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| England v New Zealand: first Test, day five – live! | England v New Zealand: first Test, day five – live! |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 4.52pm BST16:52 | |
| 52nd over: New Zealand 173-6 (Anderson 66, Craig 0) Three men round Corey Anderson’s bat for Root, so the batsman clumps a half volley through mid on for four. He takes a single from the last ball, giving Craig the strike for one ball. He’s trapped in front and they go up, but there won’t be a review. It was pad first, but I think hit him outside the line of off. | |
| Heh, this is pretty funny. Well played. | |
| #JohnTerry pic.twitter.com/VMsLAnrn3w | |
| 4.48pm BST16:48 | |
| 51st over: New Zealand 168-6 (Anderson 61, Craig 0) There was a minor bit of drama on the wicket, as the umpires decided to check the no ball, but he was fine by an inch or so. Watling walked too, which I guess was nice, although I’m not one who thinks you should. Craig comes in, with four slips, a gully and a short leg and he’s beaten by another nice short one from Wood. He’s looked really, really good on debut. Wicket maiden. | |
| 4.45pm BST16:45 | |
| Wicket! Watling c Buttler b Wood 59 | |
| There’s the breakthrough! A good lifter just brushes the glove as Watling looks to sway out the way and he walks. | |
| Updated at 4.54pm BST | |
| 4.43pm BST16:43 | |
| 50th over: New Zealand 168-5 (Anderson 61, Watling 59) Here, indeed, is Joe Root, accompanied by the chant that sounds like booing. In fact, they’re saying Roo-urns. Anderson leaves one that doesn’t turn, much to the excitement of the bowler, but it was nowhere near the stumps. | |
| 4.40pm BST16:40 | |
| 49th over: New Zealand 168-5 (Anderson 61, Watling 59) We do have a new bowler: Wood, rather than Stokes. Anderson leaves the first ball on length and is a lucky boy as it only passes six inches or so over middle stump. A leading edge, along the ground, to mid on, brings a run. Looks like Joe Root is warming up. A floaty, 81mph half volley is dismissively flicked off middle and leg, through midwicket for four. 28 overs to go. | |
| 4.36pm BST16:36 | |
| 48th over: New Zealand 163-5 (Anderson 60, Watling 55) This partnership is now worth 100. One issue for England might be the amount of time they batted on this morning: it means there will be no second new ball today. You feel that they need a spark from somewhere, sometime soon or New Zealand could be comfortable. Oh for Graeme Swann. Anyway, Watling drives to deep extra cover for the only two runs of the over. | |
| It's been Stokes' match...time for another spell #engvnz | |
| 4.32pm BST16:32 | |
| 47th over: New Zealand 161-5 (Anderson 60, Watling 53) In that last over, Watling joined the exalted company of Matt Prior and Jeff Dujon as wicketkeepers who have scored two 50s in the same Lord’s Test. Broad is round the wicket again and Anderson drives beautifully on the up through extra cover for four. Four more a couple of balls later as he just pushes a wide one past gully to the third man boundary. The sun looks to be coming out a bit at Lord’s, which will please this pair. Anderson gets a thick inside edge driving hard, but his pad prevents the ball from cannoning back into the stumps. | |
| Updated at 4.44pm BST | |
| 4.27pm BST16:27 | |
| 46th over: New Zealand 153-5 (Anderson 52, Watling 53) Yet another excellent take by Buttler, leaping to his left and taking it high, one-handed when Anderson fires a bouncer down leg. He has no chance with the next one though, which Watling whips off his pads for four to fine leg. That takes him to 49, and he moves past 50 next ball with a bottom edge that squirms low between Buttler and slip for four to fine third man. Ow and then he’s hurt as Jimmy nips one back down the slope and into Watling’s unpadded ribcage. | |
| “Hi Dan,” writes Seth Ennis. “How many overs/time do New Zealand have to survive to earn a draw?” A very reasonable question, Seth. There will be 31 more overs after this one, assuming the light holds. | |
| 4.22pm BST16:22 | |
| 45th over: New Zealand 145-5 (Anderson 52, Watling 45) Anderson – Corey, that is – apparently has a slight back strain, which means he won’t like ducking. There are three men out on the hook too. Anyway, he does manage to get on top of a bouncer that only gets to chest height, pulling it to midwicket for one. Broad switches back to over the wicket for Watling. He sends one in and thinks it’s hit pad then bat, but the umpire is unmoved. Alastair Cook says he couldn’t tell and doesn’t review. For the record, it hit the face of the bat first, the ground second and the pad never. Watling knocks one out to midwicket for a single, but there are three men behind square on the leg side so it’s a no ball too. That’s very sloppy. | |
| 4.16pm BST16:16 | 4.16pm BST16:16 |
| 44th over: New Zealand 142-5 (Anderson 51, Watling 44) There’s not as much swing on offer for Anderson now, as you’d expect with the ball 43 overs old. As such, Watling has no trouble turning a straight one off his hips and down to fine leg for a couple of runs. | 44th over: New Zealand 142-5 (Anderson 51, Watling 44) There’s not as much swing on offer for Anderson now, as you’d expect with the ball 43 overs old. As such, Watling has no trouble turning a straight one off his hips and down to fine leg for a couple of runs. |
| 4.12pm BST16:12 | 4.12pm BST16:12 |
| 43rd over: New Zealand 140-5 (Anderson 51, Watling 42) Broad from the other end, coming round the wicket to Watling and has a pretty packed leg side field. Watling plays a shortish one off his ribs for a single, bringing the left hander Anderson on strike. Broad sticks to round the wicket for him, again loading the leg side and sending it in short. They twice go up for a catch behind when Anderson swishes his bat under a bouncer, but nothing doing. Still, he looks to be playing into Broad’s hands here. | 43rd over: New Zealand 140-5 (Anderson 51, Watling 42) Broad from the other end, coming round the wicket to Watling and has a pretty packed leg side field. Watling plays a shortish one off his ribs for a single, bringing the left hander Anderson on strike. Broad sticks to round the wicket for him, again loading the leg side and sending it in short. They twice go up for a catch behind when Anderson swishes his bat under a bouncer, but nothing doing. Still, he looks to be playing into Broad’s hands here. |
| 4.08pm BST16:08 | 4.08pm BST16:08 |
| 42nd over: New Zealand 139-5 (Anderson 51, Watling 41) Anderson starts things off after tea and Watling starts with a nice punch off the back foot, through cover point for four. Watling is then given out, but it doesn’t take Rod Tucker long to overturn that decision: it was very much the howler that DRS is there to overturn. That’s excellent use of the system. The next ball is edged short of slip and they get a single. | 42nd over: New Zealand 139-5 (Anderson 51, Watling 41) Anderson starts things off after tea and Watling starts with a nice punch off the back foot, through cover point for four. Watling is then given out, but it doesn’t take Rod Tucker long to overturn that decision: it was very much the howler that DRS is there to overturn. That’s excellent use of the system. The next ball is edged short of slip and they get a single. |
| Love the third umpire having to tell the on-field umpire that he made a terrible decision: "I'm not sure how to break it to you..." #ENGvNZ | Love the third umpire having to tell the on-field umpire that he made a terrible decision: "I'm not sure how to break it to you..." #ENGvNZ |
| On the subject of players with the same surname, Roderick Stewart (really?) sends this gem of a story over. | On the subject of players with the same surname, Roderick Stewart (really?) sends this gem of a story over. |
| 4.05pm BST16:05 | 4.05pm BST16:05 |
| Not out | Not out |
| The bat brushed his pad, creating the noise, but the ball was nowhere near his bat. | The bat brushed his pad, creating the noise, but the ball was nowhere near his bat. |
| Updated at 4.13pm BST | Updated at 4.13pm BST |
| 4.04pm BST16:04 | 4.04pm BST16:04 |
| Wicket? Watling c Butter b Anderson | Wicket? Watling c Butter b Anderson |
| It’s given out, a tickle down the leg side, but the appeal was muted and Watling reviewed immediately. | It’s given out, a tickle down the leg side, but the appeal was muted and Watling reviewed immediately. |
| 4.00pm BST16:00 | 4.00pm BST16:00 |
| Another email, from OBO correspondence veteran Ian Copestake all the way over in the States: “Hoping England can bring home the bacon and dedicate their achievement to birthday boy and renaissance man Gary Naylor.” | Another email, from OBO correspondence veteran Ian Copestake all the way over in the States: “Hoping England can bring home the bacon and dedicate their achievement to birthday boy and renaissance man Gary Naylor.” |
| Ahh I almost forgot! Happy birthday, Gary. | Ahh I almost forgot! Happy birthday, Gary. |
| 3.56pm BST15:56 | 3.56pm BST15:56 |
| Meanwhile Krishnan Patel offers the following suggestions: “If only surnames count, I can think of Zaheer Khan of India bowling to Younus Khan and other Pakistan players named Khan a lot of times. Jerome Taylor must have bowled a lot to Ross Taylor and maybe in the future will bowl to James Taylor. And if ever Steven Smith rolled his arm over against Graeme Smith , that would count too.” | Meanwhile Krishnan Patel offers the following suggestions: “If only surnames count, I can think of Zaheer Khan of India bowling to Younus Khan and other Pakistan players named Khan a lot of times. Jerome Taylor must have bowled a lot to Ross Taylor and maybe in the future will bowl to James Taylor. And if ever Steven Smith rolled his arm over against Graeme Smith , that would count too.” |
| 3.55pm BST15:55 | 3.55pm BST15:55 |
| Er... | Er... |
| #ApunKaSuperstar @AlexHales1 strikes a pose! Celebrations are on! Champions 2015 pic.twitter.com/P4kQn3diDA | #ApunKaSuperstar @AlexHales1 strikes a pose! Celebrations are on! Champions 2015 pic.twitter.com/P4kQn3diDA |
| 3.54pm BST15:54 | 3.54pm BST15:54 |
