74.6 : C Overton to Williamson, A maiden to begin with for Overton! Pitches it up on off, Kane nicely pats it towards cover. |
| 75.1 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Shortish in length and on middle and leg, flicked towards the man at mid-wicket. |
| 75.2 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Digs in a short ball on leg, Nicholls unfurls a controlled pull shot towards fine leg to bring his skipper back on strike. |
| 75.3 : C Woakes to Williamson, Woakes keeps it on a length outside off, worked towards mid on. |
| 75.4 : C Woakes to Williamson, Nicely clipped off the pads to get to the other end. |
| 75.5 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Fuller in length on off, Henry takes a stride forward and pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 75.6 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Woakes smartly changes the pace and delivers it on a length on middle, Henry seems to be foxed by it a bit but manages to pull it along the ground through backward square leg to retain strike. |
| 76.1 : C Overton to Nicholls, Good length delivery, angling away on off, Nicholls shows good patience as he makes a watchful leave. |
| 76.2 : C Overton to Nicholls, Similar delivery and Nicholls is once again happy to keep Bairstow busy behind the stumps. |
| 76.3 : C Overton to Nicholls, Angling away on a fuller length, shaping further away, nothing doing. |
| 76.4 : C Overton to Nicholls, That's four on the trot for Henry! This one is shaping away from a fuller length on off, left alone. |
| 76.5 : C Overton to Nicholls, Finally he plays. On the stumps, HN leans ahead to work it towards mid on. |
| 76.6 : C Overton to Nicholls, Back-to-back maidens for Overton! Hurls it across the southpaw who makes a fifth leave in the over. |
| James Anderson into the attack for the first time. England's best vs New Zealand's best at the moment. |
| 77.1 : J Anderson to Williamson, Anderson is pulled away but just for a single! He digs in a short one, Williamson is up for the task as he pulls it towards deep backward square leg. He is just one short of a ton now. |
| 77.2 : J Anderson to Nicholls, FOUR! Loosener from Anderson! Another one on a shorter length this time on leg, Nicholls lifts his leg up and nails the pull towards fine leg. |
| 77.3 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Much better from Jimmy! Angles it away on a length outside off, Nicholls doesn't go after it. |
| 77.4 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Shortish length delivery on middle, tucked towards mid-wicket to bring Williamson on strike. |
| 77.5 : J Anderson to Williamson, 18th Test ton for Kane Williamson! And this is a special one as he records for the most no. of tons in Tests for a Kiwi player! Laudable effort, isn't it? The crowd is up on its feet as Kane sinks it all by looking upwards. He gets to the milestone by playing his favorite shot. A dab with an angled bat. It goes on the bounce towards the gully who fails to stop it cleanly and parries it towards Stokes at point. Ben tries to have a shy at the bowler's end but then p |
| 77.6 : J Anderson to H Nicholls, Fuller on off, driven towards mid off. |
| 78.1 : C Overton to Williamson, Fullish on off, bunted back to Overton. |
| 78.2 : C Overton to Williamson, Veering in on the pads, tucked into the mid-wicket region. |
| 78.3 : C Overton to Williamson, Pitches it up on off, driven straight to the man at mid off. |
| 78.4 : C Overton to Williamson, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| The groundsmen are ready with the covers. Seems like it has started to pour now. It has gone really dark. And yes, the angry looking-sound from the heavens could be heard. Not good... |
| 78.5 : C Overton to Williamson, Bangs in a short one outside off, Kane drops his wrists and ducks. |
| 78.6 : C Overton to Williamson, Back of a length delivery outside off, punched off the back foot towards cover. That's third maiden in a row for Craig Overton. |
| 1440 Local time - And there they come, groundsmen with covers. Umbrellas go up in the stands while the players are asked to leave the field. We are in for a delay, folks. Let me tell you, it's going to be the norm for the day as more of it is predicted for later as well... |
| 1515 Local time update - Good news! The rain has eased off and the big cover is peeled too. The New Zealand official twitter handle has just shared this. Let's hope for a quick resumption... |
| 1530 Local time update - We get the news that TEA has been taken early. If there is no further intervention the play is set to resume at 1550 local. Let's keep our fingers crossed. |
| It's been all Kiwis this morning. They have continued from where they left off last night. The overnight pair of Williamson and Nicholls has done well to see off the session under heavily overcast conditions. 10 overs were what we managed to get in where we saw the English bowlers bowling disciplined lines and lengths. |
| Kane Williamson has already got to his ton and is amidst an unbeaten 74-run stand with the southpaw. They lead is stretched to 139 already and if the hosts bat the entire day, in all likelihood they'll bat England out of the game. The rain had its say in the first session and the forecast isn't promising for the rest of the day. Start-stop kind of day beckons. Join us back for the next session, weather permitting... |
| ... Day 2, Session 2 ... |
| The inclement weather has relented and we have conditions good enough for players to step out on the field. However, let me tell you, it isn't too bright in the middle. David Lloyd reckons on air that these are English conditions. Does this mean that the tourists would find it easier? Well, only the action will reveal that. |
| To begin the session, James Anderson has the ball in hand. Henry Nicholls takes strike, while Kane Williamson waits at the other end. After this over, the second new ball will be available, too. The session timings have been revised. Second session will be from 1550 to 1820 while the third session will be from 1900 to 2130 local time. |
| 79.1 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Jimmy starts from round the stumps and lands it on a fuller length around off. Nicholls defends it to the off side for nothing. |
| 79.2 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Another one on a length, Henry defends it from the crease. |
| 79.3 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Hurled on the stumps, defended off the front foot with a straight bat. |
| 79.4 : J Anderson to Nicholls, On a length outside off, pushed towards point. |
| 79.5 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Another one on a fullish length around off and middle. HN stands tall and bunts it. |
| 79.6 : J Anderson to Nicholls, This is full outside off, Nicholls withdraws his bat and shoulders arms. |
| Stuart Broad will run in from the other end. Remember, the second new ball is available now and TAKEN! |
| 80.1 : S Broad to Williamson, Fuller and outside off, Williamson lunges and lets it go through. |
| 80.2 : S Broad to Williamson, Another one well outside off, Kane doesn't play at that one and lets it be. |
| 80.3 : S Broad to Williamson, Shorter length but down the leg side. Williamson looks to take some easy runs by pulling it. Fails to do so and Bairstow dives to his left and gathers that. |
| 80.4 : S Broad to Williamson, Another one outside off, Williamson covers his stumps and lets that go. |
| 80.5 : S Broad to Williamson, Length ball angling in, Williamson misses and gets rapped on the thigh pad. There's no appeal made, perhaps looking at the height of impact there. Hawk Eye shows that it would have gone over the stumps. |
| 80.6 : S Broad to Williamson, On the pads, nudged through square leg for one to get going in this session. |
| 81.1 : J Anderson to Williamson, Full around middle and leg, flicked to mid-wicket. |
| 81.2 : J Anderson to Williamson, Outside off, left alone by Kane. |
| 81.3 : J Anderson to Williamson, This time, Williamson stays in the crease, lets the ball come to him and dead-bats it. |
| 81.4 : J Anderson to Williamson, Full and wide outside off, Williamson just lets it be. |
| 81.5 : J Anderson to Williamson, Bowled on a length, Kane blocks it back towards the bowler. |
| 81.6 : J Anderson to Williamson, Another one on a length, Kane bunts it. |
| 82.1 : S Broad to Nicholls, Nice-looking stroke. Full delivery slanting across Nicholls, he takes a stride out and pushes it through covers. Owing to the rain, the outfield has become a bit sluggish. As a result, just a couple results. |
| 82.2 : S Broad to Nicholls, Fuller on middle and leg, flicked away nicely. Beats the diving mid-wicket fielder with ease. However, the ball again slows down near the ropes and three runs are completed before it is returned. |
| 82.3 : S Broad to Williamson, Sprayed down the leg side, Kane fails to flick it away. |
| 82.4 : S Broad to Williamson, Full on off, Williamson prods and defends it back. |
| 82.5 : S Broad to Williamson, Broad drags his length a bit back on this one. Kane stays back and just guides it towards gully after letting the ball come to him. |
| 82.6 : S Broad to Williamson, Straight batted defense again. This one is around off, pushed defensively back towards the bowler. |
| 83.1 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Good batting isn't only about the drives and the cuts. It also involves some smart running. Here, Nicholls lets the ball come to him and pats it towards cover-point. Knows he hasn't hit it hard and calls his partner through for a single and they complete it as well. |
| 83.2 : J Anderson to Williamson, Kane goes back to this one and pushes it towards point. Takes one run after that. |
| 83.3 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Length ball angling away, Henry covers his stumps and lets it go. |
| 83.4 : J Anderson to Nicholls, What a ball! It lands around leg, perhaps outside that, and then nips away ever so slightly. Makes the batter stand tall to defend before it beats the outside edge of the bat. |
| 83.5 : J Anderson to H Nicholls, Risky run! Nicholls pushes this one towards covers and takes off for a single. Ali there, collects and has a shy at the stumps at the bowler's end but misses. It would have curtains for Henry if it would have hit. |
| Is this the wicket? Is it the one that England want and have got? Kane Williamson is adjudged LBW but he has a chat with his partner and opts for the DRS. |
| 83.6 : J Anderson to Williamson, OUT! Williamson gone, review gone as well! Anderson and the new ball, seldom has this pair failed to impress. He lands it on a length outside off, it curves in after pitching. The movement inwards is a significant one and hence, the well-set Williamson fails to counter that. He misses the defence and the ball strikes him flush on the front pad. The dreaded finger is raised immediately. After a chat with his partner, Kane decides to take it upstairs. It is seen th |
| BJ Watling walks in at number 6. Meanwhile, Chris Woakes is also brought back for a bowl. |
| 84.1 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Hurled outside off, Nicholls lets that go. |
| 84.2 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Short in length, pulled to square leg. |
| 84.3 : C Woakes to Nicholls, This delivery is kept out from the crease with a straight bat. |
| 84.4 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Full and down the leg side Nicholls fails to make contact in his attempted flick. |
| 84.5 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Another one outside off, left alone. |
| 84.6 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Nicholls can leave these deliveries all day long. Nevertheless, a maiden for Woakes. |
| 85.1 : J Anderson to Watling, Anderson bowls this full outside off, Watling doesn't bother playing at that. |
| 85.2 : J Anderson to Watling, Hurled in line of the stumps, defended by Watling from the crease. |
| 85.3 : J Anderson to Watling, Full and angling in, Watling flicks it through mid-wicket for three runs to get going. |
| 85.4 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Full and outside off, left alone. |
| 85.5 : J Anderson to Nicholls, On a length around middle and leg, Henry defends it off the inner half to the on side. |
| 85.6 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Short length delivery, pulled away to deep square leg for a single. After the stroke, some pleasantries exchanged between Anderson and Nicholls. |
| 86.1 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Wow! That swung back in a long way after pitching. Nicholls looks to let it go but gets hit high on the front pad. The ball goes to Root at second slip on the bounce, who has a shy at the batter's end but misses. So much happened, not a single appeal made. |
| 86.2 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Full around off and middle, blocked solidly. |
| 86.3 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Fuller length on a straighter line, pushed towards mid on. |
| 86.4 : C Woakes to H Nicholls, Full on off, driven towards mid off. |
| 86.5 : C Woakes to Nicholls, This is hurled outside off, left alone. |
| 86.6 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Again, Nicholls lets this delivery outside off go unharmed. |
| 87.1 : J Anderson to Watling, Harmless ball well outside off, Watling lets it be. |
| 87.2 : J Anderson to Watling, Another one outside off, Watling leaves it alone. |
| 87.3 : J Anderson to Watling, Length ball angling in, Watling fails to get it away and gets hit on the thigh pads. A stifled appeal but not much response from the umpire. |
| 87.4 : J Anderson to Watling, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 87.5 : J Anderson to Watling, Outside off, left alone. |
| 87.6 : J Anderson to Watling, Again this one is too wide to make the batsman play. |
| 88.1 : C Woakes to Nicholls, This one moves in after landing, going past Henry's bat and hitting him high on the pads. Again, Woakes goes up in appeal but to no avail. They don't have a review to take, England. |
| 88.2 : C Woakes to Nicholls, This is full and wide outside off, HN lets it be. |
| 88.3 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Short in length, pulled away through square leg for a single. |
| 88.4 : C Woakes to BJ Watling, FOUR! Elegant stroke. Such shots have to get the right value and this one does. Full delivery outside off, moves in a touch. It meets the bat right in the middle and races away through covers. The position that Watling was in as he played that was just too good. Broad hares after it from mid off, slides and almost saves a run for his side. As it so happens in these cases, the on-field umpire wanted the replays to confirm. On those, it is seen that Broad was in conta |
| 88.5 : C Woakes to Watling, FOUR! Streaky but effective! On a length outside off, Watling stands tall and hangs his bat out at that. The outside edge of the bat is taken and the ball races away to the fence through the gap between the slip cordon and gully. |
| 88.6 : C Woakes to Watling, This length ball is defended from the crease. 9 runs off this over. |
| 89.1 : J Anderson to Nicholls, On the pads, worked away to the on side for a single. |
| 89.2 : J Anderson to Watling, FOUR! Watling is finding his feet here. Gets a length ball and the desired width outside off. He hangs back and slaps it through point for a boundary. |
| 89.3 : J Anderson to Watling, This one is on the pads, hit to the man at deep backward square leg for one. |
| 89.4 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Full and angling away, Nicholls leaves it alone. |
| 89.5 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Another one outside off, Henry lets it be. |
| 89.6 : J Anderson to H Nicholls, This ball is pushed towards mid on to retain strike. |
| 90.1 : C Woakes to Nicholls, From round the wicket, Woakes lands it just outside off. Nicholls points his bat skywards and lets it be. |
| 90.2 : C Woakes to Nicholls, The balance maintained by Nicholls whenever he has played a shot off the back foot in this innings is noteworthy. He gets on the back foot and nicely pushes this one through point and runs two after that. Nice batting. |
| 90.3 : C Woakes to Nicholls, This is too wide to evoke a shot from Nicholls. |
| 90.4 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Another one outside off, left alone. |
| 90.5 : C Woakes to Nicholls, This is hurled well outside off again. Easy job for Nicholls of not poking his bat at that. |
| 90.6 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Fuller in length, on the stumps. Henry lunges and defends it. |
| Stuart Broad to have another go with the ball. Three slips and a gully in place. Interesting field for Watling. |
| 91.1 : S Broad to Watling, Hurled outside off, on a fuller length. Watling chooses to not play that one. |
| 91.2 : S Broad to Watling, Vicious movement! This length ball nips in greatly after pitching outside off. Watling cannot do much about that and the ball goes off his thigh pads towards slips. |
| 91.3 : S Broad to Watling, Watling minds his business and doesn't play at this delivery that is well outside off. |
| 91.4 : S Broad to Watling, Length ball on the stumps, blocked from the crease. |
| 91.5 : S Broad to Watling, This one is flicked away through square leg for a single. |
| 91.6 : S Broad to Nicholls, Broad comes round the wicket now and bowls it full on the stumps. Turned away to mid on for nothing. |
| Moeen Ali to have a bowl now. He hasn't impressed much with the ball in recent times. With 'English conditions' around, can he start weaving his magic now? Meanwhile, ferocious dark clouds are hovering above the ground. This seems to be an alarming sign as the groundsmen get ready to rush in the middle on the first call. |
| 92.1 : M Ali to Watling, Slower through the air outside off, Watling goes back and pats it towards covers. |
| 0.0 : 1650 local time (0350) update - Uh oh! Bad news! The drizzle arrives, forcing the players to depart from the middle. Quickly, the covers are brought on and the track is already hidden. Although I can sound cliched and say that we hope for resumption soon, the visibility could also come into picture and let me tell you, it has gone pretty dark out there. This leads my colleague, Jazzy, to quip that it has the looks of the last session of a general Test match. We should be prepared of such start-s |
| Let's have a small recollection of the events that took place between the last interval and this one. We could have just under an hour of play since the Tea break. To put things into perspective, even in the first session we could only have 10 overs bowled. In the passage that ensued, Kane Williamson was snaffled up by the tourists, finally. He was trapped LBW and consumed a review before walking back. |
| Since then, BJ Watling has looked assured with Henry Nicholls in the middle, who is looking good for more runs. The southpaw is one short of a 6th Test fifty and would look to add more misery on the visiting team. The hosts' lead over the tourists at this stage is 29 shy of the double ton mark. That's all we have for now. Will catch you soon with some more updates as and when we get them. |
| 1800 local time (0500 GMT) update - More delay! Nothing new to bring to you. We are hearing that the intensity of the rain has reduced though we are yet to hear anything official about the same. We'll get back when we have something more to add. |
| 1820 local time (0520 GMT) update - A tweet from the Kiwis' twitter handle clears the future course of action. It seems that Dinner has been taken now. There is an inspection scheduled to take place at 1850 local time and they are hopeful of starting at 1900, when the break ends. The positive news amidst this is that RAIN HAS STOPPED and COVERS HAVE COME OFF! Voila! |
| ... Day 2, Session 3 ... |
| 1900 local time (0600 GMT) update - We're back, but not with something that'll please you all. The covers were off after the rain eased out a while ago but now it's RAINING AGAIN. The visuals that we have also show too many dark clouds' presence. The commentators on air reckon that it is not too thunderous but they don't sound positive about a quick resumption. Although some of the English players are on the ground, seeing them in action seems distant as of now. The waiting game continues... |
| 2040 local time (0740 GMT) update - There's no rain for a while now. We're hearing that had the outfield been covered, play could have resumed at this point. But since it isn't dry enough, there's going to be another inspection in 20 minutes. Arghhh.... Frustration for a cricket enthusiast. Alas, the game isn't as simple as stopping only while the rain lasts. Yes, the players' safety is of utmost importance and hence such precautions are the right way forward. So for now, let's wait for further |
| So! Today, we played the waiting game. Then some hide and seek with rain, besides covering and uncovering the surface. We could somehow squeeze in some cricket amidst this. Eventually, the weather prevailed and it is STUMPS, DAY 2! |
| We had just 23.1 overs of play possible, in which New Zealand swelled their lead to seemingly-humongous 171. They still have 6 wickets in hand to add more. Kane Williamson got to a triple figure today for the 18th time in Test cricket. He showed the way to counter whatever was thrown at him by the men with the cherry. His fall was the only success for England that came in the day. Henry Nicholls is well set for piling up more runs in the middle. He along with his skipper, kept the bowlers at bay |
| Rain, inclement weather, dark clouds, covers, hope... These were the words largely used on Day 2. More of such things cannot be ruled out for tomorrow as the forecast seems to be worse. Due to the time lost today, play on the upcoming three days will start half an hour early. So, see you tomorrow at 1330 local time (0030 GMT). Meanwhile, the Test between South Africa and Australia is at an interesting stage. Also, today, the second side qualifying for the 2019 World Cup would be clear. So switch |
| ... Day 3, Session 1 ... |
| Want to know something you don't know? It is bright in Auckland and the rain has stayed away. I hope this is the answer you were looking out for. Anyways, on a brighter note we welcome you to day 3 of our coverage between New Zealand and England. Due to the loss of time yesterday we have an early start today and will keep doing so for the rest of the days. On the status of the match, the hosts have taken a lead of 171 runs where Henry Nicholls is stranded on 49. Let's hope the weather stays put |
| We are all set for the action to resume. The players and umpires have made their way out to the middle. But tell you what, the dark clouds have gathered overhead and the conditions that looked promising at the start doesn't look the same now. All we can hope is that it doesn't intervene. Henry Nicholls and BJ Watling are at the crease. Moeen Ali to finish his pending over. Let's play... |
