Recent Matches
3rd ODI, Bangladesh in Zimbabwe, 3 ODI Series, 2026
ZIM
199 (48.1)
BAN
200/3 (36.0)
Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe by 7 wickets
Upcoming Matches
England vs New Zealand, 2nd Test Commentary, Live Updates
ENG vs NZ, 2026 - Test Live Commentary
England vs New Zealand Scorecard
Share
Match Ended
The Oval, London
, Jun 17, 2026
291&209 (58.1)
391&362
New Zealand beat England by 253 runs
% Chance to Win
ENG
NZ
DRAW
Inn Break
Advertisement
Midas back? Well, some might say desperate measures for desperate situations, but it could also mean understanding the seriousness of the situation. News coming in is that the ECB have announced the return of both, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson for the third Test, withdrawing them midway through their county championship matches. Given the inexperience England had in this Test, it is not a surprise to see them take this action, though it also puts into question their stance on behaviours off the field. However, that's not our business. The hosts would be more than happy to get Stokes back at the helm and get some more experience, because looking at this Test and the next coming up within 4 days, it is highly likely that Jofra Archer will miss that clash. The bowling needs some experience too. The Kiwis would be doubly happy - A. They get to fly to Nottingham tonight itself, which means they get an extra day to rest, train and acclimatize. B. They go in with full momentum and a fully fit team for the third and final Test. The third Test is set to begin on Thursday, 25th June, 2026, with the first ball slated to be bowled at 10 am GMT. But rest assured, our buildup will begin well in advance. So do tune in early. It is a bye from us for now, but you can always surf the tabs to catch all the action from the Women's World Cup. Have fun. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Been a fantastic week - The victorious skipper of New Zealand, TOM LATHAM, says it has been fantastic week full of moments where the team sustained its efforts for longer and executed brilliantly. On the batting, he points to the partnerships built in the first innings, highlighting Phillips and Jamieson, before the third innings where Henry Nicholls and Rachin Ravindra set the tone. On bowling England out, he says the team understood it was not going to be easy on that surface but sticking to the top of off stump and playing old-school cricket got the job done. On Glenn Phillips, Latham says the group has always known the talent he possesses, and his maiden Test hundred was no surprise to anyone in that dressing room. On how Phillips handled Jofra Archer's hostile spell on the first evening, he says it showed both his ticker and his method under pressure. On Henry Nicholls, he notes it was a different role for him coming in as a replacement, but as the second most experienced player in the group by caps, he played really well to put the team in the position they needed to be in.
Lessons to be learnt - The captain of England, JOE ROOT, comes up with a smile on his face. Credits New Zealand first up, saying that they played really well. Adds that there were a number of cases when the game was in the balance but they turned things around. However, he quickly adds that the series is levelled at 1-1 with everything to play for in the final Test. On his captaincy stint, Root says that it was wonderful to get back into that space and work with head coach Brendon McCullum. Adds that it was great to have young guys come into the team. Explains that in a 5-day game, the players just need to do things better for longer. Details that the first thing is to be switched on at all times and hold onto your catches. Explains that a dropped catch can go a long way to turn the game. However, Root also feels that the youngsters have given a very good account of themselves. Mike Atherton now asks whether Root could have done anything differently on the morning of the second day, given that New Zealand began the day at 291/7 but finished their first innings on 391. To this, Joe credits Glenn Phillips, especially the way he handled the fire from Jofra Archer on the evening of Day 1. But he adds that it is a very good lesson for his side to find areas to keep being relentless. Adds that these are the lessons the young guys can learn quickly in this format and the team as a whole can become better going forward. Further says that in the first innings, the English batters were swinging a bit wildly but in the second, they batted a bit better. Philosophically states that many times, you look at things with different perspectives. Atherton now asks Root whether he enjoyed his captaincy, informing him and everyone that the ECB have decided to pull out Ben Stokes from the county championships. To this, JR diplomatically answers that this last week was very busy for him and he was totally occupied with this job. So he wants everyone to wait and see what happens over the next couple of days.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - MATT HENRY - 11/109 (MATCH FIGURES) - Matt Henry says he probably didn't expect it to unfold this quick. On the ten-day break between the two Tests, Henry says it helped massively and that the time was spent trying to regain confidence in his body after the back spasm at Lord's. He admits it felt pretty bad letting the guys down on day one there, so coming to The Oval and getting through his full workload means a great deal to him. Henry credits the batters for their small but important contributions and singles out Glenn Phillips for what he did when the ball went soft. On the bowling effort as a collective, he says the way the group applied itself was relentless and that it is nice to get rewards for sticking at it. On Tom Blundell keeping upto the stumps, Matt notes they tried it at the Basin Reserve last year and the team wanted to come out and make things happen. He says you simply cannot do it unless someone of Blundell's quality is standing there. On his own bowling philosophy, MH explains that he would rather be effective than look a hero, and that the focus is always on creating pressure even when the conditions are not offering much. He also reflects on the strength of the bowling group, noting that having Jamieson and O'Rourke back from injuries, along with Nathan Smith, makes them a formidable unit. He says you are only as good as the collective strength of your attack. He adds that the first job on Day 5 was simply to get it done, and they did exactly that.
... POST-MATCH INTERVIEWS ...
Full marks to New Zealand - No doubt. Be it Glenn Phillips in the first innings, fighting his way to a magnificent century, handling Jofra Archer's fire on the opening day or be it the persistence of the three musketeers with the ball - Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and Will O'Rourke - the Black Caps played like a unit. Yes, they did get a few chances in the second innings, but by then, they were in a very good position in the match. Individually, the last 12 months have been very good for Matt Henry in particular. He has picked up 32 wickets - the most by a Kiwi in this passage, going wicketless only once in 10 innings, which happened to be in the second innings at Lord's. He was menacing and metronomical, landing the ball on a string, but it would be unfair to credit only him in the bowling department. Let's see what the players have to say.
The small moments - England had their moments, but they missed those. Almost every single time. 1. At the close of Day 1, New Zealand were 291/7, with Jofra Archer spitting steam. Come Day 2, with England looking to wrap the innings quickly, the steam engine was at Hogwarts, with Archer nowhere to be seen with the new ball. Result - the Kiwis nearly got to 400 on the back of just Glenn Phillips - who was tormented to no end by Archer on Day 1. 2. With 10 minutes left to go for Stumps, James Rew's inexperience cost him as England let go of a fine recovery to end the day on 222/6. Matthew Fisher did give them some hope on the third morning with a fine 50, but a deficit of 100 was too much on this pitch. 3. England had the Kiwis hopping at 28/2 in their second innings. But once the new-ball burst was done, what they saw was a massive 161-run stand between two blokes struggling for form and consistency - Henry Nicholls and Rachin Ravindra. That literally killed the game. 4. 62 runs had come in 8 overs after Tea on Day 4, as England went on to try and repeat their heroics against India here last summer. But some disciplined and tight bowling tested them and they faltered. And just like on Day 2, once again James Rew got dismissed with 10 minutes to the close and England just sank deeper in the mire.
Stars align - At the completion of the first Test, it seemed as if New Zealand were undercooked. But a lot happened off the field after that Test, which totally profited the Kiwis. First, England were literally stripped of key players, resulting in a very inexperinced unit. The second, Matt Henry got fit for this Test and boy, was he not welcomed in style. He was missed at Lord's and he compensated for that with a stunning display here. Additionally, batting second is usually preferred at The Oval, but as the pitch played, batting got trickier as the innings went on.
27 years later - The last time New Zealand played a Test match at The Oval - August 1999. They had defeated England by 83 runs. 27 years later, in 2026, they got their next match and defeated England again, this time by an even bigger margin. Of the 7 venues where they have played a Test match in England, this is only the second where the Kiwis have managed multiple wins, with the other being Headingley. This victory keeps their hopes alive for the 2027 WTC final, moving to 4th in the standings.
End Of The Over 58.1 : 209/10
0 Runs
- W 58.1
J. Cox
25 (45)
S. Baker
0 (9)
M. Henry
18.1-6-29-6
58.1
W
Matt Henry To Jordan Cox OUT!
OUT! BOWLED! That's it. Henry gets his 6th, fittingly and NEW ZEALAND WIN BY 253 RUNS. Cox gets across and looks to lap but misses the ball totally. Henry targets the stumps and even though Archer is in the opposition, the archer in him is not missing anything on this day. The ball lands and disturbs the woodwork.
Chattogram wins the race. Denying a Banglawash in the third ODI, the Aussies themselves have inflicted a 'Kanga'wash over Bangladesh, winning the 3-match T20I series 3-0. Forced to bowl first, they first choked Bangladesh to 109/8 and then chased it down in 11 overs, losing just 3 wickets.
End Of The Over 58 : 209/9
9 Runs
- 057.1
- 257.2
- 657.3
- 057.4
- 057.5
- 157.6
J. Cox
25 (44)
S. Baker
0 (9)
K. Jamieson
19-4-61-3
57.6
1
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
Oh dear. Poor game sense? Kyle Jamieson throws his arms up in the air and expresses his frustration. Cox gets across and somehow, manages to sweep it through square leg. The ball is going towards the ropes and Will O'Rourke is running after it, but the whole team shouts at him to let it go. Strangely, he does not hear and stops the ball, with the batters content with the single! Devon Conway gets across and just calms O'Rourke down, who seems to be confused at his teammates' reactions. One also felt that there were shouts to kick the ball into the ropes as well, but then had O'Rourke done that, it would have been a penalty of 5 runs.
57.5
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
Going into white-ball mode here now, is Cox. Shuffles across his stumps, but gets a very full ball outside off and he can only push it back.
57.4
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
Full and outside off, Jordan drives it towards mid off.
57.3
6
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
SIX! LAUNCHED OFF THE RUNWAY! Yes, this is the Cox that the Oval Invincibles are so used to! Have some fun, lad, and what a grab in the crowd! A short ball, outside off, Jordan Cox swings massively and clears mid-wicket with ease. And with the same ease, a youngster stands up, waiting behind two others in front of him to take the catch and grabs it with his left hand! Nice one.
57.2
2
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
Short, outside off, Jordan Cox has a heave and mistimes it over mid-wicket. Gets a couple.
57.1
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
On a length, outside off, punched towards point.
Interesting point by Simon Doull on air. He reckons that New Zealand would want to wrap this up as soon as possible for an important reason. If the Kiwis win this soon, there is a high likelihood that they can travel to Nottingham tonight itself. As opposed to say, if the match extends beyond Lunch or something, they might be able to travel only tomorrow. The third Test begins on Thursday, so it will be a big deal if they can travel tonight and rest, and get three days to prepare and acclimatize to Trent Bridge. Small small things.
End Of The Over 57 : 200/9
0 Runs
- 056.1
- 056.2
- 056.3
- 056.4
- 056.5
- 056.6
S. Baker
0 (9)
J. Cox
16 (38)
M. Henry
18-6-29-5
56.6
0
Matt Henry To Sonny Baker
Full and wide outside off, let through.
56.5
0
Matt Henry To Sonny Baker
On a length, outside off, left alone.
56.4
0
Matt Henry To Sonny Baker
Good stop. On a length, outside off, SB goes back and dabs it through gully. But the fielder dives to his right and parries it to backward point.
56.3
0
Matt Henry To Sonny Baker
Full and straight, Sonny gets the big front foot out again and blocks.
56.2
0
Matt Henry To Sonny Baker
Fuller, around off, Baker gets a good stride in to block.
56.1
0
Matt Henry To Sonny Baker
On a length, outside off, Sonny Baker defends.
The Oval first, or Chattogram? Very few people would have thought that this match could actually end before the third and final T20I between Bangladesh and Australia. While the Kiwis are just a wicket away from a win here, the Aussies are a couple of sixes away from a whitewash there.
End Of The Over 56 : 200/9
4 Runs
- 055.1
- 055.2
- 055.3
- 055.4
- 055.5
- 455.6
J. Cox
16 (38)
S. Baker
0 (3)
K. Jamieson
18-4-52-3
55.6
4
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
FOUR! Very cheeky and 200 IS UP FOR ENGLAND! A short ball, outside off, Cox waits for the ball, ducks and then arches back to ramp it over the slips to the deep third fence!
55.5
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
Yes, no, wait. Full, on middle, Jordan Cox pushes it down the ground. Initially, he sets off for the single, as this is the 5th ball of the over and Baker responds. But then, Cox sees mid on come up and changes his mind. Sonny is about to be baked but luckily for him, the fielder fumbles and he gets back in.
55.4
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
Full and outside off, JC blocks it with good technique towards cover.
55.3
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
On a good length, outside off, Jordan blocks it to the off side.
55.2
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
Glorious, for nothing. Overpitched, outside off, Cox leans and drives it beautifully down the ground, but mid off quickly gets across to his right and stops the ball.
55.1
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
On a length, outside off, cutting in, Jordan Cox gets a good stride in and works it off the inner half of the bat towards mid-wicket.
