![\"Ali](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1782415510_844_Ali_martin3,_L.png\")
Ali Martin<\/p>\nKey events<\/p>\n
Ali Martin<\/p>\n
Ben Stokes cut a relieved figure when his press conference before this third Test against New Zealand belatedly veered away from his recent absence for disciplinary reasons and into his favourite memories of Trent Bridge.<\/p>\n
The Ashes win at this venue in 2015 was the first that came to mind, Stuart Broad\u2019s eight for 15 and the like. Then came his recollections of the second Test against New Zealand four years ago, when Jonny Bairstow went gangbusters in the run chase and Bazball was said to have been born.<\/p>\n
Well, if England are to win the decider and ease the crisis triggered by Stokes after Lord\u2019s, it may well top the lot. Because at the end of a baking hot first day, New Zealand having racked up an eye-watering 361 for four with centuries for Tom Latham and Devon Conway, the hosts appeared to be in need of a miracle.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Devon Conway\u2019s reaction<\/p>\n double quotation markWe knew the wicket would be quite nice and it was important for us to put pressure on the bowlers. I still felt a little bit out of sorts at times, so it was nice to get through those tougher periods and build a partnership with Tom.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t quite know what par is. It\u2019s disappointing we lost those two wickets at the end but hopefully we can kick on.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.37 EDT<\/p>\n Stumps<\/p>\n That was an admirable show of character from England, who were in a world of pain when the score was 317 for 0. They kept going and picked up four vital wickets for 44 in 12.1 overs.<\/p>\n New Zealand are still on top, thanks to a couple of mighty innings from Tom Latham and Devon Conway, but both teams will remember the Trent Brdge Test of 2022. New Zealand were 405 for 4 early on the second day of that match; England won by five wickets.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>WICKET! New Zealand 361-4 (Nicholls c Smith b Archer 36)<\/p>\n England end a very tough day on a high. Nicholls jabbed at a really good delivery from Archer \u2013 the line and length were immaculate \u2013 and snicked it through to Smith.<\/p>\n Two wickets in two balls, and the timing of the second one means that will be stumps.<\/p>\n England’s Jofra Archer celebrates taking the wicket of New Zealand’s Henry Nicholls. Photograph: Mike Egerton\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.51 EDT<\/p>\n 84th over: New Zealand 361-3 (Nicholls 36, O\u2019Rourke 0)<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Bashir saved a boundary off the previous delivery with a desperate sprawling stop. That meant three runs to Nicholls rather than four, and crucially it brought Ravindra on strike. He top-edged a loose pull stroke and was easily caught by Jamie Smith, at which point the England players all charged down to fine leg to congratulate Bashir. A really nice moment for him; a horrible one from Ravindra.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>WICKET! New Zealand 361-3 (Ravindra c Smith b Atkinson 7)<\/p>\n Gus Atkinson takes a wicket – and everybody rushes to congratulate Shoaib Bashir!<\/p>\n Shoaib Bashir (centre, rear) and his England teammates celebrate after New Zealand\u2019s Rachin Ravindra lost his wicket. Photograph: Andrew Boyers\/Action Images\/ReutersRavindra throws his bat in the air as walks after losing his wicket. Photograph: Andrew Boyers\/Action Images\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.57 EDT<\/p>\n The Saracens academy player who triggered the Ben Stokes<\/a> captaincy crisis by throwing a punch at his England teammate Gus Atkinson has escaped without being disciplined.<\/p>\n The Guardian understands that Totoa Auvaa, a 21-year-old Samoan back-row, will not face formal disciplinary action from Saracens<\/a> or the Rugby Football Union despite throwing a punch at Atkinson.<\/p>\n Auvaa\u2019s punch missed Atkinson and struck an England and Wales Cricket<\/a> Board (ECB) security guard, who was sufficiently injured to require stitches, but opted not to report the matter to the police.