| Hello again folks. I have to admit that, when Ben Stokes ripped out two wickets in two balls and lit Lord’s up, I wasn’t sure if I’d be back with you. But I am, largely thanks to some excellent counterpunching from this pair. Obviously New Zealand aren’t going to win it now, but they might yet save the Test. The pleasing thing is that whatever the result, it will be deserved: if New Zealand hang on it will have been a cracking batting effort, while an England win would reflect their best performance since India 2012. | Hello again folks. I have to admit that, when Ben Stokes ripped out two wickets in two balls and lit Lord’s up, I wasn’t sure if I’d be back with you. But I am, largely thanks to some excellent counterpunching from this pair. Obviously New Zealand aren’t going to win it now, but they might yet save the Test. The pleasing thing is that whatever the result, it will be deserved: if New Zealand hang on it will have been a cracking batting effort, while an England win would reflect their best performance since India 2012. |
| Oh and in response to Jonathan Evans, I’ve got Damien Fleming bowling to Stephen Fleming in three ODIs between 1994 and 2000. | Oh and in response to Jonathan Evans, I’ve got Damien Fleming bowling to Stephen Fleming in three ODIs between 1994 and 2000. |
| 3.47pm BST15:47 | 3.47pm BST15:47 |
| TEA | TEA |
| And that’s tea. New Zealand require another 211 runs, England require another five wickets. One won’t happen, the other might. Whatever it is, Dan Lucas will talk you through it. Bye! | And that’s tea. New Zealand require another 211 runs, England require another five wickets. One won’t happen, the other might. Whatever it is, Dan Lucas will talk you through it. Bye! |
| Updated at 3.53pm BST | Updated at 3.53pm BST |
| 3.45pm BST15:45 | 3.45pm BST15:45 |
| 40th over: New Zealand 134-5 (Anderson 51, Watling 36) | 40th over: New Zealand 134-5 (Anderson 51, Watling 36) |
| Broad continues, with the electric buzz of certain imminent-wicketness dissipating rapidly, though the crowd continues to slow-handclap the bowler through every run-up. Ivan Dowling nominates one famous case of same-name bowling/batting interactions. As Wikipedia describes it: “On England’s 1948–9 tour to South Africa, the England captain George Mann was bowled by his namesake Tufty Mann. John Arlott memorably described it as “a case of Mann’s inhumanity to Mann”. | Broad continues, with the electric buzz of certain imminent-wicketness dissipating rapidly, though the crowd continues to slow-handclap the bowler through every run-up. Ivan Dowling nominates one famous case of same-name bowling/batting interactions. As Wikipedia describes it: “On England’s 1948–9 tour to South Africa, the England captain George Mann was bowled by his namesake Tufty Mann. John Arlott memorably described it as “a case of Mann’s inhumanity to Mann”. |
| 3.40pm BST15:40 | 3.40pm BST15:40 |
| 39th over: New Zealand 131-5 (Anderson 51, Watling 33) | 39th over: New Zealand 131-5 (Anderson 51, Watling 33) |
| Anderson switches to the Nursery End, and bowls a maiden at Anderson. Botham and Bumble end it with a ludicrous duologue as the cameras follow a woman, who appears to have forgotten where she’s going, to her seat with a couple of pints. Beefy jokes about his wife losing the car in the car park, etc and so forth. | Anderson switches to the Nursery End, and bowls a maiden at Anderson. Botham and Bumble end it with a ludicrous duologue as the cameras follow a woman, who appears to have forgotten where she’s going, to her seat with a couple of pints. Beefy jokes about his wife losing the car in the car park, etc and so forth. |
| 3.35pm BST15:35 | 3.35pm BST15:35 |
| 38th over: New Zealand 131-5 (Anderson 51, Watling 33) | 38th over: New Zealand 131-5 (Anderson 51, Watling 33) |
| Broad takes the ball and Lyth straps on some pads, the fielders tossing the ball among themselves as he does so. Mark Wood goes a little too close to Lyth as they do so, and the pair of them end up in a heap of humanity and half-strapped pads. Lyth eventually moves to short leg, with a leg slip also in place as Broad goes short to Watling, who at one point gloves one in the air, but in the wrong direction from England’s point of view. Maiden. | Broad takes the ball and Lyth straps on some pads, the fielders tossing the ball among themselves as he does so. Mark Wood goes a little too close to Lyth as they do so, and the pair of them end up in a heap of humanity and half-strapped pads. Lyth eventually moves to short leg, with a leg slip also in place as Broad goes short to Watling, who at one point gloves one in the air, but in the wrong direction from England’s point of view. Maiden. |
| @Simon_Burnton does anyone know other examples of a bowler bowling to a Batsman with the same surname? re: @selvecricket | @Simon_Burnton does anyone know other examples of a bowler bowling to a Batsman with the same surname? re: @selvecricket |
| 3.29pm BST15:29 | 3.29pm BST15:29 |
| 37th over: New Zealand 131-5 (Anderson 51, Watling 33) | 37th over: New Zealand 131-5 (Anderson 51, Watling 33) |
| Anderson hits successive deliveries for four, sweeping the first, hitting the second over long off and then sweeping the third. Turns out it’s not such an idea to bowl full-tosses to a batsman rattling along at a run a ball. Who knew? Anyway, he’s got a 45-ball half-century now, and England don’t seem entirely sure what to do about it. | Anderson hits successive deliveries for four, sweeping the first, hitting the second over long off and then sweeping the third. Turns out it’s not such an idea to bowl full-tosses to a batsman rattling along at a run a ball. Who knew? Anyway, he’s got a 45-ball half-century now, and England don’t seem entirely sure what to do about it. |
| 3.26pm BST15:26 | 3.26pm BST15:26 |
| 36th over: New Zealand 119-5 (Anderson 39, Watling 33) | 36th over: New Zealand 119-5 (Anderson 39, Watling 33) |
| Anderson bowls, and Watling works the ball through midwicket for four. Nice shot. The bowler then throws the ball to the umpire, wondering if there’s any chance of swapping it for another. There isn’t. England, of course, could have had a second new ball to look forward to had they declared early today. Meanwhile, it’s not too late to go to Lord’s, and after 3.40pm adult tickets are only £10. | Anderson bowls, and Watling works the ball through midwicket for four. Nice shot. The bowler then throws the ball to the umpire, wondering if there’s any chance of swapping it for another. There isn’t. England, of course, could have had a second new ball to look forward to had they declared early today. Meanwhile, it’s not too late to go to Lord’s, and after 3.40pm adult tickets are only £10. |
| 3.21pm BST15:21 | 3.21pm BST15:21 |
| 35th over: New Zealand 115-5 (Anderson 39, Watling 29) | 35th over: New Zealand 115-5 (Anderson 39, Watling 29) |
| Anderson boffs the ball in the air to mid on. “Catch!” shouts Moeen, but there’s nobody there. There are a couple of really promising deliveries here though, flighted nicely, landing in the rough, kicking up a little cloud of dust and moving wildly. | Anderson boffs the ball in the air to mid on. “Catch!” shouts Moeen, but there’s nobody there. There are a couple of really promising deliveries here though, flighted nicely, landing in the rough, kicking up a little cloud of dust and moving wildly. |
| 3.18pm BST15:18 | 3.18pm BST15:18 |
| 34th over: New Zealand 109-5 (Anderson 33, Watling 29) | 34th over: New Zealand 109-5 (Anderson 33, Watling 29) |
| More leg byes – two of the little blighters – though the ball actually hit Watling’s glove. That’s 41 leg byes to the Kiwis in this match. | More leg byes – two of the little blighters – though the ball actually hit Watling’s glove. That’s 41 leg byes to the Kiwis in this match. |
| 3.14pm BST15:14 | 3.14pm BST15:14 |
| 33rd over: New Zealand 107-5 (Anderson 33, Watling 29) | 33rd over: New Zealand 107-5 (Anderson 33, Watling 29) |
| Stokes isn’t bowling any more, Moeen swapping ends to replace him. Anderson hits him to long on, where Cook chases and eventually dives to stop the ball a foot from the rope, hits it away from the boundary but into his other arm, which knocks it back the other way. Four. The next ball goes to the long off boundary – nobody bothers chasing it this time. | Stokes isn’t bowling any more, Moeen swapping ends to replace him. Anderson hits him to long on, where Cook chases and eventually dives to stop the ball a foot from the rope, hits it away from the boundary but into his other arm, which knocks it back the other way. Four. The next ball goes to the long off boundary – nobody bothers chasing it this time. |
| 3.09pm BST15:09 | 3.09pm BST15:09 |
| 32nd over: New Zealand 98-5 (Anderson 25, Watling 28) | 32nd over: New Zealand 98-5 (Anderson 25, Watling 28) |
| For the first time in the match, Anderson bowls to Anderson (only Broad, Wood and Stokes bowled to him on his way to a 20-ball nine in the first innings). Maiden. | For the first time in the match, Anderson bowls to Anderson (only Broad, Wood and Stokes bowled to him on his way to a 20-ball nine in the first innings). Maiden. |
| bowler now bowling to a batsman with same surname. doesnt happen very often i cant imagine. | bowler now bowling to a batsman with same surname. doesnt happen very often i cant imagine. |
| 3.06pm BST15:06 | 3.06pm BST15:06 |
| 31st over: New Zealand 98-5 (Anderson 25, Watling 28) | 31st over: New Zealand 98-5 (Anderson 25, Watling 28) |
| A slightly strange moment here, as Stokes bowls and Anderson basically doesn’t move at all, the ball flicking off the top of his thigh pad – we’re pretty much talking butt-cheek here – and running away, and the umpire calling the resulting run a leg bye. | A slightly strange moment here, as Stokes bowls and Anderson basically doesn’t move at all, the ball flicking off the top of his thigh pad – we’re pretty much talking butt-cheek here – and running away, and the umpire calling the resulting run a leg bye. |
| 3.02pm BST15:02 | 3.02pm BST15:02 |
| 30th over: New Zealand 94-5 (Anderson 24, Watling 26) | 30th over: New Zealand 94-5 (Anderson 24, Watling 26) |
| Anderson, going at a fraction over a run a ball (he’s faced 23 so far), goes down on one knee to sweep through midwicket for a bullet four. | Anderson, going at a fraction over a run a ball (he’s faced 23 so far), goes down on one knee to sweep through midwicket for a bullet four. |
| 2.57pm BST14:57 | 2.57pm BST14:57 |
| 29th over: New Zealand 87-5 (Anderson 20, Watling 23) | 29th over: New Zealand 87-5 (Anderson 20, Watling 23) |