Let's have some tongue twisters and some rhyming. How about this - Here is Baker, with Cox for a chat, one to block, one to whack, can England pull off one final act?
End Of The Over 55 : 196/9
1 Runs
- 054.1
- 054.2
- 054.3
- 154.4
- 054.5
- 054.6
S. Baker
0 (3)
J. Cox
12 (32)
M. Henry
17-5-29-5
54.6
0
Matt Henry To Sonny Baker
Full again, on off, Sonny presses ahead and smothers it down the pitch.
54.5
0
Matt Henry To Sonny Baker
Just a little nip back in from off to middle, full in length. A confident front foot block by Baker in reply.
54.4
1
Matt Henry To Jordan Cox
Cuts back in from a good length, Jordan Cox looks to punch it on the rise through the off side, but gets an inside edge and the ball squirts through square leg for a single.
54.3
0
Matt Henry To Jordan Cox
Just short of full, outside off, Cox drives it gloriously but finds cover.
54.2
0
Matt Henry To Jordan Cox
A touch fuller, outside off, pushed towards mid off this time.
54.1
0
Matt Henry To Jordan Cox
It does seem like Latham and Henry forgot or did not realize that this was a hattrick ball. Hardly any attacking field. On a good length, around off, coming in, Jordan Cox pushes it towards mid on.
Here we are then. Hat-trick time. What field will Latham set? How about 4 slips, two gullies, a leg slip, a short leg and a silly point? No, he does not overdo it. In fact, it is a spread field, with only two slips. Have both, the bowler and captain forgotten, this is a hat-trick ball?
End Of The Over 54 : 195/9
3 Runs
- 053.1
- 253.2
- 053.3
- 053.4
- 153.5
- 053.6
S. Baker
0 (1)
J. Cox
11 (28)
K. Jamieson
17-4-48-3
53.6
0
Kyle Jamieson To Sonny Baker
Oh, almost! Baker almost got toasted. But he survives. Kyle bends his back to hit the hard length, around the imaginary fourth stump line. Sonny Baker looks to defend awkwardly, but the ball straightens past the outside edge, whistling past to the keeper.
53.5
1
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
Short of a good length, outside off. Jordan walks across the stumps and steers it to deep backward square leg for a single.
53.4
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
An in-angler on a good length, on off. Jordan Cox stands tall to punch it away, but the ball cuts in and that ekes a thick inside edge to square leg.
53.3
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
Full and straight, Jordan works it through mid-wicket, thinks about running, but then realizes that he won't get a couple there. Sends Baker back.
53.2
2
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
Proper cheer this time. On a length, outside off, Cox punches this on the up through the covers and gets a couple.
53.1
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
A short ball, around off, angling in, Jordan Cox pull-helps it towards deep backward square leg. Don't know whether it is an ironic cheer, but the Oval is cheering. Cox does not take a single, understandably. Not a bad time to go all out before the team gets all out?
Congratulations, Matt. England are on the mat. Sonny Baker walks in at number 11, replacing Josh Tongue. He will be off strike though, as the over has ended. If there is another over after this one, Henry will be on a hattrick. What an achievement that would be - best Test figures and a hattrick as well.
End Of The Over 53 : 192/9
0 Runs
- 052.1
- 052.2
- 052.3
- 052.4
- W 52.5
- W 52.6
J. Tongue
0 (1)
J. Cox
8 (23)
M. Henry
16-5-28-5
52.6
W
Matt Henry To Josh Tongue OUT!
OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Top-drawer bowling from Henry and this rewards him with the 10th wicket of the match. Back of a length, outside the off stump. Tongue pokes at it without moving his feet an inch and gets a thick outside edge that flies into the hands of Daryl Mitchell at first slip. A golden duck, and New Zealand are one wicket away from a famous win. Henry is over the moon and lets out a huge roar, getting engulfed by his teammates. Deservedly so.
Happening all too quickly. 3 wickets in 17 balls for 4 runs. Josh Tongue walks in next, at number 10, replacing Matthew Fisher.
52.5
W
Matt Henry To Matthew Fisher OUT!
OUT! CHOPPED ON! The stumps are in an absolute mess and Henry is nearing a 10-wicket haul in this Test. He's got nine in the match so far. He hits the hard length and keeps it around the off stump, getting it to nip back in a touch. Matthew Fisher could have left that alone, but that's the kind of line on which Henry bowled this one where you are found in two minds, whether to leave it or play at it. Fisher goes for the second option. He hangs the bat loosely away from the body and gets an inside edge back onto the stumps. England are 192/8, completely on the mat now.
52.4
0
Matt Henry To Matthew Fisher
Curves back in from off, on a fractionally fuller length. Fisher lets the ball angle into him and then blocks it, more off the inner half of the bat as the ball rolls to the leg side.
52.3
0
Matt Henry To Matthew Fisher
Fuller, veering outside off, Fisher fishes and misses.
52.2
0
Matt Henry To Matthew Fisher
Fuller, outside off, driven straight to mid off.
52.1
0
Matt Henry To Matthew Fisher
On a length, outside off, Matthew Fisher plays inside the line and is beaten.
This is a big innings for Cameron White. Oops, I mean Jordan Cox. Don't know why, everytime I see this guy, I am remembered about former Aussie Cameron White and he bats also like him. Anyway, roughly 2-and-a-half years ago, Cox was supposed to make his Test debut in New Zealand. But a finger injury delayed that. Now that he has got a chance here, he needs to make it count. 463 is too far a bridge to cross, but a 50, or possibly even a 100 would go a long way in cementing his attitude under pressure.
End Of The Over 52 : 192/7
4 Runs
- 051.1
- 051.2
- 051.3
- 051.4
- 451.5
- 051.6
J. Cox
8 (23)
M. Fisher
0 (3)
K. Jamieson
16-4-45-3
51.6
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
Length delivery, with the line of attack outside off. Extra bounce. Cox fends it to the gully region where Phillips makes a sharp stop.
51.5
4
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
FOUR! Timed well enough. But at first sight, it looked like Cox wasn't completely in control of the shot. Back of a length, outside off. Jordan Cox does not go fully through his shot, and sort of punches it tentatively through backward point. The ball, however, races through for a boundary.
51.4
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
Jamieson bashes the length hard, and extracts a decent bit of bounce. Around off and Cox rises up to ride the bounce before dropping it in front of point.
51.3
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
Back of a length, outside off, Jordan pushes it towards point.
51.2
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
On a good length, outside off, coming in with the angle, Cox hangs back to defend.
51.1
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
Full and straight, around off, Jordan Cox comes half forward and pushes it towards cover.
End Of The Over 51 : 188/7
0 Runs
- W 50.1
- 050.2
- W 50.3
- 050.4
- 050.5
- 050.6
M. Fisher
0 (3)
J. Cox
4 (17)
M. Henry
15-4-28-3
50.6
0
Matt Henry To Matthew Fisher
Ohh! Good probing line and length. In and around the off stump line, cutting away off the pitch. Matthew Fisher has a feel for it, gets on the front foot, but just about resists his temptation to poke it and drags the bat inside the line to leave.
50.5
0
Matt Henry To Matthew Fisher
Goes full and on off, does Henry. Fisher lunges forward, head on top of the ball and blocks it.
50.4
0
Matt Henry To Matthew Fisher
The spitting cobra! Rears up awkwardly on a good length while jagging back in. Fisher is taken aback but he manages to fend it down to the cordon.
Quick deceleration. Matthew Fisher walks in next, at number 9, replacing Archer. He takes a long time to come out, either probably because he was not expecting the wicket to fall so soon or maybe, was not initially rostered to go out at 9. Takes a long time to find his gear before eventually walking out.
50.3
W
Matt Henry To Jofra Archer OUT!
OUT! BOWLED! Not allowed. No matter how good a batter you are, you just cannot play that kind of a delivery. Archer is disappointed to no end and he has every right to be so. Henry targets the stumps, keeping it full and straight, landing just around off. Jofra Archer tries to be half forward, aiming to play it straight, but the ball pitches and goes at a height of around just 1 centimetre above the surface. A total grubber. Goes well beneath the bat and crashes into the stumps. Sometimes, there is nothing you can do. This is one of those times. Second wicket in the over and Henry has 8 in the match! ENGLAND ARE 188/7.
50.2
0
Matt Henry To Jofra Archer
On a length, outside off, Jofra Archer pushes it towards point.
Jofra Archer walks in next, at number 8, replacing his skipper, Joe Root.
50.1
W
Matt Henry To Joe Root OUT!
OUT! LBW! Did Root get any bat on it though? He has sent this upstairs. If no bat, this looks stone dead. Nothing on UltraEdge. This could be it. Ball Tracking - Impact in line, hitting leg stump! No century for Root and more importantly, New Zealand have crushed England's hopes of resistance on the 13th ball of the morning. Simply relentless bowling. Henry lands this on a good length outside off and gets it to nip back in. Joe Root comes forward to defend but misses the movement and gets hit on the pads. Henry appeals and umpire Nitin Menon's finger is up in a flash. Unlike last evening, Root does not not review immediately. He takes a while, probably knowing that he is gone for all money, before taking a chance with the review. Technology did not help him. The Oval is stunned before it recovers to applaud its legend, giving some sort of a respect to the side. ENGLAND ARE 188/6, CHASING 463.
It is important for England to think ahead. Yes, the priority is to try and chase down 463 but it is also about taking some momentum into the third Test which starts next week.
End Of The Over 50 : 188/5
4 Runs
- 049.1
- 349.2
- 049.3
- 049.4
- 049.5
- 149.6
J. Root
77 (144)
J. Cox
4 (17)
K. Jamieson
15-4-41-3
49.6
1
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Edged, but does not carry! Back of a length, seaming away on the off stump line. Joe Root gets slightly squared up and looks to guide it to the off side but gets a thick outside edge. But since he plays with soft hands, the ball dribbles in front of Tom Latham at second slip. He makes a half stop to his right and parries the ball away, allowing the batters to cross for a single.
49.5
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Nips away with a bit of a bounce, outside off. Joe is a foot and a half outside the crease. He stands up on the toes, plays with soft hands and dabs it to backward point.
49.4
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Full and around off, Joe Root creams it straight to mid off.
49.3
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Full and around off, Joe Root drives it towards mid on.
49.2
3
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
Nicely played, well stopped. Good cricket all around. Fractionally short, outside off, Cox gets on top of the bounce and punches it through the covers. Glenn Phillips gives it a chase from that region, gets to the ball and pushes it back in with a slide. Someone is partnering him, probably someone from gully or backward point and he does the mop up. One saved, three runs taken.
49.1
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
There is that low bounce. Full and slightly wide outside off, coming in, Jordan Cox shoulders arms and the ball goes low past him, through to the keeper.
Will O'Rourke from the other end? Nope. Kyle Jamieson it shall be. 14-4-37-3 so far.
End Of The Over 49 : 184/5
2 Runs
- 048.1
- 048.2
- 148.3
- 048.4
- 048.5
- 148.6
J. Cox
1 (15)
J. Root
76 (140)
M. Henry
14-3-28-1
48.6
1
Matt Henry To Jordan Cox
The top-of-off length, Jordan Cox arches back and punches it wide of cover for a single.
48.5
0
Matt Henry To Jordan Cox
Much fuller than the previous ball, aiming at the stumps. Jordan presses forward and defends it solidly.
48.4
0
Matt Henry To Jordan Cox
Folds back in a bit from a good length, angling to the leg stump. Cox is watchfull and bunts it down the pitch.
48.3
1
Matt Henry To Joe Root
A bit off the radar. Full and down the leg side, the skipper flicks it behind square leg for a single. The first run of Day 5.
48.2
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
On a length, outside off, Root lets it go.
48.1
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
What a start. For someone who has watched the highlights of Day 4, the person would have felt that the highlights have prolonged. What Henry did for the whole of the innings, he starts exactly in the same way. On a length, just outside off, Joe Root looks to defend but the ball nips back in, takes the inside edge and hits the pad. Unrelenting.
The players are back out in the middle. Bright and sunny conditions welcome us all. It will be Matt Henry to start things off to Joe Root. Here we go...
All set are we then, to watch some action. A Kiwi fan would want this to end within the next hour. Break this current partnership and you are into the bowlers. An English fan would want the Root masterclass to continue, first a century, then possibly a double. A neutral cricket fan would want good cricketing action. Hoping that it would go till the final hour of the final session would be too much to ask, one guesses, but at least, two fighting ones? Say, England get close to somewhere between 350 and 400?
Weather watch and conditions - June 21st is the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, but can it be a long day for the bowlers? Umm, not likely. Yes, it is set to be a touch hotter than yesterday, nudging into the late twenties with comparatively less cloud cover as well. The pitch has been deteriorating, and there is possibly some spin on offer for the part-timers, and New Zealand have that variety in their attack to exploit what The Oval serves up.
