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| England v New Zealand: first Test, day four – as it happened | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 6.52pm BST18:52 | |
| Right, that’s it from me. Be sure to stick around on site for all the reports and reaction from Lord’s. But from me, cheerio! | |
| 6.51pm BST18:51 | |
| STUMPS | |
| England 429-6. The lead is 295. Expect a declaration tomorrow about half an hour after everybody thinks is reasonable. | |
| Updated at 6.52pm BST | |
| 6.50pm BST18:50 | |
| 118th over: England 429-6 (Cook 153, Ali 19). Tim Southee with the final over of the day. More short stuff at Ali, who again isn’t entirely comfortable but does enough to survive. McCullum tries the funkiest of funky fields – a 9-1 off-side effort. From the last ball of the day Ali has a huge waft but fails to connect. | |
| 6.45pm BST18:45 | |
| 117th over: England 429-6 (Cook 153, Ali 19). Craig will bowl the penultimate over of the day. Cook blocks out a maiden. | |
| 6.41pm BST18:41 | |
| 116th over: England 429-6 (Cook 153, Ali 19). It’s getting pretty dingy at St John’s Wood so the floodlights are in full effect, though it’s slightly odd watching Test match cricket at Lord’s when underneath the players you can see those four-way floodlight-induced shadows. Another solitary run onto the total from Southee’s latest. | |
| 6.36pm BST18:36 | 6.36pm BST18:36 |
| 115th over: England 428-6 (Cook 152, Ali 19). Craig has changed ends here. Guptill does brilliantly at backward point to twice deny Cook boundaries with diving stops. One run from the over. | 115th over: England 428-6 (Cook 152, Ali 19). Craig has changed ends here. Guptill does brilliantly at backward point to twice deny Cook boundaries with diving stops. One run from the over. |
| 6.33pm BST18:33 | 6.33pm BST18:33 |
| 114th over: England 427-6 (Cook 151, Ali 19). Tim Southee returns for a quick blast before the close. His first is full and wide and squirted through backward point for four by Moeen Ali. And those are the only runs off an over that’s otherwise a barrage of short stuff. | 114th over: England 427-6 (Cook 151, Ali 19). Tim Southee returns for a quick blast before the close. His first is full and wide and squirted through backward point for four by Moeen Ali. And those are the only runs off an over that’s otherwise a barrage of short stuff. |
| 6.28pm BST18:28 | 6.28pm BST18:28 |
| 113th over: England 423-6 (Cook 151, Ali 15). A huge appeal as Cook is rapped on the pad – Boult is very interested but the ball is missing off and hit the England captain outside the line in any case. Cook goes to his 150 with a neat flick to fine leg – this really had been a brilliant innings and it is very warmly received by the Lord’s crowd. | 113th over: England 423-6 (Cook 151, Ali 15). A huge appeal as Cook is rapped on the pad – Boult is very interested but the ball is missing off and hit the England captain outside the line in any case. Cook goes to his 150 with a neat flick to fine leg – this really had been a brilliant innings and it is very warmly received by the Lord’s crowd. |
| Updated at 7.05pm BST | |
| 6.23pm BST18:23 | 6.23pm BST18:23 |
| 112th over: England 421-6 (Cook 149, Ali 15). Craig once more. Ali blocks, blocks and blocks again. | 112th over: England 421-6 (Cook 149, Ali 15). Craig once more. Ali blocks, blocks and blocks again. |
| 6.21pm BST18:21 | 6.21pm BST18:21 |
| 111th over: England 421-6 (Cook 149, Ali 15). Boult strays to leg and Cook flicks nonchalantly away for four. The lead is now 287. | 111th over: England 421-6 (Cook 149, Ali 15). Boult strays to leg and Cook flicks nonchalantly away for four. The lead is now 287. |
| 6.18pm BST18:18 | 6.18pm BST18:18 |
| 110th over: England 415-6 (Cook 144, Ali 14). Craig continues to whirl away and the batsmen content themselves with a bit of nudge and nurdle. A thick outside edge from Cook rattles away to third man for three. | 110th over: England 415-6 (Cook 144, Ali 14). Craig continues to whirl away and the batsmen content themselves with a bit of nudge and nurdle. A thick outside edge from Cook rattles away to third man for three. |
| Updated at 6.19pm BST | Updated at 6.19pm BST |
| 6.14pm BST18:14 | 6.14pm BST18:14 |
| 109th over: England 410-6 (Cook 140, Ali 13). With 10 overs remaining in the day, Trent Boult returns to the attack. He beats Cook with a jaffer, one that seems to wobble both ways after angling in towards the pads and then jagging past the outside edge. A couple of balls later Ali isn’t a million miles away from dragging on. | 109th over: England 410-6 (Cook 140, Ali 13). With 10 overs remaining in the day, Trent Boult returns to the attack. He beats Cook with a jaffer, one that seems to wobble both ways after angling in towards the pads and then jagging past the outside edge. A couple of balls later Ali isn’t a million miles away from dragging on. |
| 6.09pm BST18:09 | 6.09pm BST18:09 |
| 108th over: England 409-6 (Cook 139, Ali 13). An Ali leading edge loops dangerously short of the man at a three-quarters back mid off, and that he heaves over midwicket for a couple. He’s not looking entirely comfortable out there just yet but he biffs a full toss past mid on and away for four from the last. | 108th over: England 409-6 (Cook 139, Ali 13). An Ali leading edge loops dangerously short of the man at a three-quarters back mid off, and that he heaves over midwicket for a couple. He’s not looking entirely comfortable out there just yet but he biffs a full toss past mid on and away for four from the last. |
| 6.06pm BST18:06 | 6.06pm BST18:06 |
| 107th over: England 401-6 (Cook 138, Ali 7). Henry looks to pepper Ali with some short stuff. He plays and misses at one outside off but ducks under a couple that are too straight. | 107th over: England 401-6 (Cook 138, Ali 7). Henry looks to pepper Ali with some short stuff. He plays and misses at one outside off but ducks under a couple that are too straight. |
| 6.01pm BST18:01 | 6.01pm BST18:01 |
| 106th over: England 400-6 (Cook 137, Ali 7). Another loft over the top from Moeen Ali off Craig takes England to 400. | 106th over: England 400-6 (Cook 137, Ali 7). Another loft over the top from Moeen Ali off Craig takes England to 400. |
| Updated at 7.02pm BST | |
| 5.59pm BST17:59 | 5.59pm BST17:59 |
| 105th over: England 396-6 (Cook 137, Ali 3). Henry steams in again with the England lead edging onwards towards 300. A mid-morning declaration in the offing tomorrow if they get that far? Cook guides neatly to third man for a single and Ali drops the ball into the off side and skitters through for the same. | 105th over: England 396-6 (Cook 137, Ali 3). Henry steams in again with the England lead edging onwards towards 300. A mid-morning declaration in the offing tomorrow if they get that far? Cook guides neatly to third man for a single and Ali drops the ball into the off side and skitters through for the same. |
| “Stewart also carried his bat for 69* against Pakistan in ‘92,” writes Tom Bowtell. And he’s absolutely right. | “Stewart also carried his bat for 69* against Pakistan in ‘92,” writes Tom Bowtell. And he’s absolutely right. |
| 5.54pm BST17:54 | 5.54pm BST17:54 |
| 104th over: England 394-6 (Cook 136, Ali 2). “Just out of interest, hoping not to curse it, but when did an England opener last carry their bat throughout a Test innings?” wonders Tom Van Der Gucht. Michael Atherton in Christchurch in 1997. Before that, Gooch in 1991 at Headingley. Before that, Boycott in Perth in 1979. | 104th over: England 394-6 (Cook 136, Ali 2). “Just out of interest, hoping not to curse it, but when did an England opener last carry their bat throughout a Test innings?” wonders Tom Van Der Gucht. Michael Atherton in Christchurch in 1997. Before that, Gooch in 1991 at Headingley. Before that, Boycott in Perth in 1979. |
| Ali gets off the mark with a loft over mid on for a couple. | Ali gets off the mark with a loft over mid on for a couple. |
| 5.51pm BST17:51 | 5.51pm BST17:51 |
| 103rd over: England 391-6 (Cook 135, Ali 0). Moeen someone manages to keep his bat out of the way of a snorting Henry bouncer. Cracking ball, and well played. Just one to the total. | 103rd over: England 391-6 (Cook 135, Ali 0). Moeen someone manages to keep his bat out of the way of a snorting Henry bouncer. Cracking ball, and well played. Just one to the total. |
| “It’s thoroughly true about Cook’s contribution (100th Over),” writes Robert Wilson. “The mix with Stokes was all Test cricket in a nutshell (because the bowling was, by no means, terrible). It’s the kind of cricket that makes everyone feel like they’re 13 again. Like watching it is what your eyes are for. When a match such as this plays on terrestrial television - boom - you have 50,000 kids helplessly addicted to cricket for life, forever chasing their golden vision of that Stokes moment. This should be the propagation of the species.” | “It’s thoroughly true about Cook’s contribution (100th Over),” writes Robert Wilson. “The mix with Stokes was all Test cricket in a nutshell (because the bowling was, by no means, terrible). It’s the kind of cricket that makes everyone feel like they’re 13 again. Like watching it is what your eyes are for. When a match such as this plays on terrestrial television - boom - you have 50,000 kids helplessly addicted to cricket for life, forever chasing their golden vision of that Stokes moment. This should be the propagation of the species.” |
| 5.47pm BST17:47 | 5.47pm BST17:47 |
| 102nd over: England 390-6 (Cook 134, Ali 0). Craig comes back in for a twirl. Cook milks a single. | 102nd over: England 390-6 (Cook 134, Ali 0). Craig comes back in for a twirl. Cook milks a single. |
| “Mark Wood is the latest new Simon Jones,” writes Janet Stevens. “In Ben Stokes, we appear to have a new KP. It may not shut the old one up but, my goodness, it warms the cockles to have it so firmly demonstrated that no-one is indispensible.Heartiest congrats to both of them and also to Alistair Cook for anchoring the innings in such a captain-like fashion. What’s he the new one of?” He’s the new old Alastair Cook, or a very good impression of it. | “Mark Wood is the latest new Simon Jones,” writes Janet Stevens. “In Ben Stokes, we appear to have a new KP. It may not shut the old one up but, my goodness, it warms the cockles to have it so firmly demonstrated that no-one is indispensible.Heartiest congrats to both of them and also to Alistair Cook for anchoring the innings in such a captain-like fashion. What’s he the new one of?” He’s the new old Alastair Cook, or a very good impression of it. |
| 5.42pm BST17:42 | 5.42pm BST17:42 |
| 101st over: England 389-6 (Cook 133, Ali 0). Moeen Ali strides out with England leading by 255. | 101st over: England 389-6 (Cook 133, Ali 0). Moeen Ali strides out with England leading by 255. |
| “Perhaps worth noting that Alistair Cook is now up to No14 on the all time list,” writes Michael Meagher, “and that if he gets a double century he’ll overtake Graham Gooch and be England’s leading run maker of all time.” | “Perhaps worth noting that Alistair Cook is now up to No14 on the all time list,” writes Michael Meagher, “and that if he gets a double century he’ll overtake Graham Gooch and be England’s leading run maker of all time.” |
| 5.40pm BST17:40 | 5.40pm BST17:40 |
| WICKET! Buttler c Latham b Henry 14 (England 389-6) | WICKET! Buttler c Latham b Henry 14 (England 389-6) |
| Another twist! Buttler fends uncertainly at one that straightens a touch outside off and feathers an edge through to Latham. | Another twist! Buttler fends uncertainly at one that straightens a touch outside off and feathers an edge through to Latham. |
| 5.37pm BST17:37 | 5.37pm BST17:37 |
| 100th over: England 388-5 (Cook 132, Buttler 14). Oof! Cook thrashes Southee emphatically through the covers for four. In the rush to praise Stokes’s knock it’d be a shame if this innings from the captain gets overlooked – he’s been superb. And Buttler joins the fun with four off the last. | 100th over: England 388-5 (Cook 132, Buttler 14). Oof! Cook thrashes Southee emphatically through the covers for four. In the rush to praise Stokes’s knock it’d be a shame if this innings from the captain gets overlooked – he’s been superb. And Buttler joins the fun with four off the last. |
| 5.31pm BST17:31 | 5.31pm BST17:31 |
| 99th over: England 379-5 (Cook 127, Buttler 10). Hello all. So 20 overs remain on the fourth day and all three results are still possible. If I was a betting man I’d be backing the draw at this point, but you never know. | 99th over: England 379-5 (Cook 127, Buttler 10). Hello all. So 20 overs remain on the fourth day and all three results are still possible. If I was a betting man I’d be backing the draw at this point, but you never know. |
| Anyway Buttler drives uppishley through the covers for four off Henry. And then he sends a bit of a leading edge through the same area for three more. From the last Cook leans into a drive for three more. Eleven from the over. | Anyway Buttler drives uppishley through the covers for four off Henry. And then he sends a bit of a leading edge through the same area for three more. From the last Cook leans into a drive for three more. Eleven from the over. |
| 5.24pm BST17:24 | 5.24pm BST17:24 |
| 98th over: England 368-5 (Cook 124, Buttler 3). With Stokes out of the way, it’s safe for Southee to return to the attack – and this time he’s at his favoured Pavilion End. Buttler is watchful but is prepared to take a rather hurried single in the latest test of Cook’s stamina and reflexes. And that’s drinks, and me done for the day. John Ashdown will expertly describe the rest of the day. Thanks for your company. | 98th over: England 368-5 (Cook 124, Buttler 3). With Stokes out of the way, it’s safe for Southee to return to the attack – and this time he’s at his favoured Pavilion End. Buttler is watchful but is prepared to take a rather hurried single in the latest test of Cook’s stamina and reflexes. And that’s drinks, and me done for the day. John Ashdown will expertly describe the rest of the day. Thanks for your company. |
| Masterclass missed for Masterclass: | Masterclass missed for Masterclass: |
| @tomdaviesE17 Sounds like I've missed watching a stunning day's play... ironically to listen to @stuheritage talk about live blogging! | @tomdaviesE17 Sounds like I've missed watching a stunning day's play... ironically to listen to @stuheritage talk about live blogging! |
