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| England v New Zealand: first Test, day four – live! | England v New Zealand: first Test, day four – live! |
| (37 minutes later) | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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: | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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 | |
| 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. | |
| Updated at 2.54pm BST | |
| 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. | |
| “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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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 | |
| 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). | |
| 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. |