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 83rd over: New Zealand 354-2 (Nicholls 29, Ravindra 7) Archer moves round the wicket and forces Nicholls to play at a series of fullish, straight deliveries. Eventually Nicholls guides one into the off side for a single; that\u2019s the only run in the last 17 balls, which supports the view that New Zealand have shut up shop for a night.<\/p>\n If either batter gets out before the close, they\u2019ll be filthy. There are still hundreds of runs out there for New Zealand.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 82nd over: New Zealand 353-2 (Nicholls 28, Ravindra 7) A maiden from Atkinson to Ravindra, who looks happy to play for the close and then try to fill his boots tomorrow.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does Rehan Ahmed have to do to get a run in the Test side?\u201d asks James Brough. \u201cShoaib Bashir was picked and nurtured specifically for Australia, then never got a game. Looking at his bowling today, I can\u2019t really see that he\u2019s progressed in 21 games. He still has the same weakness of not keeping a consistent length.<\/p>\n \u201cMeanwhile, Ahmed\u2019s taken wickets when he\u2019s been picked and is turning into a pretty consistent top-order batsman for Leicestershire. We\u2019re going to be looking for an all rounder sooner rather than later when Stokes decides he\u2019s had enough. What am I missing?\u201d<\/p>\n There\u2019s so much to like about Rehan, but IMO he\u2019s not ready to be England\u2019s main spinner. I think he\u2019d be taken to the cleaners by good teams, certainly more often than Bashir. He\u2019s only 21, though, and he\u2019s such a smart, effervescent cricketer that he should keep improving. As you say, his ability with the bat could be really important when Stokes has gone.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.18 EDT<\/p>\n 81st over: New Zealand 353-2 (Nicholls 28, Ravindra 7) Nicholls is fine to continue.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 80.3 overs: New Zealand 353-2 (Nicholls 28, Ravindra 7) Archer starts with a poor delivery to Nicholls that is pulled easily round the corner for four. A more accurate short ball beats Nicholls for pace and clonks him on the side of the helmet. There\u2019s a break in play while Nicholls undertakes a concussion check.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.07 EDT<\/p>\n 80th over: New Zealand 349-2 (Nicholls 24, Ravindra 7) A ball from Atkinson brushes Nicholls\u2019 thigh and is caught acrobatically down the leg side by Smith. England consider a review for caught behind before wisely deciding against it.<\/p>\n The second new ball is available. England have taken it straight away.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 79th over: New Zealand 348-2 (Nicholls 23, Ravindra 7) Root hurries through an over to hasten the availability of the second new ball.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 78th over: New Zealand 346-2 (Nicholls 22, Ravindra 6) Tongue felt his hamstring at the end of his last over and has been replaced by Atkinson. The commentators think it is probably cramp rather than anything more serious.<\/p>\n A quiet over, three from it.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 77th over: New Zealand 343-2 (Nicholls 20, Ravindra 5) Nicholls races into the twenties with a precise pull round the corner off Archer. Just over half an hour to play tonight, so England will have the chance to take the new ball.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.53 EDT<\/p>\n 76th over: New Zealand 336-2 (Nicholls 15, Ravindra 4) Root\u2019s work is done with the ball: 2-0-5-1. England go back to Tongue, whose first ball is driven handsomely to the cover boundary by Nicholls.<\/p>\n Tongue pulls his length back and beats Nicholls later in the over.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 75th over: New Zealand 332-2 (Nicholls 10, Ravindra 4) Henry Nicholls hits successive boundaries off the returning Jofra Archer, an aerial flick wide of leg slip and a controlled pull stroke.<\/p>\n Archer ends the over with a fine delivery that seams past Ravindra\u2019s outside edge.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 74th over: New Zealand 323-2 (Nicholls 1, Ravindra 4) Rachin Ravindra gets off the mark with a graceful cover drive for four.