| 92.2 : M Ali to Watling, Starts by bowling a fuller one in line of the stumps, Watling blocks. |
| 92.3 : M Ali to Watling, Full again around off, Watling paddle sweeps this delicately towards fine leg for the first run of the day. |
| 92.4 : M Ali to Nicholls, Flat around off, Henry is solid in his defense. |
| 92.5 : M Ali to Nicholls, Outside off, Nicholls lets that go through. |
| 92.6 : M Ali to Nicholls, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| Stuart Broad will bowl from the other end. |
| 93.1 : S Broad to Watling, Length outside off, Watling shoulders arms to this one. |
| 93.2 : S Broad to Watling, Outside off again, Watling lets the keeper collect this. |
| 93.3 : S Broad to Watling, Length on the stumps, Watling gets behind the ball and defends it. |
| 93.4 : S Broad to Watling, Cautious play from the hosts as they do not want to lose a wicket before rain stops play. This one is bowled outside off, Watling leaves it alone. |
| And there's the first sign of it. It has started to drizzle... |
| 93.5 : S Broad to Watling, Length outside off, Watling doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 93.6 : S Broad to Watling, Watling has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| James Anderson is brought on to bowl under overcast conditions, replacing Ali. |
| 94.1 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Steams in from round the wicket, serves it around off and Henry leaves it alone. |
| 94.2 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Outside off, Nicholls shoulders arms to it as Anderson gets some away movement on this. |
| 94.3 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Fifty for Nicholls! His sixth in Test cricket and he has played well or should I say long to get here? He has been batting since Thursday night. Full on the pads of Henry who flicks it away through mid-wicket and comes back for the second. |
| 94.4 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Outside off, Nicholls lets that one through. |
| 94.5 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Henry defends this from from his crease. |
| 94.6 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Just as I was saying NZ are playing with caution, they go for a suicidal run. Nicholls taps this ball towards mid-wicket and tries to pick up a quick run. Woakes, the fielder there, collects the ball and has a shy at the striker's end. He misses, but had he hit, Watling was a goner who was late to take off. |
| There it is. The rains continue to love Auckland and give us, cricket fans, a reason to hate them. There were dark clouds towards the west, but who expected that it will take just 17 balls for them to start spitting. The players then walk back to the dressing room and will wait anxiously for the rain to go away. For now the covers are on. Stay tuned for further updates. |
| 1420 local time (0120 GMT) Update - The rain has eased off a bit but the covers are still in place as they predict that it might come down anytime. The umpires and the groundsmen are out in the middle with their umbrellas and are having a look at the ground conditions... |
| 1500 local time (0200 GMT) Update - The covers were off and there was supposed to be an inspection in next 15 minutes but as I type, the rain has once again started to pour. It's going to be that kind of a day. Meanwhile, the umpires have called for early Tea. Be with us for further updates. |
| 1600 local (0300 GMT) Update - The Tea break has been done but there is still nothing much to report regarding the resumption. Let's keep our fingers crossed and be hopeful to get in some cricket soon. |
| 1700 local (0400 GMT) Update - Yaaaawn! Another hour has passed by but the rain hasn't. Continue with whatever you are doing as the waiting game goes on and on and on and.... |
| 1745 local (0445 GMT) Update - Good news, folks! The covers are off, the sun is out in all its glory, and the players and umpires are making their way out to the middle. Stuart Broad is marking his run-up... Ahhh...I wish we could hear this from some of the officials... Jokes apart, the rain refuses to relent as it is coming down even harder now. |
| 1843 local (0543 GMT) Update - Has God answered your prayers? That depends if you are an England fan or a Kiwi. The news we have is that the ground is still wet and no further play will be possible on Day 3. STUMPS! |
| If you think getting stood up on a date is the most painful feeling ever, then you have not waited for rain to go away during a cricket match. Nothing much to talk about the day as only 17 BALLS were bowled. Henry Nicholls got to his sixth half century and that remained the only talking point. The highlight then today was once again the rain as it just didn't relent and made us wait for a really long time before the inevitable happened. |
| England can count themselves lucky as they got away with another day but this is something that will be hurting the hosts. They are in pole position but the rain gods aren't showing mercy on them. They'll hope for a better tomorrow in terms of the weather conditions. Also, the forecast on Day 4 looks a bit better than today but still fingers crossed. There will be an early start at 1330 local time (0030 GMT), weather permitting, of course. Before we leave you can catch some action from the on go |
| ... Day 4, Session 1 ... |
| For a change, the rain has decided not to interfere in today's play. For now. This time, we are not even joking. Hello and a warm welcome to one and all for our coverage between New Zealand and England. Day 4 today, and the hosts lead by 175 runs. After having some real cricket on the first day, Day 2 and 3 hardly saw any. Like yesterday, today too, will be an early start and let's hope that the weather remains the same for the rest of the day. |
| The home team will look to score as quickly as possible for a session or so and will then put the visitors to bat once again. England on the other hand, will look to wrap things up and come out better with the bat if they are to stay afloat in the Test match. Will that happen? We shall find out soon. You stay with us as the action is about to kickoff. |
| The players and the umpires are making their way out in the middle. Play is moments away now. Stuart Broad will bowl the first over of the day. Three slips and a gully in place for Henry Nicholls. |
| 95.1 : S Broad to Nicholls, Comes steaming in and lands it on a good length outside off, too far for Henry to play at it. |
| 95.2 : S Broad to Nicholls, Serves this outside off, on a back of a length, Henry leaves it alone. |
| 95.3 : S Broad to Nicholls, Not there Broad, too wide for Henry to play at that. Get Nicholls to play those drives. This one is pitched well outside off, Henry lets it be. |
| 95.4 : S Broad to Nicholls, Better, much better. Hint of away swing too. Length around off, Nicholls shoulders arms to it. |
| 95.5 : S Broad to Nicholls, On that fifth stump channel, Henry not tempted to drive. |
| 95.6 : S Broad to Nicholls, Around off, Nicholls lets the keeper collect this. A maiden to start with. |
| James Anderson will bowl from the other end. |
| 96.1 : J Anderson to Watling, Anderson serves this around off, Watling chooses to leave it. |
| 96.2 : J Anderson to Watling, Swing for Anderson too. Not seen much of this in this innings. Lands this outside off, Watling decides not to play with it. |
| 96.3 : J Anderson to Watling, First touch of the ball with the bat. Length on the stumps, Watling blocks this from the crease. |
| 96.4 : J Anderson to Watling, Slightly fuller, on the stumps, Watling taps it towards mid off. |
| 96.5 : J Anderson to Watling, Around off, Watling plays this with soft hands in front of him. |
| 96.6 : J Anderson to Watling, Outside off, Watling shoulders arms to this. |
| 97.1 : S Broad to Nicholls, First run of the day. Bowls this on the pads of Henry who flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 97.2 : S Broad to Watling, Watling has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 97.3 : S Broad to Watling, Back of a length ball, in line of the stumps, Watling hops and defends it. |
| 97.4 : S Broad to Watling, Pitched up, BJ hits it towards mid on. |
| 97.5 : S Broad to Watling, Broad is getting it to move in the air. Sings of things to come? He pitches this outside off, the ball lands and moves quite a bit for Jonny to collect. |
| 97.6 : S Broad to Watling, Good ball from Broad to end with. Shorter on length, Watling gets behind it and blocks it. |
| 98.1 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Outside off, easy leave for Henry. |
| 98.2 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Nicholls shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 98.3 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Outside off, Henry cuts this to the point fielder. |
| 98.4 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Maybe England need to pitch it up a bit. Tease the batsman to drive on the ball. This one is outside off again, Nicholls doesn't bother playing at it. |
| 98.5 : J Anderson to Nicholls, FOUR! Cracking drive from the southpaw. Short and wide, Henry rocks back and punches this through covers for the first boundary of the day. |
| 98.6 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Outside off, left alone. |
| 99.1 : S Broad to Watling, FOUR! Straight drive! This shot is like a spa to the eye. Overpitched ball on middle and leg, Watling drives this under his eyes through mid on for a boundary. |
| 99.2 : S Broad to Watling, Drags his length a tad back, Watling defends it. |
| 99.3 : S Broad to Watling, Slightly fuller on leg, Watling gets this off his inner half towards square leg for one. |
| 99.4 : S Broad to Nicholls, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 99.5 : S Broad to Nicholls, Wide outside off, Nicholls leaves it alone. |
| 99.6 : S Broad to Nicholls, Too wide for Henry to play at this. |
| Silly mid on comes in place now. |
| 100.1 : J Anderson to Watling, Jaffa! My college, Jazzy, was just asking me if Anderson will break the record of McGrath of the all-time leading wicket taker's list. Surely, if he bowls like that. Lands this around off, the ball pitches and moves away from the tentative Watling. Almost kissed his outside edge. |
| 100.2 : J Anderson to Watling, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 100.3 : J Anderson to Watling, Outside off, Watling points his bat towards the sky and leaves it alone. |
| 100.4 : J Anderson to Watling, Watling has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 100.5 : Anderson to Watling, Stifled appeal from the bowler but that was sliding down leg. Pitched up on the leg, Watling misses this flick and gets struck low on the pads. |
| 100.6 : J Anderson to Watling, BJ shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 101.1 : S Broad to Nicholls, Too wide outside off, Nicholls stays put. |
| 101.2 : S Broad to Nicholls, Punched off the back foot by Nicholls towards mid on for a dot. |
| 101.3 : S Broad to Nicholls, FOUR! Another overpitched ball and Nicholls drives it perfectly through mid on. It races away to the fence. Excellent stroke play from the Kiwis. |
| 101.4 : S Broad to Nicholls, Full outside off, Nicholls chooses to leave it alone. |
| 101.5 : S Broad to Nicholls, Peach! That's better from Broad. Serves this on a good length, the ball hits the seam and shapes away from Nicholls who plays and misses. |
| 101.6 : S Broad to Nicholls, Four Byes! Bouncer from Broad, Nicholls goes for the pull. The ball goes past his bat and over Bairstow's jumping hand and races away to the fence. 250 up for the Kiwis now, with a lead of 193. |
| 102.1 : J Anderson to Watling, Watling has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 102.2 : J Anderson to Watling, Around off, Watling plays and misses. |
| 102.3 : J Anderson to Watling, Straighter in line, Watling solidly defends it. |
| 102.4 : J Anderson to Watling, Just short! Pitched up, around off. Watling plays this away from his body and gets it from the outer half of the bat just short of the backward point fielder, Stoneman. |
| 102.5 : J Anderson to Watling, Watling defends it from within the crease. |
| 102.6 : J Anderson to Watling, Around off, Watling gets behind the ball and taps it in front of him. |
| 103.1 : S Broad to Nicholls, Too wide to make Nicholls drive at this. |
| 103.2 : S Broad to Nicholls, Very much better from Nicholls. On that fourth stump line, teasing Henry to play at it and it misses the outside edge of his bat. |
| 103.3 : S Broad to Nicholls, Outside off, left alone. |
| 103.4 : S Broad to Nicholls, Beauty from Broad. Good length ball just outside the off pole, it nips back in a shade but Nicholls has his off stump covered as he makes a leave. |
| 103.5 : S Broad to Nicholls, Similar ball and some good bowling from Broad. Lands this too on that fourth stump channel, Nicholls watches it go to the keeper. |
| 103.6 : S Broad to Nicholls, Outside off this, a much easy leave for Nicholls. |
| 104.1 : J Anderson to Watling, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 104.2 : J Anderson to Watling, Easy pickings for Watling. Pitched up on leg, Watling eases this through square leg for a brace. |
| 104.3 : J Anderson to Watling, Angles this into Watling who works it away towards deep square leg, and will get two more for it. |
| 104.4 : J Anderson to BJ Watling, FOUR! Edged and through! Around off, a tad behind that good length, Watling looks to punch it through the line but gets a thick edge which flies between third slip and gully for a streaky boundary. This brings up the fifty-run partnership between the two and New Zealand's lead passes 200 as well. |
| 104.5 : J Anderson to Watling, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 104.6 : J Anderson to Watling, Overpitched ball, in line of the stumps, Watling drives it straight back to the bowler and Anderson puts his foot down in time to save a certain boundary. |
| 105.1 : S Broad to Nicholls, Length on leg, Henry flicks it away through square leg for one. |
| 105.2 : S Broad to Watling, Length in line of the stumps, Watling blocks it. |
| 105.3 : S Broad to Watling, BJ covers his stumps and defends this. |
| 105.4 : S Broad to Watling, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 105.5 : S Broad to Watling, Back of a length ball, Watling defends this off his back foot. |
| 105.6 : S Broad to Watling, OUT! There's the breakthrough England were searching for. Stuart Broad gets his man. After continuously leaving those balls outside his off stump, Watling chases this wide one and that brings his downfall. Broad hurls this outside off on a good length, Watling sans any feet movement goes fishing after it. It takes the outside edge and his opposite number behind the stumps takes a regulation catch. |
| Colin de Grandhomme is the next man in. |
| Also, Chris Woakes is the first change of the day. |
| 106.1 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Woakes starts by bolwing this outside off, Nicholls leaves it alone. |
| 106.2 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Strays this on the pads, Henry flicks it away towards square leg and gives de Grandhomme to face his first ball. |
| 106.3 : C Woakes to Grandhomme, Colin leaves this ball outside his off pole. |
| 106.4 : C Woakes to Grandhomme, Too wide to make Colin play at this. |
| 106.5 : C Woakes to Grandhomme, Outside off, de Grandhomme does not flirt with it. |
| 106.6 : C Woakes to Grandhomme, Good leave from Colin and is not tempted to play the drive. Around off, Colin watchfully sees it through. |
| 107.1 : S Broad to Nicholls, Length on middle and leg, Nicholls taps it around the corner and gets a single. |
| 107.2 : S Broad to Grandhomme, In line of the stumps, de Grandhomme defends it from his crease. |
| 107.3 : S Broad to Grandhomme, Full around off, Colin leans forward and plays it along the turf for the extra cover fielder to collect. |
| 107.4 : S Broad to Grandhomme, Outside off, de Grandhomme gets low and sees it through. |
| 107.5 : S Broad to Grandhomme, Bangs this one short, down the leg, de Grandhomme thinks about pulling it but then decides against it. |
| 107.6 : S Broad to Grandhomme, FOUR! Not a bad way to get your innings going. Pitched up outside off, Colin latches onto this and drives it through covers for a boundary. |
| 108.1 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Length on leg, Henry works it around the corner for one. |
| 108.2 : C Woakes to Grandhomme, Pushed to the cover region by de Grandhomme. |
| 108.3 : C Woakes to de Grandhomme, This has been driven superbly towards cover-point. |
| 108.4 : C Woakes to Grandhomme, SIX! Picks up the length quickly and smokes it away over mid-wicket for a biggie. Woakes pitches this on a length around off, the ball sits up well for de Grandhomme who hits it for a biggie. |
| 108.5 : C Woakes to Grandhomme, Follows the maximum by leaving this outside his off pole. |
| 108.6 : C Woakes to Grandhomme, Outside off, left alone. |
| Another change then. Craig Overton to have a go now. |
| 109.1 : C Overton to Nicholls, Defended off the front foot by Nicholls presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 109.2 : C Overton to Nicholls, Good ball from Overton. Comes from over the wicket and lands it on middle, the ball swings away after pitching and beats the batsman completely. |
| 109.3 : C Overton to Nicholls, Overton is getting the ball to move. Once again darts this on middle, the ball moves away from Nicholls who tried poking at it. |
| 109.4 : C Overton to Nicholls, This one is slightly outside off and Henry leaves it alone. |
| 109.5 : C Overton to Nicholls, Medium pace, on a back of a length, Nicholls climbs onto it and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 109.6 : C Overton to Nicholls, Overpitched ball, Nicholls drives it towards mid on and Stokes the fielder there, dives to stop a boundary. |
| 110.1 : C Woakes to de Grandhomme, FOUR! Edge and past the slip cordon for a boundary. Length around off, makes de Grandhomme come forward. He gets a fat edge to it and the ball falls short and wide of third slip and goes away to the fence. |
| 110.2 : C Woakes to Grandhomme, De Grandhomme drives this towards mid off. |
| 110.3 : C Woakes to Grandhomme, FOUR! We have already seen a couple of on drives today and her's one more. Straight one, Colin straight drives this past the bowler for a boundary. |
| 110.4 : C Woakes to Grandhomme, Full outside off, Colin plays it along the turf to the mid off region. |
| 110.5 : Woakes to Grandhomme, Loud and strong appeal from the English players but nothing from the umpire. Woakes lands this on a length around off, the ball jags back and goes between the gap of bat and pad. The players go up in unison but the umpire stays put. On seeing the replay, Hotspot showed us that there was a spot on the bat and then hit the pad on it's way to the keeper. England thought they had their man but don't have any reviews left for them to take it up. Colin survives. |
| 110.6 : C Woakes to Grandhomme, Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman. |
| 111.1 : C Overton to Nicholls, FOUR! Gorgeous! Simply super from the southpaw! Gets an overpitched delivery and he just brings his bat down in time to hit it straight back down the ground. It bisects mid on and mid off and races away. |
| 111.2 : C Overton to Nicholls, Back of a length delivery on middle, stabbed out off the back foot. |
| 111.3 : C Overton to Nicholls, FOUR! Second one of the over! Short of a length delivery on middle, Henry lifts his one leg up and pulls it towards the longest part of the ground, the deep mid-wicket region and picks up a boundary. Moves to 75 with that. |
| 111.4 : C Overton to Nicholls, Length ball, just outside off, punched towards the cover fielder. |
| 111.5 : C Overton to Nicholls, Is right behind the line of this one as he defends it down watchfully. |
| 111.6 : C Overton to Nicholls, Fullish outside off, nothing doing says Nicholls. |
| 112.1 : C Woakes to Grandhomme, De Grandhomme lets this ball go outside his off pole. |
| 112.2 : C Woakes to Grandhomme, Length outside off, Colin gets his front foot forward and watches it go through to the keeper. |
| 112.3 : C Woakes to Grandhomme, Around off, de Grandhomme defends it with a straight bat. |
| 112.4 : C Woakes to Grandhomme, On leg, Colin works it towards mid-wicket and changes ends. |
| 112.5 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Drags his length back around off, Nicholls sways away from it. |
| 112.6 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Nicholls tries swaying away from this one too, but the ball hits his chest and goes to Jonny. Expect this kind of bowling now, as there are no slips in place. |
| Drinks are on the field now. New Zealand started the session being patient but are now scoring runs at a good pace. They lost the wicket of Watling but are looking comfortable for a bigger lead. The visitors are getting the ball to move around but they aren't using it to their strength. Let's see if they can bundle out the hosts till the Tea break... |
| 113.1 : C Overton to de Grandhomme, Pitched up around off, de Grandhomme drives it superbly through covers but finds the fielder. |
| 113.2 : C Overton to Grandhomme, Taps this towards mid-wicket with soft hands and quickly moves to the other end. |
| 113.3 : C Overton to Nicholls, Length on leg, Henry helps it towards square leg for one more. |
| 113.4 : C Overton to Grandhomme, Bouncer! Colin gets under it with ease. |
| 113.5 : C Overton to de Grandhomme, Changes his length now by pitching it up. De Grandhomme does not time it well enough and gets it of the outer half towards wide mid-wicket for another run. |
| 113.6 : C Overton to H Nicholls, FOUR! Short ball on leg, Nicholls pulls this away down the fine leg region and the ball will go away for a boundary. |
| 114.1 : C Woakes to de Grandhomme, Slightly fuller, Henry hits this back to the bowler. |
| 114.2 : C Woakes to Grandhomme, Full again, de Grandhomme drives this to mid off for a dot. |
| 114.3 : C Woakes to Grandhomme, FOUR! Great shot from Grandhomme. Seen the width on offer, gets forward and drives it uppishly through covers for a boundary. 300 up for the Kiwis now. |
| 114.4 : C Woakes to Grandhomme, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 114.5 : Woakes to Grandhomme, An appeal for LBW but the umpire is not interested. Lands this on a length around off, the ball nips back in a bit and squeezes in off the bat and pad. |
| 114.6 : C Woakes to Grandhomme, FOUR! Well in control this time. Outside off, de Grandhomme square cuts this past point for a handsome boundary. Colin quickly moves to 29 of 34 balls now. |