| You’d have to rip the ball out of Stokes’ cold, pulseless palm before you’d get him to stop bowling at the moment. Anderson picks up a full delivery and hits it in the air, safely over mid on for four. Stokes as a result decides to bowl his final couple of deliveries from round the wicket, and Anderson bashes the second of those through cover for a couple. | You’d have to rip the ball out of Stokes’ cold, pulseless palm before you’d get him to stop bowling at the moment. Anderson picks up a full delivery and hits it in the air, safely over mid on for four. Stokes as a result decides to bowl his final couple of deliveries from round the wicket, and Anderson bashes the second of those through cover for a couple. |
| @simon_burnton Of course one should be wary of burdening the young man, but I've been sitting in the crowd and the adulation is Flintoffian. | @simon_burnton Of course one should be wary of burdening the young man, but I've been sitting in the crowd and the adulation is Flintoffian. |
| 2.53pm BST14:53 | 2.53pm BST14:53 |
| 28th over: New Zealand 81-5 (Anderson 14, Watling 23) | 28th over: New Zealand 81-5 (Anderson 14, Watling 23) |
| A drama-free maiden from Moeen. | A drama-free maiden from Moeen. |
| 2.51pm BST14:51 | 2.51pm BST14:51 |
| 28th over: New Zealand 81-5 (Anderson 14, Watling 23) | 28th over: New Zealand 81-5 (Anderson 14, Watling 23) |
| Stokes bowls, and after the first ball hits Watling’s glove and pootles down the leg side for four, the same batsman hits it into the ground and it bounces just out of the bowler’s reach. “Ooooooh!” exclaims nearly everybody in Lord’s. Really, who knows what Stokes’ future holds, and who cares. If he left leg falls off tomorrow, he’ll always have the last 48 hours. | Stokes bowls, and after the first ball hits Watling’s glove and pootles down the leg side for four, the same batsman hits it into the ground and it bounces just out of the bowler’s reach. “Ooooooh!” exclaims nearly everybody in Lord’s. Really, who knows what Stokes’ future holds, and who cares. If he left leg falls off tomorrow, he’ll always have the last 48 hours. |
| Updated at 3.02pm BST | Updated at 3.02pm BST |
| 2.47pm BST14:47 | 2.47pm BST14:47 |
| 27th over: New Zealand 76-5 (Anderson 14, Watling 17) | 27th over: New Zealand 76-5 (Anderson 14, Watling 17) |
| Hello again! Moeen bowls for the first time today, with a single slip, a silly point and a short leg in place. Watling gets a single from his first delivery. At the end of it, Mike Atherton compares some classic footage of Andrew Flintoff with some of Stokes bowling today. Talking of which … | Hello again! Moeen bowls for the first time today, with a single slip, a silly point and a short leg in place. Watling gets a single from his first delivery. At the end of it, Mike Atherton compares some classic footage of Andrew Flintoff with some of Stokes bowling today. Talking of which … |
| @Simon_Burnton Ben Stokes the new hero for England. Not the new Andrew Flintoff, don't burden him, he is his own man | @Simon_Burnton Ben Stokes the new hero for England. Not the new Andrew Flintoff, don't burden him, he is his own man |
| 2.41pm BST14:41 | 2.41pm BST14:41 |
| 26th over: New Zealand 75-5 (Anderson 14, Watling 17) target 345 Stokes has figures of 3-3-0-2, so it’s probably worth giving him another go. He’s tailing it in and bowling full here, although Anderson clips his second ball quite gloriously off the pads and through midwicket for four. Either side of that, the left hander does very well to dig out a couple of excellent yorkers. It’s like someone told Stokes that he’s Waqar Younis. Shorter and Anderson pumps a flat-bat shot back past the bowler for four more. Oh and then another short one, pulled over midwicket for six. That’s drinks and Simon Burnton is stepping back into the OBO shoes for the next hour. | 26th over: New Zealand 75-5 (Anderson 14, Watling 17) target 345 Stokes has figures of 3-3-0-2, so it’s probably worth giving him another go. He’s tailing it in and bowling full here, although Anderson clips his second ball quite gloriously off the pads and through midwicket for four. Either side of that, the left hander does very well to dig out a couple of excellent yorkers. It’s like someone told Stokes that he’s Waqar Younis. Shorter and Anderson pumps a flat-bat shot back past the bowler for four more. Oh and then another short one, pulled over midwicket for six. That’s drinks and Simon Burnton is stepping back into the OBO shoes for the next hour. |
| #BenStokes | #BenStokes |
| Spiky, tenacious and absurdly talented. Kids will take up cricket because they want to play like Ben Stokes. And that's absolutely great. | Spiky, tenacious and absurdly talented. Kids will take up cricket because they want to play like Ben Stokes. And that's absolutely great. |
| Updated at 2.42pm BST | Updated at 2.42pm BST |
| 2.37pm BST14:37 | 2.37pm BST14:37 |
| 25th over: New Zealand 61-5 (Anderson 0, Watling 17) target 345 Oof, Wood now gets one to rip back into the batsman while rising sharply. It snaps into Watling’s gloves but drops short of gully. It’d be rather nice to be at Lord’s right now – the atmosphere is electric. Fuller from Wood and Watling fishes at it outside off. Being at the crease right now must be a horrible feeling. | 25th over: New Zealand 61-5 (Anderson 0, Watling 17) target 345 Oof, Wood now gets one to rip back into the batsman while rising sharply. It snaps into Watling’s gloves but drops short of gully. It’d be rather nice to be at Lord’s right now – the atmosphere is electric. Fuller from Wood and Watling fishes at it outside off. Being at the crease right now must be a horrible feeling. |
| 2.33pm BST14:33 | 2.33pm BST14:33 |
| 24th over: New Zealand 61-5 (Anderson 0, Watling 17) target 345 Absolute snorter from Stokes, slightly back of a length but it’s fast, rises nastily and jags away from the bat as Williamson tried to play off the back foot. The next ball isn’t half bad either, beating Williamson again outside off, then third time everything’s coming up Milhouse! Here comes McCullum, who might just want to curb his enthusiasm here. Not that he’ll get a chance. Corey Anderson the new man. | 24th over: New Zealand 61-5 (Anderson 0, Watling 17) target 345 Absolute snorter from Stokes, slightly back of a length but it’s fast, rises nastily and jags away from the bat as Williamson tried to play off the back foot. The next ball isn’t half bad either, beating Williamson again outside off, then third time everything’s coming up Milhouse! Here comes McCullum, who might just want to curb his enthusiasm here. Not that he’ll get a chance. Corey Anderson the new man. |
| 2.33pm BST14:33 | 2.33pm BST14:33 |
| Hat-trick ball... | Hat-trick ball... |
| England have six slips, a short leg and a leg slip, as well as mid on and cover. Stokes bangs it in and Corey Anderson leaves it alone outside off. The crowd stands to applaud that – it was Flintoff to Langer and Ponting at Edgbaston 2005-esque. | England have six slips, a short leg and a leg slip, as well as mid on and cover. Stokes bangs it in and Corey Anderson leaves it alone outside off. The crowd stands to applaud that – it was Flintoff to Langer and Ponting at Edgbaston 2005-esque. |
| 2.31pm BST14:31 | 2.31pm BST14:31 |
| Wicket! McCullum b Stokes 0 | Wicket! McCullum b Stokes 0 |
| BOWLED HIM FIRST BALL! I have to say I shivered a bit there. This is another absolute beauty, the ball sent down at pace on a good length and tearing back in towards McCullum. It goes through the gap and takes out middle and leg. | BOWLED HIM FIRST BALL! I have to say I shivered a bit there. This is another absolute beauty, the ball sent down at pace on a good length and tearing back in towards McCullum. It goes through the gap and takes out middle and leg. |
| Updated at 2.41pm BST | Updated at 2.41pm BST |
| 2.28pm BST14:28 | 2.28pm BST14:28 |
| Wicket! Williamson c Root b Stokes 27 | Wicket! Williamson c Root b Stokes 27 |
| Williamson could have left this on length but chose to play at it. Rising sharply outside off, he tried to drive through backward point but could only guide it into the hands of Root at gully! | Williamson could have left this on length but chose to play at it. Rising sharply outside off, he tried to drive through backward point but could only guide it into the hands of Root at gully! |
| 2.24pm BST14:24 | 2.24pm BST14:24 |
| 23rd over: New Zealand 61-3 (Williamson 27, Watling 17) target 345 Wood appears to be an OBO-reader out in the field, as he’s bowling a tighter line here. Watling turns a short one to backward square leg for one, then Williamson drops into the off side and they go sharply for the same. There are rumours that Trevor Bayliss has hopped on a plane to England. | 23rd over: New Zealand 61-3 (Williamson 27, Watling 17) target 345 Wood appears to be an OBO-reader out in the field, as he’s bowling a tighter line here. Watling turns a short one to backward square leg for one, then Williamson drops into the off side and they go sharply for the same. There are rumours that Trevor Bayliss has hopped on a plane to England. |
| 2.20pm BST14:20 | 2.20pm BST14:20 |
| 22nd over: New Zealand 59-3 (Williamson 26, Watling 16) target 345 Our first bowling change of the day: Your New God Ben Stokes is on for Broad. Williamson bottom edges an attempted late dab into the ground: it bobbles to slip and for some unknown reason the crowd cheer. It’s getting cloudier, which is excellent news for England. Another maiden for Stokes. | 22nd over: New Zealand 59-3 (Williamson 26, Watling 16) target 345 Our first bowling change of the day: Your New God Ben Stokes is on for Broad. Williamson bottom edges an attempted late dab into the ground: it bobbles to slip and for some unknown reason the crowd cheer. It’s getting cloudier, which is excellent news for England. Another maiden for Stokes. |
| 2.15pm BST14:15 | 2.15pm BST14:15 |
| 21st over: New Zealand 59-3 (Williamson 26, Watling 16) target 345 This pair have survived for an hour now. Personally I’d like to see Wood go a touch straighter and make the batsmen play at more: most of his deliveries are being left alone and zipping through to Buttler. A yorker has Watling in a touch of bother, as the batsman loses his balance a touch but just about manages to dig it out. Too straight now and it comes off the batsman’s hip on its way for four byes. | 21st over: New Zealand 59-3 (Williamson 26, Watling 16) target 345 This pair have survived for an hour now. Personally I’d like to see Wood go a touch straighter and make the batsmen play at more: most of his deliveries are being left alone and zipping through to Buttler. A yorker has Watling in a touch of bother, as the batsman loses his balance a touch but just about manages to dig it out. Too straight now and it comes off the batsman’s hip on its way for four byes. |