5 wickets away - And now, the Kiwis are just five scalps away from something that has been a long time coming. But England's resistance today will prove the weight of that word 'just'. Their last Test win in England vs England was back in 2021 in Birmingham. Furthermore, their last win at The Oval goes even further back, to 1999, and remarkably, this is also the first time they have played here since. So the history is stacking up, and so is the opportunity to level the series. A very engaging final day beckons at The Oval. The first ball ain't that far now.
Black Caps sense history - The Kiwis have toasted England to good measure with accurate bowling execution with respect to the pitch. They first reduced the Englishmen to 40/3, cutting off any chance of a steady foundation for the chase, and have had a knack for penetrating whenever a partnership has started to look threatening. Kyle Jamieson has been the chief wrecker, standing tall (literally), with his height extracting awkward bounce that has made life uncomfortable for every batter not named Root. Matt Henry and Will O'Rourke have both been equally relentless from either end too. And the responsibility pretty much lies with these blokes to wrap it up as quickly as possible.
Three captains leading from the front - Wait. Three captains? Yes, you read it right. On Saturday, three England (former/stand-in, current and probable future) captains batted at the same time. Root is both Stokes' predecessor and his stand-in this week. Brook is widely seen as the successor. And his cameo was exactly what it always is, breathless and audacious, enough to briefly pull attention away from whatever Stokes was doing around 300 miles north for Durham, who himself was making his case stronger for Trent Bridge. But it is Root who is still out there, unbeaten, and it is Root who gives England every reason to believe in Sunday.
Root, who else? The English batting maestro is at it once again. The Oval gave him a standing ovation when he reached two on day four, the moment he became only the second batter after the great Sachin Tendulkar to cross 14,000 Test runs. That’s a lot of runs and he is hungry for more. He acknowledged calmly and got back to the job. He is only 25 runs away from a 42nd Test hundred, but the number occupying his thoughts right now is 281, that England need to pull off something that has never been done before. And on an up and down surface that has tested most of the batters, including the rookies who were handed one of their toughest assignments, Root has been the one immovable wall.
Into the final day - Greetings, all! Bacon sarnies are on, the kettle is boiled and Sunday is perfectly poised for some cricket. Well, firstly, most of us thought that this game wouldn't get dragged this far, but we love to get proven wrong for all the good reasons. And that's the beauty of Test cricket, isn't it? At once, someone has the upper hand, and check half an hour later, the other is bossing it up. New Zealand have been the dominant side across four of the five days. However, it can’t be denied that England have showed far more toughness in the second innings, but they are still far, far away from turning this over. Hello and welcome to the fifth and final day of the second Test. Grab a cuppa and settle in for this exciting ride.
... DAY 5, SESSION 1 ...
Sunday's tea at? Umm... let's say, at the players' hotel? Given that only 5 wickets are left in this innings, and 281 runs needed, it genuinely looks like a session more of cricket, nothing more. If any, say, Joe Root manages to get to his century and he and Jordan Cox are unseparated in the opening hour, then maybe, we could have a second session of play on the final day. We don't mean to berate anyone. But with only the bowlers to come after this and the footmarks creating a rough on the pitch, batting will only get difficult. Day 5 is scheduled to start at 10 am GMT on Sunday, 21st June, 2026, but our buildup will begin well in advance. Would we have an exciting day in store? Possibly an exciting finish? Or expect the usual predictions? Join us early to find out. In the meanwhile, you can catch all the action from the Women's T20 World Cup and the T20I series between Bangladesh and Australia. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Class is permanent - The top three blown away. Brook starting well, but unable to go on. Rew consumed as well. Only one man, one legend, has stood there like a rock. Joe Root. 75 runs, 137 balls, with 8 classical boundaries. Not too many lucky escapes either, which shows his technique is so supreme. He is probably the only reason why this match has gone into Day 5, else this could have ended on Day 4 itself. The bowling from New Zealand has not been any different to Root, it is just that the maestro has found out a way to bat on this pitch. There are absolutely no demons in it, but still, the ball has done something. It has been no less than a fortune to watch this legend bat and for a cricket fan's sake, let's hope that he enthralls the crowd on Sunday as well.
What went wrong for England? Nothing much, to be honest. They have played positive cricket, and barring the soft dismissals of Emilio Gay and Ben Duckett, the other three have been prized out through disciplined and consistent bowling. It is not as if the batters have been consumed by the target or played poor shots. They have played normal cricket, trusted the true nature of the pitch, but the Black Caps have managed to go through the batters. Kyle Jamieson was the one who struck with the new ball and then, towards the end, got a wonderful review out of Tom Latham to pick up his third. Matt Henry has been as consistent as ever, giving his contribution in the removal of Harry Brook, while Will O'Rourke's bowling figures don't quite do justice to how well he actually bowled.
Boxing match - That's how it has felt like, in this fourth innings. New Zealand pick up three wickets in a small period before Tea. Then, post the break, Harry Brook comes out and plays like the target is to be achieved on Day 4 itself. 62 runs come in the first 8 overs after Tea and the Kiwis are pressed on the back foot. But then, the visitors fight back. First, they build pressure through dots, then get the big wicket of Brook and towards the fag end of the day, dismiss James Rew as well. That's the beauty of Test matches. For long or short periods, one team might be on top, but it just takes a matter of moments to turn things around, especially for the bowling side.
Well played, legend - After that last ball, Kyle Jamieson goes towards one of the all-time greats, Joe Root, and congratulates him, for a wonderful knock thus far. True sportsman spirit, as you can get from any Kiwi. It has been another masterclass from the maestro but this last hour of the final session might have well tilted the game in New Zealand's favour.
End Of The Over 48 : 182/5
1 Runs
- 047.1
- 147.2
- 047.3
- 047.4
- 047.5
- 047.6
J. Cox
0 (12)
J. Root
75 (137)
K. Jamieson
14-4-37-3
47.6
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
No drama on the last ball. On a length, outside off, Jordan Cox gets a big stride in to defend. STUMPS ON DAY 4, ENGLAND ARE 182/5, CHASING 463!
Final ball of Day 4 coming up. Any more dramas left?
47.5
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
Full and straight, Cox works it to one of the two fielders at short mid-wicket.
47.4
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
Yorker length, outside off, Jordan Cox drives it towards cover.
47.3
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
On a good length, outside off, pushed to the off side.
47.2
1
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
A short ball, outside off, Root swivels and pulls it all along the ground towards deep backward square leg for a single. Suspect that would be it as far as Root is concerned for the day.
47.1
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Full and outside off, 130 kph, Joe Root comes forward and defends it towards the bowler.
Final over of the day. Can New Zealand prize out Root as well?
End Of The Over 47 : 181/5
1 Runs
- 146.1
- 046.2
- 046.3
- 046.4
- 046.5
- 046.6
J. Cox
0 (8)
J. Root
74 (135)
M. Henry
13-3-26-1
46.6
0
Matt Henry To Jordan Cox
Full and straight, JC defends.
46.5
0
Matt Henry To Jordan Cox
Full and outside off, Jordan defends.
46.4
0
Matt Henry To Jordan Cox
On middle and off, worked towards short mid-wicket.
46.3
0
Matt Henry To Jordan Cox
Full and around off, Cox defends this solidly.
46.2
0
Matt Henry To Jordan Cox
On a length, outside off, punched towards cover.
46.1
1
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Matt Henry is back on. 12-3-25-1 so far. Short, outside off, cut through point for a single.
End Of The Over 46 : 180/5
0 Runs
- 045.1
- 045.2
- W 45.3
- 045.4
- 045.5
- 045.6
J. Cox
0 (3)
J. Root
73 (134)
K. Jamieson
13-4-36-3
45.6
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
Full and outside off, another one keeps low, Jordan keeps it out. Successful over from Jamieson.
45.5
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
Full and around off, Cox defends this down the pitch.
45.4
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jordan Cox
On a good length, outside off, Jordan Cox shoulders arms.
Drama at The Oval. Another debutant, Jordan Cox, walks out at number 7, replacing James Rew.
45.3
W
Kyle Jamieson To James Rew OUT!
OUT! LBW! It was all Jamieson on that review and even the Kiwis look stunned. This was a short ball, outside off, from around the wicket and James Rew looked to pull. To his dismay, the ball shot low and hit him right on the box. But while playing that shot, he crouched a bit, to adjust to the lack of bounce. Now, Jamieson appealed but umpire Nitin Menon shook his head. Now, the Kiwis were not so keen but the bowler pressed on and on. Tom Latham asked a couple of other blokes but did not get any convincing answers. Eventually, with 3 seconds left on the clock, he signalled for the review. The moment we see the replays, most of the Kiwis get back to their positions, thinking that the ball is going over the stumps and the review is wasted. But hang on - Ball Tracking shows three reds, with the ball projected to hit the leg stump! The Kiwis are all over Jamieson as the decision is reversed. 10 minutes before Stumps on Day 2, James Rew gets out. 10 minutes before Stumps on Day 4, James Rew gets out! The 43-run stand is broken and ENGLAND ARE 180/5, CHASING 463. Jamieson gets his third scalp.
Oohhh... that kept low! And with 3 seconds left on the clock, Tom Latham has signalled for the review. And dear me, Ball Tracking shows three reds!
45.2
0
Kyle Jamieson To James Rew
Fuller, outside off, James Rew drives it towards mid off.
45.1
0
Kyle Jamieson To James Rew
A short ball, defended from the crease.
England 12 overs down, New Zealand 6. That's the overrate statistic given to us by the two teams in this match. We have got a good Test match, but you add those numbers and you can see that we could have had another 18 overs comfortably by now.
End Of The Over 45 : 180/4
5 Runs
- 144.1
- 044.2
- 044.3
- 344.4
- 144.5
- 044.6
J. Root
73 (134)
J. Rew
15 (36)
R. Ravindra
2-0-10-0
44.6
0
Rachin Ravindra To Joe Root
Outside off, defended from the crease.
44.5
1
Rachin Ravindra To James Rew
On middle, worked through mid-wicket for a run.
44.4
3
Rachin Ravindra To Joe Root
Nicely timed. Shorter again, around off, 86 kph, this time the skipper wrists it through vacant real estate at mid-wicket. Kyle Jamieson lumbers up from mid on to his right while deep mid-wicket trundles up to his left. Three runs taken. The stand moves to 42.
44.3
0
Rachin Ravindra To Joe Root
Quicker and shorter, outside off, 90 kph, Root stays back and blocks it towards point.
44.2
0
Rachin Ravindra To Joe Root
From around the wicket, full and outside off, Joe Root lunges and keeps it out.
44.1
1
Rachin Ravindra To James Rew
Full, outside off, James Rew brings out the broom and reverses it to backward point for a single.
End Of The Over 44 : 175/4
0 Runs
- 043.1
- 043.2
- 043.3
- 043.4
- 043.5
- 043.6
J. Root
70 (130)
J. Rew
13 (34)
K. Jamieson
12-3-36-2
43.6
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
On a good length, but well outside off, easy leave for Root.
43.5
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Fuller, around off, 128 kph, Root leans across and works it towards mid on.
43.4
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
On a good length, outside off, steep bounce, Joe Root arches back and guides it towards backward point.
43.3
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Full, outside off, Joe Root comes forward and drives it towards mid off.
43.2
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
On middle and off, worked towards short mid-wicket.
43.1
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
On middle, angling in, clipped towards mid on.
The day is not done if you are an English fan. Stumps are set to be drawn at 5.30 pm GMT here and around that time, the third match of the Women's triple header in the T20 World Cup kicks off at Headingley. England take on Scotland in the final match of the day with an aim to keep an unblemished record.
End Of The Over 43 : 175/4
5 Runs
- 142.1
- 042.2
- 442.3
- 042.4
- 042.5
- 042.6
J. Rew
13 (34)
J. Root
70 (124)
R. Ravindra
1-0-5-0
42.6
0
Rachin Ravindra To James Rew
More turn. James lunges to defend but the ball goes off the inside edge and lands short of short leg.
42.5
0
Rachin Ravindra To James Rew
There is that turn and bounce. Full, outside off, landing on the rough, spinning in, James lunges to defend but the ball goes past the inside edge, hits the pads and lobs to short fine leg.
42.4
0
Rachin Ravindra To James Rew
Shorter, outside off, worked towards short leg.
42.3
4
Rachin Ravindra To James Rew
FOUR! CLUBBED! Fast hands. Full, around middle and off, Rew gets down and with lightning-quick action, brings out the reverse sweep. The ball races through point for a boundary. 288 more needed for a win.
42.2
0
Rachin Ravindra To James Rew
Full and outside off, James Rew gets a big stride forward to meet the ball.
42.1
1
Rachin Ravindra To Joe Root
Short, outside off, extra bounce from around the wicket, Joe Root pushes it towards point for a single.
Around 23 minutes left for the close. Probably time, from England's point of view, that Joe Root faces as few deliveries as possible, in these dying stages of the day. Tom Latham goes for the gamble now. Brings on his left-arm orthodox, Rachin Ravindra.