| 115.1 : C Overton to Nicholls, Digs in a short ball on leg, pulled towards Stokes at backward square leg for a quick single. |
| 115.2 : C Overton to Grandhomme, On a length and closer to off stump, de Grandhomme makes an assured leave. |
| 115.3 : C Overton to de Grandhomme, Shot but for nothing! Fuller in length outside off, Colin leans ahead and drives it nicely but finds the man at mid off. |
| 115.4 : C Overton to Grandhomme, Slower one but it's too wide to make the batsman play. In fact, it crosses the tramline and umpire signals it as a wide. |
| C Overton to Grandhomme, Good leave! Coming back in from outside off, de Grandhomme hops back before shouldering his arms. |
| 115.5 : C Overton to Grandhomme, Another one outside off, left alone. |
| 115.6 : C Overton to Grandhomme, OUT! Colin de Grandhomme's show ends. Craig Overton breaks the 49-run stand. He lands it on a back of a length outside off, de Grandhomme tries to take him on with a powerful pull shot. He goes at it with all his might but there isn't much pace behind the ball and hence it takes the top edge. Jonny Bairstow behind the stumps leaps to take another good catch. |
| Todd Astle is the new man in. |
| 116.1 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Angling away on a fuller length outside off, easily left alone. |
| 116.2 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Sprayed wider than the previous one, Nicholls is happy to make a leave again. |
| 116.3 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Short of a good length outside off, HN punches it off the back foot towards cover-point and crosses for a quick single. |
| 116.4 : C Woakes to Astle, Back of a length outside off, Astle taps it in front of cover and opens his account with a brisk single. |
| 116.5 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Fuller and angling away outside off, Henry shoulders his arms to it. |
| 116.6 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 117.1 : C Overton to Astle, Ahead of a length outside off, pushed into the off side sweetly. |
| 117.2 : C Overton to Astle, Good stop, Root! Back of a length outside off, Todd punches it off the back foot towards cover where the English skipper dives to his left to make a good stop. |
| 117.3 : C Overton to Astle, Fuller and angling in on middle and off, kept out solidly. |
| 117.4 : C Overton to Astle, Another one on a fuller length, worked towards mid on. |
| 117.5 : C Overton to Astle, Good length ball on off, shown a straight bat. |
| 117.6 : C Overton to Astle, Astle presses ahead and drives it through cover. Woakes from mid off is quick to move to his left and keep them down to a single. |
| 118.1 : C Woakes to Astle, Fuller ball from Woakes going wide of the crease, Astle is solid in defense. |
| 118.2 : C Woakes to Astle, Pitches it right up there, Todd drives it straight back towards the bowler who in his followthrough sticks his left hand out and stops it. |
| 118.3 : C Woakes to Astle, Keeps it fuller again, driven crisply to the cover fielder. |
| 118.4 : C Woakes to Astle, After bowling three fuller deliveries, Chris goes short. Astle is quick to sit under it. |
| 118.5 : C Woakes to Astle, Short of a good length outside off, punched off the back foot towards cover. |
| 118.6 : C Woakes to Astle, Another good save! Short and a bit wide outside off, Astle looks to steer it away and he does so but the man at gully dives to his left to save a boundary. A maiden for Woakes. |
| 119.1 : C Overton to Nicholls, Good length delivery outside off, Nicholls punches it to the man at mid off. |
| 119.2 : C Overton to Nicholls, Gets back and looks to cut but finds the man at cover-point. |
| 119.3 : C Overton to Nicholls, Overton drops it a bit short on middle, Henry moves across and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket to get a couple of runs. |
| 119.4 : C Overton to Nicholls, FOUR! Quick hands! Short and served wider outside off, Nicholls is quick to latch onto it. Cuts it neatly in the gap through backward point and picks up a boundary. |
| 119.5 : C Overton to Nicholls, Back of a length outside off, tries to repeat the previous shot but this time it goes straight to the man at point. |
| 119.6 : C Overton to H Nicholls, Wanted to keep it full but ends up bowling a low full toss, knocked straight to mid on. |
| 120.1 : C Woakes to Astle, Good length delivery, coming back in on middle, Astle stabs it out towards cover. |
| 120.2 : C Woakes to Astle, Tries to force it through the line but the length is too close to play that. Gets a bottom edge on the pads. |
| 120.3 : C Woakes to Astle, Ahead of a length on middle and off, tucked towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 120.4 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Fuller and angling away, Nicholls goes hard at it. Gets an edge fine down to third man for a single. |
| 120.5 : C Woakes to Astle, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 120.6 : C Woakes to Astle, FOUR! In the air but safely through the gap! Fuller ball, a bit wide outside off, Astle goes hard at it. Squirts it off the outer half behind point for a boundary to end the over. |
| 121.1 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Length ball outside off, punched in front of cover-point for an easy single. |
| 121.2 : C Woakes to Astle, Angling down leg, Todd shuffles inside the line to clip it away but fails to get any wood on it. |
| 121.3 : C Woakes to T Astle, Takes a stride forward and pushes it to mid off. |
| There is some issue with the ball. It's taken to the umpire who passes it through the 8-shape gauge. It seems to have gone out of shape and a new one is handed over to Overton. |
| 121.4 : C Woakes to Astle, Bangs in a short one on middle and off, Todd Astle is happy to duck under it. |
| 121.5 : C Woakes to Astle, Fuller and decking in on middle and leg, clipped off the inner half through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 121.6 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Good length outside off, Nicholls sees it through safely. |
| Time for spin now. Moeen Ali is asked to roll his arm over. A slip and a short leg in place for the offie. |
| 122.1 : M Ali to Astle, Starts off from over the wicket and tosses it up on the stumps, Astle bunts it back to Ali. |
| 122.2 : M Ali to Astle, Floated delivery around off, blocked into the ground. |
| 122.3 : M Ali to Astle, In the air... safe! Flighted delivery outside off, Astle gets down to hit it with the turn but gets a top edge instead. The ball lands safely in the deep sqaure leg region and the batsmen take two. |
| 122.4 : M Ali to Astle, Outside off, defended down watchfully. |
| 122.5 : M Ali to Astle, Takes a stride ahead and kills it into the turf. |
| 122.6 : M Ali to Astle, Tossed up outside off, Astle defends it down gently. |
| A bit of discussion going on between the English players as to who should bowl. It's Stuart Broad to steam in... |
| 123.1 : S Broad to Nicholls, Begins the new spell from over the wicket, lands it around middle and off, Nicholls hangs back to defend but gets an inside edge on the pads. |
| 123.2 : S Broad to Nicholls, Fuller in length around leg, Henry Nicholls looks to flick but misses and wears it on the pads. A stifled appeal but it was pitching outside leg. |
| 123.3 : S Broad to Nicholls, FOUR! Too easy for Henry! He's inching closer to a ton now. Fuller again on the pads, Nicholls is quick to take full toll of it as he whips it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 123.4 : S Broad to Nicholls, On middle and off, driven back to the bowler. Broad collects it and fires it back at Nicholls and it hits him. Frustration from the pacer but he apologizes quickly. |
| 123.5 : S Broad to Nicholls, Henry Nicholls presses forward and drives it towards the mid off fielder. |
| 123.6 : S Broad to Nicholls, Outside off, not paid any heed. |
| 124.1 : M Ali to Astle, FOUR! Cheeky from Todd! He gets across to a tossed up ball outside off and paddle sweeps it down to fine leg for a boundary. It's appreciated by his teammates in the dressing room. |
| 124.2 : M Ali to Astle, Flatter on middle and off, blocked out gently. |
| 124.3 : M Ali to Astle, Darted in on middle and leg, wristed towards mid on. |
| 124.4 : M Ali to Astle, Quicker through the air around leg, flicked through mid-wicket. |
| 124.5 : M Ali to Astle, Flattish on middle and leg, nudged through square leg for a single. |
| 124.6 : M Ali to Nicholls, Goes around the wicket for the last ball of the over, loops it up on off, Nicholls hangs back in defense. |
| 125.1 : S Broad to Astle, FOUR! What was that? Lucky, Astle! Broad goes short and directs it towards the batsman, Todd sinks low as he looks to evade it but the ball keeps coming in. It takes the handle of the bat and flies over the keeper for a boundary. Broad isn't happy at all. |
| 125.2 : S Broad to Astle, OUT! Chops it on! Stuart picks up his third and wears a broad smile on his face. Fuller in length and curling back in a touch, Astle tries forcing it through the line but gets an inside edge on the back boot and then it deflects onto the stumps. Soft dismissal, that. New Zealand lead by 283. Will they declare? |
| Tim Southee walks in next. |
| 125.3 : S Broad to Southee, Welcomes his opposite number with a bumper, Southee is happy to sway away from the line. |
| 125.4 : S Broad to Southee, On a back of a length, holding its line as Tim has a tame poke at it. Gets beaten comprehensively. |
| 125.5 : S Broad to Southee, Southee stays back and with an angle bat steers it towards backward point. |
| 125.6 : S Broad to Southee, Length on middle and off, defended off the back foot. |
| 126.1 : M Ali to Nicholls, Floated ball outside off, blocked into the ground comfortably. |
| 126.2 : M Ali to Nicholls, Turning away from around off, left alone by Henry. |
| Can Henry celebrate? He's tonked one down the ground but the umpires want to see if the ball has bumped before going into the rope or not. The crowd is already on its feet but the batter isn't too keen to show emotions... |
| 126.3 : Ali to Nicholls, FOUR! One-bounce boundary! Henry needs to wait for a bit to celebrate. But what a shot that is. Floated delivery, dipping in on middle, Nicholls wears his dancing shoes on and lofts it over mid on. It seemed like it has gone all the way but the replays confirm it didn't. Just two short of a ton now. |
| 126.4 : M Ali to Nicholls, Gets forward to a tossed up ball and leaves it alone. |
| 126.5 : M Ali to Nicholls, Henry Nicholls, you can celebrate now! Gets to his ton and has the crowd right behind him. Takes his helmet off and sinks in all the applause that is on offer. He's batting since four days, let me tell you he has been really patient and deserved it thoroughly. Ali drops it short outside off, punched through cover-point for a couple of runs. |
| 126.6 : M Ali to Nicholls, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 127.1 : S Broad to Southee, Bangs in a short one, Southee ducks. |
| 127.2 : S Broad to Southee, Fuller on off, driven towards mid off. |
| 127.3 : S Broad to Southee, Another one on a fuller length on off, Tim drives it in the same region. |
| 127.4 : S Broad to Southee, Shortish outside off, Southee drops his wrists to leave it alone. |
| 127.5 : S Broad to Southee, Back of a length outside off, punched towards cover. |
| 127.6 : S Broad to Southee, Fullish on off, Southee keeps it out. TEA, DAY 4! |
| It's Kiwis all the way here in Auckland. Henry Nicholls is the man they need to thank to as his hundred has put them in a commanding position. They are now ahead by a massive 289 runs. The day started with Watling and Henry playing the patient game but soon they started scoring runs at a quick pace. Stuart Broad removed the keeper-batsman but then it was Colin de Grandhomme who stepped in next. He along with the southpaw motored along fluently and stitched another 49-run stand before the former |
| Post that, it's Todd Astle who has kept the English at bay. With the lead already on the verge to cross 300, the declaration seems to be around the corner. Let's wait and see how much will the Kiwis feel is enough before handing the willow to England. Join us in a short while for the second session. |
| ... Day 4, Session 2 ... |
| We are back as well. The break got over in no time. So, New Zealand haven't declared. They will continue to bat. The concerned players are out in the middle along with the umpires. James Anderson to kickoff the proceedings. A slip and silly mid off in place. The centurion is on strike... |
| 128.1 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Starts by bowling a full delivery outside off, Henry drives this to short mid off. |
| 128.2 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Full again wide outside off, Nicholls cuts it past backward point and gives Southee the strike. |
| 128.3 : J Anderson to Southee, Length around off, swings away from Southee who pokes at it but misses |
| 128.4 : J Anderson to Southee, Back of a length ball, Tim hangs back and plays this to mid off. |
| 128.5 : J Anderson to Southee, FOUR! SHOT! Overpitched ball, Southee stands tall, holds his pose and hits it uppishly back of the bowler for a boundary. |
| 128.6 : J Anderson to Southee, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| Stuart Broad to bowl from the other end. |
| 129.1 : S Broad to H Nicholls, Run out chance goes begging! Good work though from Stokes but misses his target. Back of a length ball, Henry plays it with soft hands towards mid on and quickly looks to get to the other end. He takes off and Stokes the fielder there, comes charging in, puts in the dive but fails to hit the target. Henry was short of his ground if Stokes had it. |
| 129.2 : S Broad to Southee, Southee clips this away towards square leg for one. |
| 129.3 : S Broad to Nicholls, On leg, Henry works it to the square leg fielder. |
| 129.4 : S Broad to Nicholls, Length on the stumps, Nicholls blocks it with a straight bat. |
| 129.5 : S Broad to Nicholls, Back of a length ball around off, Henry gets behind it and sees it off. |
| 129.6 : S Broad to Nicholls, Nicholls shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 130.1 : J Anderson to Southee, Short ball on middle, Southee goes for the pull but fails to connect. |
| 130.2 : J Anderson to Southee, Length around off, Tim drives this to mid off. |
| 130.3 : Anderson to Southee, Full on the legs Southee who ties to shuffle and work it away but gets hit on the boots down the leg. |
| 130.4 : J Anderson to Southee, Shorter in length around off, Southee stays in his crease and pushes it through covers in the gap. The ball doesn't have the legs to go all the way but they come back for the third. |
| 130.5 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Overpitched ball on the stumps, Nicholls drives it back to the bowler. |
| 130.6 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Length around off, Nicholls punches this on the off for one. |
| 131.1 : S Broad to Nicholls, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 131.2 : S Broad to Nicholls, Full around off, Nicholls gets his bat down and keeps the yorker at bay. |
| 131.3 : S Broad to Nicholls, FOUR! Beautifully done! Broad comes in from round the wicket and angles it into Henry who whips it away through mid-wicket for a boundary. This brings up the 300 lead for the Kiwis. |
| 131.4 : S Broad to Nicholls, Nicholls shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 131.5 : S Broad to Nicholls, Effort ball, henry pulls this with force towards mid-wicket but will only get one. |
| 131.6 : S Broad to Southee, Short again, Southee does well to leave that bouncer. |
| 132.1 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Length outside off, Nicholls cuts it to point. |
| 132.2 : J Anderson to Nicholls, FOUR! On the pads of Nicholls, who helps it on its way to the fine leg region where there is no fielder. A boundary results. |
| 132.3 : J Anderson to Nicholls, Outside off, Henry slices it past the slip cordon for a run. |
| 132.4 : J Anderson to Southee, Pitched up, Tim flicks this away through mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 132.5 : J Anderson to Southee, Short ball, Southee goes for the pull but misses his shot. |
| 132.6 : J Anderson to Southee, Full on middle and leg, Southee clips it through mid-wicket and will come back for the third run. |
| 133.1 : S Broad to Southee, FOUR! The stands moves to 36 from 47 balls now with this boundary. Short ball on leg, Southee pulls this back of square. Overton the fielder in the deep, makes a full stretched dive but couldn't get to the ball. |
| 133.2 : S Broad to Southee, Back of a length ball, Southee punches this on the off and picks up a single. |
| 133.3 : S Broad to H Nicholls, FOUR! Glorious! Elegantly done by Henry. Full ball around off, Nicholls drives this down the ground for a lovely boundary. |
| 133.4 : S Broad to Nicholls, Length outside off, Nicholls hangs back and pushes this towards mid off for a run. |
| 133.5 : S Broad to Southee, Bangs this short, Southee tries to pull that one but failed to connect it. |
| 133.6 : S Broad to Southee, Short again, this time Southee ducks under it. |
| Chris Woakes comes back into the attack. |
| 134.1 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Woakes pitches it up around off, Nicholls drives it through covers and moves to the other end. |
| 134.2 : C Woakes to Southee, Drags his length back, Southee pulls this in front of square for a single. |
| 134.3 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Full and wider, Nicholls shuffles across his crease, reaches for the ball outside off and paddle sweeps this towards fine leg for one more. Henry now moves to 120 which is his highest ever Test score. |
| 134.4 : C Woakes to Southee, Short ball trick continues for Southee, who tries to pull it but misses. |
| 134.5 : C Woakes to Southee, Driven through the covers by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 134.6 : C Woakes to H Nicholls, Nicholls now drives this towards covers to keep strike for the next over. |
| Joe Root, the skipper, brings himself on to bowl. |
| 135.1 : Joe Root to Nicholls, Full outside off, Nicholls goes after it but the ball is too wide to make contact. |
| 135.2 : Joe Root to Nicholls, Darts this quick on leg, Henry helps this towards fine leg for one. |
| 135.3 : Joe Root to Southee, Flat on leg again, Southee clips this to the square leg fielder. |
| 135.4 : Joe Root to Southee, Full on leg this time, Southee sweeps it to the short fine leg fielder. |
| 135.5 : Joe Root to Southee, Similar line from Root, Southee works it on the leg side. |
| 135.6 : Root to Southee, Darts this quick on the pads of Southee who misses his flicks and gets hit low on the pads. |
| 136.1 : C Woakes to Nicholls, FOUR! Smartly done from Henry. Woakes bowls this slightly full outside off. Nicholls goes down on one knee and sweeps this to the fine leg boundary. |
| 136.2 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Back of a length ball, Henry pulls this towards deep square leg for one. |
| 136.3 : C Woakes to Southee, Length outside off, Southee pushes this towards mid off and gets one for it. |
| 136.4 : C Woakes to Nicholls, FOUR! Edge and in the gap. Sums up the innings for England. Woakes lands it on a good length, Nicholls gets a fat edge to it and the ball goes past the vacant slip region for a boundary. |
| 136.5 : C Woakes to Nicholls, Short ball, Henry doesn't connect with his pull and gets hit on the body. |
| 136.6 : C Woakes to H Nicholls, FOUR! Outside off, Henry cuts this past backward point for another boundary. |
| 137.1 : Joe Root to Southee, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 137.2 : Joe Root to Nicholls, Nicholls has punched the ball off the back foot. |
| 137.3 : Joe Root to Nicholls, Tossed up around off, Henry drives this through mid off for a run. |
| 137.4 : Joe Root to Southee, Floated ball on middle and leg, Southee makes room and goes for the big swing. He just manages to get a bottom edge to it and |
| 137.5 : Joe Root to Nicholls, Outside off, Nicholls fails to put bat on ball. |
| 137.6 : Joe Root to Nicholls, Full in line of the stumps, Henry hits it back to the bowler. |
| Spins on from both ends. Moeen Ali comes back into the attack. |
| 138.1 : M Ali to Southee, Darts this quick on leg, Southee is hit on his pad as he misses his shot. |
| 138.2 : M Ali to Southee, Short ball on off, Tim punches it along the turf on the off for one. |
| A run out appeal is been taken upstairs. Southee is the man in question. Bairstow thinks he has his man, Is Southee short of his crease? |
| 138.3 : Ali to Nicholls, NOT OUT! Southee is just in. Ali bowls this full on leg, Nicholls works it towards mid-wicket and quickly moves to the other end. Anderson, the fielder, gets low and quickly gets rid of the ball towards the striker's end. Bairstow takes the bails off quickly and starts the appeal. The umpire takes it upstairs and after couple of replays, the TV umpire does not have enough evidence of Southee being short of his ground. They cross. |
| 138.4 : M Ali to Southee, Tim works it down the leg side. |
| 138.5 : M Ali to Southee, Driven through mid on by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 138.6 : M Ali to Nicholls, FOUR. |
| 139.1 : Root to Southee, OUT! Leading edge and gone! Joe Root brings himself on and picks up a wicket. Floats it up around middle, Southee looks to flick it away but is done in by the flight. Gets a leading edge back towards the bowler who accepts an easy catch. New Zealand's lead read 355 and they still want to bat. |
| 0.0 : Neil Wagner is the next man in. |
| 139.2 : Joe Root to Wagner, Flatter ball outside off, Wagner looks to cut but fails to do so. |
| 139.3 : Joe Root to Wagner, SIX! That's gone the distance! Wagner didn't get a chance to bowl but he says he won't miss out with the bat. Gets down to a tossed up ball and launches it over long on for a maximum. |
| 139.4 : Joe Root to Wagner, Goes back to a short ball and punches t past cover for a single. |
| 139.5 : Joe Root to Nicholls, Fuller and darted on off, drilled through extra cover for a brace. |
| 139.6 : Joe Root to Nicholls, Gets down to play the reverse sweep but seems to have missed it. Bairstow appeals but nothing from the umpire. |
| 140.1 : M Ali to Wagner, Wagner blocks this off his back foot. |
| 140.2 : M Ali to Wagner, On the legs of Wagner who has been hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards square leg as they steal a run. |
| 140.3 : M Ali to Nicholls, Short ball, Henry pushes this on the off side and will get one. |
| Boult was seen all padded up and now rushes back to the dressing room. A deceleration on the cards? |
| 140.4 : M Ali to Wagner, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 140.5 : M Ali to Nicholls, Tossed up outside off, Henry charges down and hits it towards mid-wicket for just one. |