| 2.12pm BST14:12 | 2.12pm BST14:12 |
| 20th over: New Zealand 54-3 (Williamson 25, Watling 16) target 345 Williamson takes a single to midwicket, but then Watling is nearly done in: a full, quicker delivery moves away a touch off the pitch and the batsman is an inch or less away from edging it as he goes for a big straight drive down the wrong line. The ball went through the top just a tiny bit, which suggests it might be worth getting Moeen Ali on soon. Watling turns one round the corner for one, then Williamson clips crisply off the back foot to square leg for the same. | 20th over: New Zealand 54-3 (Williamson 25, Watling 16) target 345 Williamson takes a single to midwicket, but then Watling is nearly done in: a full, quicker delivery moves away a touch off the pitch and the batsman is an inch or less away from edging it as he goes for a big straight drive down the wrong line. The ball went through the top just a tiny bit, which suggests it might be worth getting Moeen Ali on soon. Watling turns one round the corner for one, then Williamson clips crisply off the back foot to square leg for the same. |
| 2.07pm BST14:07 | 2.07pm BST14:07 |
| 19th over: New Zealand 51-3 (Williamson 23, Watling 15) target 345 Watling guides the first ball of the over at catchable height, but just wide of fourth slip for four to third man. Wood comes back at him with an excellent bouncer, which once again moves late but is easily taken above the head by Buttler. And then another, this one putting the batsman on his knees as he gets out the way. Ian Smith has now called Michael Atherton “one of the biggest wimps ever to play the game.” I know it’s a reference to Atherton’s bookishness, but come on! Buttler ends the over by making a fine take, flinging himself left. | 19th over: New Zealand 51-3 (Williamson 23, Watling 15) target 345 Watling guides the first ball of the over at catchable height, but just wide of fourth slip for four to third man. Wood comes back at him with an excellent bouncer, which once again moves late but is easily taken above the head by Buttler. And then another, this one putting the batsman on his knees as he gets out the way. Ian Smith has now called Michael Atherton “one of the biggest wimps ever to play the game.” I know it’s a reference to Atherton’s bookishness, but come on! Buttler ends the over by making a fine take, flinging himself left. |
| 2.03pm BST14:03 | 2.03pm BST14:03 |
| 18th over: New Zealand 47-3 (Williamson 23, Watling 11) target 345 Lyth took a bit of a knock at the end of the over, backing up at short leg and wearing a too-hard throw on the wrist. Williamson knocks the ball to midwicket for one, then Watling goes down to mid off for the same. Ooh and then there’s almost a catch down the leg side as the ball gets big on Williamson, loops up off the glove and goes over Buttler’s head for four down to long leg. | 18th over: New Zealand 47-3 (Williamson 23, Watling 11) target 345 Lyth took a bit of a knock at the end of the over, backing up at short leg and wearing a too-hard throw on the wrist. Williamson knocks the ball to midwicket for one, then Watling goes down to mid off for the same. Ooh and then there’s almost a catch down the leg side as the ball gets big on Williamson, loops up off the glove and goes over Buttler’s head for four down to long leg. |
| 1.58pm BST13:58 | 1.58pm BST13:58 |
| 17th over: New Zealand 41-3 (Williamson 18, Watling 10) target 345 A clever change of angle nearly does for Williamson: Wood goes a touch wider on the crease and Williamson, dangling the bat out, misses it. Same again next ball, but it takes the outside edge and runs out to backward point, along the ground, for a couple. Nice soft hands there. Four, a couple of balls later, as Williamson gets up on his toes and drives expertly through point. There’s also a scampered single at the end of the over. | 17th over: New Zealand 41-3 (Williamson 18, Watling 10) target 345 A clever change of angle nearly does for Williamson: Wood goes a touch wider on the crease and Williamson, dangling the bat out, misses it. Same again next ball, but it takes the outside edge and runs out to backward point, along the ground, for a couple. Nice soft hands there. Four, a couple of balls later, as Williamson gets up on his toes and drives expertly through point. There’s also a scampered single at the end of the over. |
| 1.54pm BST13:54 | 1.54pm BST13:54 |
| 16th over: New Zealand 34-3 (Williamson 11, Watling 10) First runs off the bat of the morning as Williamson goes back on his tiptoes and pushes to cover for two. Although his speed is way down on Wood’s – around 83-84mph – he seems to be getting a bit more carry through to the keeper on account of his height (I guess). A single brings Watling on strike and he drives a wide floaty half volley through backward point for four. A couple of sharp singles to cover makes it a productive over, nine coming from it. | 16th over: New Zealand 34-3 (Williamson 11, Watling 10) First runs off the bat of the morning as Williamson goes back on his tiptoes and pushes to cover for two. Although his speed is way down on Wood’s – around 83-84mph – he seems to be getting a bit more carry through to the keeper on account of his height (I guess). A single brings Watling on strike and he drives a wide floaty half volley through backward point for four. A couple of sharp singles to cover makes it a productive over, nine coming from it. |
| Updated at 2.08pm BST | Updated at 2.08pm BST |
| 1.49pm BST13:49 | 1.49pm BST13:49 |
| 15th over: New Zealand 25-3 (Williamson 7, Watling 5) Wood continues after lunch and his first ball brings four byes, a bouncer swerving very late, after the batsman and deceiving Buttler. The man behind the stumps isn’t happy that those are byes rather than wides. More late movement next as Wood passes the outside edge by inches with a 90mph ripper. It’s so, so nice to see an English bowler who can hit that pace consistently after so many years in the 85mph-identikit-seam wilderness. | 15th over: New Zealand 25-3 (Williamson 7, Watling 5) Wood continues after lunch and his first ball brings four byes, a bouncer swerving very late, after the batsman and deceiving Buttler. The man behind the stumps isn’t happy that those are byes rather than wides. More late movement next as Wood passes the outside edge by inches with a 90mph ripper. It’s so, so nice to see an English bowler who can hit that pace consistently after so many years in the 85mph-identikit-seam wilderness. |
| 1.46pm BST13:46 | 1.46pm BST13:46 |
| 14th over: New Zealand 21-3 (Williamson 7, Watling 5) Broad is back into the attack after lunch, having taken two for seven in that outstanding first spell. “It’s greatly disappointing from the game’s point of view that New Zealand didn’t get off to a safe, solid start,” says Ian Smith on Sky. Yep, from the game’s point for view, sure, Smithy. Williamson sees out a maiden, meanwhile at Hove: | 14th over: New Zealand 21-3 (Williamson 7, Watling 5) Broad is back into the attack after lunch, having taken two for seven in that outstanding first spell. “It’s greatly disappointing from the game’s point of view that New Zealand didn’t get off to a safe, solid start,” says Ian Smith on Sky. Yep, from the game’s point for view, sure, Smithy. Williamson sees out a maiden, meanwhile at Hove: |
| Chris Wright has ducked into a bouncer and there appears to be blood coming out of his chin. Doesn't look great. | Chris Wright has ducked into a bouncer and there appears to be blood coming out of his chin. Doesn't look great. |
| He's taken his top off cos it's covered in blood, as are his pads and bat. It's a good job I am not the queasy sort. | He's taken his top off cos it's covered in blood, as are his pads and bat. It's a good job I am not the queasy sort. |
| 1.39pm BST13:39 | 1.39pm BST13:39 |
| Another stat, with play due to restart any moment now. | Another stat, with play due to restart any moment now. |
| If England win, will be sixth-biggest 1st inns deficit they have overturned (therefore excluding Centurion in 2000) http://t.co/PHqZivfCrT | If England win, will be sixth-biggest 1st inns deficit they have overturned (therefore excluding Centurion in 2000) http://t.co/PHqZivfCrT |
| 1.34pm BST13:34 | 1.34pm BST13:34 |
| This is only the second time in 23 years, and the first since Adelaide 2010, that England have taken the first two wickets in an innings without a run being scored. Thanks to Rob Smyth for showing me how to find that one out on Statsguru. | This is only the second time in 23 years, and the first since Adelaide 2010, that England have taken the first two wickets in an innings without a run being scored. Thanks to Rob Smyth for showing me how to find that one out on Statsguru. |
| 1.23pm BST13:23 | 1.23pm BST13:23 |
| Abu Choudhury sends this question for you to ponder while I grab a BLT sandwich: | Abu Choudhury sends this question for you to ponder while I grab a BLT sandwich: |
| “Do we know what the England boys prefer for dessert? I’m guessing Moen is a fruit salad man whereas Stokes must be a cheesecake sort of lad...” | “Do we know what the England boys prefer for dessert? I’m guessing Moen is a fruit salad man whereas Stokes must be a cheesecake sort of lad...” |
| 1.21pm BST13:21 | 1.21pm BST13:21 |
| Afternoon folks. Not to blow my own trumpet or anything, but here’s what I wrote before play yesterday: | Afternoon folks. Not to blow my own trumpet or anything, but here’s what I wrote before play yesterday: |
| Morning folks. Look, I know it’s a remote possibility, about as likely as the new Jurassic Park movie being as good as the first, but – and whisper this softly – England can still win this. Shut up, yes they can! | Morning folks. Look, I know it’s a remote possibility, about as likely as the new Jurassic Park movie being as good as the first, but – and whisper this softly – England can still win this. Shut up, yes they can! |