End Of The Over 42 : 170/4
1 Runs
- 041.1
- 041.2
- 141.3
- 041.4
- 041.5
- 041.6
J. Rew
9 (29)
J. Root
69 (123)
K. Jamieson
11-2-36-2
41.6
0
Kyle Jamieson To James Rew
Full and down the leg side, driven towards mid on.
41.5
0
Kyle Jamieson To James Rew
A short ball but fired down the leg side, Rew cannot connect.
41.4
0
Kyle Jamieson To James Rew
On middle and leg, Rew works it towards mid on.
41.3
1
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
On a good length, outside off, the skipper steers it behind point for a single.
41.2
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
On a length, outside off, angling in, Root gets across and defends it towards mid off.
41.1
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Kyle Jamieson is back on. 10-2-35-2 so far. Straightaway, good carry. On a good length, outside off, Joe Root shoulders arms but the ball, on a Day 4 pitch, is still carrying at shoulder height to the keeper.
End Of The Over 41 : 169/4
1 Runs
- 140.1
- 040.2
- 040.3
- 040.4
- 040.5
- 040.6
J. Rew
9 (26)
J. Root
68 (120)
N. Smith
9-1-48-0
40.6
0
Nathan Smith To James Rew
On a length, outside off, defended solidly.
40.5
0
Nathan Smith To James Rew
Full and straight, well defended.
40.4
0
Nathan Smith To James Rew
On middle and off, well kept out.
40.3
0
Nathan Smith To James Rew
Full, around off, driven towards cover.
40.2
0
Nathan Smith To James Rew
On a length, outside off, James Rew pushes it towards cover.
40.1
1
Nathan Smith To Joe Root
On a length, outside off, Joe Root dabs it towards cover for a single.
PAKISTAN KNOCKED OUT OF WOMEN'S T20 WORLD CUP! Meanwhile, some big news coming in from Southampton. On a pitch which saw Australia cross 200 and Netherlands lose only 3 wickets, Bangladesh stuttered to 123/6, only to defend it by 23 runs! In a game full of atrition, Bangladesh have managed to outclass Pakistan, in the match and the tournament. Bangladesh are now third in the points table, with 4 points. With 3 teams on 4 or above, Pakistan are knocked out of the 2026 edition.
End Of The Over 40 : 168/4
3 Runs
- 139.1
- 139.2
- 039.3
- 039.4
- 139.5
- 039.6
J. Rew
9 (21)
J. Root
67 (119)
W. O'Rourke
10-2-48-1
39.6
0
Will O'Rourke To James Rew
Outside off, pushed towards point.
39.5
1
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
A short ball, outside off, Root pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
39.4
0
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
Back of a length, outside off, the skipper rises with the bounce and pushes it towards point.
39.3
0
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
Full and straight, Root gets across and works it towards mid on.
39.2
1
Will O'Rourke To James Rew
Good fielding. On a length, outside off, James Rew opens the face of his bat and guides it behind point. Gully dives to his left, but cannot stop it cleanly. Backward point overruns the ball to his right and that allows the single. The stand moves to 30 (40).
39.1
1
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
A length ball, down the leg side, Joe Root clips it towards fine leg for a single.
End Of The Over 39 : 165/4
5 Runs
- 038.1
- 4 B 38.2
- 038.3
- 138.4
- 038.5
- 038.6
J. Rew
8 (19)
J. Root
65 (115)
N. Smith
8-1-47-0
38.6
0
Nathan Smith To James Rew
Outside off, pushed towards point.
38.5
0
Nathan Smith To James Rew
Nice. On a good length, outside off, James Rew shoulders arms. The ball comes back in a long way and just goes over the top of the stumps!
38.4
1
Nathan Smith To Joe Root
Shorter, outside off, clipped through square leg for a single.
38.3
0
Nathan Smith To Joe Root
Outside off, a play and a miss.
38.2
b
Nathan Smith To Joe Root
FOUR BYES! That's missed everything, but how? On a good length, just outside off, Root tries a cute cheeky dab, but is beaten as the ball jags back in, goes past the inside edge, misses the off stump, goes past the keeper and just about evades the helmet kept on the ground behind! Races to the fence behind. Oh hang on. Replays detect a thick inside edge, confirmed by UltraEdge. So Root has been denied a boundary by the umpire there, but who would be more annoyed? Root, for not being given a boundary, or Blundell, for being penalized byes? Both players flash a smile on looking at the giant screen. ENGLAND NOW NEED UNDER 300 TO WIN - MAKE THAT 299.
38.1
0
Nathan Smith To Joe Root
On a good length, outside off, 135 kph, angling in, Joe Root falls over a touch and works it towards short mid-wicket.
End Of The Over 38 : 160/4
3 Runs
- 037.1
- 037.2
- 137.3
- 037.4
- 137.5
- 137.6
J. Root
64 (111)
J. Rew
8 (17)
W. O'Rourke
9-2-45-1
37.6
1
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
Bread and batter. On a length, outside off, JR leans and dabs it behind point. Root takes the single and charges back for the second, but is sent back by his partner.
37.5
1
Will O'Rourke To James Rew
A short ball, down the leg side, Rew takes it on, pulling it powerfully towards deep backward square leg for a run. Kept it down nicely.
37.4
0
Will O'Rourke To James Rew
On middle and leg, James Rew works it towards mid on.
37.3
1
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
Banged short, outside off, the skipper gets across, swivels and plays a delightful pull shot through mid-wicket. But it is insured and will be just a single.
37.2
0
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
Fuller, outside off, Root gets across and then lets it go.
37.1
0
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
On a good length, outside off, Joe Root defends solidly.
End Of The Over 37 : 157/4
7 Runs
- 136.1
- 136.2
- 136.3
- 036.4
- 036.5
- 436.6
J. Rew
7 (15)
J. Root
62 (107)
N. Smith
7-1-46-0
36.6
4
Nathan Smith To James Rew
FOUR! That will increase his confidence. Nathan Smith comes in from around the wicket and bowls a delivery around the top of off stump, coming in with the angle, James Rew just nudges it to the left of mid on and gets his first boundary. 306 more needed for victory.
36.5
0
Nathan Smith To James Rew
On a good length, outside off, 133 kph, James works it towards short mid-wicket.
36.4
0
Nathan Smith To James Rew
Around off, Rew pushes it towards cover.
36.3
1
Nathan Smith To Joe Root
On a good length, down the leg side, Root works it towards backward square leg for one.
36.2
1
Nathan Smith To James Rew
This one jags back in. James Rew plays it from the crease and the length ball goes towards the inside edge, then zips past the stumps towards fine leg. A run taken.
36.1
1
Nathan Smith To Joe Root
On a good length, around off, coming in, Joe Root works it through square leg for a single.
Nathan Smith returns. 6-1-39-0 so far.
End Of The Over 36 : 150/4
0 Runs
- 035.1
- 035.2
- 035.3
- 035.4
- 035.5
- 035.6
J. Rew
2 (11)
J. Root
60 (105)
W. O'Rourke
8-2-42-1
35.6
0
Will O'Rourke To James Rew
A bouncer to end the over, James Rew ducks. A string of dots by New Zealand then. Just 5 runs off the bat since Brook's dismissal - that's a good 20 deliveries. A total of 13 runs have come in 5 deliveries since Brook's wicket, while the remaining 15 have all been dots.
35.5
0
Will O'Rourke To James Rew
Wow. That moved a mile. Did it hit something? A short ball, well outside leg, JR shoulders arms. The keeper, Tom Blundell, moves to his right but at the last moment, the ball snakes back in, to his left. He adjusts superbly, diving to that side and collecting the ball. Exceptional keeping again.
35.4
0
Will O'Rourke To James Rew
Similar delivery, pushed towards mid off this time.
35.3
0
Will O'Rourke To James Rew
On a good length, around leg stump, James defends it down the pitch.
35.2
0
Will O'Rourke To James Rew
A touch short this time, angling away from leg stump, Rew chases it and almost nicks it to the keeper.
35.1
0
Will O'Rourke To James Rew
On a good length, around middle, steep bounce, James Rew rises with the bounce and fends it down.
Thank you, Matt. What a spell that was. 6-2-10-1. Matt Henry is going off the ground, for some well-deserved rest. With around an hour left for Stumps, don't think he will return to bowl, unless Latham plans for a burst of around 2-3 overs before close.
End Of The Over 35 : 150/4
4 Runs
- 4 B 34.1
- 034.2
- 034.3
- 034.4
- 034.5
- 034.6
J. Root
60 (105)
J. Rew
2 (5)
M. Henry
12-3-25-1
34.6
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Back of a length, outside off, JR pushes it towards point. Technically a maiden for Henry.
34.5
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Full, around off, 127 kph, the skipper leans and works it towards mid on.
34.4
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
On a length again, outside off, Joe pushes it towards point.
34.3
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Full and around off, Root dead-bats it.
34.2
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Around off, watchfully defended.
34.1
b
Matt Henry To Joe Root
FOUR BYES! With the keeper up, anything down the leg side is pretty risky. And New Zealand pay for it. Henry darts this down the leg side, on a length, Joe Root looks to flick but misses. The ball pitches and then rears down the leg side, with the keeper, Tom Blundell, having absolutely no chance to his left. The ball races to the fine leg fence. 150 UP FOR ENGLAND. 313 needed more.
The conditions have changed once again. From gloomy and overcast, with the floodlights switched on, it is now bright and sunny.
End Of The Over 34 : 146/4
7 Runs
- 233.1
- 033.2
- 133.3
- 033.4
- 4 LB 33.5
- 033.6
J. Rew
2 (5)
J. Root
60 (99)
W. O'Rourke
7-1-42-1
33.6
0
Will O'Rourke To James Rew
On a good length, around leg stump, angling away, James looks to defend but is opened up. The ball goes off his thigh pad towards cover.
33.5
lb
Will O'Rourke To James Rew
FOUR LEG BYES! Down the leg side, Rew looks to tickle it fine but misses. However, the ball races off his hips to the fine leg fence. 317 more needed for the win.
33.4
0
Will O'Rourke To James Rew
A bouncer, around middle and off, James Rew sways away from the line of the ball.
33.3
1
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
Landed outside off, steered behind point for a single. Moves to 60.
33.2
0
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
On a length, outside off, Root gets a big stride forward and shoulders arms.
33.1
2
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
Full, on middle, Joe Root leans and works it through mid-wicket. Runs hard to come back for the second.
This has been a tireless spell from Henry. 5-1-10-1 so far. Can he bowl a couple more?
End Of The Over 33 : 139/4
2 Runs
- 032.1
- 032.2
- 032.3
- W 32.4
- 232.5
- 032.6
J. Rew
2 (2)
J. Root
57 (96)
M. Henry
11-2-25-1
32.6
0
Matt Henry To James Rew
Landed outside off, Rew comes forward and defends it towards point. Successful over at last for Henry, getting a wicket in the 5th over of this spell.
32.5
2
Matt Henry To James Rew
Off the mark first ball. Down the leg side, James Rew tickles it through square leg. Kyle Jamieson gives it a good chase to his left from deep square leg and dives to stop the ball. Keeps the batters to a couple.
One of the two debutants, James Rew, walks in next, at number 6, replacing Harry Brook. Made a watchful 24 in the first innings.
32.4
W
Matt Henry To Harry Brook OUT!
OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Relentless Henry gets the attacking Brook. What a big wicket this is for New Zealand. Henry kept on persisting in that fuller length outside off and eventually, has been rewarded. Full, just outside off, Harry Brook comes forward to defend. He ends up playing just inside the line of the ball and that generates the outside edge. The keeper, Tom Blundell, is upto the stumps but is slightly late in getting upto the ball. The ball is edged onto his thigh, but he cannot even react to try and grab it. But an ever so elert Daryl Mitchell, standing at fly slip, watches the ball like a hawk, reacts accordingly to his left and as calm as a cucumber, buckets the catch! New Zealand are overjoyed as Brook's blistering innings is cut short, with the 97-run stand coming to a close. ENGLAND ARE 137/4 CHASING 463.
32.3
0
Matt Henry To Harry Brook
On a good length again, around middle and leg, Harry gets across and nudges it towards short mid-wicket.
32.2
0
Matt Henry To Harry Brook
On a good length, outside off, 127 kph, Brook tries to dab it towards deep third but cannot get it past gully.
32.1
0
Matt Henry To Harry Brook
Full and around off, Harry Brook gets a lot forward in defense.
DRINKS BREAK. Sanity returns to the proceedings. The first 8 overs post Tea saw 62 runs being scored, while the next 8 have seen just 21. The Kiwis have just tightened their lines and lengths a little bit, while the English batters have been happy to bide their time. Their approach to take the attack to New Zealand worked big time post Tea, as the field is quite well spread now. Additionally, now, 326 runs are needed with 7 wickets in hand, and say, if the hosts stay 3 down by Stumps, that is likely to come down by another 50 runs. Then, to chase 275-odd on the final day looks a lot more easier. The Black Caps have tried hard, but with the ball going soft, nothing is helping them. However, given the way Brook plays, chances are always around the corner and they would be eager to spot those and grab the same.