| 140.6 : M Ali to Wagner, Wagner has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. |
| The umpires have called for drinks. In fact, Kane Williamson doesn't want that. Instead he calls them back. NEW ZEALAND HAVE DECLARED and they LEAD BY 369! What an innings from Henry Nicholls. He has shepherded the tail and has given his side a real chance to win this match. Watling, de Grandhomme, Astle, Southee everyone chipped in and offered good resistance to swell the lead to a good one. |
| Earlier, in the innings it was a top class innings from skipper, Kane Williamson who too scored a ton to set the tone for the Test. |
| 0.1 : T Boult to Cook, Boult starts on a length just outside off, Cook pokes at it but misses. |
| 0.2 : T Boult to Cook, Another play and miss. Length around the fourth stump channel, Cook plays but gets beaten. |
| 0.3 : T Boult to Cook, This time Cook gets behind the ball and blocks it. |
| 0.4 : T Boult to Cook, Outside off, Cook chooses to leave it alone. |
| 0.5 : T Boult to Cook, Length around off, Cook shoulders arms to this one. |
| 0.6 : T Boult to Cook, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| Tim Southee will bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Tim lands this from over the wicket outside off, Stoneman doesn't bother playing at it. |
| 1.2 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Slower ball on a good length, Stoneman looks to work it on the on side but gets a leading edge well short of the bowler. |
| 1.3 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 1.4 : Tim Southee to M Stoneman, Outside off, Stoneman plays at it and gets an edge short of Williamson at gully who dives to stop a certain boundary. |
| 1.5 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, FOUR! Up and over. Tim drags his length back, Stoneman rocks back and pulls it over mid-wicket for the first boundary. |
| 1.6 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Outside off, left alone. |
| 2.1 : T Boult to Cook, Pitched up, Cook plays this to mid-wicket for nothing. |
| 2.2 : T Boult to Cook, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 2.3 : T Boult to Cook, Length ball on the stumps, Cook covers his stump and blocks it. |
| 2.4 : T Boult to Cook, Short and wide, Cook cuts it towards gully. Williamson stationed there, dives and manages to get fingertips to it. It took the sting of the ball and the batsmen pick up a couple. |
| 2.5 : T Boult to Cook, OUT! An early wicket and the chef has to depart. This is what happens when you don't get your feet moving. He was on his back foot for previous length balls, Boult pitches this one full down leg. Cook goes for the lazy flick and gets an edge on the ;lower part of the bat. The ball goes towards Watling who dives to his right and take a good low catch. The players go up in unison and it didn't take time for the umpire to raise his finger. A dejected Cook has to take the long |
| Joe Root walks in to the middle to bat. |
| 2.6 : T Boult to Root, Ohh! Length down the leg, Root goes after it but misses his flick. A very good over comes to an end. |
| 3.1 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Full on off, Stoneman gets an edge towards covers and will get one for it. |
| 3.2 : Tim Southee to Root, Root defends it from within the crease. |
| 3.3 : Tim Southee to Root, Root shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 3.4 : Tim Southee to Root, FOUR! Top edge but safe. Tim bangs this one short on leg, Root goes for the pull but gets a top edge fine towards fine leg for his first boundary. |
| 3.5 : Tim Southee to Root, Root covers his stumps and blocks this. |
| 3.6 : Tim Southee to Root, Superb drive through covers. Full outside off, Root leans ahead and drives it in the gap and will come back for the third run. |
| 4.1 : T Boult to Root, The ball is too wide on the off side for Root to make any contact. |
| 4.2 : T Boult to Root, Root lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 4.3 : T Boult to Joe Root, Full around off, Joe drives this for the mid off fielder to collect. |
| 4.4 : T Boult to Root, Peach! Very good line and length from Boult. Lands this around off, the ball jags back and goes between bat and pad. Almost gets an inside edge to the keeper. |
| 4.5 : T Boult to Root, Root shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 4.6 : T Boult to Root, on that fourth stump channel, Root plants his foot forward, but gets beaten outside his off pole. |
| 5.1 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 5.2 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Fuller in length just outside off, Stoneman gets low and looks to drive but is beaten once again. |
| 5.3 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Full on middle and off, Stoneman slices this towards covers for a run. |
| 5.4 : Tim Southee to Root, Hint of swing from Southee. Serves this on off, the moves away from Root who looks to flirt at it but gets beaten. |
| 5.5 : Tim Southee to Root, This ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for Joe. |
| 5.6 : Tim Southee to Root, Covers his stumps and taps it in front of him. |
| 6.1 : T Boult to M Stoneman, FOUR BYES! Over Stoneman and Watling and runs away to the fine leg boundary. Boult bangs this one short, Stoneman ducks under it and it goes over the keeper for a boundary. |
| 6.2 : T Boult to Stoneman, Back of a length ball, Stoneman hangs back and blocks it. |
| 6.3 : T Boult to Stoneman, Pitches it up on leg, Mark flicks this for the square leg fielder to collect. |
| 6.4 : T Boult to Stoneman, This one will be picked up by the mid on fielder after Stoneman hits it to him. |
| 6.5 : T Boult to Stoneman, Short outside off, Stoneman goes for the upper cut, but is away from his body. He is beaten as the keeper collects it at a good height. |
| 6.6 : T Boult to Stoneman, Around off, Stoneman punches this through cover-point in the gap and after some confusion they still manage to get the second. |
| 7.1 : Tim Southee to Root, Root rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball on the off. |
| 7.2 : Tim Southee to Root, Pushes his length further up, Joe works it to square leg. |
| 7.3 : Tim Southee to Root, Finds the gap this time, Root flicks it in the gap through mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 7.4 : Tim Southee to Root, Will get just one this time as he flicks it towards square the leg fielder. |
| 7.5 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Wide outside off stump, Mark leaves it alone. |
| 7.6 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Outside off, Stoneman fails to put bat on ball. |
| 8.1 : T Boult to Root, Joe chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 8.2 : T Boult to Root, Outside off, left alone. |
| 8.3 : T Boult to Root, On that fourth stump line, Root watches it go through the keeper. |
| 8.4 : T Boult to Root, Comes from round the wicket, lands it at a back of a length, Root hangs back and slices it to the point fielder. |
| 8.5 : T Boult to Root, Boult is playing with the angle, comes steaming in from over the wicket now. Pitches it on middle and leg, Root is solid in his defense. |
| 8.6 : T Boult to Root, Played through mid-wicket by Joe. |
| 9.1 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Outside off, Stoneman chooses to leave it alone. |
| 9.2 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Mark shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 9.3 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, This ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for Stoneman. |
| 9.4 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Beauty! Almost got the outside edge of Stoneman's bat. Lands this on middle at a good length, invites Mark forward who gets beaten on his defense. |
| 9.5 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Back of a length ball on off, Mark punches this through the line for a single. |
| 9.6 : Tim Southee to Root, Root has flicked the ball off his pads. |
| 10.1 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, A tad fuller, on middle and off, Mark plays it to cover-point. |
| 10.2 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, Outside off, Stoneman doesn't bother fiddling with it. |
| 10.3 : de Grandhomme to M Stoneman, Pitched up, Stoneman drives it towards covers and quickly pushes for the run. |
| 10.4 : de Grandhomme to Root, FOUR. Full outside off, Root leans forward and slices it uppishly just past the third slip fielder. The ball runs away to the fence for a boundary. |
| 10.5 : de Grandhomme to Root, Covers his stumps and taps it in front of him. |
| 10.6 : de Grandhomme to Root, Length around off, Root plays it into the ground with soft hands. |
| 11.1 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Comes in from over the wicket, lands it on a good length around off and it moves away from Stoneman after pitching who is happy to let it be. |
| 11.2 : Tim Southee to M Stoneman, FOUR. Digs this in short on middle and off, Stoneman pulls this away through mid-wicket. Jeet Raval the fielder there, dives and stops the ball but after the umpire confirming it with the TV umpire, it seems that Raval has touched the rope when he had the ball in his hands. |
| 11.3 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Back of a length ball on leg, Mark his hit high on the thigh pad after missing his flick. |
| 11.4 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Pitched up, Mark hits it to mid on. |
| 11.5 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, FOUR! Beautifully done! Another pitched up ball on middle and leg, Stoneman hits it along the turf through mid on for a boundary. |
| 11.6 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Wide outside off stump, Stoneman leaves it alone. That's Dinner, England trail by 331! |
| No further alarms for England after the early loss of Alastair Cook. Root and Stoneman ensure that England can have a better supper for now but they are still way behind in the Test match. Early on, the New Zealand tail wagged along with Henry Nicholls which helped them propel their lead to 369 before declaring the innings. England had their backs against the wall and to make matters worse, they lost Cook in this brief passage of play which further dented them. |
| It is going to be an interesting last session now for the three lions. They will be batting under lights and the ball is still new. Joe Root and Mark Stoneman have looked tentative till now and need to find a way to counter it out there. New Zealand, well their bowlers are relatively fresh and would be licking their lips to go in now. This promises to be an exciting session with the ball moving around. Do join us for that in a short while as this can decide the outcome of this Test match. |
| ... Day 4, Session 3 ... |
| The players are making their way out in the middle for the final session. The batsmen have taken their guards. Trent Boult will bowl the first over post dinner. Three slips and a gully in place... |
| 12.1 : T Boult to Root, He comes from over the wicket and hurls it across on off, Root is happy to shoulder his arms. |
| 12.2 : T Boult to Root, Slightly fuller on off, Joe Root leans forward a touch and defends it down solidly. |
| 12.3 : T Boult to Root, Drags his length a tad, JR covers the line and shows a straight bat. |
| 12.4 : T Boult to Root, Goes fuller, angling away on off, Joe Root plants his front foot across as he makes another leave. |
| 12.5 : T Boult to Root, Good length delivery on middle, curling back in a wee bit, Root stabs it out comfortably. |
| 12.6 : T Boult to Root, That stayed low! Boult and Root share a smile. Ahead of a length outside off, Root crouches low to defend but the ball sneaks under his bat and rolls on the bounce to the keeper behind. A maiden for Trent to kick things off in this session. |
| Tim Southee will bowl from the other end. |
| 13.1 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Fuller in length from over the wicket, Stoneman points his bat skywards as he makes an assured leave. |
| 13.2 : Tim Southee to M Stoneman, Very full outside off, Mark squeezes it out in front of the point fielder. |
| 13.3 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Angling away on a fuller length outside off, left alone with ease. |
| 13.4 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Fuller ball, coming back in on the pads, Stoneman flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 13.5 : Tim Southee to M Stoneman, Southee pitches it up but no swing on this one, Stoneman pats it towards mid off. |
| 13.6 : Tim Southee to M Stoneman, Good length delivery, just around off, Mark hangs back to defend but the ball catches the outside edge and goes on the bounce to Watling behind. The key there was he played with soft hands. |
| 14.1 : T Boult to Root, Takes a stride ahead to a fuller ball and eases it into the cover region for a single. |
| 14.2 : T Boult to Stoneman, A shout for an LBW but it was going down leg. Good length delivery, angling in on middle and leg, Stoneman misses his tuck and wears it on the pads. Boult slips in his followthrough and is down on the ground. Still appeals for it but it was going down leg. |
| 14.3 : T Boult to Stoneman, Nicely done! Short of a length delivery outside off, Stoneman stands tall and steers it through point. Won't get a boundary but will pick up three. |
| 14.4 : T Boult to Root, FOUR! Similar from Root this time! Boult angles it away on a length outside off, Root reaches out to that one as he deftly guides it behind point and picks up a boundary to his name. |
| 14.5 : T Boult to Root, Bangs in a short one on middle and off, Root arches back to evade it. |
| 14.6 : T Boult to Root, On middle and leg, worked with soft hands towards mid-wicket. |
| 15.1 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Slanting away on a fuller length outside off, shouldered arms to. |
| 15.2 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Good tempting line from Southee! Fullish on off, Mark shows good resistance as he lets it be. |
| 15.3 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Good length delivery outside off, punched towards cover for nothing. |
| 15.4 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Fullish in length and curling back in on the pads, a mistimed flick towards mid-wicket. |
| 15.5 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Very full outside off, Stoneman looks to drive but once again mistimes it towards mid off. The man is a bit deep there which allows them to steal a single. |
| 15.6 : Tim Southee to Root, Covers the sticks, is right behind the line and defends it down watchfully. |
| 16.1 : T Boult to Stoneman, Drops it on a back of a length, angling in on middle, tapped in front of point. |
| 0.0 : Martin Guptill is on the field as a substitute. A bit of a delay as there is some movement behind the bowler... |
| 16.2 : T Boult to Stoneman, FOUR! Easy peasy for the southpaw! Boult sprays it on the pads, all Mark had to do was to get some bat on it. He shuffles across and does so. Next result - the ball crosses the fine leg fence. 50 comes up for England. |
| 16.3 : T Boult to Stoneman, Back of a length delivery on middle, skidding a bit off the deck, MS misses his tuck and wears it on the thigh pad. |
| 16.4 : T Boult to M Stoneman, Delivers it on a fuller length outside off, pushed towards the man at mid off. |
| 16.5 : T Boult to Stoneman, The stand moves to 49 now! Short of a length delivery, in the channel outside off, Stoneman tries to punch but gets it off the outer half behind point for an easy brace. |
| 16.6 : T Boult to Stoneman, Mark chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 17.1 : Tim Southee to Root, On middle and off, defended off the back foot. |
| 17.2 : Tim Southee to Root, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 17.3 : Tim Southee to Joe Root, Fullish delivery on middle and off, Root drives it straight to mid on. |
| 17.4 : Tim Southee to Root, 50-run stand comes up between the two. Some relief in the English camp. Fuller ball on the pads, flicked towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 17.5 : Tim Southee to M Stoneman, Stoneman eases this full ball straight to mid off. |
| 17.6 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, On middle, clipped towards the fielder at mid-wicket for nothing. |
| Colin de Grandhomme is back into the attack. The on-air commentators want Kane to bring Neil Wagner on. His pace will surely trouble the batters, they feel. |
| 18.1 : de Grandhomme to Root, Fullish in length outside off, JR is happy to leave it alone. |
| 18.2 : de Grandhomme to Root, Pitched up ball outside off, driven towards mid off. |
| 18.3 : de Grandhomme to Root, Back of a length delivery outside off, steered down to third man for a double. |
| 18.4 : Grandhomme to Root, Huge shout for an LBW, not given! De Grandhomme angles it in from around off, Root looks to flick it away but seems to have gotten an inside edge on the pads as the ball rolls behind square on the leg side and they run one. New Zealand appeal but the umpire turns it down as he spots an inside edge. Good call. |
| 18.5 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, Veering on the pads, clipped through mid-wicket for a comfortable brace. |
| 18.6 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, Outside off, left alone. |
| 19.1 : Tim Southee to Root, Southee in his bid to attack the stumps ends up straying on the pads, glanced down to fine leg for a single. |
| 19.2 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Angles it away on a fuller length outside off, easily left alone. |
| 19.3 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 19.4 : Tim Southee to Stoneman, Good stop! Saved a certain boundary there! Short and outside off, width given as well. Stoneman stands tall and cuts it hard towards point where the fielder dives to his right to cut it off. He saves three runs for his side. |
| 19.5 : Tim Southee to Root, Fullish ball on the pads, worked away towards the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 19.6 : Tim Southee to Root, On middle and off, Joe Root stays right behind the line and defends it down. |
| 20.1 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, On a good length outside off, punched past the cover fielder for a single. |
| 20.2 : de Grandhomme to Root, Fullish in length and angling in on middle, worked away towards mid on. |
| 20.3 : de Grandhomme to Root, On the pads, eased fine down the leg side for a single. |
| 20.4 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 20.5 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, Angling away on a length outside off, easily left alone by Stoneman. He has shown good patience till now, good for England. |
| 20.6 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, Length ball outside off, steered with an angled bat towards the gully fielder. |
| Finally, Neil Wagner to have a go. First time in this Test. |
| 21.1 : N Wagner to Root, Comes running in from over the wicket and lands it on a fuller length on the pads, worked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 21.2 : N Wagner to Root, Is right behind the line to this length ball and defends it down. |
| 21.3 : N Wagner to Root, Wagner sprays one on the pads, worked fine down the leg side for a brace. |
| 21.4 : N Wagner to Root, Lapse in concentration? Seemed like! Wagner angles it away on a shorter length on off, Root has a wild slash at it and gets beaten. Wasn't fat away from kissing the outside edge of his bat. |
| The crowd Booooooos! Wagner comes steaming in and just when he was about to deliver, Root pulls out as something distracted him. He smiles and apologizes but tell you what, it's something that a fast bowler would never be pleased with. Poor Wagner will have to walk back... |
| 21.5 : N Wagner to Root, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 21.6 : N Wagner to Root, Good length delivery on the stumps, water-tight defense from Joe Root to end the first over of Wagner. |
| 22.1 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, On a length outside off, punched off the back foot towards cover. |
| 22.2 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, FOUR! Jeet Raval, that's really sloppy brother! Fuller ball on the stumps, Stoneman drives it towards mid on. The New Zealand opener lets it through his legs and concedes a boundary. |
| 22.3 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, Shortish ball, angling away on off, Mark Stoneman without any feet movement looks to go hard at it with a cut shot. Is beaten all ends up. |
| 22.4 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, Doesn't go after it this time as he makes a good leave. |
| 22.5 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, Another leave from the southpaw. |
| 22.6 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, Colin keeps it full on the stumps, bunted back to the bowler. |
| 23.1 : N Wagner to Root, Back of a length delivery outside off, punched towards the left of the bowler. |
| 23.2 : N Wagner to Root, Shortish on middle and off, stabbed out towards cover. |
| 23.3 : N Wagner to Root, Pitched up delivery on off, left alone. |
| 23.4 : N Wagner to Root, Fuller ball outside off, Joe Root is happy to make a leave. |
| 23.5 : N Wagner to Root, That's third leave in a row! Seams away from a fuller length, the English skipper pays no heed. |
| 23.6 : N Wagner to Root, Make it four in a row! Angling away once again, nothing doing says Joe. |
| 24.1 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, Good length delivery on middle and off, punched back to the bowler. |
| 24.2 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, Shortish outside off, Stoneman looks to cut but gets a bottom edge towards point. |
| 24.3 : de Grandhomme to M Stoneman, Driven towards the fielder at mid off. |
| 24.4 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, Length delivery on the stumps, knocked back to the bowler. |
| 24.5 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, Beaten! Lures Stoneman forward to play at it but the ball moves away and beats him. |
| 24.6 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. |
| 25.1 : N Wagner to Root, Digs in a short ball on middle, Root ducks. |
| 25.2 : N Wagner to Root, Replica of the previous delivery. |
| 25.3 : N Wagner to Root, Another one on a shorter length on middle, tucked towards mid on for a single. |
| 25.4 : N Wagner to Stoneman, Bangs in a short one on middle, Stoneman ducks. |
| 25.5 : N Wagner to Stoneman, Short of a length ball on middle, Stoneman hops back and tucks it past the the vacant short leg region for a single. There was a shy made at the bowler's end but Stoneman was well in. |