| Their task today: Bat. Bat as though your lives depended on it, but play your natural game. The runs will come, your wickets will be preserved and New Zealand’s lead will disappear. Then bat some more, out of hell and into a healthy lead by, I dunno, lunchtime tomorrow. Then go at them. | Their task today: Bat. Bat as though your lives depended on it, but play your natural game. The runs will come, your wickets will be preserved and New Zealand’s lead will disappear. Then bat some more, out of hell and into a healthy lead by, I dunno, lunchtime tomorrow. Then go at them. |
| If England bat like they’ve never batted | If England bat like they’ve never batted |
| before | before |
| since 2012 then bowl magnificently, like they did to Australia at Durham in 2013, for example, then they can use the scoreboard pressure to run through New Zealand in two sessions and claim a magnificent win. Dare to dream, England, and people might start to like you again. | since 2012 then bowl magnificently, like they did to Australia at Durham in 2013, for example, then they can use the scoreboard pressure to run through New Zealand in two sessions and claim a magnificent win. Dare to dream, England, and people might start to like you again. |
| Well what do you know? England batted magnificently yesterday and bowled magnificently this morning. New Zealand, with three batsmen back in the hutch and two more semi-crocked, are rocking. And in the precariously-perched-atop-a-cliff sense, rather than the Led Zeppelin one. | Well what do you know? England batted magnificently yesterday and bowled magnificently this morning. New Zealand, with three batsmen back in the hutch and two more semi-crocked, are rocking. And in the precariously-perched-atop-a-cliff sense, rather than the Led Zeppelin one. |
| I like this New Zealand team. It’s impossible not to. And Stuart Broad is doing his best to stop public opinion on England from turning with his celebrappeals (cf. someone on Twitter). But boy oh boy this has been such a wonderful, heartening performance in a wonderful, heartening Test match that, even if England can’t quite win you over yet, you can’t help but fall back in love with cricket. | I like this New Zealand team. It’s impossible not to. And Stuart Broad is doing his best to stop public opinion on England from turning with his celebrappeals (cf. someone on Twitter). But boy oh boy this has been such a wonderful, heartening performance in a wonderful, heartening Test match that, even if England can’t quite win you over yet, you can’t help but fall back in love with cricket. |
| 1.06pm BST13:06 | 1.06pm BST13:06 |
| LUNCH | LUNCH |
| What a start to this innings for England. England have 64 more overs to bowl, and have surely done enough to remove at least one possibility from the equation – they’re not going to lose this from here. With Williamson at the crease and McCullum to come, though, there might still be some momentum-swingage. Dan Lucas will take you through the first chunk of post-luncheon action – emails to dan.lucas@theguardian.com, if you’d be so kind. | What a start to this innings for England. England have 64 more overs to bowl, and have surely done enough to remove at least one possibility from the equation – they’re not going to lose this from here. With Williamson at the crease and McCullum to come, though, there might still be some momentum-swingage. Dan Lucas will take you through the first chunk of post-luncheon action – emails to dan.lucas@theguardian.com, if you’d be so kind. |
| Updated at 1.08pm BST | Updated at 1.08pm BST |
| 1.03pm BST13:03 | 1.03pm BST13:03 |
| 13th over: New Zealand 21-3 (Williamson 7, Watling 5) | 13th over: New Zealand 21-3 (Williamson 7, Watling 5) |
| Wood gets the ball to jag away from the batsman, off the seam and up the hill, and then the next the other way. Watling leaves them both safely enough, but that kind of stuff has got to befuddle a batsman. Befuddled or not, he then chases something short and wide, and the ball flies just wide of Root at third slip. “Root veg soup,” notes Graham O’Reilly. “This is a wind-up, right?” Believe it. | Wood gets the ball to jag away from the batsman, off the seam and up the hill, and then the next the other way. Watling leaves them both safely enough, but that kind of stuff has got to befuddle a batsman. Befuddled or not, he then chases something short and wide, and the ball flies just wide of Root at third slip. “Root veg soup,” notes Graham O’Reilly. “This is a wind-up, right?” Believe it. |
| 12.59pm BST12:59 | 12.59pm BST12:59 |
| 12th over: New Zealand 17-3 (Williamson 7, Watling 1) | 12th over: New Zealand 17-3 (Williamson 7, Watling 1) |
| Despite the phenomenal conclusion to his fifth over, Broad too is hooked. Stokes replaces him, and one of his deliveries bangs into the pitch and just refuses to bounce, beating both batsman and Buttler and yielding a bye. England scurry about a bit in a bid to squeeze in one final over before lunch, and succeed. | Despite the phenomenal conclusion to his fifth over, Broad too is hooked. Stokes replaces him, and one of his deliveries bangs into the pitch and just refuses to bounce, beating both batsman and Buttler and yielding a bye. England scurry about a bit in a bid to squeeze in one final over before lunch, and succeed. |
| @Simon_Burnton England haven't taken a wicket for four overs. They really do set out to disappoint. | @Simon_Burnton England haven't taken a wicket for four overs. They really do set out to disappoint. |
| 12.56pm BST12:56 | 12.56pm BST12:56 |
| 11th over: New Zealand 16-3 (Williamson 7, Watling 1) | 11th over: New Zealand 16-3 (Williamson 7, Watling 1) |
| Mark Wood has a little go with some extra pace before lunch, and New Zealand score as many runs off this one over as they have off the last four combined (two). Here, meanwhile, is what New Zealand’s lunchwatchman is working towards: | Mark Wood has a little go with some extra pace before lunch, and New Zealand score as many runs off this one over as they have off the last four combined (two). Here, meanwhile, is what New Zealand’s lunchwatchman is working towards: |
| LUNCH MENU: Here's what the players will tuck into in a few minutes time: #LoveLords #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/clQOFbQX6P | LUNCH MENU: Here's what the players will tuck into in a few minutes time: #LoveLords #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/clQOFbQX6P |
| 12.52pm BST12:52 | 12.52pm BST12:52 |
| 10th over: New Zealand 14-3 (Williamson 6, Watling 0) | 10th over: New Zealand 14-3 (Williamson 6, Watling 0) |
| Finally, after all the leaves, Broad, bowling from wide in the crease, angling the ball into Watling, tempts the batsman into a shot, the ball straightening and passing just past the bat. Like, just past. Then the last ball of the over flies right into Watling, and the panicked batsman pushed his bat at it, the ball flying off a glove and landing safely before gully. Lovely bowling, and another maiden. | Finally, after all the leaves, Broad, bowling from wide in the crease, angling the ball into Watling, tempts the batsman into a shot, the ball straightening and passing just past the bat. Like, just past. Then the last ball of the over flies right into Watling, and the panicked batsman pushed his bat at it, the ball flying off a glove and landing safely before gully. Lovely bowling, and another maiden. |
| @Simon_Burnton Excited that our change bowling is a fired-up and confident Stokes and the pacy Wood. Short afternoon session... | @Simon_Burnton Excited that our change bowling is a fired-up and confident Stokes and the pacy Wood. Short afternoon session... |
| Updated at 12.53pm BST | Updated at 12.53pm BST |
| 12.47pm BST12:47 | 12.47pm BST12:47 |
| 9th over: New Zealand 14-3 (Williamson 6, Watling 0) | 9th over: New Zealand 14-3 (Williamson 6, Watling 0) |
| Anderson bowls a corker at Williamson, full and straight then moving away. The batsman starts to move towards it, but then changes his mind and leaves it alone. Delighted with his decision, he also leaves every other delivery. Maiden. | Anderson bowls a corker at Williamson, full and straight then moving away. The batsman starts to move towards it, but then changes his mind and leaves it alone. Delighted with his decision, he also leaves every other delivery. Maiden. |
| 12.43pm BST12:43 | 12.43pm BST12:43 |
| 8th over: New Zealand 14-3 (Williamson 6, Watling 0) | 8th over: New Zealand 14-3 (Williamson 6, Watling 0) |
| England are still sticking a fielder at third man for Kane Williamson, which looks sillier now than it did five overs ago, and it looked pretty silly then. I quite like the idea of a lunchwatchman, perhaps because I might have, at long last, found a key role in a cricket team that I might be able to fill. | England are still sticking a fielder at third man for Kane Williamson, which looks sillier now than it did five overs ago, and it looked pretty silly then. I quite like the idea of a lunchwatchman, perhaps because I might have, at long last, found a key role in a cricket team that I might be able to fill. |
| @Simon_Burnton So is Watling in as lunch watchman? | @Simon_Burnton So is Watling in as lunch watchman? |
| @Simon_Burnton have New Zealand just sent out a lunch-watchman? | @Simon_Burnton have New Zealand just sent out a lunch-watchman? |
| 12.39pm BST12:39 | 12.39pm BST12:39 |
| 7th over: New Zealand 13-3 (Williamson 5, Watling 0) | 7th over: New Zealand 13-3 (Williamson 5, Watling 0) |
| A Williamson single is the extent of the scoring from Anderson’s fourth over. “Earlier I’d started composing a message imploring England to open the bowling with Wood ahead of either Broad or Anderson for some extra pace shock impact after they’d made little impact with the new ball,” writes Tom van der Gucht. “Two wickets in the first two overs later, I’ll keep my tactical advice to myself …” | A Williamson single is the extent of the scoring from Anderson’s fourth over. “Earlier I’d started composing a message imploring England to open the bowling with Wood ahead of either Broad or Anderson for some extra pace shock impact after they’d made little impact with the new ball,” writes Tom van der Gucht. “Two wickets in the first two overs later, I’ll keep my tactical advice to myself …” |
| 12.35pm BST12:35 | 12.35pm BST12:35 |
| 6th over: New Zealand 12-3 (Williamson 4, Watling 0) | 6th over: New Zealand 12-3 (Williamson 4, Watling 0) |