| 5.20pm BST17:20 | 5.20pm BST17:20 |
| 97th over: England 368-5 (Cook 124, Buttler 2). Cook trots through for a single off Henry to put Buttler on strike for the first time, and the England wicketkeeper is off the mark with a caress to mid-off for a single. Cook adds one more. The crowd has suddenly gone very quiet, but then this time last year, in these sorts of conditions, at this very ground, the new man in at No7 was also providing some fireworks. Buttler squirts one more run behind backward point. | 97th over: England 368-5 (Cook 124, Buttler 2). Cook trots through for a single off Henry to put Buttler on strike for the first time, and the England wicketkeeper is off the mark with a caress to mid-off for a single. Cook adds one more. The crowd has suddenly gone very quiet, but then this time last year, in these sorts of conditions, at this very ground, the new man in at No7 was also providing some fireworks. Buttler squirts one more run behind backward point. |
| 5.14pm BST17:14 | 5.14pm BST17:14 |
| Wicket! Stokes c Taylor b Craig 101 | Wicket! Stokes c Taylor b Craig 101 |
| 96th over: England 364-5 (Cook 122). Craig continues, and Cook cuts down to deep extra cover for one. But then … the party’s over. Stokes slogs at Craig, it turns a little and catches his edge and it’s taken at slip by Taylor. A fantastic innings and crucial partnership is over. | 96th over: England 364-5 (Cook 122). Craig continues, and Cook cuts down to deep extra cover for one. But then … the party’s over. Stokes slogs at Craig, it turns a little and catches his edge and it’s taken at slip by Taylor. A fantastic innings and crucial partnership is over. |
| Updated at 7.07pm BST | |
| 5.11pm BST17:11 | 5.11pm BST17:11 |
| 95th over: England 363-4 (Cook 121, Stokes 101). These two batsmen have produced two of the most satisfying hundreds you could wish to see in Test cricket, in their contrasting ways, and that’s why it’s the highest form of the game – or indeed any form of sporting recreation – that humanity indulges in. Cook pushes Henry away in front of square on the legside for one. | 95th over: England 363-4 (Cook 121, Stokes 101). These two batsmen have produced two of the most satisfying hundreds you could wish to see in Test cricket, in their contrasting ways, and that’s why it’s the highest form of the game – or indeed any form of sporting recreation – that humanity indulges in. Cook pushes Henry away in front of square on the legside for one. |
| The prolific Gary Naylor has one talking point, amid all the euphoria on Cook’s reprieve a while back. “I know the DRS protocol etc, but anyone with a feel for the game would have given Cook out then. Then umpire’s call and off” | The prolific Gary Naylor has one talking point, amid all the euphoria on Cook’s reprieve a while back. “I know the DRS protocol etc, but anyone with a feel for the game would have given Cook out then. Then umpire’s call and off” |
| Updated at 5.18pm BST | Updated at 5.18pm BST |
| 5.07pm BST17:07 | 5.07pm BST17:07 |
| 94th over: England 362-4 (Cook 120, Stokes 101). Craig comes into the attack, and Stokes cuts him effortlessly away for a single. Cook then, playing the Tavare at Old Trafford 81 to Stokes’s Botham, opts to be mostly defensive until pushing a single at the end of the over. | 94th over: England 362-4 (Cook 120, Stokes 101). Craig comes into the attack, and Stokes cuts him effortlessly away for a single. Cook then, playing the Tavare at Old Trafford 81 to Stokes’s Botham, opts to be mostly defensive until pushing a single at the end of the over. |
| Talking of that summer … | Talking of that summer … |
| 5.04pm BST17:04 | 5.04pm BST17:04 |
| 93rd over: England 360-4 (Cook 119, Stokes 100). Southee, having taken a fearful battering, is removed from the attack for Henry, who cuts Stokes up a tad with one that he swishes and misses. So does the keeper, whose fumble enables them to run a bye. Cook nurdles it round the corner for one. The crowd cheer as Stokes is back on strike. They cheer even more when he straight drives Henry with timing and precision for four to go to 99. The field is brought in, Stokes flicks it to short midwicket, whose fumble could have been enough to encourage the batsmen to run, but Stokes calls no. He’s not to be denied though – STOKES GETS HIS HUNDRED with a clip on the legside, and it’s the fastest Test century at Lord’s. It’s been an absolute pleasure and privilege to watch this. “Get Marlon Samuels on the line,” chirps David Lloyd. | 93rd over: England 360-4 (Cook 119, Stokes 100). Southee, having taken a fearful battering, is removed from the attack for Henry, who cuts Stokes up a tad with one that he swishes and misses. So does the keeper, whose fumble enables them to run a bye. Cook nurdles it round the corner for one. The crowd cheer as Stokes is back on strike. They cheer even more when he straight drives Henry with timing and precision for four to go to 99. The field is brought in, Stokes flicks it to short midwicket, whose fumble could have been enough to encourage the batsmen to run, but Stokes calls no. He’s not to be denied though – STOKES GETS HIS HUNDRED with a clip on the legside, and it’s the fastest Test century at Lord’s. It’s been an absolute pleasure and privilege to watch this. “Get Marlon Samuels on the line,” chirps David Lloyd. |
| On Proper Cricket: | On Proper Cricket: |
| Updated at 5.17pm BST | Updated at 5.17pm BST |
| 4.59pm BST16:59 | 4.59pm BST16:59 |
| 92nd over: England 353-4 (Cook 118, Stokes 95). Your man Smyth is right with that tweet two hours ago – this Stokes innings is peculiarly Botham-esque right down to the match-swinging detail. Within half an hour or so, New Zealand’s chances of winning this match have receded rapidly. Stokes turns Boult round the corner for one, Cook adds another single to delight the crowd by putting Stokes on strike for the final two balls of the over. He gets forward to smother the not inconsiderable swing with the first of them, which yields no run, and then drives to mid-off for a strike-pinching single to complete the over. | 92nd over: England 353-4 (Cook 118, Stokes 95). Your man Smyth is right with that tweet two hours ago – this Stokes innings is peculiarly Botham-esque right down to the match-swinging detail. Within half an hour or so, New Zealand’s chances of winning this match have receded rapidly. Stokes turns Boult round the corner for one, Cook adds another single to delight the crowd by putting Stokes on strike for the final two balls of the over. He gets forward to smother the not inconsiderable swing with the first of them, which yields no run, and then drives to mid-off for a strike-pinching single to complete the over. |
| The fastest Test century at Lord’s was Azharuddin in 1990, from 87 balls. Stokes has 95 from 81. | The fastest Test century at Lord’s was Azharuddin in 1990, from 87 balls. Stokes has 95 from 81. |
| 4.54pm BST16:54 | 4.54pm BST16:54 |
| 91st over: England 350-4 (Cook 117, Stokes 93). Stokes has illuminated this match so gloriously he deserves a hundred: he continues where he left off in Southee’s previous over by unleashing another thunderous pull on the legside for four. Stokes then glides a fuller delivery down the legside to fine leg for two. Then – yup! – Stokes pulls Southee on his favourite legside for four more. Southee understandably tries something fuller – and gets driven down the ground for four. This is just magnificent. A square crack on the offside gives him another single, which earns him the strike, and considerable applause. Wonderful stuff. | 91st over: England 350-4 (Cook 117, Stokes 93). Stokes has illuminated this match so gloriously he deserves a hundred: he continues where he left off in Southee’s previous over by unleashing another thunderous pull on the legside for four. Stokes then glides a fuller delivery down the legside to fine leg for two. Then – yup! – Stokes pulls Southee on his favourite legside for four more. Southee understandably tries something fuller – and gets driven down the ground for four. This is just magnificent. A square crack on the offside gives him another single, which earns him the strike, and considerable applause. Wonderful stuff. |
| Updated at 5.15pm BST | Updated at 5.15pm BST |
| 4.49pm BST16:49 | 4.49pm BST16:49 |
| 90th over: England 333-4 (Cook 117, Stokes 78). A hundred partnership (in 120 delivea leg-bye is nudged off Cook’s pads. Stokes flicks the ball down to fine leg for one more before a batsman is vaguely troubled for the first time in a while, Cook having to react quickly to keep out an accurate Boult yorker. | 90th over: England 333-4 (Cook 117, Stokes 78). A hundred partnership (in 120 delivea leg-bye is nudged off Cook’s pads. Stokes flicks the ball down to fine leg for one more before a batsman is vaguely troubled for the first time in a while, Cook having to react quickly to keep out an accurate Boult yorker. |
| Updated at 4.51pm BST | Updated at 4.51pm BST |
| 4.45pm BST16:45 | 4.45pm BST16:45 |
| 89th over: England 331-4 (Cook 117, Stokes 77). Runs, runs, runs! Cook – a picture of serenity all day – turns Southee easily off his legs for one, before Stokes whips through midwicket for another couple. Southee then tries to hard with a banged-in short ball that is called a wide. Stokes knows he’s in the ascendance here, so he’s confident enough to swivel and top-edge a pull shot that sails into the crowd at the edge of the Tavern stand for SIX. Emboldened, he plunders SIX MORE! This shot is hit even harder, another, higher hook for six that is almost taken by the fielder at deep square-leg but it clears the ropes. And then – another hook! This one behind the stumps and high but avoiding a fielder and racing down to the fine leg boundary for four more. Crazy. | 89th over: England 331-4 (Cook 117, Stokes 77). Runs, runs, runs! Cook – a picture of serenity all day – turns Southee easily off his legs for one, before Stokes whips through midwicket for another couple. Southee then tries to hard with a banged-in short ball that is called a wide. Stokes knows he’s in the ascendance here, so he’s confident enough to swivel and top-edge a pull shot that sails into the crowd at the edge of the Tavern stand for SIX. Emboldened, he plunders SIX MORE! This shot is hit even harder, another, higher hook for six that is almost taken by the fielder at deep square-leg but it clears the ropes. And then – another hook! This one behind the stumps and high but avoiding a fielder and racing down to the fine leg boundary for four more. Crazy. |
| If you could rely on England to bowl a side out in a day, you’d make them clear favourites now. | If you could rely on England to bowl a side out in a day, you’d make them clear favourites now. |
| Updated at 4.50pm BST | Updated at 4.50pm BST |
| 4.39pm BST16:39 | 4.39pm BST16:39 |
| 88th over: England 311-4 (Cook 116, Stokes 59). Boult manages to find some movement but not quite the pinpoint accuracy you might expect of him. And then when he does, Stokes digs out what is almost a yorker with such power and timing that it zips past the bowler for four. | 88th over: England 311-4 (Cook 116, Stokes 59). Boult manages to find some movement but not quite the pinpoint accuracy you might expect of him. And then when he does, Stokes digs out what is almost a yorker with such power and timing that it zips past the bowler for four. |
| 4.34pm BST16:34 | 4.34pm BST16:34 |
| 87th over: England 307-4 (Cook 116, Stokes 55). Cook is reprieved by the umpire’s call when McCullum opts to review a confident leg-before shout from Southee. He responds by driving down the ground for two, and deflecting another single down towards point. Stokes punches another single square on the offside. | 87th over: England 307-4 (Cook 116, Stokes 55). Cook is reprieved by the umpire’s call when McCullum opts to review a confident leg-before shout from Southee. He responds by driving down the ground for two, and deflecting another single down towards point. Stokes punches another single square on the offside. |
| Updated at 4.39pm BST | Updated at 4.39pm BST |
| 4.30pm BST16:30 | 4.30pm BST16:30 |
| Review! Cook lbw Southee | Review! Cook lbw Southee |
| Cook is rapped in front, but was he outside the line? The TV umpire confirms that he’s not hit it. The impact is deemed to be umpire’s call – that he’d moved across and was outside the line – and he survives. | Cook is rapped in front, but was he outside the line? The TV umpire confirms that he’s not hit it. The impact is deemed to be umpire’s call – that he’d moved across and was outside the line – and he survives. |
| Updated at 4.41pm BST | Updated at 4.41pm BST |
| 4.28pm BST16:28 | 4.28pm BST16:28 |
| 86th over: England 303-4 (Cook 113, Stokes 54). It’s not inconceivable that England could get a lead of 300 by the end of today, weather permitting, at which point anguished discussions about the suitability of declarations come into play. Stokes completes a lovely quickfire 50 with a nudge on the legside for two, and celebrates it with a slightly fortuitous four, failing to middle a regulation off-drive, which squirts rapidly down the hill to the ropes. But a powerful approach and a powerful bat can go a long way in the modern game. | 86th over: England 303-4 (Cook 113, Stokes 54). It’s not inconceivable that England could get a lead of 300 by the end of today, weather permitting, at which point anguished discussions about the suitability of declarations come into play. Stokes completes a lovely quickfire 50 with a nudge on the legside for two, and celebrates it with a slightly fortuitous four, failing to middle a regulation off-drive, which squirts rapidly down the hill to the ropes. But a powerful approach and a powerful bat can go a long way in the modern game. |