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n No wickets in 72 overs, then two in seven balls. Conway smashed Root high towards long-on, where the substitute Matthew Fisher ran into take a really well-judged catch. Conway goes for a coruscating 157 that included 22 fours and three sixes.<\/p>\n England\u2019s Matthew Fisher takes a catch to dismiss New Zealand\u2019s Devon Conway off the bowling of Joe Root. Photograph: Andrew Boyers\/Action Images\/ReutersConway departs to a standing ovation for his innings of 157. Photograph: John Mallett\/ProSports\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.24 EDT<\/p>\n WICKET! New Zealand 319-2 (Conway c sub b Root 157)<\/p>\n New Zealand are falling apart!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 73rd over: New Zealand 319-1 (Conway 157, Nicholls 1) Latham will feel he\u2019s left a few runs out there, which I appreciate is an odd thing to say about a guy who has scored 151. He shouted \u201cNooo!\u201d after edging the ball, a bit like Eoin Morgan when he was dismissed in the 2019 World Cup final.<\/p>\n Seven years ago. Really?<\/p>\n \u201cAncient tradition revived there, England taking a wicket…\u201d chirps James Brough.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.30 EDT<\/p>\n WICKET! New Zealand 317-1 (Latham c Smith b Stokes 151)<\/p>\n Ben Stokes makes the breakthrough! Latham tried to dab a length ball outside off stumps and snicked it through to the keeper. Stokes roars with a combination of relief and delight. One down, nine to go!<\/p>\n England captain Ben Stokes celebrates dismissing New Zealand captain Tom Latham. Photograph: Gareth Copley\/ECB\/Getty ImagesThen Stokes celebrates with Jacob Bethell. Photograph: Andrew Boyers\/Action Images\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.28 EDT<\/p>\n 72nd over: New Zealand 317-0 (Latham 151, Conway 156) The highest opening partnership against England \u2013 and in England \u2013 is 338 at Edgbaston in 2003, Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs.<\/p>\n Latham and Conway should break that. They might break the overall record, 415 between Neil McKenzie and Graeme Bloody Smith against Bangladesh in 2008.<\/p>\n As an aside, Graeme Smith is so underrated as a cricketer and a captain.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 71st over: New Zealand 315-0 (Latham 150, Conway 155) Stokes returns for a bit of old-ball toil. England look pretty flat now \u2013 how could you not be when the opposition are a gazillion without loss \u2013 and Latham takes a quick single to reach a high-class 150: 211 balls, 15 fours. His management of risk has been exemplary.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 70th over: New Zealand 307-0 (Latham 148, Conway 153) England have never saved a Test under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. They\u2019ve had only two draws, both at Old Trafford \u2013 the Ashes deluge in 2023 and India\u2019s rearguard last year. It\u2019ll be a helluva plot twist if they keep Bazball alive by grinding out a draw in this game.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 69th over: New Zealand 307-0 (Latham 147, Conway 150) Joe Root becomes England\u2019s seventh bowler in this innings. Conway pushes him down the ground for a single to move to 150 from 210 balls; since reaching three figures he is scoring at more than a run a ball.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 68th over: New Zealand 306-0 (Latham 147, Conway 149) Conway gets lucky when a hack at the new bowler Bethell flies over Brook at slip. A more controlled single brings up the 300 partnership, then Latham reverse-sweeps decisively for four.<\/p>\n New Zealand only made 251 runs in the entire Lord\u2019s Test; now they\u2019re 306 for 0.<\/p>\n \u201cI may be clutching at straws,\u201d says Tom Van der Gucht, \u201cbut what\u2019s it Boycott used to say about adding three quick wickets to any total? Get Harry Brook on to burgle some and we\u2019ll be laughing. Medium pacers were always the hardest to put away on Stick Cricket<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n May.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 67th over: New Zealand 296-0 (Latham 141, Conway 145) <\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 66th over: New Zealand 292-0 (Latham 138, Conway 144) A surprise length ball from Atkinson is driven majestically for four by Latham. His innings has been almost flawless.