| Broad bowls short to Taylor, who pulls it away for four with a particularly loud crack. Two balls later only Taylor’s pad stops the ball ripping out middle stump, and he’s on his way. BJ Watling comes out, with the Kiwi captain hiding in the dressing-room. He’s welcomed with an absolute ripper, that flies through to Buttler with the batsman at no point looking like he had a clue what was happening to him. | Broad bowls short to Taylor, who pulls it away for four with a particularly loud crack. Two balls later only Taylor’s pad stops the ball ripping out middle stump, and he’s on his way. BJ Watling comes out, with the Kiwi captain hiding in the dressing-room. He’s welcomed with an absolute ripper, that flies through to Buttler with the batsman at no point looking like he had a clue what was happening to him. |
| Taylor hits all round straight ball from Broad and is lbw. New Zealand in disarray at 12-3, and Watling has come in instead of McCullum | Taylor hits all round straight ball from Broad and is lbw. New Zealand in disarray at 12-3, and Watling has come in instead of McCullum |
| 12.32pm BST12:32 | 12.32pm BST12:32 |
| WICKET! Taylor lbw b Broad 8 (New Zealand 12-3) | WICKET! Taylor lbw b Broad 8 (New Zealand 12-3) |
| As with Latham, Broad runs away celebrating without looking back at the umpire – that was as out as out things can be. It took England 86 overs to take New Zealand’s third wicket in their first innings! | As with Latham, Broad runs away celebrating without looking back at the umpire – that was as out as out things can be. It took England 86 overs to take New Zealand’s third wicket in their first innings! |
| Updated at 12.54pm BST | Updated at 12.54pm BST |
| 12.29pm BST12:29 | 12.29pm BST12:29 |
| 5th over: New Zealand 8-2 (Williamson 4, Taylor 4) | 5th over: New Zealand 8-2 (Williamson 4, Taylor 4) |
| A single for Taylor, and five dots for Williamson. New Zealand would be happy with a largely action-free dawdle to lunch. | A single for Taylor, and five dots for Williamson. New Zealand would be happy with a largely action-free dawdle to lunch. |
| 12.25pm BST12:25 | 12.25pm BST12:25 |
| 4th over: New Zealand 7-2 (Williamson 4, Taylor 3) | 4th over: New Zealand 7-2 (Williamson 4, Taylor 3) |
| Dropped! Broad’s first ball finds Taylor’s edge and the ball flies low to Root at fourth slip, but he puts it down! It arrived ankle-high, but he didn’t have to move. | Dropped! Broad’s first ball finds Taylor’s edge and the ball flies low to Root at fourth slip, but he puts it down! It arrived ankle-high, but he didn’t have to move. |
| 12.21pm BST12:21 | 12.21pm BST12:21 |
| 3rd over: New Zealand 6-2 (Williamson 4, Taylor 2) | 3rd over: New Zealand 6-2 (Williamson 4, Taylor 2) |
| Williamson cracks Anderson’s final delivery through midwicket for four. “Methinks another reason why yesterday was so entertaining,” writes Marie Meyer, “was what Warne was doing the IPL and Strauss has been promoted and so the Sky commentary was easier on the ear than it has been for ages.” Warne is an incredibly opinionated human being, but then I guess that’s how he makes his living these days. Looks like the Guardian’s music editor is at Lord’s: | Williamson cracks Anderson’s final delivery through midwicket for four. “Methinks another reason why yesterday was so entertaining,” writes Marie Meyer, “was what Warne was doing the IPL and Strauss has been promoted and so the Sky commentary was easier on the ear than it has been for ages.” Warne is an incredibly opinionated human being, but then I guess that’s how he makes his living these days. Looks like the Guardian’s music editor is at Lord’s: |
| Pretty thrilling morning so far. pic.twitter.com/ZTjEiWbLTs | Pretty thrilling morning so far. pic.twitter.com/ZTjEiWbLTs |
| 12.16pm BST12:16 | 12.16pm BST12:16 |
| 2nd over: New Zealand 1-2 (Williamson 0, Taylor 1) | 2nd over: New Zealand 1-2 (Williamson 0, Taylor 1) |
| Broad, having taken the last wicket of the first New Zealand innings, takes another with his first delivery of this one. There’s no hat trick, though, as Taylor digs out a wide yorker, prodding it safely to point. With the wind blowing in England’ direction, they bring in a fourth slip and a short leg, though after Taylor gets a single and Williamson returns to strike, the third man returns. Gary Naylor makes a fair point here. | Broad, having taken the last wicket of the first New Zealand innings, takes another with his first delivery of this one. There’s no hat trick, though, as Taylor digs out a wide yorker, prodding it safely to point. With the wind blowing in England’ direction, they bring in a fourth slip and a short leg, though after Taylor gets a single and Williamson returns to strike, the third man returns. Gary Naylor makes a fair point here. |
| @Simon_Burnton What did McCullum expect from Tom Latham after he had kept wicket for the injured Watling for 129 overs? Not good captaincy. | @Simon_Burnton What did McCullum expect from Tom Latham after he had kept wicket for the injured Watling for 129 overs? Not good captaincy. |
| 12.10pm BST12:10 | 12.10pm BST12:10 |
| WICKET! Latham lbw b Broad 0 (New Zealand 0-2) | WICKET! Latham lbw b Broad 0 (New Zealand 0-2) |
| Latham strolls forward to discuss a possible review with Williamson, and is told that he might as well just walk. That’s plumb, the ball straightening and on its way into leg stump, which it would have hit halfway up! | Latham strolls forward to discuss a possible review with Williamson, and is told that he might as well just walk. That’s plumb, the ball straightening and on its way into leg stump, which it would have hit halfway up! |
| 12.08pm BST12:08 | 12.08pm BST12:08 |
| 1st over: New Zealand 0-1 (Latham 0, Williamson 0) | 1st over: New Zealand 0-1 (Latham 0, Williamson 0) |
| A wicket maiden to get things rolling, Anderson’s 399th Test wicket coming off the second ball of the innings. As Williamson comes in England move a fielder to third man, to widespread derision. | A wicket maiden to get things rolling, Anderson’s 399th Test wicket coming off the second ball of the innings. As Williamson comes in England move a fielder to third man, to widespread derision. |
| The newest name of the Lord's Honour Board - @trent_boult #backtheblackcaps #engvnz #lords ^CE pic.twitter.com/OGijSDLHqn | The newest name of the Lord's Honour Board - @trent_boult #backtheblackcaps #engvnz #lords ^CE pic.twitter.com/OGijSDLHqn |
| 12.04pm BST12:04 | 12.04pm BST12:04 |
| WICKET! Guptill c Ballance b Anderson 0 (New Zealand 0-1) | WICKET! Guptill c Ballance b Anderson 0 (New Zealand 0-1) |
| What a start for England! Guptill pushes at a ball that moves away a fraction, and Ballance at third slip takes a good catch to his left! | What a start for England! Guptill pushes at a ball that moves away a fraction, and Ballance at third slip takes a good catch to his left! |
| Updated at 12.06pm BST | Updated at 12.06pm BST |
| 12.02pm BST12:02 | 12.02pm BST12:02 |
| So out come the teams. In the entire history of Test cricket teams chasing 345 or more in the final innings have won on eight occasions and lost 295 times, with 136 draws. | So out come the teams. In the entire history of Test cricket teams chasing 345 or more in the final innings have won on eight occasions and lost 295 times, with 136 draws. |
| Updated at 12.21pm BST | Updated at 12.21pm BST |
| 11.53am BST11:53 | 11.53am BST11:53 |
| New Zealand require 345 runs to win | New Zealand require 345 runs to win |
| 129th over: England 478 all out | 129th over: England 478 all out |
| Boult at least will be happy about the lack of declaration – it made a New Zealand defeat less likely, and made his five-for more likely. He took all four of today’s wickets and will have his name on the honour’s board as a result. | Boult at least will be happy about the lack of declaration – it made a New Zealand defeat less likely, and made his five-for more likely. He took all four of today’s wickets and will have his name on the honour’s board as a result. |
| 11.52am BST11:52 | 11.52am BST11:52 |
| WICKET! Anderson b Boult 0 (England 478 all out) | WICKET! Anderson b Boult 0 (England 478 all out) |
| Boult sends off stump spiralling, and England’s innings is over! | Boult sends off stump spiralling, and England’s innings is over! |
| 11.48am BST11:48 | 11.48am BST11:48 |
| WICKET! Moeen Ali lbw b Boult 43 (England 478-9) | WICKET! Moeen Ali lbw b Boult 43 (England 478-9) |
| The ball would have clipped the top of the sumps, and so they stay with the decision of the on-field umpire. England still don’t declare. | The ball would have clipped the top of the sumps, and so they stay with the decision of the on-field umpire. England still don’t declare. |
| Updated at 12.05pm BST | Updated at 12.05pm BST |
| 11.46am BST11:46 | 11.46am BST11:46 |
| REVIEW! Is Moeen out here? | REVIEW! Is Moeen out here? |
| He looked pretty much plumb, but I suppose if England don’t mind taking up a few more minutes, then they might as well review it. | He looked pretty much plumb, but I suppose if England don’t mind taking up a few more minutes, then they might as well review it. |
| 11.46am BST11:46 | 11.46am BST11:46 |
| 128th over: England 478-8 (Moeen 43, Wood 4) | 128th over: England 478-8 (Moeen 43, Wood 4) |
| Another over, the highlight being Moeen pulling a hip-high delivery for four, and it ends with the ball flicking off Wood and going for four leg byes. England’s lead is now 344, but time is passing. Tick tock. | Another over, the highlight being Moeen pulling a hip-high delivery for four, and it ends with the ball flicking off Wood and going for four leg byes. England’s lead is now 344, but time is passing. Tick tock. |
| 11.40am BST11:40 | 11.40am BST11:40 |
| 127th over: England 467-8 (Moeen 36, Wood 0) | 127th over: England 467-8 (Moeen 36, Wood 0) |
| Broad thumps Boult’s opening delivery over midwicket, but once it lands the ball pretty much stays where it is, and the batsmen run two. The bowler then bowls a short one, not particularly quickly, and Broad pulls it for six! The next takes out his middle stump. | Broad thumps Boult’s opening delivery over midwicket, but once it lands the ball pretty much stays where it is, and the batsmen run two. The bowler then bowls a short one, not particularly quickly, and Broad pulls it for six! The next takes out his middle stump. |
| Updated at 11.41am BST | Updated at 11.41am BST |
| 11.38am BST11:38 | 11.38am BST11:38 |
| WICKET! Broad b Boult 10 (England 467-8) | WICKET! Broad b Boult 10 (England 467-8) |