| “Having re-shelved my 1938 Wisden,” adds Pete Salmon, somewhat disappointingly, “here’s more on Frank Woolley from R.C. Robertson-Glasgow from, erm, Wikipedia... ‘When you wrote about him, there weren’t enough words. In describing a great innings by Woolley, and few of them were not great in artistry, you had to be careful with your adjectives and stack them in little rows, like pats of butter or razor-blades...The best thing to do was to presume that your readers knew how Frank Woolley batted and use no adjectives at all.....there was all summer in a stroke by Woolley, and he batted as it is sometimes shown in dreams.” | “Having re-shelved my 1938 Wisden,” adds Pete Salmon, somewhat disappointingly, “here’s more on Frank Woolley from R.C. Robertson-Glasgow from, erm, Wikipedia... ‘When you wrote about him, there weren’t enough words. In describing a great innings by Woolley, and few of them were not great in artistry, you had to be careful with your adjectives and stack them in little rows, like pats of butter or razor-blades...The best thing to do was to presume that your readers knew how Frank Woolley batted and use no adjectives at all.....there was all summer in a stroke by Woolley, and he batted as it is sometimes shown in dreams.” |
| Updated at 5.02pm BST | Updated at 5.02pm BST |
| 4.23pm BST16:23 | 4.23pm BST16:23 |
| 85th over: England 297-4 (Cook 113, Stokes 48). Southee’s radar is just a tad awry and Cook cuts a wide delivery outside off-stump away for one before Stokes moves closer to his half-century with a dabbed single. | 85th over: England 297-4 (Cook 113, Stokes 48). Southee’s radar is just a tad awry and Cook cuts a wide delivery outside off-stump away for one before Stokes moves closer to his half-century with a dabbed single. |
| Hello fate, says Gary Naylor, can I tempt you, entice you, seduce you even: | Hello fate, says Gary Naylor, can I tempt you, entice you, seduce you even: |
| Updated at 4.39pm BST | Updated at 4.39pm BST |
| 4.20pm BST16:20 | 4.20pm BST16:20 |
| 84th over: England 295-4 (Cook 112, Stokes 47). This new ball thus far has done as little as it did when England’s seamers had first use of it on Friday morning. Boult is given his first go with it, unsurprisingly replacing Henry who made rather a hash of his previous one, and Cook clips him off the thigh for a single, before Stokes continues his onslaught with a cocky thrash over gully for four. He and Cook add a single more each. It is, unfortunately, drizzling again. | 84th over: England 295-4 (Cook 112, Stokes 47). This new ball thus far has done as little as it did when England’s seamers had first use of it on Friday morning. Boult is given his first go with it, unsurprisingly replacing Henry who made rather a hash of his previous one, and Cook clips him off the thigh for a single, before Stokes continues his onslaught with a cocky thrash over gully for four. He and Cook add a single more each. It is, unfortunately, drizzling again. |
| Updated at 4.39pm BST | Updated at 4.39pm BST |
| 4.17pm BST16:17 | 4.17pm BST16:17 |
| 4.16pm BST16:16 | 4.16pm BST16:16 |
| 83rd over: England 288-4 (Cook 110, Stokes 42). Stokes is playing just as he did in the first innings and it’s great to watch as he nonchalantly punches Southee off the back foot past backward point for four, then drives brilliantly back past a diving mid-on for another boundary. Every length of delivery looks comfortable for the Durham all-rounder at the moment and he punches another one square on the offside for four, before Southee comes back with an outswinger that Stokes drives and misses. It’s not Southee’s over though, and he cops a ball in the foot off the last ball of it, which Stokes drives back fiercely at him, for no run. | 83rd over: England 288-4 (Cook 110, Stokes 42). Stokes is playing just as he did in the first innings and it’s great to watch as he nonchalantly punches Southee off the back foot past backward point for four, then drives brilliantly back past a diving mid-on for another boundary. Every length of delivery looks comfortable for the Durham all-rounder at the moment and he punches another one square on the offside for four, before Southee comes back with an outswinger that Stokes drives and misses. It’s not Southee’s over though, and he cops a ball in the foot off the last ball of it, which Stokes drives back fiercely at him, for no run. |
| You lot can’t stop talking bad films. “It’s clear that the younger generation are contributing to this thread,” writes Andy Tyacke, a compliment that will sustain my fragile ego through the rest of the afternoon. “Anyone remember “Love Story” from about 1976? That really was a pile of vomit-inducing old nawks.. About 30 minutes into the film one began wishing an early death on Ali McGraw’s character. Critics loved it but, by god, it was nauseatingly sentimental.” | You lot can’t stop talking bad films. “It’s clear that the younger generation are contributing to this thread,” writes Andy Tyacke, a compliment that will sustain my fragile ego through the rest of the afternoon. “Anyone remember “Love Story” from about 1976? That really was a pile of vomit-inducing old nawks.. About 30 minutes into the film one began wishing an early death on Ali McGraw’s character. Critics loved it but, by god, it was nauseatingly sentimental.” |
| Updated at 4.39pm BST | Updated at 4.39pm BST |
| 4.11pm BST16:11 | 4.11pm BST16:11 |
| 82nd over: England 276-4 (Cook 110, Stokes 30). Trent Boult is denied the new ball, McCullum reasoning that Henry has done well enough to merit an over or two with it from the Pavilion End. Though the over-pitched one that he throws up outside Cook’s off-stump merits rather less, and the England duly creams it through the covers for four. Henry’s radar is off again when an away-swinger is pushed too wide and can only be parried behind him by the keeper, and a bye results. Stokes and Cook trade singles to complete a rather disappointing over from Henry. | 82nd over: England 276-4 (Cook 110, Stokes 30). Trent Boult is denied the new ball, McCullum reasoning that Henry has done well enough to merit an over or two with it from the Pavilion End. Though the over-pitched one that he throws up outside Cook’s off-stump merits rather less, and the England duly creams it through the covers for four. Henry’s radar is off again when an away-swinger is pushed too wide and can only be parried behind him by the keeper, and a bye results. Stokes and Cook trade singles to complete a rather disappointing over from Henry. |
| 4.06pm BST16:06 | 4.06pm BST16:06 |
| 81st over: England 269-4 (Cook 106, Stokes 29). The new ball is taken and handed to Southee. Stokes gets on the front foot with confidence, offering three positive shots for no run, but he’s well beaten by one that’s slanted across him up the hill and off a scrambled seam. Encouragement for both bowler and batsman in that over, which is a maiden. | 81st over: England 269-4 (Cook 106, Stokes 29). The new ball is taken and handed to Southee. Stokes gets on the front foot with confidence, offering three positive shots for no run, but he’s well beaten by one that’s slanted across him up the hill and off a scrambled seam. Encouragement for both bowler and batsman in that over, which is a maiden. |
| “Keeping up on the OBO while at Glasgow Celtic football and Glasgow Tigers speedway matches,” writes Scott Thomas, “I’ve stayed at the ‘Lost In Translation’ hotel too and, if you want self-indulgent, I watched the film while there in an identical room to Murray’s while wearing an identical robe.” Too much information there Scott, who continues: “I then went to the bar where they had a red-headed chanteuse similar to the one in the film (though, unlike Murray this time, I did not sleep with her. Someone I was with did have a dalliance in the bar’s toilets though).” | “Keeping up on the OBO while at Glasgow Celtic football and Glasgow Tigers speedway matches,” writes Scott Thomas, “I’ve stayed at the ‘Lost In Translation’ hotel too and, if you want self-indulgent, I watched the film while there in an identical room to Murray’s while wearing an identical robe.” Too much information there Scott, who continues: “I then went to the bar where they had a red-headed chanteuse similar to the one in the film (though, unlike Murray this time, I did not sleep with her. Someone I was with did have a dalliance in the bar’s toilets though).” |
| What goes on tour, | What goes on tour, |
| stays on tour, | stays on tour, |
| gets broadcast over the internet to millions of cricket web-nerds | gets broadcast over the internet to millions of cricket web-nerds |
| 4.02pm BST16:02 | 4.02pm BST16:02 |
| 80th over: England 269-4 (Cook 106, Stokes 29). Stokes turns Henry round the corner for one, and Cook pushes another single to keep the strike rotating. The penultimate delivery with the old ball is banged in hard and whistles over Stokes’s head, before the final one is hooked down to deep square leg for one. | 80th over: England 269-4 (Cook 106, Stokes 29). Stokes turns Henry round the corner for one, and Cook pushes another single to keep the strike rotating. The penultimate delivery with the old ball is banged in hard and whistles over Stokes’s head, before the final one is hooked down to deep square leg for one. |
| Meanwhile, amid the welter of meaningless football fixtures taking place in The Most Thrilling League In The World, it may not have escaped people’s attention that Stoke are walloping Liverpool 5-0, which Gary Naylor has latched onto as if it were a juicy half-volley outside off-stump: | Meanwhile, amid the welter of meaningless football fixtures taking place in The Most Thrilling League In The World, it may not have escaped people’s attention that Stoke are walloping Liverpool 5-0, which Gary Naylor has latched onto as if it were a juicy half-volley outside off-stump: |
| 3.58pm BST15:58 | 3.58pm BST15:58 |
| 79th over: England 266-4 (Cook 105, Stokes 27). Stokes cuts Craig away on the offside for one, before the spinner just hurries Cook up a little with an awkward quicker delivery that jags into him. That’ll be the end of his spell, I should think. | 79th over: England 266-4 (Cook 105, Stokes 27). Stokes cuts Craig away on the offside for one, before the spinner just hurries Cook up a little with an awkward quicker delivery that jags into him. That’ll be the end of his spell, I should think. |
| 3.55pm BST15:55 | 3.55pm BST15:55 |
| 78th over: England 265-4 (Cook 105, Stokes 26). Henry will be seeing us through to the new ball at the Pavilion End. Stokes miscues an attempted pull and almost drags it onto the stumps with his bottom edge – but he gets two down to fine leg instead. He’s trying to attack – as if he even knows any other way? – but can’t get his timing right in this over until he leans rather more elegantly into a length ball outside off stump and gets a pushed single. | 78th over: England 265-4 (Cook 105, Stokes 26). Henry will be seeing us through to the new ball at the Pavilion End. Stokes miscues an attempted pull and almost drags it onto the stumps with his bottom edge – but he gets two down to fine leg instead. He’s trying to attack – as if he even knows any other way? – but can’t get his timing right in this over until he leans rather more elegantly into a length ball outside off stump and gets a pushed single. |
| 3.52pm BST15:52 | 3.52pm BST15:52 |
| 77 overs: England 262-4 (Cook 105, Stokes 23). The rain of earlier has relented, but it looks pretty murky, and the lights are needed in the gloaming. Stokes adds a single as Craig completes his over, then the off-key spinner spins one straight to slip, but it doesn’t go near enough to Cook’s bat. | 77 overs: England 262-4 (Cook 105, Stokes 23). The rain of earlier has relented, but it looks pretty murky, and the lights are needed in the gloaming. Stokes adds a single as Craig completes his over, then the off-key spinner spins one straight to slip, but it doesn’t go near enough to Cook’s bat. |
| Back on nervous 90s, “Wasn’t Dirk Wellham actually on 99 for half an hour before being dropped off a sitter by Bob Willis?” tweets Tony Bennett. “Then he got his hundred.” The records say 25 minutes but still, great effort. | Back on nervous 90s, “Wasn’t Dirk Wellham actually on 99 for half an hour before being dropped off a sitter by Bob Willis?” tweets Tony Bennett. “Then he got his hundred.” The records say 25 minutes but still, great effort. |
| 3.48pm BST15:48 | 3.48pm BST15:48 |
| And they’re back out now, McCullum delivering yet another of his huddled team talks … | And they’re back out now, McCullum delivering yet another of his huddled team talks … |
| Updated at 3.49pm BST | Updated at 3.49pm BST |
| 3.41pm BST15:41 | 3.41pm BST15:41 |
| More fun with stats: You know what type of person I most admire and envy? The sort of person who is able effortlessly, within the course of any conversation, to dust down an old Wisden and extract a deeply fascinating nugget from therein. Someone like Peter Salmon. “This from Frank Woolley in the 1938 Wisden,” he writes “‘The statisticians inform me that I was out 35 times between 90 and 99 and I am also told that I am credited with 89 ducks. With regard to those ‘nineties’, I can honestly say that with me it was never a case of the ‘nervous nineties’. Lots of times I was out through forcing the game. We were never allowed to play for averages in the Kent side or take half an hour or more to get the last ten runs under normal conditions. We always had to play the game and play for the team. It is a Kent tradition.” | More fun with stats: You know what type of person I most admire and envy? The sort of person who is able effortlessly, within the course of any conversation, to dust down an old Wisden and extract a deeply fascinating nugget from therein. Someone like Peter Salmon. “This from Frank Woolley in the 1938 Wisden,” he writes “‘The statisticians inform me that I was out 35 times between 90 and 99 and I am also told that I am credited with 89 ducks. With regard to those ‘nineties’, I can honestly say that with me it was never a case of the ‘nervous nineties’. Lots of times I was out through forcing the game. We were never allowed to play for averages in the Kent side or take half an hour or more to get the last ten runs under normal conditions. We always had to play the game and play for the team. It is a Kent tradition.” |
| 3.31pm BST15:31 | 3.31pm BST15:31 |
| Tea is being taken, England 261-4 | Tea is being taken, England 261-4 |
| They’re unwrapping the sarnies early, sensibly enough, in hope that the weather clears. See you shortly. | They’re unwrapping the sarnies early, sensibly enough, in hope that the weather clears. See you shortly. |
| 3.30pm BST15:30 | 3.30pm BST15:30 |