| 25.6 : N Wagner to Root, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 26.1 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, Straying on the pads, flicked behind square on the leg side for a single. |
| 26.2 : de Grandhomme to Root, Covers the line and defends well. |
| 26.3 : de Grandhomme to Root, Good length ball outside off, pushed through cover for a single. |
| 26.4 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, Fuller in length on the stumps, Stoneman looks to flick but gets a soft leading edge. |
| 26.5 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, Another leading edge. Stoneman once again tries to flick it away but is early into the shot. Gets it off the leading edge which falls short of the man at extra cover. |
| 26.6 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 27.1 : N Wagner to Root, Angling away from off, Root points his bat skywards and makes a leave. |
| 27.2 : N Wagner to Root, Really good effort from Colin de Grandhomme! Short ball, slanting away, Root hops back and punches it square on the off side. The ball races away and de Grandhomme gives it a chase. Does really well to pull the ball back in play. Saves a run for his side. |
| 27.3 : N Wagner to Stoneman, Back of a length delivery outside off, punched in front of extra cover for a single. |
| 27.4 : N Wagner to Root, Gets back and tucks it through square leg for a single. |
| 27.5 : N Wagner to M Stoneman, Short delivery on middle and leg, Stoneman helps it down with a pull towards fine leg for a single. |
| 27.6 : N Wagner to Root, Wagner digs in a short one on middle, Joe Root ducks under it. |
| 28.1 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, Bouncer! Stoneman does well to evade it. |
| 28.2 : de Grandhomme to M Stoneman, Full in line of the stumps, Stoneman plays this with a straight bat. |
| 28.3 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, Short ball, Mark goes for the pull but misses it. |
| 28.4 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, Wide outside off, Stone goes for the cut but doesn't connect it well. Gets an bottom edge to it and the ball goes towards gully. |
| 28.5 : de Grandhomme to Stoneman, Mark drives this through covers and they pick up a run. |
| 28.6 : de Grandhomme to Root, Defended off the back foot by Root. |
| 29.1 : N Wagner to Stoneman, Short ball on middle, Stoneman pulls this in the gap through mid-wicket and does well to come for the second. |
| 29.2 : N Wagner to Stoneman, FOUR! Gets this fine and it will race away to the fence. Short again, Mark pulls this fine towards the fine leg region for a boundary. |
| 29.3 : N Wagner to Stoneman, SIX! bangs this short again and Stoneman goes for the pull again. He gets a top edge to it and the ball flies over the fine leg region for a biggie. That's fifty for Stoneman. Patient innings from the southpaw. |
| 29.4 : N Wagner to Stoneman, OUT! The short ball ploy has worked for New Zealand and Wagner is all pumped up. After three back-to-back short balls, Wagner continues to dig it in. Stoneman goes for the pull and gets it of the middle. The ball though, does not travel far enough and goes towards the deep square leg region. Trent Boult comes rushing in from wide third man and takes a very good catch. The partnership has finally broken and New Zealand will hope they get quick wickets here. |
| Drinks have been called. England were going well until Stoneman fell for the trap. |
| Meanwhile, Dawid Malan walks in next to bat. |
| 29.5 : N Wagner to Malan, Short again, Malan ducks under it. |
| 29.6 : N Wagner to Malan, Ends with another bouncer, Dawid evades this one too. |
| 30.1 : de Grandhomme to Root, Length outside off, Root shoulders arms to it. |
| 30.2 : de Grandhomme to Root, FOUR! Classical Root. Pitched up ball on middle, Root stands tall and pushes it down the ground for a boundary. |
| 30.3 : de Grandhomme to Root, Outside off, left alone. |
| 30.4 : de Grandhomme to Root, Root has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 30.5 : de Grandhomme to Root, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 30.6 : de Grandhomme to Malan, Peach! Lands this on middle and off, the ball moves away after pitching and almost gets the outside edge of Malan's bat. |
| 31.1 : N Wagner to Root, Joe shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 31.2 : N Wagner to Root, Bangs this short, Root gets low and allows the ball to pass by. |
| 31.3 : N Wagner to Joe Root, Serves one up for a change, Root drives it to mid off for nothing. |
| 31.4 : N Wagner to Root, On the fourth stump line, Root watches the ball go to the keeper. |
| 31.5 : N Wagner to Root, Back of a length ball on off, Root hangs back and taps it in front of him. |
| 31.6 : N Wagner to Root, Pitched up on off, Joe pushes this to mid off and shouts 'Noooo...' to his partner. |
| 32.1 : de Grandhomme to Malan, Outside off, easy leave for Malan. |
| 32.2 : de Grandhomme to Malan, Outside off, easy leave for Dawid. |
| 32.3 : de Grandhomme to Malan, FOUR! Cut and cut well. Wide outside off, Malan opens his arms and gets it in the gap through backward point for a boundary. |
| 32.4 : de Grandhomme to Malan, Leaves this ball outside his off pole. |
| 32.5 : de Grandhomme to Malan, Malan has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 32.6 : de Grandhomme to Malan, Length on off, Solid defense from Dawid. |
| 33.1 : N Wagner to Root, Comes in from over the wicket and lands it around off, Root covers his stumps and taps it in front of him. |
| 33.2 : N Wagner to Root, Strays down the pads of Root who clips it away towards square leg and picks up a single. |
| 33.3 : N Wagner to Malan, Length on middle and leg, Dawid plays it with a straight bat. |
| 33.4 : N Wagner to Malan, Angles this away from Malan who works it down the leg for one. |
| 33.5 : N Wagner to Root, Digs this in short, Root sways away from this one. |
| 33.6 : N Wagner to Root, Outside off, Root shoulders arms to this one. |
| 34.1 : de Grandhomme to Malan, Full and wide outside off, easy leave for Malan. |
| 34.2 : de Grandhomme to Malan, Malan lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 34.3 : de Grandhomme to Malan, Dawid has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 34.4 : de Grandhomme to Malan, Length on middle, Malan pushes this towards mid-wicket and quickly scrambles to the other end. |
| 34.5 : de Grandhomme to Root, Pitched up on middle, Root drives this through covers for a brace. |
| 34.6 : de Grandhomme to Root, Length around off, Root cuts it to point. |
| 35.1 : N Wagner to Malan, Length on off, swings away after pitching, Malan fails to put bat on ball. |
| 35.2 : N Wagner to Malan, Strays down the leg, Malan goes after the it and misses his flick. |
| 35.3 : N Wagner to Malan, Malan defends it from within the crease. |
| 35.4 : N Wagner to Malan, Around off, Malan tries slicing this to point but gets beaten. |
| 35.5 : N Wagner to Malan, Outside off, Malan chooses to leave this alone. |
| 35.6 : N Wagner to Malan, Full on leg, Malan flicks it in the gap through square leg for a couple of runs. |
| 36.1 : T Boult to Root, Length on middle, Root plays this towards mid on. |
| 36.2 : T Boult to Root, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 36.3 : T Boult to Root, Length outside off, Root gets forward and drives it to mid off and a dot. |
| 36.4 : T Boult to Root, Full, around off, Root leans ahead and drives it with confidence towards covers. |
| 36.5 : T Boult to Root, In line of the stumps, Root shows Boult the sticker of his bat. |
| 36.6 : T Boult to Root, Pitched up, Root punches this to covers and quickly moves to the other end. |
| 37.1 : N Wagner to Root, Length outside off, Root points his bat skywards and leaves it alone. |
| 37.2 : N Wagner to Root, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 37.3 : N Wagner to Root, On that full stump channel, Root sees the ball go through to the keeper. |
| 37.4 : N Wagner to Root, Bouncer! Root ducks in time to let that one go over him. |
| 37.5 : N Wagner to Joe Root, FOUR! Excellent straight drive. Overpitched ball on middle and off, Root gets forward and drives it through mid off for a boundary. |
| 37.6 : N Wagner to Root, Drags his length back now, Root does well to evade it. |
| 38.1 : T Boult to Malan, Length on middle, Malan hits it back to the bowler. |
| 38.2 : T Boult to Malan, Back of a length ball, Malan hops and play it on the ground. |
| 38.3 : T Boult to Malan, Back of a length ball, Malan goes for the tuck and gets hit on the thigh pad. They take a run as the ball rolls towards square leg. |
| 38.4 : T Boult to Root, Root defends it from within the crease. |
| 38.5 : T Boult to Root, Pitches this up again, Root gets low and drives it through covers for a brace. |
| 38.6 : T Boult to Root, Back of a length ball, Root stands tall and plays it with a straight back. |
| 39.1 : Tim Southee to Malan, Back of a length ball, Malan tucks it away for a dot. |
| 39.2 : Tim Southee to Malan, Length around off, Malan drives it towards mid off. |
| 39.3 : Tim Southee to Malan, Pitched up, Dawid drives it for the cover fielder to collect. |
| 39.4 : Tim Southee to Malan, Dawid has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 39.5 : Tim Southee to Malan, Outside off, Malan leaves this alone. |
| 39.6 : Tim Southee to Malan, Full outside off, easy leave for Dawid. |
| 40.1 : T Boult to Root, Comes in from over the wicket and lands this just around off. Root plays it with soft hands into the ground. |
| 40.2 : T Boult to Root, Outside off, Root opens the face of the bat and guides it towards backward point. |
| 40.3 : T Boult to Root, Late moment from Boult. Serves this outside off, Root goes for the poke but the ball keeps low and moves away from him as he misses his shot. |
| 40.4 : T Boult to Root, Digs this in short, Root ducks under it. |
| 40.5 : T Boult to Root, Pitched up around off, Root takes a step and drives it to mid on. |
| 40.6 : T Boult to Root, Root defends it from within the crease on the off. |
| 41.1 : Tim Southee to Malan, Steams in from over the wicket and serves it at a back of a length ball on off. Malan hangs back and taps it in front of him. |
| 41.2 : Tim Southee to Malan, FOUR! Malan pulls this with authority and dispatches it from his sight. Tim bowls this shot and Malan pulls it front of square through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 41.3 : Tim Southee to Malan, Outside off, left alone. |
| 41.4 : Tim Southee to Malan, On off, Malan stays in his crease and blocks it. |
| 41.5 : Tim Southee to Malan, Back of a length ball, Malan covers his stumps and plays it towards mid off. |
| 41.6 : Tim Southee to Malan, Length on off, Dawid pushes this for the covers fielder to pick up. |
| 42.1 : T Boult to Joe Root, Lands this full outside off, Root drives this to the mid off region. |
| 42.2 : T Boult to Root, Length in line of the stumps, Root is solid in his defense. |
| 42.3 : T Boult to Root, Sudden bounce on that. Boult serves this at a back of a length, it takes a sudden bounce after pitching and hits Joe on his gloves. No damage done. |
| 42.4 : T Boult to Root, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 42.5 : T Boult to Root, Length on off, Root leans forward and plays it with soft hands. |
| 42.6 : T Boult to Root, Defended off the back foot by Root. |
| 43.1 : Tim Southee to Malan, Full in line of the stumps, Malan covers his stumps and hits it back to the bowler. |
| 43.2 : Tim Southee to Malan, Outside off on a good length, Dawid goes for the poke but gets beaten. |
| 43.3 : Tim Southee to Malan, Nice shot but doesn't get the timing on it. This is pitched up outside off, Tim drives it through covers for a couple of runs. |
| 43.4 : Tim Southee to Malan, Dawid has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 43.5 : Tim Southee to Malan, Malan shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 43.6 : Tim Southee to Malan, Much better from Malan, but even this cannot find the rope. Hurls this full outside off, Malan gets forward and drives it in the gap through covers. A good effort on the field saves a run for his team. |
| 44.1 : T Boult to Malan, Length on off, Malan stands tall and blocks it. |
| 44.2 : T Boult to Malan, Served around off, Malan steps ahead and pushes this through covers for a single. |
| 44.3 : T Boult to Root, That's fifty for Rooooot...Length outside off, Joe cuts this past point and comes back for the second. |
| 44.4 : T Boult to Root, The ball is way wide on the leg side but Root still goes after it. |
| 44.5 : T Boult to Root, Joe now tries flicking a ball that is down the leg side. |
| 44.6 : T Boult to Root, Full on leg, Root hits this towards mid on. |
| Neil Wagner comes back to bowl. |
| 45.1 : N Wagner to Malan, Bouncer! Malan ducks in time to let that one go over him. |
| 45.2 : N Wagner to Malan, Short again, Malan does well to get under this. |
| 45.3 : N Wagner to D Malan, Digs this one short too, Dawid pulls it fine down the leg and will get one for it. |
| 45.4 : N Wagner to Root, Bangs this one short too on leg, Root ducks at the last moment to let the keeper take it. |
| 45.5 : N Wagner to Root, Back of a length ball, Root pushes this on the off and moves to the other end. |
| 45.6 : N Wagner to Malan, Effort ball once again from Wagner, another duck from Malan to evade this. |
| 46.1 : T Boult to Root, Outside off, pitched up, Root has driven it straight down the ground. |
| 46.2 : T Boult to Root, Slightly fuller, Root blocks his stumps and plays it with a straight bat. |
| 46.3 : T Boult to Root, Outside off, Root leaves this one alone. |
| 46.4 : T Boult to Root, Ouch! That's nasty! Back of a length ball, Root hangs back and looks to block this. The ball rises up after pitching and hits Root on his fingers. That must have hurt him as he is swirling his hand in pain. |
| Not looking good for England. The physio comes rushing out with the magic spray. He applies on Root's fingers but this isn't working. Now they apply ice to it. Joe is in agony. |
| Good news, folks! Root has put his gloves back on and is ready to face. New Zealand will be looking to attack him with short stuff.... |
| 46.5 : T Boult to Root, OUT! Oh boy! Root has to depart and is furious about it. The short-ball ploy has done the trick once again for the hosts. Just a ball before he was hit on his fingers which made Trent dig one more in. He bangs this one short too on middle and leg, cramps Root as he couldn't get out of the way. The English skipper tries leaving that one alone but the ball brushes the lower part of the gloves and goes to Watling who dives to his left and takes a very good catch. The players |
| Off walks Root and that's also to end of a long, long day of Test cricket. All of England would be utterly disappointed with what happened on the last ball of the day. The man who was in for a fight, who was in to show his grit has been sent packing by Trent Boult. The left-arm pacer bowled a deadly spell to dismantle the English skipper and with that dragged the session in his side's favor. |
| Henry Nicholl's century and his few useful stands with the lower order earlier in the day powered New Zealand to a massive lead of 369 runs. England were asked to bat but they didn't get an ideal start as Alastair Cook departed cheaply. The pressure was on the visitors and with a full final session remaining in the day, England needed an inspiring partnership. Mark Stoneman and Joe Root joined forces and did exceedingly well to keep the hosts at bay. Neil Wagner, the one who didn't get to bowl i |
| Dawid Malan then stepped in and with his skipper he was on the verge to see off the day but Trent Boult put all those thoughts to rest. Right then, England are trailing by 237 runs and need something spectacular to force a draw as they have to face the battle for survival. They do bat deep but the question is will the batsmen to follow next put their hands up or will the Kiwi bowlers just run through the line-up? The weather forecast looks to be really good for Day 5. Join us at 1330 local time |
| ... Last Day, First Session ... |
| 7 wickets, 237 runs - we have these figures to start the day. This Test match enters the last day, courtesy rain, that washed away most of Days 2 and 3. Looking at the figures in front of us, it surely is going to be a humongous task for the visitors at hand. Plenty to cheer for the hosts, thus. Welcome to our coverage of Day 5 of the first New Zealand versus England Test, played at Eden Park in Auckland. |
| For the tourists, a glance at a scorecard of a game that was played on the exact dates as this one five years ago at the very same place may prove to be inspiring. England then salvaged a draw after starting the day at 90/4, chasing 481. A certain Matt Prior played the rescue act then, with some useful support from the others. Who will be their Prior today? Shall we render hopes of an unlikely draw? |
| As much as the English fans would love to answer those questions with a 'yes', the Kiwis would do every bit to go 1-0 to the next game. Their bowling has certainly been incisive. After making the visitors toil on the field for more than 3 days, they have been bowling well and THAT Joe Root wicket last evening just seems to have made their task easier. Will they end up being victorious? A mention of the weather is a must in this part of the world and we don't see any hindrances from that aspect. |
| PITCH REPORT - Mark Richardson doesn't see the need to talk about the weather as it is pretty much clear. He states that the first session was when more swing was seen yesterday. But the ball is not new enough for to see those movement, he adds quickly. He observes some rough patches and footmarks and reckons that Todd Astle will have a major part to play on this last day. |
| It's time for the action on the field to take precedence. Owing to Root's dismissal on what turned out to be the last ball of the day, Ben Stokes makes his way into the middle. He will face Trent Boult, who will run in to deliver a ball that'll complete the over. Dawid Malan waits at the other end. Here we go... |
| 46.6 : T Boult to Stokes, FOUR! Runs straightaway! Boult steams in and lands it on a length, slanting into Stokes from around off and middle. Ben hops and looks to tuck it away to the on side but gets beaten for pace. The ball goes off the gloves past the diving Watling and through to the fine leg fence. Positive start for the visitors. |
| Tim Southee will steam in from the other end. Malan will face him. |
| 47.1 : Tim Southee to Malan, Lovely! Southee begins with a beaut of a delivery. Bowls it full and angling away from Malan. The southpaw has to play at it and just has a feel. He is lucky that the ball flew past the outside edge. |
| 47.2 : Tim Southee to Malan, This one is on the pads, flicked away to square leg for nothing. |
| 47.3 : Tim Southee to Malan, Well done, Tim! This is pitched up right to the batter, Malan just times his push down the ground well. Southee dives to his right in his followthrough and prevents a run. |
| 47.4 : Tim Southee to D Malan, This delivery is driven towards mid off for nothing. |
| 47.5 : Tim Southee to Malan, Full and outside off, left alone by Dawid. |
| 47.6 : Tim Southee to Malan, Another one outside off, left alone. Maiden to begin for Southee. |
| 48.1 : T Boult to Stokes, In line of the stumps, Stokes gets behind that and pushes it towards mid on. |
| 48.2 : T Boult to Ben Stokes, Full on middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 48.3 : T Boult to Stokes, Just away! This is full around off, Stokes drives it back aerially. It goes just past Boult's right and past mid off. A couple taken to get Ben underway. |
| Change in field. Third slip moves to a catching cover. Wait, now he moves to a short mid-wicket position. |
| 48.4 : T Boult to Stokes, Stokes goes back to this one and defends it. |
| 48.5 : T Boult to Stokes, This is around off and middle, hit to the man at short mid-wicket. |
| 48.6 : T Boult to Stokes, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 49.1 : Tim Southee to Malan, Length ball around off, blocked off the back foot. |
| 49.2 : Tim Southee to Malan, Pushes Malan back with this one. Dawid presents a straight bat face to keep it out. |
| 49.3 : Tim Southee to Malan, FOUR! Almost works! In the couple of deliveries before this one, Southee pushed Malan on the back foot with his length. After that he pushes this on a fuller length. Malan is yet again hanging on the back foot as he has a feel for this. The ball takes the outside edge but goes through the gap between the slip cordon and gully and goes away to the fence. |
| 49.4 : Tim Southee to D Malan, Full on the stumps, flicked towards mid on. |
| 49.5 : Tim Southee to Malan, Malan drives this one off the front foot towards mid on. |
| 49.6 : Tim Southee to Malan, This is well outside off, DM lets it be. |
| There's some hammering done near the bowler's run up. Perhaps at the point where Boult takes a leap, there is some unevenness and hence, it was hammered. |
| 50.1 : T Boult to Stokes, Stokes defends this one watchfully off the front foot. |
| 50.2 : T Boult to Stokes, On a length around off, Stokes goes back and pushes it tamely towards mid on. |
| 50.3 : T Boult to Stokes, Full and well outside off, Stokes shoulders arms. |
| 50.4 : T Boult to Stokes, Full length ball around off, Ben lunges and dead-bats it. |
| 50.5 : T Boult to Stokes, Back of a length ball outside off, BS sways away from the line and lets the keeper do the rest. |
| 50.6 : T Boult to Stokes, This delivery is pushed back towards the bowler. A maiden for Boult now. |
| 51.1 : Tim Southee to Malan, Length ball angling away, Malan lets it be. |
| 51.2 : Tim Southee to Malan, OUT! Southee draws the first blood of the day. It's the 'stuck' Malan who is departing. Yes, stuck. He was stuck on the back foot this morning and hardly came forward. Perhaps he needs to get his feet moving somehow to avoid such a dismissal again. This is pitched up on a fuller length and going across Malan. He stays on the back foot and hangs his bat out at that. That's enough this time for the ball to take the edge and fly to the slip cordon. Latham from second sli |
| Jonny Bairstow walks out to bat, replacing Malan. He was in pretty good touch in the ODIs and England would want him to replicate his white-ball form here. Incidentally, it was a wicketkeeper who saved England 5 years ago at the same venue. Is it time for an encore? |
| 51.3 : Tim Southee to Bairstow, Straight and full outside off, Jonny lets it be. |
| 51.4 : Tim Southee to Bairstow, Bairstow stays on the back foot to this one and pushes it to the off side. |
| 51.5 : Tim Southee to Bairstow, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 51.6 : Tim Southee to Bairstow, On a length around off, Bairstow shows the full bat face in defending that. A wicket-maiden for Southee. |