End Of The Over 32 : 137/3
0 Runs
- 031.1
- 031.2
- 031.3
- 031.4
- 031.5
- 031.6
J. Root
57 (96)
H. Brook
58 (50)
W. O'Rourke
6-1-39-1
31.6
0
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
Short of a length, wide outside off. Joe Root walks across the stumps to cover it and watchfully leaves it alone.
31.5
0
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
Length delivery, outside off, Joe Root lets it pass through.
31.4
0
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
Some bounce off the deck! Will O'Rourke bashes it on the good length, outside off, nipping in as well. Joe Root commits on his front foot and makes a leave.
31.3
0
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
Attacking the stumps now, fuller in length. Joe Root pushes it to the left of the bowler.
31.2
0
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
Again off the inside edge! Pitches it fuller, does O'Rourke, on off, nipping in a shade. Joe Root lunges to drive it through cover, but gets an inside edge, before it rolls to short mid-wicket.
31.1
0
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
Bouncer, shaping in, on off. Joe Root looks to defend it to cover, but the ball catches the inside edge and it drops dead on the track.
End Of The Over 31 : 137/3
3 Runs
- 030.1
- 130.2
- 130.3
- 030.4
- 130.5
- 030.6
H. Brook
58 (50)
J. Root
57 (90)
M. Henry
10-2-23-0
30.6
0
Matt Henry To Harry Brook
Good length, on off and middle, shaping in. Harry Brook pushes it back to the bowler.
30.5
1
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Back of a length, on off, Joe Root punches it with a small leap, through cover for one.
30.4
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Hard-length delivery, just outside off, Joe Root defends it late to backward point.
30.3
1
Matt Henry To Harry Brook
Fired fuller, on the pads, Harry Brook clips it to deep square leg for one.
30.2
1
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Tap and single! On the back of a good length, outside off, Joe Root pushes it with soft hands to the left of short cover and gets a quick single.
30.1
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Served fuller, just outside off, Joe Root drives it to mid off.
Well, Harry Brook is not quite happy with his bat. He has as many as 4 bats to choose from (pretty expensive ones, as per the on-air commentators) and eventually, selects one.
End Of The Over 30 : 134/3
4 Runs
- 029.1
- 029.2
- 129.3
- 029.4
- 129.5
- 229.6
H. Brook
57 (48)
J. Root
55 (86)
K. Jamieson
10-2-35-2
29.6
2
Kyle Jamieson To Harry Brook
Back of a length, outside off, Harry Brook punches it away from his body to the right of deep backward point for a couple of runs.
29.5
1
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Full, at the stumps, Joe Root works it to the right of short mid-wicket for a single.
29.4
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
A touch fuller, outside off, Root looks to play it late, opening the face of his bat, but the ball catches the inside edge and he wears it on his pad.
29.3
1
Kyle Jamieson To Harry Brook
Off the inside edge! The luck is simply not clicking for the Kiwis. Good-length delivery, shaping in, at the middle stump. Harry Brook camps back to push it to the off side, but gets an inside edge and it zips past the stumps, toward short fine leg. Single taken.
29.2
0
Kyle Jamieson To Harry Brook
Jamieson bangs this one on the deck and offers a bouncer, around off. Harry Brook walks down the track and hops a bit to defend it away.
29.1
0
Kyle Jamieson To Harry Brook
Back of a length, just outside off, Harry Brook dabs it down.
End Of The Over 29 : 130/3
4 Runs
- 128.1
- 028.2
- 028.3
- 028.4
- 128.5
- 228.6
J. Root
54 (84)
H. Brook
54 (44)
M. Henry
9-2-20-0
28.6
2
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Pitched up, on the pads, Joe Root clips it to the left of deep mid-wicket and gets a couple of runs.
28.5
1
Matt Henry To Harry Brook
Full, at the stumps, Harry Brook punches it to left of mid on for one.
28.4
0
Matt Henry To Harry Brook
Length, just outside off, Harry Brook blocks it to cover.
28.3
0
Matt Henry To Harry Brook
LBW DECISION OVERTURNED AGAIN! Almost a carbon copy of last time. This one is on a good length, pitching just outside off and nipping in sharply. Harry Brook rocks back to flick it away, but it gets past the inside edge and hits his pad. Henry appeals and the umpire agrees. Brook though, immediately reviews it. Matt Henry has a word with Brook and cannot believe that he hit that. The replays roll in and this looks real close to the naked eye. However, UltraEdge pops up and shows that there is a clear spike when the ball passes the bat, before hitting the pad. The decision has been overturned and Harry Brook stays alive.
28.2
0
Matt Henry To Harry Brook
A touch fuller, on off, Harry Brook fends it to the off side.
28.1
1
Matt Henry To Joe Root
On a length, outside off, Joe Root pushes it to point.
End Of The Over 28 : 126/3
6 Runs
- 027.1
- 127.2
- 027.3
- 427.4
- 127.5
- 027.6
H. Brook
53 (40)
J. Root
51 (82)
K. Jamieson
9-2-31-2
27.6
0
Kyle Jamieson To Harry Brook
Good-length delivery, nipping away. Harry Brook tries to dab it to cover, but gets beaten on the outside edge.
27.5
1
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
On a length, at the stumps, Joe Root hangs back and clips it to rigth of short mid-wicket for one.
27.4
4
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
FOUR! Finds the gap again, does Root and it's a FIFTY for the English skipper. A touch fuller, in the corridor on uncertainty. Joe Root once again strides out toward the ball and opens the face of the bat just before the ball connects the bat, to find the gap between gully and slip cordon for four runs. The Oval stands on its feet to applaud the masterpiece from the leader of the home team. It is his 67th half century in Tests and 27th as a skipper.
27.3
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Pitches it up, does Kyle, outside off. Joe Root leans onto it and defends it to the off side.
27.2
1
Kyle Jamieson To Harry Brook
On the fuller side, outside off, Harry Brook brings out his front foot and drives it through cover for a single.
27.1
0
Kyle Jamieson To Harry Brook
Jamieson serves this fuller, close to the off stump. Harry Brook works it toward short mid-wicket.
End Of The Over 27 : 120/3
0 Runs
- 026.1
- 026.2
- 026.3
- 026.4
- 026.5
- 026.6
J. Root
46 (79)
H. Brook
52 (37)
M. Henry
8-2-16-0
26.6
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
On a length, on off and middle, Root nudges it to short mid-wicket.
26.5
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Full-length delivery, outside off, not much movement on this delivery. Joe Root lunges and tries to drive it away through cover, but gets nicked on the inside edge, before hitting the pads.
26.4
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Pushes his length fuller, does Henry, on off, Root rests it down to cover.
26.3
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
On a nagging length, just outside off, Joe Root gets on his back foot and tucks it with soft hands to short mid-wicket.
26.2
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Nice and full, shaping in, around off, Joe Root gets on his front foot and blocks it back to the bowler.
26.1
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Angling in, on the back of a length, on off and middle. Joe Root rocks back and defends it to the left of the bowler.
End Of The Over 26 : 120/3
2 Runs
- 125.1
- 025.2
- 025.3
- 125.4
- 025.5
- 025.6
H. Brook
52 (37)
J. Root
46 (73)
K. Jamieson
8-2-25-2
25.6
0
Kyle Jamieson To Harry Brook
On a length, outside off, 133 kph, Brook opens the face of his bat and guides it towards backward point.
25.5
0
Kyle Jamieson To Harry Brook
Full and outside off, Brook works it towards mid-wicket.
25.4
1
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
On middle and leg, Joe Root falls over a touch and works it through mid-wicket for a single.
25.3
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Outside off, driven straight down the ground but cannot beat mid on.
25.2
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Back of a length, outside off, Root defends solidly.
25.1
1
Kyle Jamieson To Harry Brook
A short ball, worked through square leg for a single.
End Of The Over 25 : 118/3
2 Runs
- 024.1
- 124.2
- 1 LB 24.3
- 024.4
- 024.5
- 024.6
J. Root
45 (70)
H. Brook
51 (34)
M. Henry
7-1-16-0
24.6
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Outside off, worked towards mid-wicket.
24.5
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Outside off, pushed straight to point.
24.4
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Outside off, on a length, defended solidly.
24.3
lb
Matt Henry To Harry Brook
On middle and leg, Brook fails to get it away. The ball goes off his pads through square leg and a leg bye is taken.
24.2
1
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Outside off, played through point for a single.
24.1
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
GIVEN OUT LBW! But has Root hit this? He takes the review instantaneously and sure enough, UltraEdge detects a spike! A huge roar goes around the ground, but after a bit of confusion from the third umpire. Henry gets this one to nip back in from a length and catches Root in his crease, hitting him on the pads. Umpire Holdstock immediately raises his finger on the appeal but almost simultaneously, Root signals for the review, indicating to Brook that he had hit it. Sure enough, the replay shows it straightaway, but the third umpire follows the protocols and checks the UltraEdge. Now, New Zealand start to celebrate as they feel that the ball has hit the pad first, then the bat. But the third umpire is convinced after a couple of looks, that it is bat first. He is ready with his decision, but at the last moment, remembers to check the no ball. Normally, that is done first, but it is done now and after all this drama, the onfield decision is overturned!
Matt Henry is brought back on. 6-1-15-0 so far.
End Of The Over 24 : 116/3
13 Runs
- 023.1
- 123.2
- 423.3
- 423.4
- 023.5
- 423.6
H. Brook
51 (33)
J. Root
44 (65)
K. Jamieson
7-2-23-2
23.6
4
Kyle Jamieson To Harry Brook
FOUR! FIFTY FOR BROOK, IN 33 BALLS! His 17th in Test cricket. Taken this innings by storm, hasn't he? Laced with 10 fours and a six. On a length, outside off, Brook gently opens the face of his bat and guides it past slip to the deep third fence.
23.5
0
Kyle Jamieson To Harry Brook
Around off, defended down the pitch.
23.4
4
Kyle Jamieson To Harry Brook
FOUR! CLUBBED! On a length, outside off, Brook dances down the track and slaps it over mid off for consecutive boundaries!
23.3
4
Kyle Jamieson To Harry Brook
FOUR! Number 8 for Brook, but a bit fortuitous. Full, outside off, Harry Brook looks to drive it through the covers but the ball moves away a touch and goes slightly off the outside edge, behind point, to the deep third fence. Moves to 43 (30).
23.2
1
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Outside off, Root stays in his crease this time, comes forward and drives it throguh the covers for a single. 359 more needed for the win.
23.1
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Interesting. Even for Kyle Jamieson, Joe Root is walking down the pitch. Maybe, trying to negate the LBW dismissal. Gets a ball on a good length, covers his stumps and blocks it towards mid on.
End Of The Over 23 : 103/3
6 Runs
- 422.1
- 022.2
- 022.3
- 022.4
- 122.5
- 122.6
J. Root
43 (63)
H. Brook
39 (29)
N. Smith
6-1-39-0
22.6
1
Nathan Smith To Joe Root
Outside off, nipping back in, Joe Root whips it around the corner, behind square leg, for a single.
22.5
1
Nathan Smith To Harry Brook
Outside off, Harry Brook manages to get it through point and crosses over.
22.4
0
Nathan Smith To Harry Brook
On a length again, this time HB looks to tap and run to the off side but is wisely sent back by Root.
22.3
0
Nathan Smith To Harry Brook
There's that line, just outside off, honing on a length, Harry looks to defend but plays well inside the line as the ball zips past the outside edge. Excellent take by Tom Blundell standing upto the stumps.
22.2
0
Nathan Smith To Harry Brook
Full and around off, Brook defends this solidly, coming forward.
22.1
4
Nathan Smith To Harry Brook
FOUR! Lovely batting. Breathtaking half-an-hour's action post Tea. Slightly short, outside off, Harry Brook pulls it easily over mid-wicket and finds his 7th four, to go along with a six. The 100 IS UP FOR ENGLAND and this stand moves to 61 (54). 362 more needed for victory.
End Of The Over 22 : 97/3
0 Runs
- 021.1
- 021.2
- 021.3
- 021.4
- 021.5
- 021.6
J. Root
42 (62)
H. Brook
34 (24)
K. Jamieson
6-2-10-2
21.6
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
On a length, outside off, JR gets half a stride ahead and offers a dead bat. The ball pitches, nips back in, but just about manages to hit the bat and the pad, rolling towards point.
21.5
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Fuller and slightly wider outside off, Joe gets a big stride out and across, shouldering arms.
21.4
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Fuller, outside off, 130 kph, the skipper comes forward and drives it towards cover.
21.3
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Back of a length now, outside off, coming in with the angle, Joe defends.