| “Lost in Translation?” grumbles Leo Phillips. “More like Lawrence of Arabia! Can we have some juicy statistics please?” Well according to Bumble on Sky a while back, we had Cook averaging 43 in his past 12 Test innings. Another is that New Zealand haven’t won a Test in England outside London since 1994, so they need to go for it in this one. | “Lost in Translation?” grumbles Leo Phillips. “More like Lawrence of Arabia! Can we have some juicy statistics please?” Well according to Bumble on Sky a while back, we had Cook averaging 43 in his past 12 Test innings. Another is that New Zealand haven’t won a Test in England outside London since 1994, so they need to go for it in this one. |
| And no discussion of cricket in the 90s is complete without a mention of Graeme Hick | And no discussion of cricket in the 90s is complete without a mention of Graeme Hick |
| 3.24pm BST15:24 | 3.24pm BST15:24 |
| Rain stops play, England 261-4 | Rain stops play, England 261-4 |
| 76.3 overs: England 261-4 (Cook 105, Stokes 22). Stokes hits boundary No5, cutting Craig with panache and power through extra-cover for four. Everything loose from Craig is getting punished. And now the rain’s getting more peresistent, and they’re off. Hopefully not for too long. | 76.3 overs: England 261-4 (Cook 105, Stokes 22). Stokes hits boundary No5, cutting Craig with panache and power through extra-cover for four. Everything loose from Craig is getting punished. And now the rain’s getting more peresistent, and they’re off. Hopefully not for too long. |
| Updated at 4.15pm BST | Updated at 4.15pm BST |
| 3.21pm BST15:21 | 3.21pm BST15:21 |
| 76th over: England 257-4 (Cook 105, Stokes 18). The rain is falling, but not very hard and not on a humdrum town but an overpriced vaguely dysfunctional capital city, as Henry continues and Cook essays a controlled legside pull for one down to deep midwicket. There’s some short stuff at Stokes too, but nothing to trouble him, until he rather unwisely tries to upper-cut a bouncer over third man but misses completely. A well-run single conmpletes the over. | 76th over: England 257-4 (Cook 105, Stokes 18). The rain is falling, but not very hard and not on a humdrum town but an overpriced vaguely dysfunctional capital city, as Henry continues and Cook essays a controlled legside pull for one down to deep midwicket. There’s some short stuff at Stokes too, but nothing to trouble him, until he rather unwisely tries to upper-cut a bouncer over third man but misses completely. A well-run single conmpletes the over. |
| “Still here, still awake,” yawns James Walsh. “I’ve taken another blurry picture for you, but stuck it on Twitter so it’s easier to stick into composer.” Citizen journalism there – where your readers know all the tricks even of the production trade. | “Still here, still awake,” yawns James Walsh. “I’ve taken another blurry picture for you, but stuck it on Twitter so it’s easier to stick into composer.” Citizen journalism there – where your readers know all the tricks even of the production trade. |
| Updated at 3.24pm BST | Updated at 3.24pm BST |
| 3.17pm BST15:17 | 3.17pm BST15:17 |
| 75th over: England 255-4 (Cook 104, Stokes 17). Cook scurries a single from Craig, before Stokes is mostly watchful until he gets the chance to sweep emphatically at a half-volley to hit what is already his fourth four – the same number Cook had in his first 50. What a match this now looks. | 75th over: England 255-4 (Cook 104, Stokes 17). Cook scurries a single from Craig, before Stokes is mostly watchful until he gets the chance to sweep emphatically at a half-volley to hit what is already his fourth four – the same number Cook had in his first 50. What a match this now looks. |
| Off the top of my head, the first thing that always comes to mind is Atherton being run out for 99 at Lord’s in 93. | Off the top of my head, the first thing that always comes to mind is Atherton being run out for 99 at Lord’s in 93. |
| 3.14pm BST15:14 | 3.14pm BST15:14 |
| 74th over: England 250-4 (Cook 103, Stokes 13). Stokes flicks himself off the mark from Henry, and the batsmen change ends again when Cook nudges a swifter delivery away from his thigh for another single. Stokes then squirts past second slip’s despairing drive for four, though it’s the sort of thing that encourages rather than demoralises a bowler. Unlike Stokes’s two comeback shots, which are carefree front foot-led cover drives for glorious fours. Enjoyable cricket. | 74th over: England 250-4 (Cook 103, Stokes 13). Stokes flicks himself off the mark from Henry, and the batsmen change ends again when Cook nudges a swifter delivery away from his thigh for another single. Stokes then squirts past second slip’s despairing drive for four, though it’s the sort of thing that encourages rather than demoralises a bowler. Unlike Stokes’s two comeback shots, which are carefree front foot-led cover drives for glorious fours. Enjoyable cricket. |
| Oh Lord yes. The critics went wild for that though didn’t they – one of several million reasons why I don’t have what it takes to be a critic. | Oh Lord yes. The critics went wild for that though didn’t they – one of several million reasons why I don’t have what it takes to be a critic. |
| 3.09pm BST15:09 | 3.09pm BST15:09 |
| 73rd over: England 236-4 (Cook 102, Stokes 0). Craig looks a much cannier bowler against left-handers, whistling one smartly past Cook’s outside edge without taking it. He then has a decent shout for lbw too as Cook sweeps across the line, misses and is thudded on the pad, which McCullum asks to review. And Cook is reprieved, as it was just outside the line and just missing off-stump. But it was worth a shout. | 73rd over: England 236-4 (Cook 102, Stokes 0). Craig looks a much cannier bowler against left-handers, whistling one smartly past Cook’s outside edge without taking it. He then has a decent shout for lbw too as Cook sweeps across the line, misses and is thudded on the pad, which McCullum asks to review. And Cook is reprieved, as it was just outside the line and just missing off-stump. But it was worth a shout. |
| 3.05pm BST15:05 | 3.05pm BST15:05 |
| 72nd over: England 236-4 (Cook 102, Stokes 0). Cook faces Henry, on 99 and to a tight absurdly lopsided off-side field. He defensively chops at the first one, leaves the second, pushes the third to short extra-cover, dabs the fourth down to third slip. Then he gets his century, beating the offside field by pushing forward down the ground for three to complete a superb, flawless hundred. He punches the air, salutes a gleeful balcony and embraces Stokes. Well played indeed.m | 72nd over: England 236-4 (Cook 102, Stokes 0). Cook faces Henry, on 99 and to a tight absurdly lopsided off-side field. He defensively chops at the first one, leaves the second, pushes the third to short extra-cover, dabs the fourth down to third slip. Then he gets his century, beating the offside field by pushing forward down the ground for three to complete a superb, flawless hundred. He punches the air, salutes a gleeful balcony and embraces Stokes. Well played indeed.m |
| Back on Lost in Tranlsation, multi-tasking Dan Lucas takes a moment to stop describing IPL sixes or what have you to remind us, “The film has The Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine and Billy Murray singing Roxy Music. Even if you don’t watch the film it’s brilliant.” | Back on Lost in Tranlsation, multi-tasking Dan Lucas takes a moment to stop describing IPL sixes or what have you to remind us, “The film has The Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine and Billy Murray singing Roxy Music. Even if you don’t watch the film it’s brilliant.” |
| It’s a talking point, and, more importantly, an excuse to gratuitously paste up this: | It’s a talking point, and, more importantly, an excuse to gratuitously paste up this: |
| Updated at 3.41pm BST | Updated at 3.41pm BST |
| 3.00pm BST15:00 | 3.00pm BST15:00 |
| 71st over: England 233-4 (Cook 99, Stokes 0). McCullum the tinker man shuffles again, bringing Craig back on after a short rest and only one over from Williamson. Cook flicks him away on the legside for a single to go to 99, to put Stokes on strike to the man who got him in the first innings. The spinner gets a decent amount of bounce and turn outside Stokes’s off-stump, and his bowling suddenly doesn’t look quite so buffet-like, more waiting-for-a-takeaway-to-be-delivered-esque. | 71st over: England 233-4 (Cook 99, Stokes 0). McCullum the tinker man shuffles again, bringing Craig back on after a short rest and only one over from Williamson. Cook flicks him away on the legside for a single to go to 99, to put Stokes on strike to the man who got him in the first innings. The spinner gets a decent amount of bounce and turn outside Stokes’s off-stump, and his bowling suddenly doesn’t look quite so buffet-like, more waiting-for-a-takeaway-to-be-delivered-esque. |
| 2.57pm BST14:57 | 2.57pm BST14:57 |
| 70th over: England 232-4 (Cook 98, Stokes 0). Another change of bowling as Henry replaces Southee, and whereas previous leg-side snaring attempts at Root have failed, this one works, as the partnership is ended when Root hooks the third consecutive short one into the hands of Trent Boult just behind deep square leg. It was another fine innings but he’ll be disappointed at having been suckered there, and having fallen just short of a hundred again. Stokes is the new man at the crease, someone who can either sink or swim spectacularly against such bowling tactics, but he sees out his first three balls calmly enough. | 70th over: England 232-4 (Cook 98, Stokes 0). Another change of bowling as Henry replaces Southee, and whereas previous leg-side snaring attempts at Root have failed, this one works, as the partnership is ended when Root hooks the third consecutive short one into the hands of Trent Boult just behind deep square leg. It was another fine innings but he’ll be disappointed at having been suckered there, and having fallen just short of a hundred again. Stokes is the new man at the crease, someone who can either sink or swim spectacularly against such bowling tactics, but he sees out his first three balls calmly enough. |
| Meanwhile … “Debates are all well and good on some subjects,” ventures Paul Turp with the kind of casual disdain for democracy that feels worrying with the Human Rights Act hanging in the balance, “but if you don’t think Batman and Robin is the worst film ever made, you just haven’t seen Batman and Robin yet. You lucky bastard.” I haven’t seen Batman and Robin. I am a lucky bastard. The word “yet” is, I feel, superfluous. | Meanwhile … “Debates are all well and good on some subjects,” ventures Paul Turp with the kind of casual disdain for democracy that feels worrying with the Human Rights Act hanging in the balance, “but if you don’t think Batman and Robin is the worst film ever made, you just haven’t seen Batman and Robin yet. You lucky bastard.” I haven’t seen Batman and Robin. I am a lucky bastard. The word “yet” is, I feel, superfluous. |
| 2.54pm BST14:54 | 2.54pm BST14:54 |
| Wicket Root c Boult b Henry 84, England 232-4 | Wicket Root c Boult b Henry 84, England 232-4 |
| A change of bowling works. Root holes out to deep square leg, falling into the trap set by Henry and a crucial, perhaps still match-defining, partnership is ended. | A change of bowling works. Root holes out to deep square leg, falling into the trap set by Henry and a crucial, perhaps still match-defining, partnership is ended. |
| Updated at 2.54pm BST | Updated at 2.54pm BST |
| 2.51pm BST14:51 | 2.51pm BST14:51 |
| 69th over: England 232-3 (Cook 98, Root 84). The groundstaff busied themselves during the drinks break with some serious gardening around the edges of the wicket, and the re-touching of a couple of lines. New Zealand switch it around again, bringing on Kane Williamson at the Nursery End. Cook flicks to midwicket for one more to make his innings England’s joint-highest of the match. Root sweeps for a single but Cook can’t add to his score for the rest of the over, the last ball of which just darts back in at him with some extra pace. | 69th over: England 232-3 (Cook 98, Root 84). The groundstaff busied themselves during the drinks break with some serious gardening around the edges of the wicket, and the re-touching of a couple of lines. New Zealand switch it around again, bringing on Kane Williamson at the Nursery End. Cook flicks to midwicket for one more to make his innings England’s joint-highest of the match. Root sweeps for a single but Cook can’t add to his score for the rest of the over, the last ball of which just darts back in at him with some extra pace. |
| “While it’s calm on the email front (and on the field),” writes Matt Bedford, “I’ll just note that you have to see the self-indulgence of Lost in Translation as just one extra character flaw of its protagonists. Then, while you watch these characters living out their moment in their clear imperfection, the slowness of the film giving you time to think as you watch, you come to like them better. Like watching Alastair Cook.” | “While it’s calm on the email front (and on the field),” writes Matt Bedford, “I’ll just note that you have to see the self-indulgence of Lost in Translation as just one extra character flaw of its protagonists. Then, while you watch these characters living out their moment in their clear imperfection, the slowness of the film giving you time to think as you watch, you come to like them better. Like watching Alastair Cook.” |
| Ah, so it was all a precursor of Brisbane 2010? In which it was my turn to cultivate insomnia by staying up all night watching. | Ah, so it was all a precursor of Brisbane 2010? In which it was my turn to cultivate insomnia by staying up all night watching. |
| 2.43pm BST14:43 | 2.43pm BST14:43 |
| 68th over: England 230-3 (Cook 97, Root 83). Having been brought back for an over, Corey Anderson promptly leaves the field, as Southee continues from the Pavilion End. A confident cover drive brings Cook another single, which gives Southee the opportunity to pepper Root with some more short stuff. But he’s completely unruffled by it, and sees out the over by pushing away a couple of fuller balls without scoring. And that’s drinks. | 68th over: England 230-3 (Cook 97, Root 83). Having been brought back for an over, Corey Anderson promptly leaves the field, as Southee continues from the Pavilion End. A confident cover drive brings Cook another single, which gives Southee the opportunity to pepper Root with some more short stuff. But he’s completely unruffled by it, and sees out the over by pushing away a couple of fuller balls without scoring. And that’s drinks. |