| Broad is outfoxed by a short ball-yorker double-whammy. He hits the first of them for six, but then misses the second entirely. | Broad is outfoxed by a short ball-yorker double-whammy. He hits the first of them for six, but then misses the second entirely. |
| Any successful run chase would now be the highest in New Zealand Test history. #bbccricket | Any successful run chase would now be the highest in New Zealand Test history. #bbccricket |
| Updated at 11.49am BST | Updated at 11.49am BST |
| 11.35am BST11:35 | 11.35am BST11:35 |
| 126th over: England 459-7 (Moeen 36, Broad 2) | 126th over: England 459-7 (Moeen 36, Broad 2) |
| Southee peppers Broad’s helmet with short balls, inevitably, and he eventually gets a single from the final ball of the over. Twitter is currently losing it about the continuing lack of declaration. | Southee peppers Broad’s helmet with short balls, inevitably, and he eventually gets a single from the final ball of the over. Twitter is currently losing it about the continuing lack of declaration. |
| @Simon_Burnton Trevor Bayliss (the wind up radio one) is going strong on eel pie island. Often seen smoking a pipe in his vintage Jag. | @Simon_Burnton Trevor Bayliss (the wind up radio one) is going strong on eel pie island. Often seen smoking a pipe in his vintage Jag. |
| Updated at 11.39am BST | Updated at 11.39am BST |
| 11.31am BST11:31 | 11.31am BST11:31 |
| 125th over: England 458-7 (Moeen 36, Broad 1) | 125th over: England 458-7 (Moeen 36, Broad 1) |
| England innings continues following their captain’s dismissal. Broad comes out, and after his first delivery flicks a pad on its way down leg he runs a couple of leg byes, bringing to 19 England’s total tally of extras in this innings – precisely 48 fewer than New Zealand enjoyed in theirs. | England innings continues following their captain’s dismissal. Broad comes out, and after his first delivery flicks a pad on its way down leg he runs a couple of leg byes, bringing to 19 England’s total tally of extras in this innings – precisely 48 fewer than New Zealand enjoyed in theirs. |
| Updated at 11.39am BST | Updated at 11.39am BST |
| 11.27am BST11:27 | 11.27am BST11:27 |
| WICKET! Cook c Latham b Boult 162 (England 455-7) | WICKET! Cook c Latham b Boult 162 (England 455-7) |
| Hotspot shows the tiniest mark on the bat, and snicko confirms it – Cook is out! | Hotspot shows the tiniest mark on the bat, and snicko confirms it – Cook is out! |
| Updated at 11.35am BST | Updated at 11.35am BST |
| 11.25am BST11:25 | 11.25am BST11:25 |
| REVIEW! Is Cook out here? New Zealand think so! | REVIEW! Is Cook out here? New Zealand think so! |
| But the on-field umpire doesn’t. Boult seemed pretty excited about it, as the ball passed just past the inside of Cook’s bat on its way through. | But the on-field umpire doesn’t. Boult seemed pretty excited about it, as the ball passed just past the inside of Cook’s bat on its way through. |
| 11.23am BST11:23 | 11.23am BST11:23 |
| 124th over: England 455-6 (Cook 162, Moeen 36) | 124th over: England 455-6 (Cook 162, Moeen 36) |
| Runs for Cook! He has another go at the shot Williamson so smartly fielded a couple of overs ago, and this time it beats third slip and rumbles to the third man boundary. And as if that wasn’t enough, Southee’s next ball disappears through the covers. Still no sign of a hint of a declaration. | Runs for Cook! He has another go at the shot Williamson so smartly fielded a couple of overs ago, and this time it beats third slip and rumbles to the third man boundary. And as if that wasn’t enough, Southee’s next ball disappears through the covers. Still no sign of a hint of a declaration. |
| 11.19am BST11:19 | 11.19am BST11:19 |
| 123rd over: England 445-6 (Cook 153, Moeen 35) | 123rd over: England 445-6 (Cook 153, Moeen 35) |
| Moeen flicks the ball off his legs and past square leg for four, off the very middle of his bat. He’s scored all 16 of this morning’s runs so far. | Moeen flicks the ball off his legs and past square leg for four, off the very middle of his bat. He’s scored all 16 of this morning’s runs so far. |
| 11.16am BST11:16 | 11.16am BST11:16 |
| 122nd over: England 440-6 (Cook 153, Moeen 30) | 122nd over: England 440-6 (Cook 153, Moeen 30) |
| A lovely cover drive from Moeen earns four runs, and extends England’s lead beyond 300 – it currently stands at 306. Ali Martin has filed his story on Trevor Bayliss, and it looks like a done deal. | A lovely cover drive from Moeen earns four runs, and extends England’s lead beyond 300 – it currently stands at 306. Ali Martin has filed his story on Trevor Bayliss, and it looks like a done deal. |
| Despite positive talks with Jason Gillespie, his fellow countryman Bayliss became the No1 choice with contact between the 52-year-old and the England and Wales Cricket Board having stepped up a gear over the weekend, and their offer is now understood to have been accepted. | Despite positive talks with Jason Gillespie, his fellow countryman Bayliss became the No1 choice with contact between the 52-year-old and the England and Wales Cricket Board having stepped up a gear over the weekend, and their offer is now understood to have been accepted. |
| Bayliss was lukewarm to the board’s initial approaches but has been swayed by a package that would see the money he earns as coach of New South Wales and the Indian Premier League side Kolkata Knight Riders doubled, with reports in Australia claiming he could earn as much as £300,000 a year in the role. | Bayliss was lukewarm to the board’s initial approaches but has been swayed by a package that would see the money he earns as coach of New South Wales and the Indian Premier League side Kolkata Knight Riders doubled, with reports in Australia claiming he could earn as much as £300,000 a year in the role. |
| Related: Trevor Bayliss accepts offer to become new head coach of England cricket | Related: Trevor Bayliss accepts offer to become new head coach of England cricket |
| 11.11am BST11:11 | 11.11am BST11:11 |
| 121st over: England 433-6 (Cook 153, Moeen 23) | 121st over: England 433-6 (Cook 153, Moeen 23) |
| Thanks in the main to a fine stop from Kane Williamson at third slip, when the ball was otherwise on its way boundarywards, that’s another maiden for Boult. Peter Salmon proposes another potential new coach: “How about Jagadish Chandra Bose, who, apart from sounding like a good Indian spinner from the eighties, used electromagnetic waves to ignite gunpowder and ring a bell at a distance? This seems to combine practicality and eccentricity in a way that would well suit the England team.” The main downside, I’d say, is that he died in 1937. | Thanks in the main to a fine stop from Kane Williamson at third slip, when the ball was otherwise on its way boundarywards, that’s another maiden for Boult. Peter Salmon proposes another potential new coach: “How about Jagadish Chandra Bose, who, apart from sounding like a good Indian spinner from the eighties, used electromagnetic waves to ignite gunpowder and ring a bell at a distance? This seems to combine practicality and eccentricity in a way that would well suit the England team.” The main downside, I’d say, is that he died in 1937. |
| 11.07am BST11:07 | 11.07am BST11:07 |
| 120th over: England 433-6 (Cook 153, Moeen 23) | 120th over: England 433-6 (Cook 153, Moeen 23) |
| It takes until the 11th ball of the day for England to look at all bothered about scoring runs. Then Moeen thumps Southee high but safe over cover for four. | It takes until the 11th ball of the day for England to look at all bothered about scoring runs. Then Moeen thumps Southee high but safe over cover for four. |
| And little work was done that day. Unless Cook plays safe and bats til tea, enraging millions #ENGvNZ @Simon_Burnton pic.twitter.com/tNAoeh95pS | And little work was done that day. Unless Cook plays safe and bats til tea, enraging millions #ENGvNZ @Simon_Burnton pic.twitter.com/tNAoeh95pS |
| 11.02am BST11:02 | 11.02am BST11:02 |
| 119th over: England 429-6 (Cook 153, Moeen 19) | 119th over: England 429-6 (Cook 153, Moeen 19) |
| A maiden, from Boult, to start the day. Sky have yet to mention the words “Trevor” or “Bayliss” this morning, which is a bit weird in the circumstances. Our cricket writers are busily trying to confirm the news, I’ll let you know more when I get it. Gah! As I write that, Bumble mentions Trevor Bayliss. The rotter! | A maiden, from Boult, to start the day. Sky have yet to mention the words “Trevor” or “Bayliss” this morning, which is a bit weird in the circumstances. Our cricket writers are busily trying to confirm the news, I’ll let you know more when I get it. Gah! As I write that, Bumble mentions Trevor Bayliss. The rotter! |
| Updated at 11.03am BST | Updated at 11.03am BST |
| 11.00am BST11:00 | 11.00am BST11:00 |
| There are still tickets – if you’re in London, you know what to do. But do it fast – the players are out, and play starts in seconds. | There are still tickets – if you’re in London, you know what to do. But do it fast – the players are out, and play starts in seconds. |
| TICKET UPDATE: Queues dying down and still plenty of room in the Ground. If you were in two minds, head to Lord's! #LoveLords | TICKET UPDATE: Queues dying down and still plenty of room in the Ground. If you were in two minds, head to Lord's! #LoveLords |
| 10.57am BST10:57 | 10.57am BST10:57 |
| The five-minute bell has been rung. Cricket imminent. | The five-minute bell has been rung. Cricket imminent. |
| Updated at 11.32am BST | Updated at 11.32am BST |
| 10.55am BST10:55 | 10.55am BST10:55 |
| “Morning Simon,” writes Simon McMahon. Morning. “I have an original ‘freeplay’ radio in my garage that still works and sounds great. England could have done worse than appoint the inventor of the wind-up radio as their new head coach. English, eccentric, innovative and visionary.” Well being English obviously stopped being a significant criterion some time ago. It would be quite entertaining to see the team in the hands of a group of eccentric innovators, though. | “Morning Simon,” writes Simon McMahon. Morning. “I have an original ‘freeplay’ radio in my garage that still works and sounds great. England could have done worse than appoint the inventor of the wind-up radio as their new head coach. English, eccentric, innovative and visionary.” Well being English obviously stopped being a significant criterion some time ago. It would be quite entertaining to see the team in the hands of a group of eccentric innovators, though. |
