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| England v New Zealand: first Test, day four – live! | England v New Zealand: first Test, day four – live! |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 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. | |
| Tom Davies is taking over the OBO after lunch. Do get in touch with him at tom.davies@theguardian.com. | |
| 1.05pm BST13:05 | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. |