| In the meantime, pop music’s Dan Lucas, having spent the morning chewing over the corn beef sandwiches and pork pies of Test cricket, is now gorging on the fizzy lager and hot-dogs-with-cheez of the IPL final. You can dip in here, or by contrast you can find out about today’s County Championship action here. | In the meantime, pop music’s Dan Lucas, having spent the morning chewing over the corn beef sandwiches and pork pies of Test cricket, is now gorging on the fizzy lager and hot-dogs-with-cheez of the IPL final. You can dip in here, or by contrast you can find out about today’s County Championship action here. |
| 2.37pm BST14:37 | 2.37pm BST14:37 |
| 67th over: England 229-3 (Cook 96, Root 83). Corey Anderson replaces the struggling Craig at the nursery end, as New Zealand rather meander their way towards the second new ball. Cook turns him round the corner for a single. Root has a bit of a rash swish at a short one outside leg stump, misses and sub keeper Latham takes it with impressive athleticism. Root then cuts for three, and Cook adds a single that puts him within a boundary of his hundred. | 67th over: England 229-3 (Cook 96, Root 83). Corey Anderson replaces the struggling Craig at the nursery end, as New Zealand rather meander their way towards the second new ball. Cook turns him round the corner for a single. Root has a bit of a rash swish at a short one outside leg stump, misses and sub keeper Latham takes it with impressive athleticism. Root then cuts for three, and Cook adds a single that puts him within a boundary of his hundred. |
| No emails for a bit. Perhaps that band in the Lost in Translation hotel has sent James Walsh to sleep, or over the edge. (Would dispute that it’s the worst film ever, by the way, though certainly one of the more self-indulgent). | No emails for a bit. Perhaps that band in the Lost in Translation hotel has sent James Walsh to sleep, or over the edge. (Would dispute that it’s the worst film ever, by the way, though certainly one of the more self-indulgent). |
| 2.31pm BST14:31 | 2.31pm BST14:31 |
| 66th over: England 224-3 (Cook 94, Root 80). Southee peps things up by sending some short ball whistling past Root’s ears. From one of them, he’s hooked for four, although Root’s firm shot isn’t too far from the diving Martin Guptill. The final ball of the over, the inevitable inswinging yorker, is well pushed out by the Yorkshireman. Boult is now off the field. | 66th over: England 224-3 (Cook 94, Root 80). Southee peps things up by sending some short ball whistling past Root’s ears. From one of them, he’s hooked for four, although Root’s firm shot isn’t too far from the diving Martin Guptill. The final ball of the over, the inevitable inswinging yorker, is well pushed out by the Yorkshireman. Boult is now off the field. |
| 2.27pm BST14:27 | 2.27pm BST14:27 |
| 65th over: England 220-3 (Cook 94, Root 76). Root leans forward onto the front foot and drives Craig away for another single. Craig is finding some variation here to be fair, even if too much of the variation is between “good” and “not much cop at all”, and those that fall into the latter category are getting punished – Cook pulls a short ball outside off-stump to the long-on boundary for four to move closer to that hundred. | 65th over: England 220-3 (Cook 94, Root 76). Root leans forward onto the front foot and drives Craig away for another single. Craig is finding some variation here to be fair, even if too much of the variation is between “good” and “not much cop at all”, and those that fall into the latter category are getting punished – Cook pulls a short ball outside off-stump to the long-on boundary for four to move closer to that hundred. |
| Yup. | Yup. |
| 2.24pm BST14:24 | 2.24pm BST14:24 |
| 2.23pm BST14:23 | 2.23pm BST14:23 |
| 64th over: England 215-3 (Cook 90, Root 75) Southee replaces Boult at the Pavilion End – it’s been a feature of this match that McCullum’s used his two leading seamers consecutively at that end – and Cook welcomes him back with an effortlessly chop through extra cover for four, and then flicks him away on the legside for one. Southee’s field for Root doesn’t have the ‘one nation under a groove’ funkyness of Boult’s and Root pulls him neatly down to deep square leg for another single. His captain, meanwhile, is into the 90s. | 64th over: England 215-3 (Cook 90, Root 75) Southee replaces Boult at the Pavilion End – it’s been a feature of this match that McCullum’s used his two leading seamers consecutively at that end – and Cook welcomes him back with an effortlessly chop through extra cover for four, and then flicks him away on the legside for one. Southee’s field for Root doesn’t have the ‘one nation under a groove’ funkyness of Boult’s and Root pulls him neatly down to deep square leg for another single. His captain, meanwhile, is into the 90s. |
| 2.18pm BST14:18 | 2.18pm BST14:18 |
| 63rd over: England 209-3 (Cook 85, Root 74) Root nudges Craig round the corner for one, which prompts McCullum and the spinner to have a bit of a conflab and bring in a short leg and a gully. Cook manages to eke out another single with a cut behind slip from a shorter ball, and Root sweeps comfortably for one more. The strike continues to rotate as Cook off-cuts just in front of square for two more. “You’re doing a good job for us fella,” intones a perky Latham behind the stumps in an effort to keep Craig’s pecker up, but the runs come easily enough. There’s one more for Root. | 63rd over: England 209-3 (Cook 85, Root 74) Root nudges Craig round the corner for one, which prompts McCullum and the spinner to have a bit of a conflab and bring in a short leg and a gully. Cook manages to eke out another single with a cut behind slip from a shorter ball, and Root sweeps comfortably for one more. The strike continues to rotate as Cook off-cuts just in front of square for two more. “You’re doing a good job for us fella,” intones a perky Latham behind the stumps in an effort to keep Craig’s pecker up, but the runs come easily enough. There’s one more for Root. |
| 2.14pm BST14:14 | 2.14pm BST14:14 |
| 62nd over: England 203-3 (Cook 81, Root 72) Boult to Cook, who is, if I may say, really looking like Cook of yore at the moment – doing nothing rash, leaving or pushing away the good balls, of which there’s a few in this over, and then when the bowler’s radar is off, he’s cashing in, which he does with the last ball of the over, which is wide down the leg side and nonchalantly helped to the fine-leg boundary for four to take England past 200. | 62nd over: England 203-3 (Cook 81, Root 72) Boult to Cook, who is, if I may say, really looking like Cook of yore at the moment – doing nothing rash, leaving or pushing away the good balls, of which there’s a few in this over, and then when the bowler’s radar is off, he’s cashing in, which he does with the last ball of the over, which is wide down the leg side and nonchalantly helped to the fine-leg boundary for four to take England past 200. |
| 2.09pm BST14:09 | 2.09pm BST14:09 |
| 61st over: England 199-3 (Cook 77, Root 72) Craig still struggles for range and Root smites a low full-toss through the covers for four, though he atones with a couple of balls that are at least tight and aimed at the stops. It’s not a problem for Root though, and there’s just a sense that New Zealand have some thinking to do here. | 61st over: England 199-3 (Cook 77, Root 72) Craig still struggles for range and Root smites a low full-toss through the covers for four, though he atones with a couple of balls that are at least tight and aimed at the stops. It’s not a problem for Root though, and there’s just a sense that New Zealand have some thinking to do here. |
| 2.06pm BST14:06 | 2.06pm BST14:06 |
| 60th over: England 195-3 (Cook 77, Root 68) Boult again comes round the wicket at Root, who pierces the aforementioned funky leg-side in-field with a clip down to deep square leg for one. Boult then offers Cook a rare loosener short outside off stump, which the England captain can only cut straight to the fielder. Only the one from the over. | 60th over: England 195-3 (Cook 77, Root 68) Boult again comes round the wicket at Root, who pierces the aforementioned funky leg-side in-field with a clip down to deep square leg for one. Boult then offers Cook a rare loosener short outside off stump, which the England captain can only cut straight to the fielder. Only the one from the over. |
| “Reckon there’s an outside chance of Cook becoming England’s top Test run-scorer in this innings?” wonders Tom Bowtell, whose real name is Jonah. “He nurdles a single to move to 194* (and 8901 runs) at noon tomorrow, declaring to leave NZ 328 to win in 5 hours?” | “Reckon there’s an outside chance of Cook becoming England’s top Test run-scorer in this innings?” wonders Tom Bowtell, whose real name is Jonah. “He nurdles a single to move to 194* (and 8901 runs) at noon tomorrow, declaring to leave NZ 328 to win in 5 hours?” |
| 2.02pm BST14:02 | 2.02pm BST14:02 |
| 59th over: England 194-3 (Cook 77, Root 67) Craig comes in round the wicket at Cook, who gets another boundary by sweeping with the spin confidently past square leg for four. Am I being uncharitable, or merely stating the obvious, by saying New Zealand couldn’t half do with a Daniel Vettori here? | 59th over: England 194-3 (Cook 77, Root 67) Craig comes in round the wicket at Cook, who gets another boundary by sweeping with the spin confidently past square leg for four. Am I being uncharitable, or merely stating the obvious, by saying New Zealand couldn’t half do with a Daniel Vettori here? |
| 1.59pm BST13:59 | 1.59pm BST13:59 |
| 58th over: England 190-3 (Cook 73, Root 67) These two are keen to take their singles, though Cook takes a bit of a risk with the first ball of Boult’s over, pushing and running for one that probably wasn’t on, though thankfully for him the throw misses and Root gets away with it. McCullum rejigs his field to put THREE men in close on the on-side for Root, though why Boult responded with a wide delivery outside off stump is less explainable. It’s a field so funky George Clinton wants to work with it. The left-armer is also trying to tempt a leg-side shot by coming in from round the wicket, though Root doesn’t do anything rash. Nor score a run. | 58th over: England 190-3 (Cook 73, Root 67) These two are keen to take their singles, though Cook takes a bit of a risk with the first ball of Boult’s over, pushing and running for one that probably wasn’t on, though thankfully for him the throw misses and Root gets away with it. McCullum rejigs his field to put THREE men in close on the on-side for Root, though why Boult responded with a wide delivery outside off stump is less explainable. It’s a field so funky George Clinton wants to work with it. The left-armer is also trying to tempt a leg-side shot by coming in from round the wicket, though Root doesn’t do anything rash. Nor score a run. |
| 1.54pm BST13:54 | 1.54pm BST13:54 |
| 57th over: England 189-3 (Cook 72, Root 67) Root fancies Craig here – not literally, I suspect – and thumps him across the line to the deep midwicket boundary for four before pushing another single through the covers. Cook then cuts confidently behind backward point for one as the strike continues to rotate and Root flicks another ball round the corner for two. Southee meanwhile is ready to come back on. | 57th over: England 189-3 (Cook 72, Root 67) Root fancies Craig here – not literally, I suspect – and thumps him across the line to the deep midwicket boundary for four before pushing another single through the covers. Cook then cuts confidently behind backward point for one as the strike continues to rotate and Root flicks another ball round the corner for two. Southee meanwhile is ready to come back on. |
| 1.51pm BST13:51 | 1.51pm BST13:51 |
| 56th over: England 181-3 (Cook 71, Root 62) Boult returns from the other end, having bowled superbly for the first half-hour or so this morning. Cook continues to offer a fine exhibition of the ball-leaver’s art, but pilfers two by deflecting a decent yorker that’s slanted into him down to fine leg. | 56th over: England 181-3 (Cook 71, Root 62) Boult returns from the other end, having bowled superbly for the first half-hour or so this morning. Cook continues to offer a fine exhibition of the ball-leaver’s art, but pilfers two by deflecting a decent yorker that’s slanted into him down to fine leg. |
| 1.47pm BST13:47 | 1.47pm BST13:47 |
| 55th over: England 179-3 (Cook 69, Root 62) “Whoever wins this session probably wins the Test,” reckons Ian Smith in the commentary box, though that’s perhaps overlooking Lord’s notorious Deathly Fifth-Day Pitch Syndrome. Craig continues at the Nursery End anyway, and is swept majestically for four off the final ball of the over by Root. Tim Southee appears to be off the field – Doug Bracewell is on – that could be a worry for the Kiwis. | 55th over: England 179-3 (Cook 69, Root 62) “Whoever wins this session probably wins the Test,” reckons Ian Smith in the commentary box, though that’s perhaps overlooking Lord’s notorious Deathly Fifth-Day Pitch Syndrome. Craig continues at the Nursery End anyway, and is swept majestically for four off the final ball of the over by Root. Tim Southee appears to be off the field – Doug Bracewell is on – that could be a worry for the Kiwis. |
| 1.41pm BST13:41 | 1.41pm BST13:41 |
| They’re back out … | They’re back out … |
| 1.33pm BST13:33 | 1.33pm BST13:33 |
| Tweet from | Tweet from |
| 10 years ago | 10 years ago |
| ten minutes ago: | ten minutes ago: |
| 1.31pm BST13:31 | 1.31pm BST13:31 |