| Kane Williamson has a chat with his bowler and then has an interesting field. There's a leg slip in place, to go with two slips and a gully. Also, a silly mid on stands in attention. |
| 52.1 : T Boult to Stokes, On a length on off, kept out off the back foot. |
| 52.2 : T Boult to Stokes, Another length ball, defended off the back foot. |
| 52.3 : T Boult to Ben Stokes, Fuller this time, driven towards wide mid off for nothing. |
| 52.4 : T Boult to Ben Stokes, Shorter in length, pulled away through backward square leg for a single. |
| 52.5 : T Boult to Bairstow, Half-mind. This is slanting away from the right-handed batter. Bairstow isn't sure whether to play it or leave it. Ends up being late in withdrawing his bat and gets it towards the slip cordon. |
| 52.6 : T Boult to Bairstow, Again! Indecision from Bairstow, whether to play it or let it be. Gets it off the bottom of the blade to the off side for nothing. |
| 53.1 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Delivered on a length in line of the stumps, Ben blocks it off the back foot. |
| 53.2 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Full and outside off, Stokes lets it go. |
| 53.3 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Another delivery slanting away from the southpaw, Stokes covers his stumps and lets it go. |
| 53.4 : Tim Southee to Ben Stokes, Slower one on a length, Stokes is a bit early into the pull. Controls it well and plays it all along the ground in front of square on the leg side for one. |
| 53.5 : Tim Southee to Bairstow, Length delivery on off, Bairstow goes on the back foot and defends. |
| 53.6 : Tim Southee to Bairstow, A bit fuller this time, Bairstow is hesitant to get on the front foot. Perhaps his first innings' dismissal has something to do with this. He looks to keep it out from the crease and gets an inside edge onto the front pad. |
| 54.1 : T Boult to Stokes, Lovely, balanced flick. Full and angling in on middle and leg, Stokes flicks it away through mid-wicket and gets one less than a boundary. |
| 54.2 : T Boult to Bairstow, On the pads, flicked away towards square leg. |
| 54.3 : T Boult to Bairstow, Length ball on the stumps, Jonny blocks it off the back foot. |
| 54.4 : T Boult to Bairstow, Trent comes round the wicket and bowls it full outside off. Bairstow gets a stride forward and drives it to mid off. |
| 54.5 : T Boult to Bairstow, Banged short on the stumps, JB ducks. |
| 54.6 : T Boult to Bairstow, Back over the wicket, this one is angled away. Bairstow minds his own business and doesn't bother playing at that. |
| 55.1 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Short in length, Ben plays a cross-batted short towards wide mid on for a single. |
| 55.2 : Tim Southee to Bairstow, Fuller on middle and leg, Bairstow pushes it cautiously towards mid on. |
| 55.3 : Tim Southee to Bairstow, DROPPED AND FOUR! Not an easy catch but you expect keepers to take these. This full on the pads, Bairstow looks to flick it and collect some runs. That he does but he should consider himself to be fortunate. He gets a tickle and the ball flies to the left of the keeper. Watling dives to his left and gets a good amount of glove to that yet fails to pouch it. The ball races away to the fine leg fence. In the South Africa-Australia Test, Markram was dropped on 0 and w |
| 55.4 : Tim Southee to Bairstow, FOUR! Nicely stroked. Full on middle and leg, Bairstow pushes it down the ground. The timing is good enough to take it past mid on and to the fence. |
| 55.5 : Tim Southee to Bairstow, Edged but safe! Bairstow gets an outside edge to this one but the ball lands well in front of Latham at second slip. Lucky Jonny! |
| 55.6 : Tim Southee to Bairstow, Jonny gets this one off the outer half through point for one. |
| Colin de Grandhomme is brought into the attack for the first time today. |
| 56.1 : de Grandhomme to J Bairstow, Full outside off, driven straight to covers. |
| 56.2 : de Grandhomme to Bairstow, This time, Bairstow gets it past the man there and collects a brace. |
| 56.3 : de Grandhomme to Bairstow, Full outside off, left alone. |
| 56.4 : de Grandhomme to J Bairstow, Overpitched outside off, driven straight to the man at covers. |
| 56.5 : de Grandhomme to Bairstow, This is outside off, Jonny covers his stumps and lets it be. |
| 56.6 : de Grandhomme to Bairstow, Outside off again, left alone. |
| 57.1 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Hurled on a length outside off, Stokes goes back and punches it through covers. The fielder from mid off hares after it and slides to save a run for the side. |
| 57.2 : Tim Southee to Bairstow, On the pads, Bairstow fails to flick it away. It goes off the pads to the on side and a leg bye is taken. |
| 57.3 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Outside off, left alone. |
| 57.4 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Full on off, defended off the front foot. |
| 57.5 : Tim Southee to Stokes, This is around off and middle, Ben hangs back and presents a straight defensive bat. |
| 57.6 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Dragging his length this time, Stokes cuts it towards backward point and goes to the other end for one. The trail now is 5 more than 200. |
| 58.1 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, A gentle-paced delivery around middle and off. Stokes looks to defend it off the back foot. Gets a thick edge towards gully. |
| 58.2 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Hurled outside off, left alone. |
| 58.3 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Another one in the same area, BS doesn't need to play at those. |
| 58.4 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, This one is even wider, Ben lets it pass without playing at it. |
| 58.5 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Straighter in line, kept out towards mid-wicket. |
| 58.6 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, 4 deliveries in this over wasn't needed to be played by the batter. De Grandhomme needs to make the batter play at more deliveries if he wants a wicket here. This is again well outside off, Stokes shoulders arms. |
| Neil Wagner to bowl for the first time on Day 5. Short-ball tactics? |
| 59.1 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Starts with a full ball across Bairstow from over the wicket, Jonny lets it pass to the keeper. |
| 59.2 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Very full outside off, doesn't evoke a stroke from the English wicketkeeper. |
| 59.3 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Slanting away from Bairstow on a length, he gets a small stride out and shoulders arms. |
| 59.4 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Good shot and an even better effort at covers. This is full outside off, Bairstow drives it crisply towards covers. Seems that a boundary is written all over it but the man at covers dives to his right and parries it towards mid off and it is a dot. |
| 59.5 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Full again, driven nicely off the front foot towards wide mid off for nothing. |
| 59.6 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Outside off on a fuller length, left alone by JB. A maiden to begin for Wagner. |
| 60.1 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Around off, pushed defensively towards covers. |
| 60.2 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Going away from the batsman on a fuller length, Stokes lets the ball go into the keeper's gloves. |
| 60.3 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Same line and length, same action from Ben. |
| 60.4 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Yet again. Full, but too wide to make Stokes play. |
| 60.5 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Jaffa! This is what de Grandhomme needs to bowl more often. Lands it on a length around middle and leg, Stokes looks to defend it on the initial angle. But the ball nibbles away just a touch and just misses kissing the outside edge. |
| 60.6 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Again Colin gets back to his wide-of-off-stump line, Stokes lets it be. A maiden over. |
| A small chat between Southee, Williamson and Wagner. Perhaps NZ want to get this done quickly and hence are on the lookout for wickets. A cover as well as a short extra cover in place. |
| 61.1 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Outside off, JB doesn't need to play at those and lets it be. |
| 61.2 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Good running. Runs after 20 dots. Bairstow works it away towards square leg and sets off for a run. Seeing the keeper go for the ball, the batters decide to take him on and go for the second. Watling has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. A couple results. |
| 61.3 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Another one well outside off, left alone. |
| 61.4 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Full outside off, Bairstow looks to drive it through the off side but gets it off the inner half down the ground. |
| 61.5 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Full outside off, driven towards covers. |
| 61.6 : N Wagner to Bairstow, This is outside off, left alone. |
| 62.1 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, On a length around off, punched to the off side for nothing. |
| 62.2 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Harmless ball outside off, left alone. |
| 62.3 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, This one is well wide to make Ben play. |
| 62.4 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Hurled outside off, left alone by Ben. |
| 62.5 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Stokes comes down the track, only to block it with a straight bat. |
| 62.6 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Full and going away from Stokes, he doesn't play at that. Third consecutive maiden for de Grandhomme. |
| 63.1 : N Wagner to Bairstow, On a length around off, defended off the back foot. |
| 63.2 : N Wagner to Bairstow, This one is punched off the back foot towards covers. |
| 63.3 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Harmless delivery outside off, Jonny lets his counterpart do the rest. |
| 63.4 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Well outside off again, Bairstow points his bat skywards to let it pass. |
| 63.5 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Outside off, left alone again. Not making Bairstow play, is Wagner. |
| 63.6 : N Wagner to Bairstow, This ball is driven towards covers off the front foot. |
| The on air commentators are talking about Todd Astle. On this fifth day track, they reckon that the wristspinner could do well and pick up a few wickets and hence want him into the attack soon. |
| 64.1 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, 23rd dot ball on the trot against de Grandhomme. He bowls it outside off, Stokes lets it go to the keeper. |
| 64.2 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Fuller on off, defended off the front foot to the off side. |
| 64.3 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, This delivery is driven towards covers. 25th ball for no run on the go for Colin. |
| 64.4 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Outside off, left alone. |
| 64.5 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 64.6 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, This length ball is kept out with a defensive shot. Another no-run over, the consecutive dot ball count against the Kiwi all-rounder stands at 28. |
| 65.1 : N Wagner to Bairstow, This is angled away and well outside off. Too wide to make Bairstow play. |
| 65.2 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Banged short on the stumps, Bairstow crouches low to let it go. |
| 65.3 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Full length this time, well outside off. Left alone. |
| 65.4 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Pitched up again, Bairstow mistimes his drive towards mid off. |
| 65.5 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Back of a length on the stumps, Jonny sways away from the line. The ball thuds into the keeper's gloves. |
| 65.6 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Another one on a back of a length, Jonny watches it closely and lets it go by getting down on a knee. This is the fourth consecutive maiden. |
| Drinks! Although New Zealand picked up Dawid Malan early, Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow have done well since then to not give away their wickets. The job is not even half done at this stage, though, as they still trail by 203. The New Zealand bowlers have gone about with their task well yet have just a wicket to show till this interval. Will Todd Astle be the change they want to see? |
| 66.1 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Bowls this from round the wicket on a good length outside off, Stokes leaves it alone. |
| 66.2 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Length ball outside off, too wide to make Stokes play at it. |
| 66.3 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Pitches this up further a bit, in line of the stumps, Stokes takes a step and digs out the yorker. |
| 66.4 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Stokes lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 66.5 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Length around off, Ben walks across and taps the ball in front of him. |
| 66.6 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Wide outside off, easy leave for Ben. |
| 67.1 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Runs after 34 balls! Back of a length ball around off, Jonny makes room and punches it off his back foot through covers for a couple of runs. |
| 67.2 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Bangs this one short, Bairstow does well to leave it. |
| 67.3 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Back of a length ball, Jonny blocks it off his back foot. |
| 67.4 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Short again, Bairstow gets down on one knee and sways away from it. |
| 67.5 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Bairstow pushes this ball towards mid off for a dot. |
| 67.6 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Bairstow chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| Todd Astle is finally introduced into the attack. |
| 68.1 : T Astle to Stokes, Starts off by bowling a flat one outside off, not much turn there and Ben plays this towards covers. |
| 68.2 : T Astle to Stokes, Serves this around off, Stokes clips it away towards square leg for a single. |
| 68.3 : T Astle to Bairstow, Darts this a bit quicker and a tad shorter, Jonny makes room and mistimes his cut. |
| 68.4 : T Astle to Bairstow, Full on leg, Bairstow works it in the gap through square leg for a brace. The trail is now below 200. |
| 68.5 : T Astle to Bairstow, FOUR! Short and too wide, Bairstow rocks back and slaps it through covers for a boundary. |
| 68.6 : T Astle to Bairstow, Bairstow has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 69.1 : N Wagner to Stokes, Digs it in short down the leg, easy duck for Ben. |
| 69.2 : N Wagner to Stokes, Some chin music for the batsman, he lets that bouncer through to the wicket-keeper. |
| 69.3 : N Wagner to Stokes, Short and once again down the leg, Stokes stands tall and evades the bouncer. |
| 69.4 : N Wagner to Stokes, Stokes gets on his toes to defend this ball. |
| 69.5 : N Wagner to Stokes, Bangs this short too, Stokes gets under it and lets the ball go through. |
| 69.6 : N Wagner to Stokes, Not quite got his line correct from over the wicket, digs this short way down the leg. |
| 70.1 : T Astle to Bairstow, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 70.2 : T Astle to Bairstow, DROPPED! How has Boult put this one down? As easy as it gets. Jonny gets another life. This time on 21. A nothing ball, short and around off, Bairstow tries to pull this but can't connect well enough. The ball flies straight to Boult at mid on who cannot hold onto an easy catch. |
| 70.3 : T Astle to Bairstow, Straying down leg, Jonny ignores it. |
| 70.4 : T Astle to Bairstow, FOUR! Well in control this time. Tossed up this time, in line of the stumps, Bairstow pushes this through mid off for a good-looking boundary. |
| 70.5 : T Astle to Bairstow, Darts this on off, Bairstow punches this along the turf to the off side. |
| 70.6 : T Astle to Bairstow, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 71.1 : N Wagner to Stokes, Back of a length ball, Stokes covers his stumps and blocks it. |
| 71.2 : N Wagner to Stokes, Similar length, Stokes gets behind the ball and pushes it towards mid off. |
| 71.3 : N Wagner to Stokes, Short on leg, Stokes pulls this with control towards square leg for one. |
| 71.4 : N Wagner to Bairstow, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 71.5 : N Wagner to Bairstow, Bouncer! Bairstow ducks under it. |
| 71.6 : N Wagner to Bairstow, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 72.1 : T Astle to Bairstow, Short ball, Jonny punches this to the off side. |
| 72.2 : T Astle to Bairstow, Loud shout but the umpire stays put. Wrong one from Todd. He pitches his around off, the ball spins into him and hits the pad of Bairstow who strides forward in defense. The New Zealand players think of the review but decide against it. On seeing the Hot Spot, we see that there was a feather of the bat before it hit the pad. |
| 72.3 : T Astle to Bairstow, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 72.4 : T Astle to Bairstow, OUT! Kane Williamson does not take easy catches. He absolutely flies onto this to take another great catch in this match. Short ball pitched on middle, it spins a bit and makes Bairstow reach to it. He fetches for it and drags his pull shot towards short mid-wicket. His bottom hand comes off the handle and the ball hits the lower half of the bat before flying to Kane who flies to his right to take a screamer. Jonny has not made the most of his two lives given to him. A |
| Moeen Ali walks in next to bat. |
| 72.5 : T Astle to Ali, Tosses this one on off, Ali shoulders arms to it. |
| 72.6 : T Astle to Ali, Moeen has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 73.1 : N Wagner to Stokes, On a back of a length around off and middle, Stokes hops and blocks. |
| 73.2 : N Wagner to Stokes, This one is pushed to the off side off the back foot. |
| 73.3 : N Wagner to Stokes, Fuller one around off and middle, turned away to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 73.4 : N Wagner to Ali, A low full toss on middle and leg, pushed with a straight bat to mid on. |
| 73.5 : N Wagner to Ali, On a back of a length, Ali moves away from the line to let it be. |
| 73.6 : N Wagner to Ali, Comes round the wicket, does Wagner, and bowls it on the pads. Ali nudges it through square leg for a single. |
| 74.1 : T Astle to Ali, Serves this outside off, the ball spins in and rushes into Ali who blocks it. |
| 74.2 : T Astle to Ali, Floated ball, Ali pushes this towards covers for one. |
| 74.3 : T Astle to Stokes, Flatter ball on off, Stokes defends this off his back foot. |
| 74.4 : T Astle to Stokes, Strays down the leg, Stokes helps it on its way for one more. |
| 74.5 : T Astle to Ali, Gives this air, Ali gets behind the ball and is solid in his defense. |
| 74.6 : T Astle to Ali, Moeen shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 75.1 : N Wagner to Stokes, Length on middle and leg, Stokes eases this through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 75.2 : N Wagner to Ali, Back of a length ball, Ali hangs back and taps it to the off side. |
| 75.3 : N Wagner to Ali, Outside off, left alone. |
| 75.4 : N Wagner to Ali, Wagner bangs this on short, Ali tries to sway away from it but gets hit on the chest. No damage done. |
| 75.5 : N Wagner to Ali, ALi picked that bouncer early and let it through to the keeper. |
| 75.6 : N Wagner to Ali, FOUR! Wagner teases ALi with another bouncer on leg, Moeen pulls this on one leg through deep third man for a boundary. The fielder there dived to save the runs but the ball goes past him. |
| 76.1 : T Astle to Stokes, Tossed up, Stokes drives this through covers for a run. |
| 76.2 : T Astle to Ali, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 76.3 : T Astle to Ali, Tossed up, Ali strides forward and blocks it. |
| 76.4 : T Astle to Ali, Full outside off, Ali takes a step and gets behind the ball to play it onto the ground. |
| 76.5 : T Astle to Ali, Darts this on the pads of Ali who flicks it away towards square leg for one. |
| 76.6 : T Astle to Stokes, Short ball on off, Stokes punches this towards extra cover and will get two from it. |
| 77.1 : N Wagner to Ali, Short ball on middle, Ali pulls this to the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 77.2 : N Wagner to Ali, Digs this one short, Ali ducks under it in time. |
| 77.3 : N Wagner to Ali, FOUR! Another short ball which has been pulled away towards deep square leg for a boundary. Moeen showing that he is not afraid to play on the bounce. |
| 77.4 : N Wagner to Ali, Short again, Ali pulls this to the short fine leg fielder for a dot. |
| 77.5 : N Wagner to Ali, Another short ball on leg, Ali goes for the pull but misses it. Watling collects it and asks the umpire who shakes his head. |
| 77.6 : N Wagner to M Ali, Pulls this front of square for a run to end the over. |
| 78.1 : T Astle to Ali, Outside off, Ali lets it be. |
| 78.2 : T Astle to Ali, Tosses this one up, Ali leans forward in defense. |
| 78.3 : T Astle to Ali, Full on the stumps, Ali whips this to mid-wicket. |
| 78.4 : T Astle to Ali, FOUR! Floated ball outside off, Moeen gets low and sweeps it through square leg in the gap for a boundary. |
| 78.5 : T Astle to Ali, Around off, spins away from Ali who plays and misses. |
| 78.6 : T Astle to Ali, Darts this on full on middle and leg, Ali flicks it away for a dot. |
| Kane Williamson brings himself on to bowl. |
| 79.1 : K Williamson to Stokes, No run. |
| 79.2 : K Williamson to Stokes, Strays on the pads this time, Stokes helps it on its way for one. |
| 79.3 : K Williamson to Ali, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 79.4 : K Williamson to Ali, Full outside off, Ali shoulders arms to it. The keeper gets it at a good height. |
| 79.5 : K Williamson to Ali, Outside off again, Ali dopesn't bother playing at it. |
| 79.6 : K Williamson to Ali, In line of the stumps, Moeen is solid in defense. |
| The second new ball is available and has been taken by the Kiwis. Trent Boult to have a go first with it. |
| 80.1 : T Boult to Stokes, Outside off, an easy leave for Ben. |
| 80.2 : T Boult to Stokes, Around off, Stokes hits this to mid on. |
| 80.3 : T Boult to Stokes, Too wide to make Stokes to play at this. |