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.05 EDT<\/p>\n There have been four instances of England failing to take a wicket in a full day of Test cricket, and here they jolly well are.<\/p>\n Garry Sobers and Frank Worrell (West Indies, Barbados, 1959-60)<\/p>\n Easton McMorris, Garry Sobers and Seymour Nurse (West Indies, Jamaica, 1959-60) Gundappa Viswanath and Yashpal Sharma (India, Chennai, 1981-82)<\/p>\n Geoff Marsh and Mark Taylor (Australia, Trent Bridge, 1989)<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Drinks<\/p>\n 65th over: New Zealand 288-0 (Latham 134, Conway 144) Conway thumps Bashir down the ground for this third six, all of them in the last six overs. England are in so much trouble that there\u2019s barely even scope for gallows humour. This really could be the end.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Latham dropped on 129<\/p>\n 64th over: New Zealand 282-0 (Latham 134, Conway 138) Latham, trying to pull yet another short ball, gloves Atkinson down the leg side and is dropped badly by Jamie Smith. Oof, that will sting because it was a routine chance.<\/p>\n Latham pulls four more to make this New Zealand\u2019s highest partnership for any wicket against England. Runs are flowing but England are at least threatening to take a wicket with this short-ball ploy. Atkinson\u2019s over ends with a pull from Conway that teases Bethell before dropping short.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 63rd over: New Zealand 276-0 (Latham 129, Conway 137) In fact Bashir has changed ends again. He bowled accurately this morning but is starting to lose control. A short ball is larruped for four by Latham.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 62nd over: New Zealand 268-0 (Latham 122, Conway 136) Atkinson replaces Bashir, who was starting to take some hammer from Conway in particular. Conway hooks brilliantly for four, expertly bisecting the two deep fielders.<\/p>\n Romeo points out that this is New Zealand\u2019s highest partnership for any wicket in a Test in England. It\u2019ll soon be their highest against England too: the current is 276 by the brilliant Stewie Dempster and Jackie Mills in 1930.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 61st over: New Zealand 262-0 (Latham 121, Conway 131) Conway hooks Tongue for his second six in as many overs. He\u2019s spent most of the series fighting for every single run but there\u2019s a carefree air to his innings now. He pulls another short ball just wide of Duckett, diving to his right at short midwicket, and then there\u2019s a break in play while the umpires change the ball. It\u2019s been whacked out of shape.<\/p>\n Latham pulls the replacement smoothly round the corner for four. But Tongue is causing a few problems and the over ends with a top-edge that falls short of Bethell at fine leg.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.38 EDT<\/p>\n 60th over: New Zealand 249-0 (Latham 115, Conway 124) Conway charges Bashir and smokes a full toss over midwicket for six. England consider a review when the ball deflects to slip via the pad, but there was no inside-edge and Stokes decides against it. Conway ends the over with another boundary.<\/p>\n \u201cBrendon McCullum must be despairing of his countrymen here,\u201d says David Hopkins. \u201cCalmly taking advantage of favourable conditions to bat themselves into a commanding lead would never happen on his watch. By now they should be at least four down through miscued scoop shots or similar macho posturing.\u201d<\/p>\n Macho posturing eh.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.37 EDT<\/p>\n 59th over: New Zealand 237-0 (Latham 115, Conway 112) Time for some short stuff from Josh Tongue. In truth it\u2019s a surprise that England waited nearly 60 overs before trying it. A decent first over includes a clothed pull from Conway that lands short of the man at cow corner.<\/p>\n This is now the highest opening partnership against England since 2003, when What\u2019s-His-Name and Herschelle Gibbs slapped a decent England attack \u2013 Anderson, Gough, Flintoff, Harmison, Giles, Butcher \u2013 all round Edgbaston.<\/p>\n \u201cSitting here in 31C temperatures with a whisky listening to an appropriate tune<\/a>,\u201d chirps Matthew Lawrenson.