21.2
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Oohhh... gone, but for the inside edge! On a length, outside off, Root looks to defend, but the ball nips back in a long way, nearly goes through the gap between bat and pad, but at the last moment, manages to hit the inside edge and deflect onto the pad.
21.1
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Kyle Jamieson is recalled into the attack now. 5-1-10-2 so far. On a length, outside off, Joe Root drives it towards cover.
End Of The Over 21 : 97/3
9 Runs
- 220.1
- 120.2
- 020.3
- 020.4
- 020.5
- 620.6
H. Brook
34 (24)
J. Root
42 (56)
N. Smith
5-1-33-0
20.6
6
Nathan Smith To Harry Brook
SIX! CLOBBERED! Different ball, same result! Too short and too straight, around off, Harry Brook sits deep in his crease and pulls it magnificently over square leg! Moves to 34 (24) and England need another 366 runs for victory.
New Zealand finally have their wish. With the ball doing nothing, they have been showing it to the umpires for a change, without much success. Eventually, the umpires have now agreed to CHANGE THE BALL as it seems to have been battered and gone out of shape. What else can you expect, with Brook bashing it to all parts? Conversely, the Kiwis will hope that the replacement ball zips along. The skies have grown very cloudy and overcast and there should be some assistance for movement.
20.5
0
Nathan Smith To Harry Brook
Full and outside off, Harry looks to hammer it away, but cannot get it past mid off.
20.4
0
Nathan Smith To Harry Brook
Full and just outside off, Brook defends watchfully.
20.3
0
Nathan Smith To Harry Brook
On a length, outside off, Harry Brook tries to force it through the line, through the covers, but does not move his feet and is beaten comprehensively.
20.2
1
Nathan Smith To Joe Root
Down the leg side, Root helps it through fine leg for a single.
20.1
2
Nathan Smith To Joe Root
50-STAND IS UP, IN JUST 42 BALLS! Positive intent is always the way forward. England have come out all guns blazing post Tea, but without playing any rash shots. They have scored 36 runs in just 4.1 overs already. Full, around off, Joe Root leans and flicks it through square leg for a couple. Root moves to 41 (55).
End Of The Over 20 : 88/3
13 Runs
- 419.1
- 419.2
- 019.3
- 019.4
- 419.5
- 119.6
J. Root
39 (54)
H. Brook
28 (20)
W. O'Rourke
5-0-39-1
19.6
1
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
Banged in short, around middle, Joe goes for the pull, but is beaten by pace. The ball goes off his gloves behind square leg and a single is taken. 13 from the over, 34 in the last 3!
19.5
4
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
FOUR! UP AND OVER! That's the third boundary in this over and Root is nailing that deep third boundary. Back of a length, outside off, Joe Root is ready once again. Arches back and ramps it over the slip cordon to the fence. England need another 376 runs for the win.
19.4
0
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
Back of a length, outside off, Joe thinks about dabbing it but takes his bat away at the last moment.
19.3
0
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
On a length, outside off again, watchfully defended this time.
19.2
4
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
FOUR MORE! There comes his favourite shot now. On a length, outside off, Root goes back, gently opens the face of his bat and dabs it wide of first slip to the deep third fence again! The stand moves to 43 (37).
19.1
4
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
FOUR! The skipper gets into the act now! Short, outside off, Joe Root arches back and at the last moment, ramps it over the vacant slip cordon to the deep third fence! Moves to 30 (49) with his 5th boundary.
End Of The Over 19 : 75/3
11 Runs
- 118.1
- 018.2
- 418.3
- 018.4
- 418.5
- 218.6
H. Brook
28 (20)
J. Root
26 (48)
N. Smith
4-1-24-0
18.6
2
Nathan Smith To Harry Brook
Short again, outside off, HB heaves it over mid-wicket. Doesn't get enough of it, but the intent is pretty clear. Two runs taken, 21 scored in the last 2 overs!
18.5
4
Nathan Smith To Harry Brook
FOUR! 4th boundary in the last 7 balls for Brook and this is getting exciting. On a length outside off, Harry Brook stays back and intentionally, opens the face of his bat and guides it through the vacant short third region. The Kiwis have now employed a fly slip in place.
18.4
0
Nathan Smith To Harry Brook
On middle and off, on a length, defended watchfully.
18.3
4
Nathan Smith To Harry Brook
FOUR! BRUTAL! That's three boundaries in the last 5 balls for Brook who has ticked a gear. Short, outside off, Brook sits deep in his crease and heaves the pull over mid-wicket.
18.2
0
Nathan Smith To Harry Brook
Full and just outside off, Harry Brook defends it solidly.
18.1
1
Nathan Smith To Joe Root
On middle and leg, Joe Root works it behind square leg for a single.
End Of The Over 18 : 64/3
10 Runs
- 017.1
- 017.2
- 417.3
- 117.4
- 117.5
- 417.6
H. Brook
18 (15)
J. Root
25 (47)
W. O'Rourke
4-0-26-1
17.6
4
Will O'Rourke To Harry Brook
FOUR! BOSH! Brook is fighting fire with fire. O'Rourke bangs it in short, but Brook is ready. He is not going to block. Gets on the front foot, takes the bowler and the ball on and pulls it with aplomb over mid-wicket for a boundary. 399 runs more needed for the win.
17.5
1
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
On a length, outside off, Joe Root pushes this behind point and gets the white-ball skipper back on strike.
17.4
1
Will O'Rourke To Harry Brook
Short and wide outside off, now Harry slaps this with disdain, but New Zealand have done their homework. Devon Conway is lurking at deep backward point. Just a single.
17.3
4
Will O'Rourke To Harry Brook
FOUR! FABULOUS! Very full, on middle, Harry Brook comes forward a touch and just plays a forward defensive stroke. But the timing is so sweet that the ball races down the ground. Don't know when, but Kyle Jamieson is back on the field and tries chasing it down. But he is stiff and his dive cannot provide a result.
17.2
0
Will O'Rourke To Harry Brook
Outside off, slightly fuller, Brook pushes it away but finds gully in his way.
17.1
0
Will O'Rourke To Harry Brook
On a length, outside off, Harry Brook looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.
A couple of substitutes have taken the field for New Zealand. One can see Will Young and Mitchell Santner in the field, with Kyle Jamieson and Rachin Ravindra having an extended Tea break. Will O'Rourke will continue.
End Of The Over 17 : 54/3
0 Runs
- 016.1
- 016.2
- 016.3
- 016.4
- 016.5
- 016.6
J. Root
24 (46)
H. Brook
9 (10)
N. Smith
3-1-13-0
16.6
0
Nathan Smith To Joe Root
On a good length, just outside off, 131 kph, Joe Root pushes it towards point.
16.5
0
Nathan Smith To Joe Root
Full and straight, the skipper drives it towards mid on.
16.4
0
Nathan Smith To Joe Root
On a good length this time, outside off, 131 kph, JR hangs back and defends it towards cover.
16.3
0
Nathan Smith To Joe Root
Very wide of the crease is Henry, bowling it pretty full, around off, nearly a yorker, Joe watches it till the last moment and digs it out towards point.
16.2
0
Nathan Smith To Joe Root
Slightly wider outside off, coming in, Root shoulders arms.
16.1
0
Nathan Smith To Joe Root
On the money, straightaway. On a length, around off, Joe Root defends.
With the 14K monkey off his back, Joe Root will be a lot more relaxed going into this innings. The players are back on the field. It will be Nathan Smith to kick things off to Joe Root.
... DAY 4, FINAL SESSION ...
Soft underbelly - New Zealand will be eyeing at England's inexperienced middle order with hungry eyes. Break this Root-Brook stand and you have two debutants coming up next, followed by the bowlers. Dare we say, if the Black Caps go bang-bang after the break, this match could get over tonight itself. 39 overs are scheduled in the day, so anything can happen. Conversely, the hosts might be close to 200 as well, who knows. The final session is scheduled to begin at around 3 pm GMT.
Attack is the best form of defense - So say a few legends. When in trouble, counterattack and transfer the pressure onto the opposition. Last year, having been set a target of 374 by India in the final innings, England ransacked 367 at around 4.3 runs per over, riding largely on twin centuries from the men currently in the middle - Joe Root and Harry Brook. They added 195 runs for the 4th wicket, putting the Indians on the mat, almost pulling off a coup. Whether they can do it again or not here, with nearly another 100 runs added to the target is a doubt, but the approach will more or less be the same, especially from Brook, who will look to play only one way. That could mean plenty of opportunities for New Zealand to take wickets. Either ways, the next session will be fun.
Keep it short - It was actually an interesting tactic from the Kiwi seamers. Normally, one goes for the fuller lengths with the new ball, which the Black Caps did, but very quickly, got the short ball into play. They were able to generate some extra bounce and that made life difficult for England. The lengths were mixed up pretty beautifully and that caused the wickets to fall. Emilio Gay will be cursing himself for flicking a half volley straight to hand, while Bethell got a beauty very early on. And then, Ben Duckett, who had been riding his luck against the short ball, was dismissed a few minutes before Tea. It is pretty evident that the hosts were not expecting the short length so early in this innings and have been caught on the back foot.
The torrid hour - These kind of passages can often be tricky for batters. Especially for a side like England, who like to attack from the word go. Make no mistake, set them a target of 500 runs on the final day and even that will be aimed to be knocked off by these English batters. That's their confidence. But when you have roughly an hour and a quarter to bat, you are neither here nor there. You don't want to be reckless but at the same time, don't want to go into a shell either. And that double-mindedness has cost the home side three precious wickets in this excellent mini session for New Zealand.
End Of The Over 16 : 54/3
5 Runs
- 015.1
- 015.2
- 015.3
- 015.4
- 415.5
- 115.6
J. Root
24 (40)
H. Brook
9 (10)
W. O'Rourke
3-0-16-1
15.6
1
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
Full, on middle and off, Root leans and flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. That will be TEA ON DAY 4, ENGLAND 54/3 CHASING 463!
15.5
4
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
FOUR! BOOM! Asking for punishment and obliged. Short and wide outside off, Joe Root reaches out and slaps a cut through point, with the ball racing away. En route, Root has become the first batter to score 2000 runs or more against New Zealand in Tests. This is the third opposition against whom he has scored 2000 Test runs or more, having achieved the feat against two other favourite opponents - India and Australia. Additionally, 50 IS UP FOR ENGLAND, NEEDING 410 MORE.
15.4
0
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
Similar ball, coming back in, this time JR shoulders arms.
15.3
0
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
Yes and a no. On a good length, outside off, Joe pushes it towards point and sets off for a single, but is wisely sent back. That would have been touch and go, which would have been pretty needless in a Test match, that too, with a break around the corner.
15.2
0
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
Slipped down the leg side, with a leg slip in place. Root has a flick, but misses as he falls over a touch.
15.1
0
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
On a good length, outside off, Joe Root goes back and dabs it towards backward point.
Should be the final over before Tea.
End Of The Over 15 : 49/3
4 Runs
- 014.1
- 014.2
- 014.3
- 014.4
- 014.5
- 414.6
H. Brook
9 (10)
J. Root
19 (34)
N. Smith
2-0-13-0
14.6
4
Nathan Smith To Harry Brook
FOUR! BLUDGEONED! Good response from Brook. Slightly overpitched, outside off, a touch wide, Harry Brook leans into the shot and blasts it through the covers for a boundary.
14.5
0
Nathan Smith To Harry Brook
Better from Brook. He has been stuck in his crease for quite a while. Full, outside off, Harry Brook comes forward, shows the full face of the bat and drives it beautifully towards mid off.
14.4
0
Nathan Smith To Harry Brook
Nipping back in again. On a length, outside off, 133 kph, HB looks to play it from his crease but is caught out by the late movement. The feet do not move and the ball takes the inside edge, deflecting onto the front thigh.
14.3
0
Nathan Smith To Harry Brook
On a good length, outside off, 135 kph, coming in from pretty wide of the crease from over the wicket, Harry defends it near his feet.
14.2
0
Nathan Smith To Harry Brook
Full and straight, Brook looks to defend but the ball comes back in a long way. The bat just about gets down in time with the ball going off the inner half of the bat towards short mid-wicket.
14.1
0
Nathan Smith To Harry Brook
Full and outside off, Harry Brook defends watchfully.
End Of The Over 14 : 45/3
5 Runs
- W 13.1
- 013.2
- 013.3
- 413.4
- 113.5
- 013.6
J. Root
19 (34)
H. Brook
5 (4)
W. O'Rourke
2-0-11-1
13.6
0
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
Outside off, on a length, extra bounce again, Root pushes it towards cover. Quick success for Will O'Rourke then, getting a wicket in his very second over in this innings.
13.5
1
Will O'Rourke To Harry Brook
Ummm... nearly falls into the trap. Will O'Rourke bangs it short, keeping a deep backward square leg in place and Brook takes him on. Goes for the pull and nearly hits it straight down the throat of that fielder. Lands just in front. A single taken.