| 80.4 : T Boult to Stokes, Full around off, Stokes gets low and plays it towards the off side. |
| 80.5 : T Boult to Stokes, Outside off, left alone. |
| 80.6 : T Boult to Stokes, Length outside off, Stokes is happy to let the new ball pass by. Boult starts the new ball with a maiden. |
| Tim Southee to run in from the other end. |
| 81.1 : Tim Southee to Ali, Comes in from round the wicket, Moeen watches this go to the keeper. |
| 81.2 : Tim Southee to Ali, Teases him by bowling it outside off, Ali doesn't fall for the trap. |
| 81.3 : Tim Southee to Ali, This ball is way wide on the leg side but Moeen still goes after it. |
| 81.4 : Tim Southee to Ali, On leg again, Ali works it with a wristy shot for nothing. |
| 81.5 : Tim Southee to Ali, FOUR! Pitches this one up, Ali gets ahead and drives this handsomely in the gap through covers for a boundary. |
| 81.6 : Tim Southee to Ali, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for the southpaw. This one is outside off, Moeen opens the face and plays it with an angled bat past gully for a boundary. The trail is now 157. |
| 82.1 : T Boult to Stokes, Stokes nudges this down fine leg to move to the other end. |
| 82.2 : T Boult to M Ali, FOUR! Edge and a boundary! Outside off, Ali plays it with soft hands and the ball gets an edge and falls short of the second slip. It goes under him and rolls to the third man boundary. |
| 82.3 : T Boult to M Ali, Outside off, Ali cuts it to the gully fielder for nothing. |
| A review for LBW is been taken upstairs. Boult is smiles after the decision is gone against him. They opt for the review. Is there an inside edge? |
| 82.4 : T Boult to Ali, OUT! New Zealand have got this review spot on! There was no inside edge on that and Ali has to depart. Boult lands this on a good length around off. The ball jags back a little and hurries onto Moeen, who tries to block it. He doesn't get behind the ball and the ball hits him on the pad. Seems to be an inside edge there on the first look and hence the umpire turns down the appeal. Williamson has a word with Boult and they decide to take it to the TV umpire. On the replays, |
| Another wicket just before the close of a session. How unlucky are the English players? Well they were being patient and not interfering with the balls outside off but New Zealand found a way to sneak through. The day started with Dawid Malan falling pretty early. Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow then got along and made the hosts work for their wickets. The duo was more than happy to play the waiting game. Jonny was given a couple of lives before eventually falling to a very good catch by the Kiwi |
| For the visitors now they will hope that their tail sticks along with Stokes, who has the ability to bat for long hours. If they want to save this game by any means, they will have to be more watchful. Will England get to the last session or are New Zealand going to rip through this lower order with the new ball? Stay tuned to find out. |
| ... Day 5, Session 2 ... |
| Welcome back to our coverage for this Test match. The umpires and the players have had their tea and are back in the field. Boult will continue his over while Chris Woakes is the new batsman in. |
| 82.5 : T Boult to Woakes, Welcomes Woakes with a yorker who does well to keep it at bay. |
| 82.6 : T Boult to Woakes, Teases Woakes by bowling carrots outside off, but he leaves it alone. |
| 83.1 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Too wide for Stokes to play at it. |
| 83.2 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Fuller in length, Stokes hits it to mid on for nothing. |
| 83.3 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Length on off, Stokes punches this off his back foot to the off side. |
| 83.4 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Full and wide outside off, Ben lets it be. |
| 83.5 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Length outside off, Stokes watches it go to the keeper. |
| 83.6 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Length in line of the stumps, Ben gets behind the ball and blocks it. |
| 84.1 : T Boult to C Woakes, Full around off, Woakes gets it off the inner half towards mid on. |
| 84.2 : T Boult to Woakes, Full again on middle, Woakes plays it with a straight bat. |
| 84.3 : T Boult to Woakes, FOUR! Lucky Woakes and a very good line from Boult. Lands this around off, the ball moves away from Chris to thinks of driving it and then withdraws his bat at the last moment. In doing so, he ball takes the edge of the bat and flies wide past the third slip fielder for a boundary. |
| 84.4 : T Boult to Woakes, Outside off, Chris shoulders arms to it. |
| 84.5 : T Boult to Woakes, Length outside off, Woakes sees it through. |
| 84.6 : T Boult to Woakes, Comes in from round the wicket and serves this on a good length on middle and off, Woakes does not offer a shot. |
| 85.1 : Tim Southee to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Short ball outside off, Ben waits for it and pulls it front of square for a boundary. |
| 85.2 : Tim Southee to Stokes, On leg, Stokes flicks it away for one towards the square leg fielder. |
| 85.3 : Tim Southee to Woakes, Back of a length ball, Woakes defends it by getting behind the ball. |
| 85.4 : Tim Southee to Woakes, Similar length on off, Woakes pushes this in the gap through covers and comes back for the second run. |
| 85.5 : Tim Southee to Woakes, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 85.6 : Tim Southee to Woakes, Length on middle, Woakes plays it with a straight bat. |
| 86.1 : T Boult to Stokes, Stokes gets behind the ball and taps it in front of him. |
| 86.2 : T Boult to Stokes, Fuller in length, Ben plays this into the ground. |
| 86.3 : T Boult to Stokes, Defended off the front foot by Stokes presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 86.4 : T Boult to Stokes, FOUR! A controlled pull shot from Ben. He is looking good today. Another short ball, Ben rocks back and pulls this front of square for a boundary. |
| 86.5 : T Boult to Stokes, Straighter in line of the stumps, Ben plays this along the turf. |
| 86.6 : T Boult to Stokes, Stokes gets behind the ball and blocks it outside his off pole. |
| 87.1 : Tim Southee to Woakes, No run. |
| 87.2 : Tim Southee to Woakes, Outside off, Woakes cuts it past the point fielder and gets a couple of runs for it. |
| 87.3 : Tim Southee to Woakes, Length in line of the stumps, Chris blocks it from within the crease. |
| 87.4 : Tim Southee to Woakes, Outside off, left alone. |
| 87.5 : Tim Southee to Woakes, A tad fuller outside off, Woakes throws the kitchen sink at it but gets beaten. |
| 87.6 : Tim Southee to Woakes, Drags his length back and Chris blocks it well. |
| The TV shows us dark clouds approaching towards Eden Park. This is something New Zealand wouldn't want and maybe some England fans need. |
| 88.1 : T Boult to Stokes, No run. |
| 88.2 : T Boult to Stokes, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 88.3 : T Boult to Stokes, The ball is way wide on the leg side but Ben still goes after it. |
| 88.4 : T Boult to Stokes, Wide outside off, Stokes cuts this past point for a run. |
| 88.5 : T Boult to C Woakes, FOUR! Short ball around off, Woakes gets a top edge to it and the ball flies over the slip cordon for a boundary. |
| 88.6 : T Boult to Woakes, Woakes defends this off his back foot. |
| 89.1 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Back of a length ball, Stokes hits it to the off side for nothing. |
| 89.2 : Tim Southee to Ben Stokes, Pitched up on off, Stokes drives it past covers for a brace. |
| 89.3 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Back of a length ball, Stokes hangs back and blocks it well. |
| 89.4 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Outside off, left alone. |
| 89.5 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Stokes has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 89.6 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Length around off, Stokes takes a step and defends it. |
| Colin de Grandhomme comes back into the attack. |
| 90.1 : de Grandhomme to Woakes, Pitched up on off, Chris drives this to the mid off region. |
| 90.2 : de Grandhomme to Woakes, Length around off, Woakes plays this into the ground. |
| 90.3 : de Grandhomme to Woakes, Woakes gets behind this ball and blocks it. |
| 90.4 : de Grandhomme to Woakes, Length on middle, Woakes plays it with a straight bat. |
| 90.5 : de Grandhomme to Woakes, Outside off, Woakes shoulders arms to this. |
| 90.6 : de Grandhomme to Woakes, Lands this on off, a bit full, Woakes drives this to the covers. Sixth maiden in a row now for de Grandhomme. |
| 91.1 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Wide outside off stump, Stokes leaves it alone. |
| 91.2 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Outside off, easy leave for Stokes. |
| 91.3 : Tim Southee to Ben Stokes, Pitched up, Ben drives it to mid off for nothing. |
| 91.4 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Lands this around off, Ben milks this through mid-wicket for one. |
| 91.5 : Tim Southee to Woakes, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 91.6 : Tim Southee to Woakes, Outside off, Woakes gets low and plays it on the off side. |
| 92.1 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Beauty! fuller length ball angling away. Stokes lunges to block but gets beaten on the outside. The deviation away made the ball miss the outside edge. |
| 92.2 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Fuller on the stumps, clipped to mid-wicket. |
| 92.3 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Full outside off, Ben looks to drive but ends up getting an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 92.4 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Finally! A run off de Grandhomme's bowling AFTER 43 BALLS! That is something from the Kiwi. This is slanting away from the southpaw, Stokes guides it past point to get to the other end. The trail is now down to 126. |
| 92.5 : de Grandhomme to Woakes, Hurled outside off, left alone. |
| 92.6 : de Grandhomme to Woakes, Another one outside off, Woakes shoulders arms to that. So, no 7th maiden on the trot for de Grandhomme. |
| 93.1 : Tim Southee to Stokes, This is bowled too wide outside off for Ben to have a go. |
| 93.2 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Outside off, Stokes lets it be. |
| 93.3 : Tim Southee to Stokes, On the stumps, turned away to mid on. |
| 93.4 : Tim Southee to Stokes, FOUR! Pure timing. Stokes is starting to look confident with every passing ball. This is bowled fuller on off, Ben just pushes it down the ground. It comfortably beats mid off and goes away to the fence. Stokes moves to 44 now. |
| 93.5 : Tim Southee to Stokes, Frustration for Southee! Evident. This delivery is flicked away through mid-wicket for an easy couple. The throw is given to the bowler from Raval in the deep. Southee then has an unnecessary shy at the stumps at his end and misses and concedes one on the overthrow as the ball goes towards covers. |
| 93.6 : Tim Southee to Woakes, This ball is kept towards point from the crease. |
| 94.1 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Shortish ball, Stokes hangs back and slaps it towards cover-point. |
| 94.2 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, This delivery is defended off the front foot. |
| 94.3 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 94.4 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Stokes prods forward and blocks this one. |
| 94.5 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, 13th Test fifty for Ben Stokes! Hasn't he done well to stay put in the middle when his side needed it the most? Quality of a true all-rounder. He punches this one through covers. The fielder from mid off hares after it and puts in the dive to save a run, allowing the batters to run three. |
| 94.6 : de Grandhomme to Woakes, On a length outside off, pushed towards point. |
| Trent Boult is back on. |
| 95.1 : T Boult to Stokes, Back of a length ball outside off, Stokes jumps and tries cutting it past the fielder at gully. Ends up giving it to the fielder on the bounce. |
| 95.2 : T Boult to Stokes, Pitches it up on off, Ben drives this to covers. |
| 95.3 : T Boult to Stokes, Length but down the leg, Stokes misses his flick and Watling takes a very good catch diving to his right. |
| 95.4 : T Boult to Stokes, Outside off, Stokes lets it go to the keeper. |
| 95.5 : T Boult to Stokes, Stokes shoulders his arms to this ball outside off. |
| 95.6 : T Boult to Stokes, Length delivery on that fourth stump channel, Stokes gets behind it and blocks it. |
| 96.1 : de Grandhomme to Woakes, Comes in from over the wicket and lands it on middle, Woakes plays it back to the bowler. |
| 96.2 : de Grandhomme to Woakes, Full in length, Woakes gets it of the inner half off the bat to the bowler. |
| 96.3 : de Grandhomme to Woakes, Outside off, left alone. |
| 96.4 : de Grandhomme to Woakes, Length ball around off, Woakes plays this into the ground. |
| 96.5 : Grandhomme to Woakes, Bangs this short down leg, Woakes goes for the pull but misses. |
| 96.6 : de Grandhomme to Woakes, Outside off, Woakes cuts it to point for a dot. |
| The ball is being checked by the umpire as they put in through the 8-ball gauge. They also call in for Drinks so that it does not kill further time. Good hour of play for the visitors as they have not lost a wicket and Stokes has got to his fifty. Can he bat through this hour too? |
| 97.1 : T Boult to Stokes, Full around off, Stokes gets a leading edge towards point. |
| 97.2 : T Boult to Stokes, On a length outside off, punched off the back foot towards covers. The fielder there didn't stop it cleanly but no run results. |
| 97.3 : T Boult to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Aerial but in the gap. This is full outside off, Stokes drives it on the up past mid off. Southee runs after it, puts in the slide but slides with the ball beyond the ropes. Tim is visibly upset about that. England are just 112 runs short of drawing level. |
| 97.4 : T Boult to Stokes, Banged short on the stumps, ducked under by Ben. |
| 97.5 : T Boult to Stokes, Short in length, pulled away through square leg for a single. |
| 97.6 : T Boult to Woakes, Woakes sees this off with a front foot defense. |
| 98.1 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Hurled outside off, left alone. |
| 98.2 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, This time, Ben gets forward and meets the ball with the full face of the bat. |
| 98.3 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Outside off, left alone. |
| 98.4 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Gone? No! Seemed so on the first look. Colin de Grandhomme has bowled in a disciplined manner. It reflects in the number of maidens and dots that he delivered. Lets this out on a length, angling away. Stokes has a feel for it but gets beaten. The away movement on that helped his cause actually. |
| 98.5 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Slower one around off, Stokes comes down the track and blocks. |
| 98.6 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Outside off, Stokes looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. Back-to-back maidens for the Kiwi. |
| 99.1 : T Boult to Woakes, Lovely shot. Full and outside off, driven nicely through covers for a brace. Raval does the mopping up after chasing it. |
| 99.2 : T Boult to Woakes, What a response from Boult. Delivers a short delivery on the stumps, Woakes ducks under that. |
| 99.3 : T Boult to Woakes, On a length on the stumps, blocked from the crease. |
| 99.4 : T Boult to Woakes, This delivery is bunted out towards point. |
| 99.5 : T Boult to Woakes, Indecision from Woakes here. This is pitched up just outside off, Woakes is on the back foot. He is unsure whether to play it or leave it and just about manages to not poke his bat and nick it. Gets beaten on the inside. |
| 99.6 : T Boult to Woakes, Another bumper on the stumps, Chris ducks. |
| 100.1 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Full on off and middle, defended by getting forward. |
| 100.2 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, On a length around off and middle, Ben stands in the crease and blocks. |
| 100.3 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Short in length, Stokes crouches low to let it go. |
| 100.4 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, A run off the 17th ball after the last run off de Grandhomme's bowling. This was a risky one. Short in length, Stokes jumps and flat-bats it over covers for a couple. |
| 100.5 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, This delivery is hit to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 100.6 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Full on the stumps, driven back down the ground. |
| 101.1 : T Boult to C Woakes, Quick double. Woakes punches it towards covers and wants two. He slips a touch while completing the first but still goes for the second. There is a missed shy at the striker's end. Would have been close had he hit. |
| 101.2 : T Boult to Woakes, This is angled away from the batter, left alone. |
| 101.3 : T Boult to Woakes, Fuller on the stumps, blocked. |
| 101.4 : T Boult to Woakes, Length delivery around off, defended towards point. |
| 101.5 : T Boult to Woakes, FOUR! 50-run stand up between Stokes and Woakes. As much as their names rhyme, they've ensured that the hopes of their side saving the game isn't just a folklore. This is bowled full outside off, Woakes hits it well over mid off and gets a boundary. The trail now reads 101. |
| 101.6 : T Boult to Woakes, Full outside off, driven through covers for a couple. England are just 99 runs behind the Kiwis now. |
| 102.1 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Stokes punches this length ball towards covers. |
| 102.2 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Occasionally, such a delivery comes by and the maturity of Stokes is seen from the fact that he gets over it soon and doesn't let it affect his game. He is drawn forward by this fullish delivery, that deviated after landing to go past the outside edge. |
| 102.3 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Well outside off, left alone. |
| 102.4 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Another one outside off, left alone. |
| 102.5 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Close! Around good length just outside off, Stokes gets forward and looks to block. Gets an inside edge onto the front pad. That made the bowler withdraw his LBW appeal very early. |
| 102.6 : de Grandhomme to Stokes, Stokes defends this with a straight bat. No ball, as Colin has overstepped. |
| de Grandhomme to Stokes, The batsman gets a leading edge on that one. |
| Neil Wagner is brought back for a burst. Meanwhile, Southee is seen going off the field. |
| 103.1 : N Wagner to Woakes, Full on off, driven to the man stationed at mid off. |
| 103.2 : N Wagner to Woakes, Full and wide outside off, left alone. |
| 103.3 : N Wagner to Woakes, Another one outside off, left alone by Chris. |
| 103.4 : N Wagner to Woakes, This one is defended off the front foot. |
| 103.5 : N Wagner to C Woakes, Outside off on a fuller length, Woakes drives it through cover-point and gets two less than a boundary. |
| 103.6 : N Wagner to Woakes, On a length on the hips, turned away towards square leg for a single. |
| 104.1 : de Grandhomme to Woakes, Full on middle and leg, pushed defensively towards mid on. |
| 104.2 : de Grandhomme to Woakes, Similar delivery, Chris gets half-forward and hits it towards mid on. |
| 104.3 : de Grandhomme to Woakes, Full outside off, driven towards wide mid off. |
| 104.4 : de Grandhomme to Woakes, On a length outside off, Chris hops a touch and keeps it out towards cover-point. |
| 104.5 : de Grandhomme to Woakes, Length delivery outside off, Woakes guides it towards gully. |
| 104.6 : de Grandhomme to Woakes, Full on off and middle, hit straight to covers. Six dots, meaning, another maiden. |
| 105.1 : N Wagner to Stokes, Back of a length delivery angling in. Stokes stands tall and blocks and gets it off the outer half towards point. The crowd is behind the Kiwis here. |
| 105.2 : N Wagner to Stokes, On a length outside off, punched towards covers for none. |
| 105.3 : N Wagner to Stokes, Another one on a length, going down leg. Stokes looks to work it away but then withdraws his blade and lets it be. |
| 105.4 : N Wagner to Stokes, Wagner comes round the wicket and bangs it short. Ben stays back and defends it with a straight bat. |
| 105.5 : N Wagner to Stokes, Another short of a length ball, he tucks it down towards backward square leg for nothing. It is hard to understand the absence of a short leg fielder when the tactic is to bowl short on the body. |
| 105.6 : N Wagner to Ben Stokes, Another short length ball, pulled towards square leg. End of a 'short' maiden over, consecutive ones for the hosts. |
| Todd Astle is back for another spell. |
| 106.1 : T Astle to Woakes, Beaten! Floated around off, it draws Woakes forward in defense before teasingly spinning away past the outside edge and going into the keeper's gloves. This bloke is getting the ball to turn here. |
| 106.2 : T Astle to Woakes, FOUR! Flatter down leg, Woakes goes back to work it away round the corner. Seems to have missed it and the ball goes off the keeper's gloves to the fence behind. But the umpire has awarded the runs to the batter. |
| 106.3 : T Astle to Woakes, FOUR! Woakes is an able batsman, as much as he is a good bowler. Gets a flatter delivery outside off on a shorter length. He goes back and cuts it past backward point for a boundary. The trail reduces to 87 now. |
| 106.4 : T Astle to Woakes, Floated on the stumps, defended from the crease. |
| 106.5 : T Astle to Woakes, Chris lunges forward to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| DRS time! New Zealand go for it more in hope and desperation than conviction. It is for LBW against Woakes. |
| 106.6 : T Astle to Woakes, KIWI LOSE A REVIEW! This is tossed up, Woakes lunges to block but misses. Gets rapped low on the front pad which makes the players yell in appeal. On not getting the nod, they confer and decide to take it upstairs. There is no bat involved and Hawk Eye shows that it pitched outside leg. Matter over. |
| 107.1 : N Wagner to Stokes, FOUR! What's that, Stokes? Sees this delivery on a length from round the wicket. He hangs back and looks to heave it over the on side. Gets a thick outside edge that flies over the gap between the keeper and first slip for a boundary. More frustration for the Kiwis as even the edges aren't going to the fielders. |
| 107.2 : N Wagner to Stokes, Short in length, pulled through square leg for one. |
