Summary

Have your say on England men this summer

Live Reporting

by Mike Peter

  1. Get Involved

    Click ‘Get Involved’ to have your say

    Let’s be honest, even with Ollie Robinson and Gus Atkinson, we’re a very average and one-dimensional bowling attack. Neither would be adding much more than what we have here. Ben Stokes perhaps would offer something different. Lord's pitch papered over a lot of cracks.

    John, Newcastle

    I wonder how Rehan Ahmed would have bowled on this dry pitch? There’s a seemingly endless discussion about producing spinners in England; we’re hardly encouraging young players to dedicate themselves to the art of spin when we’ve treat them dreadfully for what, a decade?

    Che, Notts

    I think there is going to be a serious run chase for England. I think I might break the bank and buy a ticket for day four. England definitely in a bad place but there is always that slim chance.

    Jesse, London

  2. NZ 147-2

    Ouch.

    Josh Tongue plants his first delivery right on the glove of Henry Nicholls.

    We're having a break while the physios take a look.

  3. NZ 147-2

    Lead by 247

    One single from Joe Root's fifth over, but New Zealand's scoring rate remains extremely healthy.

    They've added 53 runs in nine overs since tea, that's a little under six an over.

  4. Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    Really good teams realise that the best time to put a team under pressure is now. England will be a lot fresher tomorrow morning so run them ragged now.

  5. NZ 146-2

    Four more!

    Rachin Ravidra makes it three boundaries in the over, whipping Josh Tongue's overpitched final delivery past mid-on.

  6. Ben Jones
    CricViz analyst

    Rachin Ravindra is averaging 54 in Tests since the start of 2024. Only Kamindu Mendis and Shubman Gill average more in that time (min 20 innings).

  7. Daniel Norcross
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Rachin Ravindra is such a lovely batter to watch when he's in form.

  8. 50 runs

    50 for Rachin Ravindra

    NZ 142-2

    Rachin Ravindra celebrates hitting 50 runs.Getty Images

    A pair of fours for Rachin Ravindra and that's his fifty!

    He drives the returning Josh Tongue's first delivery through the covers and then, three balls later, brings up the half century by crashing the ball past point.

    It comes up off 79 deliveries.

  9. Daniel Norcross
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Emilio Gay has been fielding really well. This is the enthusiasm I was talking about, you've got inexperienced players in the team all keen to impress.

  10. NZ 134-2

    England bring back Joe Root to replace Matthew Fisher.

    Henry Nicholls sweeps him for a couple, with a pair of singles following.

  11. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    As a batting side you're walking around and can feel the air coming out of the fielding side. There's a lot of clapping and encouragement from the fielding side but you can tell it's a bit fake.

    These things can change very quickly but it doesn't feel like it.

  12. Daniel Norcross
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    There was a moment of high excitement. It was so close.

  13. NZ 130-2

    Close!

    Henry Nicholls turns Jofra Archer's delivery around the corner straight towards Emilio Gay at leg slip.

    The England opener collects neatly on the dive, but the ball bounced just in front of him.

    After four overs with boundaries, this one features just a couple of singles.

  14. Ben Jones
    CricViz analyst

    England keepers to have dropped 2+ catches and conceded 25+ byes in a Test (since 2006):

    • Matt Prior v India at Lord's, 2014 (his last Test)
    • James Rew v New Zealand at The Oval, 2026

  15. Daniel Norcross
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    We're in that tired phase and it's so hard as a captain here. Joe Root is trying to come up with some funky plans.

    New Zealand are able to dictate the terms of the match.

  16. NZ 128-2

    Lead by 228

    Henry Nicholls is enjoying himself.

    Facing Matthew Fisher, he fires a drive past mid-off, his ninth boundary.

    The only scoring shot of the over, it brings up the 100 partnership from 127 balls.

  17. Get Involved

    Click ‘Get Involved’ to have your say

    As one of the few senior players on the field, I really think Jofra Archer should have provided a bit more reassurance to James Rew for that missed catch there. Instead he’s just outwardly frustrated and isn’t going to be doing much to rebuild his confidence.

    Amy, Leeds

    Obvious gulf in class between the county game and Tests being shown here. James Rew's looked like a duck out of water.

    Max, Lowestoft

    Maybe Jamie Smith isn't so bad after all...

    Jamie, Woking

  18. NZ 124-2

    Four more.

    Henry Nicholls gets more runs through point, this time off Jofra Archer.

    Ben Duckett gives chase, dives, but is contact with the rope while tapping the ball back

  19. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC Chief Cricket Commentator on Test Match Special

    Boundaries are flowing. Joe Root's got to be really mindful now.

  20. NZ 119-2

    The runs are flowing for New Zealand.

    Henry Nicholls immediately adds another four, slipping the ball through gully, then Rachin Ravindra adds another boundary through a similar area.