13.4
4
Will O'Rourke To Harry Brook
FOUR! Off the mark, is Brook. Back of a length, outside off, Harry Brook waits for the ball to arrive and steers it behind point for a boundary.
13.3
0
Will O'Rourke To Harry Brook
Loose from Brook. Full, wide outside off, Brook goes for a flashy drive without moving his feet and misses.
13.2
0
Will O'Rourke To Harry Brook
A short ball as a welcome, around off, decent bounce, Harry Brook fends it to the leg side. Not a bad time to keep a short leg, aye?
Tea watchman? If there is any such term. The hosts were just about settling into some kind of steadiness after the rocky start, but find themselves in trouble again. Harry Brook walks in next, at number 5, replacing Ben Duckett, with the sole aim being to block things out till Tea.
13.1
W
Will O'Rourke To Ben Duckett OUT!
OUT! BOUNCED OUT! Ben Duckett falls a few minutes before Tea. The short ball ploy works again. Banged into the deck, outside off, Duckett shapes up for the pull, but is kind of hurried into the shot. There is extra bounce on that delivery and Ben can only get it off the toe end of his bat. The ball tamely lobs towards short mid on and Matt Henry does really well to charge in from the mid on position. He slides forward and takes it neatly. Duckett looks at his bat and then at the deck. He trudges off with Tea around the corner, with ENGLAND 40/3, NEEDING ANOTHER 423 RUNS TO WIN.
End Of The Over 13 : 40/2
9 Runs
- 112.1
- 412.2
- 012.3
- 012.4
- 412.5
- 012.6
J. Root
19 (33)
B. Duckett
9 (27)
N. Smith
1-0-9-0
12.6
0
Nathan Smith To Joe Root
Full and around off, pushed into the off side.
12.5
4
Nathan Smith To Joe Root
FOUR MORE! That's a cracker again. Short, outside off, Joe Root goes back in his crease, rides the bounce and cuts it fiercely in front of point for the second boundary of the over.
12.4
0
Nathan Smith To Joe Root
Outside off, pushed to the off side.
12.3
0
Nathan Smith To Joe Root
On a length, outside off, Root leans and drives it towards point.
12.2
4
Nathan Smith To Joe Root
FOUR! More than 30 percent of his 14K Test runs would have come from that region alone, shall we guess? On a length, outside off, Joe Root leans and pushes it behind point, his favourite area. The ball races to the fence and England need another 427 runs more to win.
12.1
1
Nathan Smith To Ben Duckett
Wow. That bounces as well. It is the second or third time in this short passage that Ben Duckett has been caught unawares by the steep bounce. Smith lands it on a hard length, outside off, Duckett looks to defend by coming forward but the ball rises suddenly, catches him by surprise and luckily for him, rolls down despite taking the outside edge. The ball goes behind point and the batters take a single.
Should be a double bowling change. Henry has already bowled 6 overs in this spell. Unless, he can bowl for another 10-odd minutes and drag himself till Tea. Nope. Nathan Smith has been given the ball. Tom Blundell is standing upto the stumps for him as well.
End Of The Over 12 : 31/2
6 Runs
- 411.1
- 111.2
- 011.3
- 011.4
- 111.5
- 011.6
J. Root
11 (28)
B. Duckett
8 (26)
W. O'Rourke
1-0-6-0
11.6
0
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
Oh, nearly, nearly curtains for Root. Will bashes the length hard, and gets it to nip and bounce back into the batter. Root hops a bit to ride the bounce but gets a thick inside edge. The ball threatens to crash into the stumps, but it just bounces over the stump to roll back. Root was alert to the situation and ready to knock it away with his bat.
11.5
1
Will O'Rourke To Ben Duckett
In and around middle and leg, on a fractionally fuller length. Ben Duckett gets a bit across in the crease and steers it through backward square leg for a single.
11.4
0
Will O'Rourke To Ben Duckett
Keeps the line of attack on the stumps, on a good length. Ben Duckett watchfully blocks it out to the off side.
11.3
0
Will O'Rourke To Ben Duckett
On a back of a length outside. Duckett shuffles across and blocks the ball to the right of the bowler.
11.2
1
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
On a back of a length, on top of off. Joe Root hangs back and punches it to the left of cover for a single.
11.1
4
Will O'Rourke To Joe Root
FOUR! Gets greeted by a classy shot! Short and wide from Will, 135 kph. Root rocks back and cuts it uppishly to the right of backward point.
Will O'Rourke is introduced into the attack now. He replaces Kyle Jamieson.
End Of The Over 11 : 25/2
3 Runs
- 010.1
- 010.2
- 010.3
- 210.4
- 010.5
- 110.6
J. Root
6 (25)
B. Duckett
7 (23)
M. Henry
6-1-15-0
10.6
1
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Fuller in length, on middle, Joe Root pushes it off the inner half of the bat to wide mid on for a single.
10.5
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Bangs it short and outside off, getting an uncomfortable lift off the deck. Root arches back and dabs it to backward point.
10.4
2
Matt Henry To Joe Root
On a back of a length, on middle and leg. Joe Root uses his wrists to steer it through square leg for a couple of runs.
10.3
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Full on the stumps, pushed to mid on.
10.2
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Skids through on middle, a fraction fuller. Joe Root looks to block it with a high elbow, but is almost undone by the lack of bounce. Ekes out an inside edge onto the front pad.
10.1
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Goes full and around off, cutting in. Root goes for a full-blooded cover drive but inside edges it on the pads.
Excellent pressure being exerted by the tourists. Matt Henry to continue. Blundell is up to the wickets.
End Of The Over 10 : 22/2
2 Runs
- 09.1
- 09.2
- 29.3
- 09.4
- 09.5
- 09.6
B. Duckett
7 (23)
J. Root
3 (19)
K. Jamieson
5-1-10-2
9.6
0
Kyle Jamieson To Ben Duckett
Folds back in from off, on a good length. Ben Duckett punches it off the back foot to mid on.
9.5
0
Kyle Jamieson To Ben Duckett
Close leave! In the corridor of uncertainty, full in length, nipping away from just outside off. Ben Duckett commits on the front foot and opts to leave it.
9.4
0
Kyle Jamieson To Ben Duckett
A length ball, on top of off. Ben hops on the toes and eases it to cover.
9.3
2
Kyle Jamieson To Ben Duckett
Hits the deck hard, and gets it to jag back in. Ben tucks it across to the vast vacant acreage in the mid-wicket region for a couple of runs.
9.2
0
Kyle Jamieson To Ben Duckett
Bowls full, on off, from around the stump. Ben Duckett presents full face of his bat and defends it to extra cover.
9.1
0
Kyle Jamieson To Ben Duckett
Nagging length, around off, left alone by Duckett.
End Of The Over 9 : 20/2
0 Runs
- 08.1
- 08.2
- 08.3
- 08.4
- 08.5
- 08.6
J. Root
3 (19)
B. Duckett
5 (17)
M. Henry
5-1-12-0
8.6
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Wonderful fielding by Conway! Hits the hard length, outside off. Joe Root square cuts it off the back foot, but Conway dives alertly and makes a sharp stop at backward point.
8.5
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Attacks the middle pole on a fuller length. Root gets slightly across and drives it down to mid on.
8.4
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Around off, on a length. Root lets the ball come at him and solidly blocks it to cover.
8.3
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
A touch fuller, nipping in and around off. Root takes a big stride forward and dabs it late to the off side.
8.2
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Hard length, on top of off. Joe Root rises on the toes and bunts it to short cover.
8.1
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Honing in on the stumps, full in length. Root drags the bat in front of the pads and knocks it to mid on.
End Of The Over 8 : 20/2
1 Runs
- 07.1
- 07.2
- 07.3
- 07.4
- 07.5
- 17.6
J. Root
3 (13)
B. Duckett
5 (17)
K. Jamieson
4-1-8-2
7.6
1
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Pitched full on middle and leg. Root walks across and flicks it between mid on and mid-wicket and steals a run.
7.5
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Good length and around off. Root rides the bounce and punches it away to the fielder at backward point.
7.4
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
On the fuller side, outside off. Root blocks it to backward point.
7.3
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Shocking review! Perhaps because the batter is Root. Huge nip-backer bowled from wide of the crease. Full around off. Joe plants the front foot forward but decides not to offer any shot and lets the ball hits the front pad. A big appeal for LBW, but nothing doing. After a bit of a discussion, New Zealand have opted for a review, just with a couple of seconds left on the timer. Ball Tracking comes up and shows that the ball is projected to miss the off stump by a mile. New Zealand have burnt a review.
7.2
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Back of a length, and it spits up on top of off. Root takes a couple of strides down the pitch and is completely taken aback by the lift. Takes his bottom hand off and it goes on the bounce to the slip cordon.
7.1
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Too full, on off, Root presses forward and dabs it out.
End Of The Over 7 : 19/2
1 Runs
- 06.1
- 06.2
- 16.3
- 06.4
- 06.5
- 06.6
B. Duckett
5 (17)
J. Root
2 (7)
M. Henry
4-0-12-0
6.6
0
Matt Henry To Ben Duckett
Dents back in from middle, Ben Duckett tries to play at it, but the ball squirts off the inside edge before rolling into the leg side.
6.5
0
Matt Henry To Ben Duckett
Length ball, on off, Duckett bunts it to point.
6.4
0
Matt Henry To Ben Duckett
On the fuller side and around middle, Ben nudges it down to mid-wicket.
6.3
1
Matt Henry To Joe Root
A momentous single for Joe Root! He completes 14000 Test match runs and becomes the only second batter in this format after Sachin Tendulkar to achieve this feat. The crowd is on its feet, the England dressing room is up in the balcony, and Root raises his bat to take it all in. What a great achievement from a great batter. Full and around off, Root leans on the ball and knocks it away to backward point for a single.
6.2
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Kicks up, around off, on a good length. Joe Root stands up on his toes and steers it to the cover-point region.
6.1
0
Matt Henry To Joe Root
Nip-backer on a length, Joe Root stays put and blocks off the inner half of the bat.
End Of The Over 6 : 18/2
1 Runs
- 05.1
- 05.2
- 05.3
- 15.4
- 05.5
- 05.6
B. Duckett
5 (14)
J. Root
1 (4)
K. Jamieson
3-1-7-2
5.6
0
Kyle Jamieson To Ben Duckett
Close, so close! This is a length ball, that stays underground and nips in sharply. Ben Duckett hops to ride the bounce but is outfoxed by the lack of bounce. Plays around the line and is hit on the front pad. A huge appeal for LBW, but not given! Several Kiwi players converge to have a chat with Jamieson and they have opted to go upstairs. Nothing on UltraEdge and the Ball Tracking shows that it is hitting the leg stump on umpire's call. New Zealand retain the review.
5.5
0
Kyle Jamieson To Ben Duckett
Around off, full, driven firmly to the extra cover fielder.
5.4
1
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Full again, on middle, Root walks across and down the pitch to flick it to mid-wicket for a single. Henry there dives to his right and surely saves a few runs.
5.3
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
EDGED, DOES NOT CARRY! Pitched on a fuller length and it nips away off the surface, around off. Root plays with soft hands to block, but gets a thick outside edge that dips in front of the second slip fielder.
5.2
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
A yorker, almost. Joe drops his bat down and squeezes it out to the off side.
5.1
0
Kyle Jamieson To Joe Root
Full and outside off. 133 kph. Root gets forward and taps it down to backward point.
End Of The Over 5 : 17/2
4 Runs
- 04.1
- 04.2
- 04.3
- 04.4
- 04.5
- 44.6
B. Duckett
5 (12)
J. Root
0 (0)
M. Henry
3-0-11-0
4.6
4
Matt Henry To Ben Duckett
FOUR! Shot of authority! Back of a length, just outside off. Ben Duckett rides the bounce and pulls it away to beat the left of the catching sqaure leg fielder for four runs.
4.5
0
Matt Henry To Ben Duckett
Full, shaping in, around off, Ben Duckett blocks it down the track.
4.4
0
Matt Henry To Ben Duckett
Full again, outside off. Ben gets on the front foot and tries to hammer it through cover, but mistimes it to the cover region.
4.3
0
Matt Henry To Ben Duckett
Pitched full and outside off. Duckett forces it to point.
4.2
0
Matt Henry To Ben Duckett
This one nips away from the batter, on a good length, in the channel. Ben Duckett pokes at it and gets beaten all ends up.
4.1
0
Matt Henry To Ben Duckett
Full and cannoned into the batter, on off. Ben is drawn forward to defend, but inside edges on the front pad.
And just like that, England are two down. In walks Joe Root at number 4 to steady the ship for his team.
End Of The Over 4 : 13/2
0 Runs
- 03.1
- W 3.2
- 03.3
- 03.4
- 03.5
- W 3.6
J. Bethell
0 (4)
B. Duckett
1 (6)
K. Jamieson
2-1-6-2
3.6
W
Kyle Jamieson To Jacob Bethell OUT!