| 107.3 : N Wagner to Woakes, Back of a length ball angling down leg. Woakes hops but misses the tuck. This looked almost like the Root wicket. |
| 107.4 : N Wagner to Woakes, Banged short on the stumps, Chris squats and lets the keeper do the rest. |
| 107.5 : N Wagner to Woakes, This one is played to the on side. |
| Finally! After screaming my heart out here to have a short leg, the Kiwi skipper relents. There's one in place now. |
| 107.6 : N Wagner to C Woakes, FOUR! Commanding stroke! Short length delivery on the body again, Woakes moves inside the line and pulls it past backward square leg for a boundary. The trail is now 78, while the partnership is worth 74. |
| 108.1 : T Astle to Stokes, Tossed up outside off, Stokes lunges and blocks. |
| 108.2 : T Astle to Stokes, Flatter on the off stump, blocked from the crease. |
| 108.3 : T Astle to Stokes, Stokes lunges and blocks this down. |
| 108.4 : T Astle to Stokes, Floated outside off, Ben lets it spin in and defends it. |
| 108.5 : T Astle to Stokes, Flatter around off, Stokes bunts it from the crease. |
| 108.6 : T Astle to Stokes, This ball is pushed back to the bowler from the crease. A maiden for Astle. |
| 109.1 : N Wagner to Woakes, On a length around middle and leg, Chris keeps it out to the on side. |
| 109.2 : N Wagner to Woakes, This is on a length outside off, Woakes goes back and helps it towards gully. |
| 109.3 : N Wagner to Woakes, Short in length, outside off. Woakes ducks to let it pass. |
| 109.4 : N Wagner to Woakes, Changes angle and comes over the wicket and delivers it on a length around off. Chris guides it defensively towards point from the crease. |
| 109.5 : N Wagner to C Woakes, Just short! On a length going away, Woakes gets it off the outer half. The ball lands just short of the man at gully. Hush, these small margins. |
| 109.6 : N Wagner to Woakes, Woakes hits this one with a straight bat towards point. Another no-run over. |
| 110.1 : T Astle to Stokes, Floated on middle and leg, flicked away for nothing. |
| 110.2 : T Astle to Stokes, Wrong 'un on the stumps, punches back towards the bowler. |
| 110.3 : T Astle to Stokes, Flatter on the pads, Stokes nudges it fine down the leg side for nothing. |
| 110.4 : T Astle to Stokes, Nicely played. Floated full outside off, driven with a horizontal bat towards wide mid off for a single. |
| 110.5 : T Astle to Woakes, This is the straighter one on the pads. Woakes misses the flick and the ball goes off the pads and lands just before short leg. |
| 110.6 : T Astle to Woakes, 'Time ticks on,' says Mike Atherton on air after this delivery is lunged forward to and blocked. |
| 111.1 : N Wagner to Stokes, Length ball angling down leg, Stokes fails to help it on its way. It goes off something to the leg side. Maybe gloves. |
| 111.2 : N Wagner to Stokes, Nasty! This is hostile stuff from Neil. Gives it his all and bends his back to deliver an accurate bouncer. Stokes hops to fend but the ball keeps on climbing on him. Hence he sways away from the line at the last moment, thereby resulting in the ball passing the outside edge. Post all this, there are some eye-to-eye exchanges. It is followed from a shake of a head from Ben. |
| 111.3 : N Wagner to Stokes, Hurled down the leg side, Ben fails to flick it away. BJ dives to his right and doesn't let the ball pass him. |
| 111.4 : N Wagner to Stokes, On a length on the stumps, defended from the crease. |
| 111.5 : N Wagner to Stokes, This delivery is tucked away toward square leg for nothing. |
| 111.6 : N Wagner to Stokes, This is in line of the stumps, blocked. A good, hostile, testing, maiden over ends. |
| 112.1 : T Astle to Woakes, Tossed up on middle and off, defended with a prod. |
| 112.2 : T Astle to Woakes, Tossed up full around middle and leg, flicked away through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 112.3 : T Astle to Stokes, Continues over the wicket to Stokes and delivers it slower on leg. Ben gets forward and stonewalls it. |
| 112.4 : T Astle to Stokes, Four Byes! Ooooof! Grubber! Tossed up outside off, the ball lands on the rough and refuses to get up. Stokes goes for the drive but the ball passes under the bat and goes through the keeper. It runs away to the fence behind. Will go down as byes but hardly could the keeper have done anything. |
| 112.5 : T Astle to Stokes, A touch shorter this time, Stokes works it away with the turn through mid-wicket for one. |
| 112.6 : T Astle to Woakes, Floated outside off, driven towards covers. |
| Last over before Dinner. Wagner will bowl it. Can he prise out one more English wicket at the stroke of a break? |
| 113.1 : N Wagner to Stokes, Short in length outside off, Ben goes for the pull but misses. |
| 113.2 : N Wagner to Ben Stokes, This is on a back of a length again, outside off. Stokes pulls it all along the ground through mid-wicket for a brace. 300 up for England, they are just 69 runs behind New Zealand's total. |
| 113.3 : N Wagner to Stokes, OUT! Rejoice for New Zealand, Stokes' recklessness has cost him and his side a wicket! And again, at the stroke of a break. Just at the stroke of Tea this afternoon, Ali departed and here is the big English all-rounder, walking back and sort of throwing his wicket away, which eventually turns out to be the last delivery of the session. This is after the skipper Joe Root was dismissed in what turned out to be the last ball of Day 4. After living on the edge for the past |
| Wow! After a rather staid session, Ben Stokes' wicket at the end of it has just spiced the meal up. All through this segment, the Kiwi bowlers were toiling hard, bowling maidens after maidens, dots and dots, bouncers after bouncers to try and eke out a wicket or two. But nothing seemed to separate the duo of Stokes and Chris Woakes. Both mixed caution with aggression in building a partnership that was worth 83. In the end, all it took was persistence and discipline and Neil Wagner was rewarded f |
| Stokes brought up his well-deserved fifty in the first half of this session. His presence in the middle would have raised hopes of England salvaging a draw. Kane Williamson brought on his spinner Todd Astle but with not much success. Credit should be given to the hosts as they never let their energy levels dip, even when wickets were hard to come by. New Zealand are still 69 runs ahead at the moment. Will that figure suffice them for picking the last three English wickets? Do we have some twist |
| ... Final Day, Final Session ... |
| Hello! Good to have you back with us for this final segment of the first day and night Test match in New Zealand. We have 32 possible overs to be bowled. Will be interesting to see if we will even need those many. Neil Wagner will continue his pending over. Craig Overton is the new batsman in. |
| 113.4 : N Wagner to Woakes, On a length in line of the stumps, Woakes defends it from the crease. |
| 113.5 : N Wagner to Woakes, Length delivery on the hips, tucked away to the on side for the first run of the session. |
| 113.6 : N Wagner to Overton, Banged short on the stumps, Overton ducks to let it go. |
| Todd Astle to bowl from the other end. He will continue his spell. |
| 114.1 : Astle to Woakes, Flatter delivery on the stumps, Woakes looks to go back and play it to the in side but gets an inside edge onto his pads. There is a stifled appeal for LBW. |
| 114.2 : T Astle to Woakes, Woakes lunges forward and bunts it down. |
| 114.3 : T Astle to Woakes, Fired full on the stumps, squeezed out back towards the bowler. |
| 114.4 : T Astle to Woakes, Chris lunges forward and blocks this delivery off the front foot. |
| 114.5 : T Astle to Woakes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 114.6 : T Astle to Woakes, Flatter on the stumps, pushed back towards the bowler. |
| 115.1 : N Wagner to Overton, Banged short on the stumps, Overton ducks. |
| 115.2 : N Wagner to Overton, On a length on the stumps, Craig defends it from the crease with a straight bat. |
| 115.3 : N Wagner to Overton, Another banged in delivery on the stumps, Overton crouched low for the keeper to collect. |
| 115.4 : N Wagner to Overton, On the stumps, blocked solidly from the crease. |
| 115.5 : N Wagner to Overton, Wagner comes in from round the wicket and bowls it short. Overton stands tall to fend it but seems to have got it off the handle. Lands in front of short leg. |
| 115.6 : N Wagner to Overton, Another short length delivery, Overton sways away from the line and lets it pass. |
| 116.1 : T Astle to Woakes, Loopy delivery on the stumps, Woakes strides forward and stonewalls it. |
| 116.2 : T Astle to Woakes, This is pitching around off and middle, Chris uses his long reach to bury it. |
| 116.3 : T Astle to Woakes, Nicely tossed up on middle and leg, flicked away to mid-wicket for nothing. |
| 116.4 : T Astle to Woakes, Flatter on the stumps, blocked. |
| 116.5 : T Astle to Woakes, Flighted delivery on the stumps, defended off the front foot. |
| 116.6 : T Astle to Woakes, This delivery is punched off the back foot towards covers. |
| Oh, oh! The ball. The Kiwis aren't happy with it and have taken it to the taskmaster, the umpires. They have signaled for a change to be brought and it is CHANGED. Let me be cliched - change in ball, change in fortunes? For whom, though? |
| 117.1 : N Wagner to Overton, Wagner bangs it short from round the wicket. Overton rides the bounce and blocks it on the track. |
| 117.2 : N Wagner to Overton, This is bowled on a length around off and middle. Craig stands tall and bunts it. |
| 117.3 : N Wagner to Overton, This delivery is on a length outside off. Overton defends it to the off side for none. |
| 117.4 : N Wagner to Overton, Neil changes angle and comes over the wicket. Bowls this on a length, Overton defends it from the crease. |
| 117.5 : N Wagner to Overton, Back of a length but down the leg. Overton gets out of the way and lets it be. Wagner needs to get his direction right. |
| 117.6 : N Wagner to Overton, Good shot. This is pitched up to the batsman, Overton push-drives it past mid off. He is not hesitant to get on the front foot even after being peppered with the short stuff. Gets it past mid off and collects three. |
| 118.1 : T Astle to Overton, Tossed up outside off, Overton lets it turn before punching it towards covers. |
| 118.2 : T Astle to Overton, This time, Craig strides forward and defends it with his bat close to his front pad. |
| 118.3 : T Astle to Overton, Slower through the air on the stumps, turned away to mid-wicket. |
| 118.4 : T Astle to Overton, Flatter outside off, punched towards mid off. |
| Number 8 goes down! Overton is trapped LBW but he chooses to challenge it immediately. Only an inside edge (unlikely) can save him. |
| 118.5 : T Astle to Overton, OUT! Craig's decision cannot be Overt(o)urned! The clatter around me was growing as to why Todd Astle was persisted with here. Now, there's pin drop silence after he gets another to his name. He floats a googly on the stumps, Overton fails to pick it. Lunges in defense to a delivery that would have spun the conventional way. This one goes the other way and strikes him on the pads. Looks to be right in front of the stumps and the umpire agrees after the Kiwis appeal. Ho |
| Stuart Broad walks in at number 10 for England. |
| 118.6 : T Astle to Broad, Floated on the stumps, Broad fails to work it away and gets hit high on the pad. A wicket-maiden for the leggie. |
| 119.1 : N Wagner to S Broad, Confusion! Woakes hops and pushes this towards long on and wants two immediately. There is some hesitation even as the man from mid-wicket gets to the ball. The batters decide to go for the second anyway, and had the throw at the bowler's end been more accurate, could have been curtains for Broad in spite of the dive. |
| 119.2 : N Wagner to Woakes, Short length ball outside off, Woakes lets it through by playing inside the line. |
| 119.3 : N Wagner to Woakes, FOUR! Crowd-silencer! This is short on the body, Woakes swivels and pulls. Makes nice contact and gets a boundary through backward square leg for a boundary. Chris moves to 45 with that, the trail gets down to 58. |
| 119.4 : N Wagner to Woakes, Another bouncer, Woakes doesn't play at that. |
| 119.5 : N Wagner to Woakes, Played to the point region by CW. |
| 119.6 : N Wagner to Woakes, WIDE! This is banged in short but goes well over the batter's head. Wide signaled. |
| N Wagner to Woakes, Another bouncer outside off, Woakes lets it be. |
| As Stuart Broad dived to complete the second run in the previous over, his thumb seems to have been squeezed between the ground and the bat handle. He seems to be in some discomfort and hence the physio is out there. He is getting his right thumb bandaged now. |
| 120.1 : T Astle to S Broad, Flatter on the stumps, Broad goes back and keeps it out off the outer half to the off side. |
| 120.2 : T Astle to Broad, Similar delivery, worked away past short leg for one to open his account. |
| 120.3 : T Astle to C Woakes, Nicely tossed up on leg, Woakes keeps it out with a straight bat. |
| 120.4 : T Astle to Woakes, Shortish length outside off, there's some spin away as well. Woakes goes deep to cut it but misses. |
| 120.5 : T Astle to Woakes, Flatter on the stumps, Chris goes back and works it wristily to the on side for nothing. |
| 120.6 : T Astle to Woakes, FOUR! A cover drive against spin is always a delight to watch. For the execution of the shot, your front foot has to get to the pitch of the ball and you need to cover the spin before playing the drive. Woakes just did all of these and ended up moving to 49 as a result. England's deficit is now 3 more than 50. |
| 121.1 : N Wagner to Broad, Short deliveries and Stuart Broad aren't the best of friends. Wagner is aware of this and lets this out on a back of a length. Broad gets inside the line and bends a bit to let the ball pass over him. The leg umpire signals one for the over. |
| 121.2 : N Wagner to Broad, Ooooo! Bring out the pain-killers! Seeing another short length ball aimed at him, Stuart looks to get out of the line but fails to do so. Ends up getting struck on the right arm. |
| 121.3 : N Wagner to Broad, On a length down the leg side, Broad moves in and looks to tuck it away but fails to do so. |
| 121.4 : N Wagner to Broad, An action replay of the previous delivery. |
| 121.5 : N Wagner to Broad, Comes over the wicket and lands it on a length outside off, glided towards gully. |
| 121.6 : N Wagner to Broad, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. A testing maiden by Wagner. |
| 122.1 : T Astle to Woakes, 4TH TEST FIFTY FOR CHRIS WOAKES! He has batted brilliantly. The initial phase wasn't easy and he dealt with that and has come out unscathed. He flicks this full floated ball towards mid on and gets to the other end quickly. Raises his bat towards the dressing room. |
| 122.2 : T Astle to Broad, Served on the stumps, defended solidly. |
| 122.3 : T Astle to Broad, This is outside off, Broad cuts it to point. |
| 122.4 : T Astle to Broad, Just over! Tossed up around middle and leg, Broad lunges to block. Gets an inside edge onto the front pad and goes over short leg. On another day it would have gone straight in short leg's hands. |
| 122.5 : T Astle to Broad, Slower through the air down the leg side, Stuart lets it be. Does well to not drag his back foot out of the crease. |
| 122.6 : T Astle to Broad, Comes over the wicket does Todd for the final delivery and floats it outside off. Stuart lets it spin in and just stonewalls it. |
| 123.1 : N Wagner to Woakes, Woakes blocks it firmly off the front foot. |
| 123.2 : N Wagner to Woakes, Banged short on the stumps, Woakes crouches low to let it pass. |
| 123.3 : N Wagner to Woakes, This is well outside off, left alone by Chris. |
| 123.4 : N Wagner to Woakes, Short length ball, Woakes pulls it through backward square leg for one. Broad wanted a second but is sent back. |
| 123.5 : N Wagner to Broad, On a length from round the wicket, Broad keeps it out towards backward point from the crease. |
| 123.6 : N Wagner to Broad, Hurled down the leg side, Stuart moves in and points his bat skywards. |
| 124.1 : T Astle to Woakes, Floats it around middle and leg, defended with a slight lunge. |
| 124.2 : T Astle to Woakes, Flatter outside off, CW leaves it alone. |
| 124.3 : T Astle to C Woakes, Flighted delivery on a fuller length, Woakes pushes it towards mid on and runs in quickly for one. |
| 124.4 : T Astle to Broad, Loopy ball outside off, Broad gets forward to block. But the ball doesn't spin in as much and he gets beaten on the outside edge. |
| 124.5 : T Astle to Broad, Quicker wrong 'un around leg, Broad gets pinged on the front pad. An appeal follows, turned down. Perhaps pitching outside leg. |
| 124.6 : T Astle to Broad, Another wrong 'un around middle and leg, Stuart lunges forward but misses his defense. Passes the outside edge by not much. |
| 125.1 : N Wagner to Woakes, Banged short on the stumps, Woakes gets out of the way. |
| 125.2 : N Wagner to Woakes, OUT! That's it probably! Neil Wagner's short-ball tactics do it for the Kiwis yet again. Bangs it short in line of the stumps, it comes at him quickly. Woakes hops to keep it out but is unable to do anything apart from getting it off the splice. It lobs up in the air and Nicholls does the rest at short leg. Wagner runs screaming in celebration. We know how he must be feeling after bowling long spells and giving it all. Just reward for all his efforts. Woakes departs af |
| James Anderson is the final man for England. |
| 125.3 : N Wagner to Anderson, On a length down the leg side, Anderson wants to flick it away but is unable to do so. |
| 125.4 : N Wagner to Anderson, This ball is defended from within the crease. |
| 125.5 : N Wagner to Anderson, On a length outside off, Anderson pushes it towards point. |
| 125.6 : N Wagner to Anderson, Anderson gets it off the inner half past short leg for a single to retain strike. |
| 126.1 : T Astle to Anderson, OUT! It's all over! Astle floats it full outside off. Anderson, for some reason best known to him, goes after it. Looks to hit it over mid off but ends up doing so straight to Trent Boult there. And yes, this time, he doesn't drop it. NEW ZEALAND END UP ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RESULT BY AN INNINGS AND 49 RUNS! |
| Clinical! That's one word to describe the Kiwis' performance. They had to pick 7 wickets coming into the last day and although nobody would have had a doubt, they set about with their task in right earnest. Yes, there was a phase when wickets weren't coming. But that's when their resolve was steely and it showed in the end result. |
| Neil Wagner is caught up on the sidelines by Simon Doull. He states that his side stuck it out to end up victorious in this game. He reckons that the practice sessions helped them and hence the result isn't a surprise. Iterates that the pink ball shaped up well and the track also assisted it. Says that they will savor this win and celebrate in the dressing room. |
| The seeds of this terrific win was sown on the first day when Trent Boult and Tim Southee combined to bowl England out for 58. The left-arm pacer's six-fer absolutely destroyed the visitors. In helpful conditions after winning the toss, the Kiwis didn't have to look for any other option than the two seamers. The final wicket stand of 31 runs for England helped them at least cross the 50-run mark. |
| About Test matches, it is often said that if you bat once and bat big, often you are in a safe position. New Zealand did just that. First Kane Williamson and then Henry Nicholls struck magnificent tons to deflate the English bowlers. Although they didn't have any triple-figure stand, the contributions of the duo apart from some more useful ones helped them post a big score. For the tourists, James Anderson and Stuart Broad picked up three apiece but couldn't do much to prevent a 369-run lead. |
| With a mountain of runs in front, the English batters, basically had to see off some four and a half sessions to salvage a draw. Often, the game tests you psychologically. Although Alastair Cook departed soon, Mark Stoneman and Joe Root kept them in the game with an 88-run stand. But then both of them departed. The skipper fell on what turned out to be the last delivery of the penultimate day to swing the balance decisively in the hosts' favour. |
| The final day began with an early wicket (Dawid Malan). But then, Ben Stokes spent some time in the middle along with Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali. The English keeper couldn't make use of a couple of lives to string a big one. Stokes then stuck in their with Chris Woakes for 83 runs. Although both of them got past their half centuries, it wasn't enough to avert an innings defeat. |
| For the home side, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and Todd Astle picked up 3 wickets each, with Tim Southee picking one. The way Wagner was charging in on this final day would have made any pacer proud. The venom in his spell just HAD TO translate into wickets and rightly so, he was the one with the decisive wickets of Stokes and Woakes in this innings. Presentation follows in a bit... |
| Trent Boult is the Man of the Match for his 9-99 in this game. He reckons that the way they achieved the win was terrific. States the importance of picking up 20 wickets in a Test match. Opines that today they needed some hard work to skittle out the opposition. Mentions about the night session being the best one for the bowlers in the day night Tests. |
| Joe Root, the English skipper, says that this was a bad game for them. Admits to it being difficult to get back in the game after a poor start like they had. States that they couldn't generate much swing with the ball. Says that the fight that they showed today was something he wishes to see more. Reckons that his finger is good and he should be fit for the next Test. Ends saying that he needs to improve on his own game going forward. |
| Kane Williamson, the victorious Kiwi skipper, is happy with the win and credits the first innings efforts with the ball for the same. Adds that they did well to face the opposition bowling which is full of quality. States that they always look to execute their plans and feel good that they came off in this game. Feels proud about the partnerships in this innings. Mentions about England's bowling being good which reflects in the slow pace of their stands. Opines that their plan in the game was to |
| Yet another pink-ball Test match has yielded result. The cricketing world is yet to see a drawn day-night Test. England were thoroughly outplayed in this one by the Kiwis. But they need not be dejected. They have another chance to make a comeback in the series. The second Test begins on 30th March, 2018 at 1100 local (2200 GMT, the previous day). See ya then! Ta-ta! Take care, aficionados! |
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