| Afternoon everyone. I’ll confess I wasn’t sure how much time I’d be spending with you all today after that first 20 minutes this morning, with the New Zealand seamers swinging and zinging the ball at and past England batsmen who couldn’t lay a bat on the thing for long spells. But then both captain and vice-captain proved their mettle again, with, fact fans, their first hundred partnership together which, given how often Root’s had to go in with the score at 14-3 or somesuch, is a mild surprise. Both have batted very well. | Afternoon everyone. I’ll confess I wasn’t sure how much time I’d be spending with you all today after that first 20 minutes this morning, with the New Zealand seamers swinging and zinging the ball at and past England batsmen who couldn’t lay a bat on the thing for long spells. But then both captain and vice-captain proved their mettle again, with, fact fans, their first hundred partnership together which, given how often Root’s had to go in with the score at 14-3 or somesuch, is a mild surprise. Both have batted very well. |
| Anyhow, not sure I’ll be able to continue the Young Person’s Pop Music riffing with quite the same aplomb as Dan was, for while he was out watching young tyro McCartney last night, I was curled up on the sofa with a mug of horlicks and the Eurovision Song Contest results, another event that shredded the nation’s basic sense of self-worth. | Anyhow, not sure I’ll be able to continue the Young Person’s Pop Music riffing with quite the same aplomb as Dan was, for while he was out watching young tyro McCartney last night, I was curled up on the sofa with a mug of horlicks and the Eurovision Song Contest results, another event that shredded the nation’s basic sense of self-worth. |
| And on such diversionary pop-cultural tangents does the first email of the afternoon arrive, from James Walsh. “Was amused to see Lost in Translation mentioned (42nd over) as the worst film ever,” he smirks, “as I’m following the OBO from the bar featured in the film, as loudly mentioned by the American on an awkward date opposite. He also attaches a blurry picture of “the house band playing the sort of music you’d hear if you wake up at 4am in front of the telly and ceefax is on”. And it’s too blurry for me to be bothered to upload it, frankly. | And on such diversionary pop-cultural tangents does the first email of the afternoon arrive, from James Walsh. “Was amused to see Lost in Translation mentioned (42nd over) as the worst film ever,” he smirks, “as I’m following the OBO from the bar featured in the film, as loudly mentioned by the American on an awkward date opposite. He also attaches a blurry picture of “the house band playing the sort of music you’d hear if you wake up at 4am in front of the telly and ceefax is on”. And it’s too blurry for me to be bothered to upload it, frankly. |
| 1.08pm BST13:08 | 1.08pm BST13:08 |
| A good session, that, for England. The job isn’t done, not even remotely close, but Cook and Root batted very well. Things looked ominous when Bell went without another run being added, but you’d take 101-1 from the session, certainly. | A good session, that, for England. The job isn’t done, not even remotely close, but Cook and Root batted very well. Things looked ominous when Bell went without another run being added, but you’d take 101-1 from the session, certainly. |
| Tom Davies is taking over the OBO after lunch. Do get in touch with him at tom.davies@theguardian.com. | Tom Davies is taking over the OBO after lunch. Do get in touch with him at tom.davies@theguardian.com. |
| 1.05pm BST13:05 | 1.05pm BST13:05 |
| Lunch – England lead by 41 | Lunch – England lead by 41 |
| 54th over: England 175-3 (Root 58, Cook 69) This will be the final over before lunch. There’s a minor bit of controversy as Boult walks across the pitch, but no one seems to care. There’s a big appeal against Root for LBW, but he’s hit high. They’re going to review it, but this feels like a waste. They’re checking for an inside edge and, though the ball doesn’t look to be anywhere near the bat, but there’s a faint squiggle on snicko. No edge, says Rod Tucker, but it’s umpire’s call on height, so Root survives. A quick single gives Cook the strike for the final ball. He blocks it and that’s lunch. | 54th over: England 175-3 (Root 58, Cook 69) This will be the final over before lunch. There’s a minor bit of controversy as Boult walks across the pitch, but no one seems to care. There’s a big appeal against Root for LBW, but he’s hit high. They’re going to review it, but this feels like a waste. They’re checking for an inside edge and, though the ball doesn’t look to be anywhere near the bat, but there’s a faint squiggle on snicko. No edge, says Rod Tucker, but it’s umpire’s call on height, so Root survives. A quick single gives Cook the strike for the final ball. He blocks it and that’s lunch. |
| 12.57pm BST12:57 | 12.57pm BST12:57 |
| 53rd over: England 174-3 (Root 57, Cook 69) A change of plan from Craig as he comes round the wicket to Root, but there’s another long hop and Root pulls it to backward square leg for four more. That’s the eighth boundary of his innings, the third off the spinner – and he’s only faced him in two overs, I think. Root pushes the next ball into the off side and they go through for one, which brings up the hundred partnership. | 53rd over: England 174-3 (Root 57, Cook 69) A change of plan from Craig as he comes round the wicket to Root, but there’s another long hop and Root pulls it to backward square leg for four more. That’s the eighth boundary of his innings, the third off the spinner – and he’s only faced him in two overs, I think. Root pushes the next ball into the off side and they go through for one, which brings up the hundred partnership. |
| 12.53pm BST12:53 | 12.53pm BST12:53 |
| 52nd over: England 169-3 (Root 52, Cook 69) With 10 minutes to go until lunch, McCullum brings Boult back for a quick burst. Still three slips and two gullies in for Cook. There’s a thin inside edge, I think, on one that goes down the leg side, but it just bobbles safely through the keeper in any case. | 52nd over: England 169-3 (Root 52, Cook 69) With 10 minutes to go until lunch, McCullum brings Boult back for a quick burst. Still three slips and two gullies in for Cook. There’s a thin inside edge, I think, on one that goes down the leg side, but it just bobbles safely through the keeper in any case. |
| 12.50pm BST12:50 | 12.50pm BST12:50 |
| 51st over: England 169-3 (Root 52, Cook 69) Craig goes a bit fuller now and Root goes after him, getting down on one knee and sweeping hard over mid on for four. It wasn’t a slog sweep, far too controlled for that, but it was very hard. The bowler, unsettled, loses his line a touch and Root sweeps to fine leg for four runs, bringing up his half century. | 51st over: England 169-3 (Root 52, Cook 69) Craig goes a bit fuller now and Root goes after him, getting down on one knee and sweeping hard over mid on for four. It wasn’t a slog sweep, far too controlled for that, but it was very hard. The bowler, unsettled, loses his line a touch and Root sweeps to fine leg for four runs, bringing up his half century. |
| Updated at 2.02pm BST | Updated at 2.02pm BST |
| 12.48pm BST12:48 | 12.48pm BST12:48 |
| 50th over: England 161-3 (Root 44, Cook 69) Another bit of width, from Henry this time, and Root plays a deft late cut behind point for four. That was utterly glorious from Root and England’s lead has raced to 22. In comes a second gully, but Henry goes too full and gets driven straight back down to long off for three more. McCullum, apparently injury free, chases it down well. Two to Cook, guided through point, complete the over. | 50th over: England 161-3 (Root 44, Cook 69) Another bit of width, from Henry this time, and Root plays a deft late cut behind point for four. That was utterly glorious from Root and England’s lead has raced to 22. In comes a second gully, but Henry goes too full and gets driven straight back down to long off for three more. McCullum, apparently injury free, chases it down well. Two to Cook, guided through point, complete the over. |
| 12.42pm BST12:42 | 12.42pm BST12:42 |
| 49th over: England 152-3 (Root 37, Cook 67) Craig does go fuller, to Root, and the batsman feathers an edge trying to chop it behind point, instead getting it down to third man for, happily, three. Cook is on strike and he’s drawn forward and beaten outside off. A slightly odd wide, as the bowler sends one down a long way outside off and finds a good amount of turn even further away: Latham does very well to take it one handed to his left. Not perfect, but much better from Craig. | 49th over: England 152-3 (Root 37, Cook 67) Craig does go fuller, to Root, and the batsman feathers an edge trying to chop it behind point, instead getting it down to third man for, happily, three. Cook is on strike and he’s drawn forward and beaten outside off. A slightly odd wide, as the bowler sends one down a long way outside off and finds a good amount of turn even further away: Latham does very well to take it one handed to his left. Not perfect, but much better from Craig. |
| 12.39pm BST12:39 | 12.39pm BST12:39 |
| 48th over: England 148-3 (Root 34, Cook 67) The first ball of Henry’s over is far too straight and Root drills it expertly through midwicket for four more. He’s beaten all ends up by the bowler’s comeback delivery though, one that just nips back off the seam through Root’s defence. Then, Henry has his hands on his head as Root bottom edges a cut down, inches past his stumps. Is it just me or does Root get away with a lot of those? They take a single, bringing Cook on strike, and he thumps an excellent pull shot to the square leg fence for four more. | 48th over: England 148-3 (Root 34, Cook 67) The first ball of Henry’s over is far too straight and Root drills it expertly through midwicket for four more. He’s beaten all ends up by the bowler’s comeback delivery though, one that just nips back off the seam through Root’s defence. Then, Henry has his hands on his head as Root bottom edges a cut down, inches past his stumps. Is it just me or does Root get away with a lot of those? They take a single, bringing Cook on strike, and he thumps an excellent pull shot to the square leg fence for four more. |
| Alex Webster writes, on the subject of nightwatchmen: “I’ve often wondered why night watchmen exist - it always seems a bit feeble. That said, the next time I’ve got a tricky late afternoon meeting that includes cantankerous colleagues with long-winded and mutually exclusive agendas (so most meetings), I’m going to sub in the new temp and bugger off to the pub.” | Alex Webster writes, on the subject of nightwatchmen: “I’ve often wondered why night watchmen exist - it always seems a bit feeble. That said, the next time I’ve got a tricky late afternoon meeting that includes cantankerous colleagues with long-winded and mutually exclusive agendas (so most meetings), I’m going to sub in the new temp and bugger off to the pub.” |
| 12.34pm BST12:34 | 12.34pm BST12:34 |
| 47th over: England 139-3 (Root 29, Cook 63) Time for a bit of spin, with Mark Craig on for a bowl. He begins with a short, wide-ish loosener that Cook can only cut to the man at backward point. When Craig repeats the trick though, Cook nails his shot and gets four runs for it. That’s England in the lead. Another short one, a touch straighter this time, and Cook goes back and pulls through midwicket for four more. A fourth short ball is again cut to the fielder. Not a good length to begin with from Craig. | 47th over: England 139-3 (Root 29, Cook 63) Time for a bit of spin, with Mark Craig on for a bowl. He begins with a short, wide-ish loosener that Cook can only cut to the man at backward point. When Craig repeats the trick though, Cook nails his shot and gets four runs for it. That’s England in the lead. Another short one, a touch straighter this time, and Cook goes back and pulls through midwicket for four more. A fourth short ball is again cut to the fielder. Not a good length to begin with from Craig. |
| 12.30pm BST12:30 | 12.30pm BST12:30 |
| 46th over: England 131-3 (Root 29, Cook 55) The sun is out and all the swing has just about dried up now. A good bit of fielding at mid off by McCullum, a nice diving stop, cuts off a Root drive to save at least a couple of runs. A maiden. | 46th over: England 131-3 (Root 29, Cook 55) The sun is out and all the swing has just about dried up now. A good bit of fielding at mid off by McCullum, a nice diving stop, cuts off a Root drive to save at least a couple of runs. A maiden. |
| 12.25pm BST12:25 | 12.25pm BST12:25 |
| 45th over: England 131-3 (Root 29, Cook 55) Anderson again and Root turns him round the corner for one, before Cook pushes to midwicket for the same. Root repeats the shot and England trail by just three now. You’d think that if they go on like this they could have a lead of 300-320 by lunch tomorrow. | 45th over: England 131-3 (Root 29, Cook 55) Anderson again and Root turns him round the corner for one, before Cook pushes to midwicket for the same. Root repeats the shot and England trail by just three now. You’d think that if they go on like this they could have a lead of 300-320 by lunch tomorrow. |
| 12.22pm BST12:22 | 12.22pm BST12:22 |
| 44th over: England 128-3 (Root 27, Cook 54) Henry’s turn now to drop short and wide and Root’s turn to benefit from it: he gives it a bit of welly, cutting hard behind point for four. Fun bit of trivia: Cook now has the most 50+ scores of any England batsman ever. | 44th over: England 128-3 (Root 27, Cook 54) Henry’s turn now to drop short and wide and Root’s turn to benefit from it: he gives it a bit of welly, cutting hard behind point for four. Fun bit of trivia: Cook now has the most 50+ scores of any England batsman ever. |
| “NZ have used two keepers in this game already,” notes Kandukuru Nagarjun. There are two more proper ones on the park - McCullum and Ronchi. If they tried, NZ could extract revenge against England for using four ‘keepers (French, Athey, Parks, Taylor) against them at Lord’s in ‘86.” Ooh excellent spot that. | “NZ have used two keepers in this game already,” notes Kandukuru Nagarjun. There are two more proper ones on the park - McCullum and Ronchi. If they tried, NZ could extract revenge against England for using four ‘keepers (French, Athey, Parks, Taylor) against them at Lord’s in ‘86.” Ooh excellent spot that. |
| 12.17pm BST12:17 | 12.17pm BST12:17 |