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 58th over: New Zealand 233-0 (Latham 112, Conway 111) A long hop from Bashir is violated through midwicket for four by Conway. England are in a world of trouble here.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 57th over: New Zealand 228-0 (Latham 111, Conway 107) Tongue replaces Bethell, whose brief introduction was to facilitate a change of ends. An inswinger is flicked extravagantly over square leg for four by Conway, who is starting to play with the freedom of old. That\u2019s the last thing England need.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIf info on Old Trafford 1976 is what you\u2019re after. you know where to come,\u201d writes our old friend Mike Selvey. \u201cBtw Close faced every single ball from Holding in that 80 minutes. He was 1 not out at the close. JE wasn\u2019t battered.\u201d<\/p>\n Selve is too modest to remind us that, earlier in that game, he ran through West Indies\u2019 top order.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Devon Conway’s eighth Test century!<\/p>\n 56th over: New Zealand 223-0 (Latham 110, Conway 103) Bashir has changed ends after tea. Conway pumps him over mid-on for four to move to 99, then square drives a classy boundary to reach his eighth Test hundred.<\/p>\n Nothing will top the first, a double on debut at Lord\u2019s, but Conway will cherish this innings because he has looked out of form all series.<\/p>\n \u201cDespite the conditions, the number of runs scored must be roughly par for a Test session,\u201d says John Starbuck. \u201c300 or so at the end of the day\u2019s play is pretty much what we used to expect. Granted, no wickets, but that\u2019s down mainly to the heat, the ground and bad luck, all of which applies to everyone at some time. Rationality, be my friend.\u201d<\/p>\n Friend? I thought it got cancelled in 2016.<\/p>\n New Zealand’s Devon Conway celebrates after reaching his century. Photograph: Andrew Boyers\/Action Images\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.19 EDT<\/p>\n 55th over: New Zealand 215-0 (Latham 110, Conway 95) Jacob Bethell comes on after tea for his first bowl of the match. He starts with a full toss but then beats Conway with consecutive deliveries. Small sample size but Bethell\u2019s bowling average of 29.87 is the best of any England spinner since\u2026 Scott Borthwick.<\/p>\n \u201cThis pitch is appalling,\u201d writes Phil Harrison. \u201cEvery bit as bad as the Lord\u2019s one. Arguably worse as Lord\u2019s was absolutely fair to both teams – it misbehaved throughout. This one puts way too much premium on winning the toss – it did nothing, even with the new ball. The team bowling first haven\u2019t really had a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n Didn\u2019t we say something similar when Pakistan piled up 556 at Multan in 2024?<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Tea<\/p>\n 54th over: New Zealand 213-0 (Latham 109, Conway 94) Atkinson saves two runs with a good stop on the third boundary. Latham squirts Tongue for a single to conclude another unblemished session for New Zealand. They\u2019ll be wary of their last visit to Trent Bridge, when they were 405 for 4 in their first innings and still took a hammering, but right now they are in a glorious position.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m following you not the game so keen to know whether you reckon this pitch is as bad, in a different way, to the one at Lord\u2019s or whether it will give us a proper five-day game,\u201d wonders Jeremy Smith. \u201cI guess we\u2019ll only know after England bat, if we ever get to that point…\u201d<\/p>\n With the caveat that nobody knows anything, I suspect it will turn as the match progresses, particularly in this heat. I\u2019d say a bore draw is unlikely, and if I had a farm I\u2019d be tempted to put it on Mitch Santner winning player of the match.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 53rd over: New Zealand 208-0 (Latham 105, Conway 93) The aforementioned Trent Bridge Test of 1989 was the last time England spent an entire day in the field without taking a wicket. Stokes is trying everything to change that \u2013 this is his sixth over on the bounce, so he\u2019s approaching the halfway point of his second spell.<\/p>\n Given the subcontinental nature of conditions, England really could have done with Ollie Robinson (2022-23 version<\/a>). I guess they were worried about the 2023-24 version turning up.