Summary

Have your say on England men this summer

Live Reporting

by Timothy Abraham

  1. Going over

    The ball-tracking technology shows it would have missed the stumps and some.

    It did look to the naked eye that it would be too high.

  2. New Zealand review

    Gus Atkinson hit on the thigh near the crown jewels by the first ball of Zak Foulkes' over.

    New Zealand skipper Tom Latham opts for a review.

    This looks more in hope than expectation.

  3. Eng 301-6

    Harry Brook edges one from Nathan Smith but the Yorkshireman has played it with soft hands and it fall short of the fielder at slip which allows him to pick up a couple.

    Brook defends the next few deliveries before nudging a single to move England's score up to 300.

  4. Eng 296-6

    Harry Brook looks quite serene at the crease, which bodes well if England can just bat round him for a period.

    Brook unbeaten on 45 off 53 balls.

    Gus Atkinson is the new batter, by the way.

    Harry BrookGetty Images

  5. Get Involved

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    People clamouring for the return of Ben Foakes seem to forget how he batted in India, unable to hit it off the square. If he can bat at number nine, there's a case for his inclusion, but otherwise, it leaves a very long tail.

    Luke, Athens

    Ben Foakes, great keeper. Test batting average under 30. How many Test teams would carry that?

    Ben, Saunderton

    Everyone calling for Ben Foakes' return seem to be forgetting a few things. Firstly that he's injured, but also that he averages under 30 in test cricket and lacks the ability to accelerate when batting with the tail.

    Tom, London

    Since his 2018 debut, no wicketkeeper with 15+ matches has a lower catch percentage than Foakes. He averages fewer dismissals per innings than Smith. His Test batting average is 24.6 since 2019 and he's badly exposed by international pace bowlers, averaging 15 against deliveries over 87mph. No more Foakes, please.

    Nick, London

  6. Eng 293-6

    A tight-ish over from Ben Sears and the Trent Bridge crowd roar with delight as the groundstaff member with the mallet scuttles on, running a bit like Fred Flinstone, to remedy the run-up issues.

  7. Get Involved

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    I think the best performance on either side this series has been that of Tom Blundell standing up to 80mph seamers. He and Alex Carey have shown how inferior Jamie Smith is as a keeper. Ben Foakes, though, is their equal.

    David, Enfield

  8. Eng 290-6

    A member of Nottinghamshire groundstaff is back on to hammer the issue with the run-up using a giant wooden mallet.

    A member of Nottinghamshire groundstaffGetty Images

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

    These wickets are coming really easy and in a casual manner. That was just what was required and New Zealand will be delighted with that.

  10. wicket

    WICKET

    Stokes b Foulkes 15 (Eng 290-6)

    The England captain is bowled taking on the drive to one that nips back sharply and hits the top of middle and off.

    It's a good delivery from Zak Foulkes, who has found movement off the seam, but Ben Stokes should probably not be driving a delivery on that length.

    Are England tossing away a good position? They trail by 148 runs.

    Ben StokesGetty Images

  11. Get Involved

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    I really can't see why Smith is being selected at this point. His batting is average and his keeping is even worse.

    Clive, Staplehurst

    As much as I like Jamie Smith, it feels like he's been out of form for a while. Would love to see Foakes get another chance. Really feels like we're sleeping on his batting and keeping skills.

    Oscar, Nottingham

    Why do we ignore the record of Ben Foakes and continue with iron-gloved keepers? Bairstow, Smith and Rew have all fluffed important dismissals costing the side dearly. The wicketkeeper is a vital part of the bowling attack, and should be selected for his keeping. Any batting contribution is a bonus.

    John, Frome

    Aside from any consideration of Ben Foakes' merits as an international cricketer, he's not played since April because he injured himself bowling for Surrey.

    So then you turn to James Rew, Jordan Cox, Ollie Pope... all of whom have come under considerable, shall we say, "scrutiny" from this inbox.

  12. Eng 288-5

    Harry Brook and Ben Stokes content to milk around the rest of Ben Sears' over.

  13. How's stat?!

    Ashwanth R Kavuluri
    CricViz analyst

    England batting this morning:

    • First 7 overs - 12 runs, 3 wickets, 1.71 run rate
    • Next 7 overs - 45 runs, 0 wickets, 6.42 run rate

  14. Eng 285-5

    The umpires inspect the hole in the outfield which is causing issues for Ben Sears on his run-up, with Ben Stokes offering his tuppence worth.

    Perhaps the disruption is affecting the England captain's concentration?

  15. Jeremy Coney
    Former New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special

    There is more cheering for this passage of play when a person is fixing the ground than the actual game.

  16. Eng 281-5

    He does a bit, Chris.

    The fictional town where Fireman Sam is from is 'PontyPandy' of course which is a portmanteau of Pontypridd and Tonypandy.

    Meanwhile, there's a brief delay while a member of the groundstaff has come on to resolve a hole in the outfield on the bowler's run-up which has seemingly caused a few issues for Ben Sears.

  17. Get Involved

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    Does anybody else think that Naughty Norman Price looks a bit like Daniel Vettori?

    Chris, Pontypridd

    I guarantee there will be at least one Fireman Sam in the crowd tomorrow.

    Dave, Luton

    You should see Sam Tan (Welsh version) bowl, he really puts some heat on it...

    Craig, Anglesey

  18. Eng 280-5

    Zak Foulkes slips on to the hips of Harry Brook and the England vice-captain efficiently helps it on its way to down to fine leg for four.

    England have settled down a little following that clump of wickets.

  19. Jeremy Coney
    Former New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special

    With the way today is going, it is important New Zealand do not let England get away here.

  20. Eng 272-5

    Ben Stokes, collared turned up, backs away as Ben Sears prepares to deliver his third delivery after the drinks break.

    Stokes offers a quick word of apology.

    The England skipper drives aesthetically through the covers but it's cut off allowing just the single.