| 10.49am BST10:49 | 10.49am BST10:49 |
| Queues outside Lord’s this morning. There’s already a decent crowd in. The official Lord’s account tweeted 16 minutes ago that everyone queueing at that stage would get in. | Queues outside Lord’s this morning. There’s already a decent crowd in. The official Lord’s account tweeted 16 minutes ago that everyone queueing at that stage would get in. |
| PHOTO: Queuing round the block this morning #ENGvNZ #LoveLords pic.twitter.com/yH3ZFJbZQL | PHOTO: Queuing round the block this morning #ENGvNZ #LoveLords pic.twitter.com/yH3ZFJbZQL |
| The queue outside Lord's this morning - and it's a lot longer than this... pic.twitter.com/ff48cDd57X | The queue outside Lord's this morning - and it's a lot longer than this... pic.twitter.com/ff48cDd57X |
| Day 5 Lords test huge queues! pic.twitter.com/CWH2bM1Nb4 | Day 5 Lords test huge queues! pic.twitter.com/CWH2bM1Nb4 |
| 10.43am BST10:43 | 10.43am BST10:43 |
| On a declaration. He’s got some batting to do yet: | On a declaration. He’s got some batting to do yet: |
| It’s a tough one because there’s enough in that wicket, but as you can see from the scores it’s hard to stop people if they get a partnership going. So who knows? What I do know is it’s going to be an exciting day. | It’s a tough one because there’s enough in that wicket, but as you can see from the scores it’s hard to stop people if they get a partnership going. So who knows? What I do know is it’s going to be an exciting day. |
| 10.42am BST10:42 | 10.42am BST10:42 |
| Captain Cook on Stokes: | Captain Cook on Stokes: |
| Just fantastic batting. We all know how talented he is, and that was another huge step in his cricketing career. The way he played, it was just a pleasure to watch. For a 23 year old to go and do that, he took the bull by the horns and he was just fantastic. It was a huge credit to him, because he’s had an interesting international career, to say the least. He thinks about things a lot more than people give him credit for. | Just fantastic batting. We all know how talented he is, and that was another huge step in his cricketing career. The way he played, it was just a pleasure to watch. For a 23 year old to go and do that, he took the bull by the horns and he was just fantastic. It was a huge credit to him, because he’s had an interesting international career, to say the least. He thinks about things a lot more than people give him credit for. |
| 10.40am BST10:40 | 10.40am BST10:40 |
| Alastair Cook talks to Sky: | Alastair Cook talks to Sky: |
| I think it’s been a brilliant Test match. Clearly yesterday was a good day for us. We’ve been under the cosh quite a lot of this Test match but we’ve shown a lot of spirit and put ourselves in a position where, at the beginning of the day, it didn’t look like we’d get there. | I think it’s been a brilliant Test match. Clearly yesterday was a good day for us. We’ve been under the cosh quite a lot of this Test match but we’ve shown a lot of spirit and put ourselves in a position where, at the beginning of the day, it didn’t look like we’d get there. |
| It is a bit of form. That’s what happens when you’re in form – things tend to move better. When you’re out of form those movements are early or late. I’ve done a lot of work with Goochy since January, and with a guy called Gary Palmer as well, and I’ve got some rewards for it in the West Indies tour and here. | It is a bit of form. That’s what happens when you’re in form – things tend to move better. When you’re out of form those movements are early or late. I’ve done a lot of work with Goochy since January, and with a guy called Gary Palmer as well, and I’ve got some rewards for it in the West Indies tour and here. |
| On leaving deliveries that he’s got out to before: When you haven’t scored runs for a while you try to go at the ball, try to get going, then you do stuff that’s not natural to you. It takes belief in that ability that’s worked before. When you haven’t done it for a while, it’s hard to believe that’s the way to go. And also people have bowled slightly fuller to me, and I’ve had to adapt to that as well. | On leaving deliveries that he’s got out to before: When you haven’t scored runs for a while you try to go at the ball, try to get going, then you do stuff that’s not natural to you. It takes belief in that ability that’s worked before. When you haven’t done it for a while, it’s hard to believe that’s the way to go. And also people have bowled slightly fuller to me, and I’ve had to adapt to that as well. |
| 10.36am BST10:36 | 10.36am BST10:36 |
| The big news swirling around cricketland this morning: | The big news swirling around cricketland this morning: |
| Exclusive: England set to appoint Trevor Bayliss as new head coach - by @NHoultCricket http://t.co/BAsIsRuc8x pic.twitter.com/lwqrnaCBzE | Exclusive: England set to appoint Trevor Bayliss as new head coach - by @NHoultCricket http://t.co/BAsIsRuc8x pic.twitter.com/lwqrnaCBzE |
| Important point of information: this is Trevor Bayliss, Australian coach of New South Wales, not Trevor Baylis, inventor of the wind-up radio. | Important point of information: this is Trevor Bayliss, Australian coach of New South Wales, not Trevor Baylis, inventor of the wind-up radio. |
| 10.33am BST10:33 | 10.33am BST10:33 |
| Hello world! | Hello world! |
| And so, today it will be decided. It’s been a superb four days of Test cricket, now in search of a conclusion to match all that’s preceded it. Today is also, for those in London and at a loose end, one of the great bargains in world sport – £20 for grown-ups, £10 concessions, free for Under-16s – there really is no excuse, contractual obligations notwithstanding, for being anywhere else. Anyway, hello. Welcome. Send me your funnies. | And so, today it will be decided. It’s been a superb four days of Test cricket, now in search of a conclusion to match all that’s preceded it. Today is also, for those in London and at a loose end, one of the great bargains in world sport – £20 for grown-ups, £10 concessions, free for Under-16s – there really is no excuse, contractual obligations notwithstanding, for being anywhere else. Anyway, hello. Welcome. Send me your funnies. |
| 10.00am BST10:00 | 10.00am BST10:00 |
| Simon will be here soon enough. While you wait, here is Vic Marks on Ben Stokes and how his staggering century in 85 balls thrilled England fans and left New Zealand bowlers defenceless and bereft. Enjoy. | Simon will be here soon enough. While you wait, here is Vic Marks on Ben Stokes and how his staggering century in 85 balls thrilled England fans and left New Zealand bowlers defenceless and bereft. Enjoy. |
| A remarkable day at the Britannia Stadium and Lord’s. Up in the Potteries, Stoke City hit six against Liverpool; in St John’s Wood, Ben Stokes kept hitting sixes against New Zealand. | A remarkable day at the Britannia Stadium and Lord’s. Up in the Potteries, Stoke City hit six against Liverpool; in St John’s Wood, Ben Stokes kept hitting sixes against New Zealand. |
| For once the exploits of the cricketer may be of more significance than those of footballers at the end of their season. Mark Hughes and his team can go on holiday with a smile. But now at the start of a cricket season laden with pitfalls and polarisation, Stokes has allowed the cricketing fraternity to dream again. The summer of 2015 may not be viewed with such constant trepidation after all. | For once the exploits of the cricketer may be of more significance than those of footballers at the end of their season. Mark Hughes and his team can go on holiday with a smile. But now at the start of a cricket season laden with pitfalls and polarisation, Stokes has allowed the cricketing fraternity to dream again. The summer of 2015 may not be viewed with such constant trepidation after all. |
| Here Stokes cracked the fastest ever Test century at Lord’s. It took him 85 balls, two fewer than the angry century by Mohammad Azharuddin against England in 1990. Stokes’ knock was mesmerising and in less than two hours it changed the balance of the match. All the while his captain, Alastair Cook, looked on from the other end admiringly – and gratefully. Eighty yards away the England balcony was crammed full; even the pros had their eyes popping. | Here Stokes cracked the fastest ever Test century at Lord’s. It took him 85 balls, two fewer than the angry century by Mohammad Azharuddin against England in 1990. Stokes’ knock was mesmerising and in less than two hours it changed the balance of the match. All the while his captain, Alastair Cook, looked on from the other end admiringly – and gratefully. Eighty yards away the England balcony was crammed full; even the pros had their eyes popping. |
| When Stokes scampered the run which took him to his century, there was Joe Root, smiling broadly and delivering his mischievous military salute, a reference to Marlon Samuels bidding Stokes farewell after his ugly dismissal in Grenada a month ago. Stokes himself celebrated with some verve – he had, after all, missed out on three figures by an agonising eight runs in the first innings. | When Stokes scampered the run which took him to his century, there was Joe Root, smiling broadly and delivering his mischievous military salute, a reference to Marlon Samuels bidding Stokes farewell after his ugly dismissal in Grenada a month ago. Stokes himself celebrated with some verve – he had, after all, missed out on three figures by an agonising eight runs in the first innings. |
| But he batted with even more verve. Upon his arrival the match was tottering. England were 232 for four, a lead of 98, a far better situation than the one that greeted Stokes in the first innings (30 for four) but precarious nonetheless. It did not take long to establish how Stokes was going to play – the same way as on Thursday: if the ball was there to hit, he was going to hit it. Thus he produced an “I was still there” innings. | But he batted with even more verve. Upon his arrival the match was tottering. England were 232 for four, a lead of 98, a far better situation than the one that greeted Stokes in the first innings (30 for four) but precarious nonetheless. It did not take long to establish how Stokes was going to play – the same way as on Thursday: if the ball was there to hit, he was going to hit it. Thus he produced an “I was still there” innings. |
| Continued here. | Continued here. |