| 43rd over: England 123-3 (Root 22, Cook 54) Another change of bowling, with the left arm medium pace of Corey Anderson coming into the attack. He has three slips, the third almost a gully, but there doesn’t look to be much risk of an edge finding them at the moment. Root knocks a single into the off side, then Cook cuts a wide one very nicely to point for four. New Zealand are looking a little flat here, not that England will mind. | 43rd over: England 123-3 (Root 22, Cook 54) Another change of bowling, with the left arm medium pace of Corey Anderson coming into the attack. He has three slips, the third almost a gully, but there doesn’t look to be much risk of an edge finding them at the moment. Root knocks a single into the off side, then Cook cuts a wide one very nicely to point for four. New Zealand are looking a little flat here, not that England will mind. |
| Updated at 12.23pm BST | Updated at 12.23pm BST |
| 12.13pm BST12:13 | 12.13pm BST12:13 |
| 42nd over: England 118-3 (Root 21, Cook 50) Four to Root, rocking on to the back foot, opening the face and driving nicely to backward point. There’s a bit more width the next ball, it’s a touch fuller and Root leans into it to drive through cover for two. The fourth ball of the over is identical, is identically played and brings the same number of runs. A sharp single to mid on from the fifth ball then makes this a lovely, productive over for England, with a productive-boring-middle-over-of-an-ODI-esque nine coming from it. | 42nd over: England 118-3 (Root 21, Cook 50) Four to Root, rocking on to the back foot, opening the face and driving nicely to backward point. There’s a bit more width the next ball, it’s a touch fuller and Root leans into it to drive through cover for two. The fourth ball of the over is identical, is identically played and brings the same number of runs. A sharp single to mid on from the fifth ball then makes this a lovely, productive over for England, with a productive-boring-middle-over-of-an-ODI-esque nine coming from it. |
| “I tell you, the cultural resonance of the OBO isn’t what it used to be,” says Robert Ellson. “The reporter is a music journalist who doesn’t rate Hey Jude, and the people who email in use the phrase ‘Worst. Film. Ever’ without even beginning it with the obvious phrase ‘Lost in Translationis the..’ I miss Smyth and his over-by-over references to The Office and the Long Blondes.” | “I tell you, the cultural resonance of the OBO isn’t what it used to be,” says Robert Ellson. “The reporter is a music journalist who doesn’t rate Hey Jude, and the people who email in use the phrase ‘Worst. Film. Ever’ without even beginning it with the obvious phrase ‘Lost in Translationis the..’ I miss Smyth and his over-by-over references to The Office and the Long Blondes.” |
| I really like Lost in Translation too. And Hey Jude is awful. The thing with most of McCartney’s Beatles stuff is that, unlike much of Lennon’s or Harrison’s or even his best Wings material, is that if they were brand new songs that came out today, they’d get panned. Eight Days a Week sounds like The Feeling. | I really like Lost in Translation too. And Hey Jude is awful. The thing with most of McCartney’s Beatles stuff is that, unlike much of Lennon’s or Harrison’s or even his best Wings material, is that if they were brand new songs that came out today, they’d get panned. Eight Days a Week sounds like The Feeling. |
| 12.08pm BST12:08 | 12.08pm BST12:08 |
| 41st over: England 109-3 (Root 12, Cook 50) We’re back and, from the first ball, Cook brings up his 50 with a very well placed push through mid on that brings him three runs. A thick inside edge down to fine leg by Root adds another run to the total and the deficit is down to 25. Cook gets hit on the pad with a good inswinging full ball from the last delivery, but there’s a fairly clear nick on it. | 41st over: England 109-3 (Root 12, Cook 50) We’re back and, from the first ball, Cook brings up his 50 with a very well placed push through mid on that brings him three runs. A thick inside edge down to fine leg by Root adds another run to the total and the deficit is down to 25. Cook gets hit on the pad with a good inswinging full ball from the last delivery, but there’s a fairly clear nick on it. |
| Updated at 12.20pm BST | Updated at 12.20pm BST |
| 12.01pm BST12:01 | 12.01pm BST12:01 |
| 40th over: England 105-3 (Root 11, Cook 47) I would imagine this will be the last over before they take drinks and I run to the coffee machine (but not back: running with hot drinks probably isn’t a good idea). Root turns a straight one into the leg side for a single; there’s not as much swing on offer for the two right armers. A bouncer to Cook and he hooks firmly for a single to square leg. That shot has brought his downfall a couple of times in recent years, but it’s good to see that he’s not put it back in the locker. I guess Cook’s obduracy is both his strength and his weakness. That’s drinks. | 40th over: England 105-3 (Root 11, Cook 47) I would imagine this will be the last over before they take drinks and I run to the coffee machine (but not back: running with hot drinks probably isn’t a good idea). Root turns a straight one into the leg side for a single; there’s not as much swing on offer for the two right armers. A bouncer to Cook and he hooks firmly for a single to square leg. That shot has brought his downfall a couple of times in recent years, but it’s good to see that he’s not put it back in the locker. I guess Cook’s obduracy is both his strength and his weakness. That’s drinks. |
| 11.57am BST11:57 | 11.57am BST11:57 |
| 39th over: England 103-3 (Root 10, Cook 46) Henry loses his line a touch and brushes Cook’s thigh pad with a short one that races down to long leg for four leg byes. That’s the hundred up for England. Cook then gets a couple of runs off the bat from the last ball, dropping the hands and edging low through the slip cordon to third man; Southee got a finger to it to prevent the boundary. | 39th over: England 103-3 (Root 10, Cook 46) Henry loses his line a touch and brushes Cook’s thigh pad with a short one that races down to long leg for four leg byes. That’s the hundred up for England. Cook then gets a couple of runs off the bat from the last ball, dropping the hands and edging low through the slip cordon to third man; Southee got a finger to it to prevent the boundary. |
| Tom Van Der Gucht is an angry man. “It’s a disgrace that Wood was being forced out as night-watchman on debut. I know Broad was hit by a bouncer and has suffered psychologically as as consequence. But it’s time he manned up and got stuck back into it! I’ve been knocked off my bike twice whilst cycling to work (on one occasion I’m pretty sure it wasn’t even my fault) but rather than back away and shake at the sight of my hybrid, I just strap on my helmet, slip into some ill-fitting lycra, grit my teeth and hit the mean-streets of Bradford. I can’t call on the help of sports psychologists to help me through the fear, I’m motivated by the fact that I won’t get paid if I don’t turn up at work. It should be the same for Broad.” | Tom Van Der Gucht is an angry man. “It’s a disgrace that Wood was being forced out as night-watchman on debut. I know Broad was hit by a bouncer and has suffered psychologically as as consequence. But it’s time he manned up and got stuck back into it! I’ve been knocked off my bike twice whilst cycling to work (on one occasion I’m pretty sure it wasn’t even my fault) but rather than back away and shake at the sight of my hybrid, I just strap on my helmet, slip into some ill-fitting lycra, grit my teeth and hit the mean-streets of Bradford. I can’t call on the help of sports psychologists to help me through the fear, I’m motivated by the fact that I won’t get paid if I don’t turn up at work. It should be the same for Broad.” |
| I’m not a fan of using a nightwatchman at all. Root’s one job is to bat. | I’m not a fan of using a nightwatchman at all. Root’s one job is to bat. |
| 11.53am BST11:53 | 11.53am BST11:53 |
| 38th over: England 97-3 (Root 10, Cook 44) Boult gets a break for the first time this morning, with Southee on in his place. Root knocks the first ball to square leg for a single. There’s not a huge amount to threaten Cook from the rest of the over, but he does at least make him play. The last ball is clipped off the pads for one to allow the captain to keep the strike. This is Cook’s best score in his last 12 Lord’s innings. | 38th over: England 97-3 (Root 10, Cook 44) Boult gets a break for the first time this morning, with Southee on in his place. Root knocks the first ball to square leg for a single. There’s not a huge amount to threaten Cook from the rest of the over, but he does at least make him play. The last ball is clipped off the pads for one to allow the captain to keep the strike. This is Cook’s best score in his last 12 Lord’s innings. |
| 11.48am BST11:48 | 11.48am BST11:48 |
| 37th over: England 95-3 (Root 9, Cook 43) Once again Root is beaten on the drive by a full one that doesn’t move much, but moves late. A skewed drive to cover brings the only run of the over. | 37th over: England 95-3 (Root 9, Cook 43) Once again Root is beaten on the drive by a full one that doesn’t move much, but moves late. A skewed drive to cover brings the only run of the over. |
| 11.45am BST11:45 | 11.45am BST11:45 |
| 36th over: England 94-3 (Root 8, Cook 43) After a dreadful start to the day, England are looking a lot more settled now. Cook in particular is completely unruffled and Botham probably has a decent point when he wonders if being dropped from the ODI side has benefitted him. Another maiden as Boult starts too wide of off, corrects to find an off stump line, and Cook blocks. | 36th over: England 94-3 (Root 8, Cook 43) After a dreadful start to the day, England are looking a lot more settled now. Cook in particular is completely unruffled and Botham probably has a decent point when he wonders if being dropped from the ODI side has benefitted him. Another maiden as Boult starts too wide of off, corrects to find an off stump line, and Cook blocks. |
| One thing that emerged last night: Mark Wood was ready to come in as nightwatchman. Meaning Moeen would have batted at No. 9. | One thing that emerged last night: Mark Wood was ready to come in as nightwatchman. Meaning Moeen would have batted at No. 9. |
| 11.41am BST11:41 | 11.41am BST11:41 |
| 35th over: England 94-3 (Root 8, Cook 43) Root plays just the single attacking shot, a drive to mid off that’s fielded well by McCullum. A maiden. | 35th over: England 94-3 (Root 8, Cook 43) Root plays just the single attacking shot, a drive to mid off that’s fielded well by McCullum. A maiden. |
| In case you were wondering, McCartney was dreadful last night and I didn’t even stay for Hey Jude. I know we established yesterday that it’s a crap song, but then its crappiness pales in comparison to this one, which he did reel out for its live debut. | In case you were wondering, McCartney was dreadful last night and I didn’t even stay for Hey Jude. I know we established yesterday that it’s a crap song, but then its crappiness pales in comparison to this one, which he did reel out for its live debut. |
| 11.37am BST11:37 | 11.37am BST11:37 |
| 34th over: England 94-3 (Root 8, Cook 43) A bye as Boult finds extravagant movement back down the slope, the ball passing between Root’s attempted drive and his pads, then continuing to move so that Latham has to dive to his left and can’t grab it one handed. One more follows, this an actual run, to Cook, to cover. Root then inside edges on to his pad going for a big booming straight drive. He’s riding his luck a touch. Shorter next and Root keeps the strike with a clip for fine leg. | 34th over: England 94-3 (Root 8, Cook 43) A bye as Boult finds extravagant movement back down the slope, the ball passing between Root’s attempted drive and his pads, then continuing to move so that Latham has to dive to his left and can’t grab it one handed. One more follows, this an actual run, to Cook, to cover. Root then inside edges on to his pad going for a big booming straight drive. He’s riding his luck a touch. Shorter next and Root keeps the strike with a clip for fine leg. |
| 11.33am BST11:33 | 11.33am BST11:33 |
| 33rd over: England 91-3 (Root 7, Cook 42) An early bowling change, with Matt Henry into the attack. He begins with a very loose loosener, a rank full toss, but he’s quickly bowling full and on off to Cook. He too is finding swing and Cook does well to leave an absolute beauty on length, the ball just whizzing narrowly past the stumps. The bowler loses his line just a touch and Cook clips it square on the leg side for a couple of runs. | 33rd over: England 91-3 (Root 7, Cook 42) An early bowling change, with Matt Henry into the attack. He begins with a very loose loosener, a rank full toss, but he’s quickly bowling full and on off to Cook. He too is finding swing and Cook does well to leave an absolute beauty on length, the ball just whizzing narrowly past the stumps. The bowler loses his line just a touch and Cook clips it square on the leg side for a couple of runs. |
| 11.29am BST11:29 | 11.29am BST11:29 |
| 32nd over: England 89-3 (Root 7, Cook 40) Root gets his first boundary with a quite perfect straight drive. The ball was overpitched and moved back in a touch, but Root gives it the full face and sends it speeding to the fence at long off. Root then survives a referral to the third umpire; at normal speed it certainly looks as though the fielder got his finger under the ball, but the super slow-mo replays suggest otherwise. Root just got caught on his tiptoes there and flicked it aerially to the fielder. Two balls later he survives a big LBW appeal, as Boult strikes him on the pad with a good indipping yorker. There’s no review though as it looks to be heading down leg. | 32nd over: England 89-3 (Root 7, Cook 40) Root gets his first boundary with a quite perfect straight drive. The ball was overpitched and moved back in a touch, but Root gives it the full face and sends it speeding to the fence at long off. Root then survives a referral to the third umpire; at normal speed it certainly looks as though the fielder got his finger under the ball, but the super slow-mo replays suggest otherwise. Root just got caught on his tiptoes there and flicked it aerially to the fielder. Two balls later he survives a big LBW appeal, as Boult strikes him on the pad with a good indipping yorker. There’s no review though as it looks to be heading down leg. |