OUT! LBW! That's two in the over and the start could not have been better for the visitors as well as Kyle Jamieson. Wide of the crease, angling back in, landing on a length around middle. Bethell is across but the bat comes down too late and the pad takes the full blow. The appeal for LBW is loud and the umpire does not hesitate to raise his finger. Bethell looks at his partner, considers the review, and decides against it. He would have been wasting it. The Ball Tracking later shows three reds with the ball projected to crash into the middle pole. England are dented early, 13/2.
3.5
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jacob Bethell
Slanting down the leg side, Jacob Bethell initially looks to flick it, but as he sees the ball is harmless to him, he makes a leave.
3.4
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jacob Bethell
Another fuller delivery, outside off, Jacob Bethell brings out his front foot and defends it to the off side.
3.3
0
Kyle Jamieson To Jacob Bethell
Shaping in, fuller, around off, Jacob Bethell defends it to cover.
New Zealand have their first breakthrough. Gay cannot believe and throws his head back in disappointment. Jacob Bethell is in at number 3.
3.2
W
Kyle Jamieson To Emilio Gay OUT!
OUT! CAUGHT! Just what the Kiwis were hoping for, and it's Kyle Jamieson who draws the first blood. He delivers it fuller, angling in, around off. Emilio Gay walks across the stumps and flicks it off his pads, but there is a catching short square leg fielder just for these opportunities. Gay gets the timing right, but cannot keep it on the ground, and the ball flies flat to the left of Rachin Ravindra in that region. Rachin bends low on his left and catches it safely. England lose their first wicket early, chasing 453 runs.
3.1
0
Kyle Jamieson To Emilio Gay
Full-length delivery, on off, Emilio Gay prods and eases it to cover.
End Of The Over 3 : 13/0
5 Runs
- 02.1
- 42.2
- 02.3
- 02.4
- 12.5
- 02.6
B. Duckett
1 (6)
E. Gay
11 (12)
M. Henry
2-0-7-0
2.6
0
Matt Henry To Ben Duckett
On a good length, at the stumps, Ben Duckett nudges it to mid-wicket.
2.5
1
Matt Henry To Emilio Gay
Another bouncer, around the shoulder of the batter. Gay swivels on his back foot, lifts his front leg up and pulls it away to deep fine leg with some style. Single taken.
2.4
0
Matt Henry To Emilio Gay
Bumper now, out of nowhere. Emilio Gay spots it and ducks immediately.
2.3
0
Matt Henry To Emilio Gay
Full, on off, Emilio Gay eases it to cover.
2.2
4
Matt Henry To Emilio Gay
FOUR! Now that's a shot and a half! Back of a length, slanting it just outside off. Emilio Gay lets the ball come at him and punches it a bit late to beat the right of the short cover fielder for the boundary.
2.1
0
Matt Henry To Emilio Gay
Pitches it up, does Emilio Gay on middle. Emilio Gay brings out his solid defence.
End Of The Over 2 : 8/0
6 Runs
- 01.1
- 41.2
- 01.3
- 01.4
- 11.5
- 1 WD 1.6
- 01.6
B. Duckett
1 (5)
E. Gay
6 (7)
K. Jamieson
1-0-6-0
1.6
0
Kyle Jamieson To Ben Duckett
Short of a length, outside off, Ben Duckett dabs it down to cover-point.
1.6
wd
Kyle Jamieson To Ben Duckett
WIDE! Back of a length, pitching it way outside off and swings away as well. Ben Duckett leaves it and Tom Blundell does well to fling himself to his left to collect it single-handedly.
1.5
1
Kyle Jamieson To Emilio Gay
Attacking the middle stump, a good-length delivery, Emilio Gay loses his bottom hand and tucks it away to deep fine leg for a single. The ball stays a bit low as well.
1.4
0
Kyle Jamieson To Emilio Gay
Shaping down the leg side, on a hard length, Emilio Gay tries to flick it but misses the connection.
1.3
0
Kyle Jamieson To Emilio Gay
Jamieson pushes his length fuller, on off, Gay leans on it and blocks it down.
1.2
4
Kyle Jamieson To Emilio Gay
FOUR! Off the mark in a streaky way. Back of a length outside off, kicks off the deck sharply. Gay goes back but is caught by surprise, a fraction late withdrawing the bat, and the ball grazes the edge and flies past the diving second slip fielder to his left. Four runs.
1.1
0
Kyle Jamieson To Emilio Gay
On a good length, around off, Emilio Gay pats it to cover from his back foot.
Kyle Jamieson will bowl from the other end.
End Of The Over 1 : 2/0
2 Runs
- 00.1
- 00.2
- 00.3
- 10.4
- 00.5
- 10.6
E. Gay
1 (2)
B. Duckett
1 (4)
M. Henry
1-0-2-0
0.6
1
Matt Henry To Emilio Gay
Edged and just short! Fuller and angling across outside off, Gay gets forward to defend and gets a thick outside edge. It does not carry. Blundell dives to his left, gets his gloves to it but cannot hold on, and the ball spills away behind first slip. A single is all it amounts to.
0.5
0
Matt Henry To Emilio Gay
A touch fuller, outside off, Emilio Gay shoulders arms at it.
0.4
1
Matt Henry To Ben Duckett
Good length, much outside off. Ben Duckett extends his hands and pushes it gently through cover for a single. With that Ben Duckett and England are underway.
0.3
0
Matt Henry To Ben Duckett
Back of a length, outside off, Ben Duckett chops it down to cover-point.
0.2
0
Matt Henry To Ben Duckett
Fuller, on off, angling in. Ben Duckett nudges it to the left of the bowler.
0.1
0
Matt Henry To Ben Duckett
Beaten straightaway! Hard-length delivery to start with, outside off, Ben Duckett doesn't like leaving the ball and the Kiwis know it very well. Duckett tries to have a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.
0
Filters
Type
Overs
Batsmen
- Ben Duckett
- Emilio Gay
- Jacob Bethell
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- James Rew
- Jordan Cox
- Jofra Archer
- Matthew Fisher
- Josh Tongue
- Sonny Baker
Bowlers
Match Info
- Venue The Oval, London
- Weather Sunny
- Toss England won the toss and elected to field
- Result New Zealand beat England by 253 runs
- Player of the Match Matt Henry
- Umpire Adrian Holdstock (SA), Nitin Menon (IND) and Rod Tucker (AUS)
- Referee Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
Match Notes
- Stumps: New Zealand 291/7 in 77.0 overs
- T Blundell 12th Test fifty: 50 runs in 82 balls (6x4) (0x6)
- New Zealand 250/5 in 64.5 overs
- Drinks: New Zealand 243/5 in 63.0 overs
- 6th wkt Partnership: 50 off 57 balls between T Blundell (43) and G Phillips (36)
- New Zealand 200/5 in 54.1 overs
- Tea: New Zealand 166/4 in 49.0 overs
- 5th wkt Partnership: 50 off 57 balls between D Mitchell (24) and T Blundell (21)
- New Zealand 153/4 in 44.1 overs
- Drinks: New Zealand 116/4 in 37.0 overs
- New Zealand 102/3 in 34.2 overs
- Lunch: New Zealand 75/2 in 25.0 overs
- Drinks: New Zealand 27/1 in 13.0 overs
- New Zealand 50/1 in 18.2 overs
- Referral 1 (11.6): ENG against H Nicholls (Caught) Unsuccessful (ENG: 2, NZ: 3)
- Stumps: England 222/6 in 59.0 overs
- J Rew dropped on 23 by R Ravindra in 53.2 overs
- England 203/5 in 48.1 overs
- Drinks: England 177/5 in 42.1 overs
- Referral 2 (40.5 ovs): J Root against NZ (LBW) Unsuccessful (ENG: 3, NZ: 3) (Retained)
- England 152/3 in 35.2 overs
- Referral 1 (33.5 ovs): NZ against E Gay (Caught) Successful (ENG: 3, NZ: 3)
- E Gay 2nd Test fifty: 53 runs in 112 balls (9x4) (0x6)
- Rain Stoppage: England 119/2 in 27.5 overs
- Tea: England 118/2 in 27.0 overs
- 3rd wkt Partnership: 50 off 60 balls between E Gay (26) and J Root (19)
- England 100/2 in 22.5 overs
- Drinks: England 68/1 in 16.0 overs
- England 52/1 in 8.5 overs
- Lunch: England 15/0 in 3.0 overs
- Innings Break: New Zealand 391/10 in 96.2 overs
- G Phillips maiden Test hundred: 100 runs in 133 balls (18x4) (0x6)
- Drinks: New Zealand 365/7 in 89.0 overs
- New Zealand 350/7 in 86.0 overs
- 8th wkt Partnership: 51 off 52 balls between G Phillips (23) and K Jamieson (21)
- New ball taken: New Zealand 319/7 in 80.1 overs
- K Jamieson dropped on 16 by B Duckett in 79.3 overs
- New Zealand 300/7 in 78.0 overs
- G Phillips Test fifty: 50 runs in 76 balls (10x4) (0x6)
- Stumps: New Zealand 252/3 in 56.0 overs
- New Zealand 252/3 in 55.5 overs
- 4th wkt Partnership: 50 off 70 balls between H Nicholls (20) and D Mitchell (29)
- H Nicholls 11th Test hundred: 102 runs in 136 balls (14x4) (0x6)
- New Zealand 201/3 in 45.2 overs
- Referral 1 (41.4 ovs): R Ravindra against ENG (LBW) Unsuccessful (ENG: 3, NZ: 3) (Retained)
- Drinks: New Zealand 180/2 in 40.0 overs
- 3rd wkt Partnership: 150 off 189 balls between H Nicholls (68) and R Ravindra (74)
- New Zealand 151/2 in 34.2 overs
- R Ravindra 6th Test fifty: 53 runs in 79 balls (11x4) (0x6)
- 3rd wkt Partnership: 100 off 127 balls between H Nicholls (53) and R Ravindra (43)
- H Nicholls Test fifty: 51 runs in 72 balls (6x4) (0x6)
- New Zealand 101/2 in 26.1 overs
- H Nicholls dropped on 42 by J Rew in 26.1 overs
- Tea: New Zealand 94/2 in 25.0 overs
- 3rd wkt Partnership: 50 off 79 balls between H Nicholls (21) and R Ravindra (27)
- New Zealand 52/2 in 14.4 overs
- R Ravindra dropped on 7 by J Rew in 14.3 overs
- Lunch: England 291/10 in 84.0 overs
- Innings Break: England 291/10 in 84.0 overs
- M Fisher maiden Test fifty: 50 runs in 76 balls (6x4) (0x6)
- 10th wkt Partnership: 53 off 95 balls between M Fisher (48) and S Baker (4)
- New ball taken: England 281/9 in 80.1 overs
- M Fisher dropped on 30 by T Blundell in 78.4 overs
- Drinks: England 256/9 in 73.0 overs
- England 250/9 in 70.1 overs
- M Henry 7th Test 5-wicket haul: 5/64 (20.0)
- Stumps: England 182/5 in 48.0 overs
- Referral 5 (45.3 ovs): NZ against J Rew (LBW) Successful (ENG: 3, NZ: 2)
- England 150/4 in 34.1 overs
- Drinks: England 137/3 in 32.0 overs
- Referral 4 (28.3 ovs): H Brook against NZ (LBW) Successful (ENG: 3, NZ: 2)
- J Root 67th Test fifty: 50 runs in 81 balls (8x4) (0x6)
- Referral 3 (24.1 ovs): J Root against NZ (LBW) Successful (ENG: 3, NZ: 2)
- H Brook 17th Test fifty: 51 runs in 33 balls (10x4) (1x6)
- England 101/3 in 22.1 overs
- Change of ball: England 97/3 in 20.6 overs
- Tea: England 54/3 in 16.0 overs
- England 53/3 in 15.5 overs
- Referral 2 (7.3 ovs): NZ against J Root (LBW) Unsuccessful (ENG: 3, NZ: 2)
- Joe Root completes 14000 runs in Test
- Referral 1 (5.6 ovs): NZ against B Duckett (LBW) Unsuccessful (ENG: 3, NZ: 3) (Retained)
- Innings Break: New Zealand 362/10 in 87.1 overs
- New Zealand 351/7 in 83.0 overs
- New ball taken: New Zealand 349/7 in 82.4 overs
- Lunch: New Zealand 345/6 in 81.0 overs
- New Zealand 303/5 in 69.4 overs
- D Mitchell 16th Test fifty: 51 runs in 68 balls (6x4) (1x6)
- Drinks: New Zealand 295/5 in 69.0 overs
- D Mitchell dropped on 32 by H Brook in 56.1 overs
- England 200/9 in 56.0 overs
- M Henry 8th Test 5-wicket haul: 5/28 (16.0)
- Referral 6 (50.1 ovs): J Root against NZ (LBW) Unsuccessful (ENG: 2, NZ: 2)
Advertisement
Advertisement