| 11.27am BST11:27 | 11.27am BST11:27 |
| Not out | Not out |
| Ooh that’s close. It’s just brushed the ground on its way into the fingers. | Ooh that’s close. It’s just brushed the ground on its way into the fingers. |
| 11.25am BST11:25 | 11.25am BST11:25 |
| Wicket? | Wicket? |
| Root turns the ball off his pads to square leg and New Zealand go up in celebration. We’re going to have a TV replay to see if it’s a clean catch. | Root turns the ball off his pads to square leg and New Zealand go up in celebration. We’re going to have a TV replay to see if it’s a clean catch. |
| 11.22am BST11:22 | 11.22am BST11:22 |
| 31st over: England 85-3 (Root 3, Cook 40) A bad mistake from Brendon McCullum at extra cover brings Root three runs. The New Zealand captain bent down to pick the ball up but allowed it to run through his legs and Ronchi, the substitute fielder, did well to reel it in. Of more concern though is that McCullum looks to have picked up a twinge in his leg while trying to field that. He’s OK for now. The next ball is full on Cook’s pads and easily flicked down to long leg for four more. That brings the deficit down below 50; England are merrily motoring now. | 31st over: England 85-3 (Root 3, Cook 40) A bad mistake from Brendon McCullum at extra cover brings Root three runs. The New Zealand captain bent down to pick the ball up but allowed it to run through his legs and Ronchi, the substitute fielder, did well to reel it in. Of more concern though is that McCullum looks to have picked up a twinge in his leg while trying to field that. He’s OK for now. The next ball is full on Cook’s pads and easily flicked down to long leg for four more. That brings the deficit down below 50; England are merrily motoring now. |
| 11.17am BST11:17 | 11.17am BST11:17 |
| 30th over: England 78-3 (Root 0, Cook 36) Cook too is looking to leave as much as he can. Obviously self-preservation is the first priority for England now, but they can’t get bogged down. The longer they stay behind the New Zealand total the greater the pressure the batsmen will feel. Cook edges one on off to gully, but he plays it with nice soft hands to keep it on the ground. Ooh and then a nasty inswinger and Cook does well to get his bat down in time. The first runs of the morning from the final ball, as Cook pushes along the floor, wide of gully and down to backward point for four. | 30th over: England 78-3 (Root 0, Cook 36) Cook too is looking to leave as much as he can. Obviously self-preservation is the first priority for England now, but they can’t get bogged down. The longer they stay behind the New Zealand total the greater the pressure the batsmen will feel. Cook edges one on off to gully, but he plays it with nice soft hands to keep it on the ground. Ooh and then a nasty inswinger and Cook does well to get his bat down in time. The first runs of the morning from the final ball, as Cook pushes along the floor, wide of gully and down to backward point for four. |
| 11.13am BST11:13 | 11.13am BST11:13 |
| 29th over: England 74-3 (Root 0, Cook 32) McCullum has a 7-2 off side field for Root. The Yorkshireman doesn’t look remotely interested in anything away from the stumps... and as soon as I write that he has a drive and gets an inside edge not too far away from his sticks. A third maiden on the bounce. | 29th over: England 74-3 (Root 0, Cook 32) McCullum has a 7-2 off side field for Root. The Yorkshireman doesn’t look remotely interested in anything away from the stumps... and as soon as I write that he has a drive and gets an inside edge not too far away from his sticks. A third maiden on the bounce. |
| The picture from Lords that everyone has been waiting for..... @selvecricket in a tie!! pic.twitter.com/H5vmxtiD24 | The picture from Lords that everyone has been waiting for..... @selvecricket in a tie!! pic.twitter.com/H5vmxtiD24 |
| 11.10am BST11:10 | 11.10am BST11:10 |
| 28th over: England 74-3 (Root 0, Cook 32) So Joe Root is at the crease with the score in double figures yet again. In England’s last four Tests he’s entered with the score on 34, 52, 38, 18, 25 and 74. If the job of the England captain is to lead by example then is it worth just giving Root the official title now? He can’t exactly get under any more pressure and, as his average of 99 since being dropped for the fifth Ashes Test proves, he’s probably as capable as anyone in the team of handling it. Cook plays out a maiden to Boult, whose line is a touch wide of off to trouble him. | 28th over: England 74-3 (Root 0, Cook 32) So Joe Root is at the crease with the score in double figures yet again. In England’s last four Tests he’s entered with the score on 34, 52, 38, 18, 25 and 74. If the job of the England captain is to lead by example then is it worth just giving Root the official title now? He can’t exactly get under any more pressure and, as his average of 99 since being dropped for the fifth Ashes Test proves, he’s probably as capable as anyone in the team of handling it. Cook plays out a maiden to Boult, whose line is a touch wide of off to trouble him. |
| 11.05am BST11:05 | 11.05am BST11:05 |
| 27th over: England 74-3 (Root 0, Cook 32) Tim Southee will get day four underway from the Nursery End. There’s a touch of away swing for him still, but nothing like as extravagant as we saw on the first three days. There’s enough to do for Bell though as he goes without a run being added. The partnership is broken one short of the half century and in comes England’s saviour, the great Joe Root. He’s beaten by another beauty first ball, playing and getting the line all wrong. That was unplayable and the ball missed the edge by just an inch or so. McCullum brings in a backward point, making it six catching fielders behind square on the off side! | 27th over: England 74-3 (Root 0, Cook 32) Tim Southee will get day four underway from the Nursery End. There’s a touch of away swing for him still, but nothing like as extravagant as we saw on the first three days. There’s enough to do for Bell though as he goes without a run being added. The partnership is broken one short of the half century and in comes England’s saviour, the great Joe Root. He’s beaten by another beauty first ball, playing and getting the line all wrong. That was unplayable and the ball missed the edge by just an inch or so. McCullum brings in a backward point, making it six catching fielders behind square on the off side! |
| 11.03am BST11:03 | 11.03am BST11:03 |
| Wicket! Bell c Latham b Southee 29 | Wicket! Bell c Latham b Southee 29 |
| Bell gets a peach from Southee, on a length and swinging away. He drives slightly leaden footedly, it takes the outside edge and Latham, still keeping in place of the crocked-ish Watling, snaffles it. | Bell gets a peach from Southee, on a length and swinging away. He drives slightly leaden footedly, it takes the outside edge and Latham, still keeping in place of the crocked-ish Watling, snaffles it. |
| Updated at 11.24am BST | Updated at 11.24am BST |
| 10.57am BST10:57 | 10.57am BST10:57 |
| Well deserved, Lord Selve. | Well deserved, Lord Selve. |
| Lovely to see @selvecricket ringing the 5 min bell at Lord's today. Nice reward for all those years "uphill, into the wind" | Lovely to see @selvecricket ringing the 5 min bell at Lord's today. Nice reward for all those years "uphill, into the wind" |
| 10.56am BST10:56 | 10.56am BST10:56 |
| “Hello Casual,” writes Graham O’Riley, needlessly and whose name I’ve deliberately misspelled to get back at him in the most petty way I can think of. “Jurassic Park is the Worst. Movie. Ever. Bar none. Complete rubbish. Just saying. Glad to have shared that with you.” | “Hello Casual,” writes Graham O’Riley, needlessly and whose name I’ve deliberately misspelled to get back at him in the most petty way I can think of. “Jurassic Park is the Worst. Movie. Ever. Bar none. Complete rubbish. Just saying. Glad to have shared that with you.” |
| You actually wrote that, Graham. You, who live in the same world in which Batman and Robin exists. | You actually wrote that, Graham. You, who live in the same world in which Batman and Robin exists. |
| 10.54am BST10:54 | 10.54am BST10:54 |
| Weather watch | Weather watch |
| London is lovely. I mean, not in general – have you ordered a pint here lately?! – but in terms of the weather it’s gloriously sunny over St. John’s Wood right now. Sadly rain is forecast later, although that might be to England’s advantage. Just no good for those of us who want to see a full match. | London is lovely. I mean, not in general – have you ordered a pint here lately?! – but in terms of the weather it’s gloriously sunny over St. John’s Wood right now. Sadly rain is forecast later, although that might be to England’s advantage. Just no good for those of us who want to see a full match. |
| On another note, the new Terminator film looks disappointingly rubbish. | On another note, the new Terminator film looks disappointingly rubbish. |
| 10.41am BST10:41 | 10.41am BST10:41 |
| On Sky they are talking Mark Wood, so let’s nick that idea and do the same. The Durham man was excellent yesterday, I thought. Yes, his line was off a few times and he made Jos Buttler work hard behind the stumps, but with the slope and the swing on offer that’s understandable, especially for a debutant. His pace was excellent – sometimes north of 90mph and rarely below – and, crucially, no batsman ever looked comfortable against him. Well played, sir. | On Sky they are talking Mark Wood, so let’s nick that idea and do the same. The Durham man was excellent yesterday, I thought. Yes, his line was off a few times and he made Jos Buttler work hard behind the stumps, but with the slope and the swing on offer that’s understandable, especially for a debutant. His pace was excellent – sometimes north of 90mph and rarely below – and, crucially, no batsman ever looked comfortable against him. Well played, sir. |
| 10.28am BST10:28 | 10.28am BST10:28 |
| Preamble | Preamble |
| 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. |
| England are, mind you, 60 runs behind still. They have eight wickets in hand but could probably still lose this by an innings without anyone being especially surprised. But dare to dream. | England are, mind you, 60 runs behind still. They have eight wickets in hand but could probably still lose this by an innings without anyone being especially surprised. But dare to dream. |
| 10.15am BST10:15 | 10.15am BST10:15 |
| Morning. Dan will be here soon enough. While you wait, here’s Vic Marks’ match report from yesterday’s action. Enjoy. | Morning. Dan will be here soon enough. While you wait, here’s Vic Marks’ match report from yesterday’s action. Enjoy. |
| On the evidence so far sending players off to the IPL is a rather handy way to prepare for a Test series. Unfortunately England do not have that luxury. But New Zealand, who after three days hold most of the cards in this Test, do. | On the evidence so far sending players off to the IPL is a rather handy way to prepare for a Test series. Unfortunately England do not have that luxury. But New Zealand, who after three days hold most of the cards in this Test, do. |
| The tourists are in the ascendancy mostly due to the expertise of those Sunrisers of Hyderabad Kane Williamson and Trent Boult, with a bit of help from the Rajasthan Royal Tim Southee. Williamson completed a polished century on Saturday, albeit one where he decelerated as if modifying his game to Test cricket along the way; meanwhile Boult, who was outstanding with the ball in England’s first innings, started the rot in their second alongside Southee. | The tourists are in the ascendancy mostly due to the expertise of those Sunrisers of Hyderabad Kane Williamson and Trent Boult, with a bit of help from the Rajasthan Royal Tim Southee. Williamson completed a polished century on Saturday, albeit one where he decelerated as if modifying his game to Test cricket along the way; meanwhile Boult, who was outstanding with the ball in England’s first innings, started the rot in their second alongside Southee. |
| So, at the end of another chastening day, England were 74 for two at the close, still 60 in arrears, and hoping that their senior citizens, Alastair Cook and Ian Bell, can counter the threat of Boult and Southee again in the morning. That was beyond England’s two young Yorkshiremen on Saturday night. Boult remained unconcerned that Adam Lyth had cracked three boundaries in his first seven balls. He knew batting was not really that straightforward. Next came a perfectly pitched away-swinger and Lyth edged to Southee at second slip. | So, at the end of another chastening day, England were 74 for two at the close, still 60 in arrears, and hoping that their senior citizens, Alastair Cook and Ian Bell, can counter the threat of Boult and Southee again in the morning. That was beyond England’s two young Yorkshiremen on Saturday night. Boult remained unconcerned that Adam Lyth had cracked three boundaries in his first seven balls. He knew batting was not really that straightforward. Next came a perfectly pitched away-swinger and Lyth edged to Southee at second slip. |
| Gary Ballance was no more reassuring. He bats remarkably deep in the crease at the start of his innings, a system that has worked well for him in the past. But, if he is out of kilter, he looks as vulnerable as Bambi on ice. Here a fine delivery from Southee brushed his off-stump. At the time Ballance’s front foot was still way behind the popping crease. If a little further forward and hit on the pad he might have avoided being lbw. Before this match Ballance averaged 62 in Test cricket, so it is hard to argue with his method. But he has never suggested permanence in this match. | Gary Ballance was no more reassuring. He bats remarkably deep in the crease at the start of his innings, a system that has worked well for him in the past. But, if he is out of kilter, he looks as vulnerable as Bambi on ice. Here a fine delivery from Southee brushed his off-stump. At the time Ballance’s front foot was still way behind the popping crease. If a little further forward and hit on the pad he might have avoided being lbw. Before this match Ballance averaged 62 in Test cricket, so it is hard to argue with his method. But he has never suggested permanence in this match. |
| Continued here. | Continued here. |