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 52nd over: New Zealand 206-0 (Latham 104, Conway 92) Tongue replaces Bashir and bowls a hostile maiden to Latham, including a couple of inside-edges onto the pad. The first threatened to loop to gully before eventually falling short.<\/p>\n England’s Joe Root attends to New Zealand’s Devon Conway while Tom Latham looks on. Photograph: Nigel Parker\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.41 EDT<\/p>\n Tom Latham’s 17th Test hundred!<\/p>\n 51st over: New Zealand 206-0 (Latham 104, Conway 92) Latham slashes Stokes over gully for four to bring up the 200 opening partnership. He flicks the next ball to the fine leg boundary to reach a ruthless, tone-setting hundred from just 149 balls.<\/p>\n The concept of a captain\u2019s innings usually evokes over-my-dead-body defiance \u2013 Allan Border, Athers at Jo\u2019burg \u2013 but in the 21st century that isn\u2019t necessarily the case. Latham\u2019s strike rate is just under 70 and he has put New Zealand in an outstanding position.<\/p>\n Tom Latham of New Zealand celebrates after scoring a century. Photograph: David Rogers\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.55 EDT<\/p>\n 50th over: New Zealand 197-0 (Latham 95, Conway 92) \u201cI was hoping to go to Trent Bridge tomorrow but East Midlands Railway have cancelled half the trains,\u201d writes Emma John. \u201cGiven the score I find that, for once, I\u2019m quite grateful to the train company\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 49th over: New Zealand 193-0 (Latham 95, Conway 88) No luck for Stokes, who snakes a good delivery past Latham\u2019s outside edge. Latham is closing in on his 17th Test century, which would put him level with the mighty Martin Crowe. Only Kane Williamson (33) and Ross Taylor (19) have scored more for New Zealand.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 48th over: New Zealand 189-0 (Latham 92, Conway 87) Bashir beats Latham with a nice delivery, bowled deliberately at about 20mph. An overzealous misfield from Stokes at mid-off gives Latham three runs.<\/p>\n Incidentally a couple of deliveries bowled by Stokes have already gone through the top, which is a) reasonably ominous for England and b) very encouraging for Mitchell Santner.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 47th over: New Zealand 186-0 (Latham 89, Conway 87) More swing for Stokes, orthodox not reverse. It makes you wonder whether England should bring on Harry Brook at the other end.<\/p>\n Stokes is bowling a terrific spell, trying everything to extract blood from the stone, and has an LBW appeal against Lathan turned down. He was bowling over the wicket so it almost certainly pitched outside leg.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 46th over: New Zealand 185-0 (Latham 88, Conway 87) Bashir is scrunched through mid-on for four by Conway, who is starting to resemble the guy who took England to the cleaners in his debut Test series five years ago.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course the good news,\u201d writes Michael Meagher, \u201cis that Joe Root will overtake Sachin Tendulkar<\/a> during England\u2019s first innings \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 45th over: New Zealand 176-0 (Latham 87, Conway 83) A lifting delivery from Stokes is almost dragged onto the stumps by Latham. He jumped onto the back foot and deflected the ball just past off stump.<\/p>\n Stokes is getting a hint of swing, maybe even a soup\u00e7on, and looks threatening. His overall record on this ground is modest but he swung Australia to defeat with a forgotten six-for in 2015. It\u2019s forgotten because Daniel\u2019s favourite meeting time<\/a> occurred in the first innings.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 44th over: New Zealand 176-0 (Latham 84, Conway 72) Conway drives Bashir gunbarrel striaght for four to move into the eighties. He\u2019s had a really tough couple of months but is playing fluently now.<\/p>\n Since you asked, the last time England drew a series decider was Matt Prior\u2019s match in New Zealand in 2012-13. The last time they did so at home was against India at The Oval in 2002, when Michael Vaughan and Rahul Dravid made huge centuries and Ms Dynamite was in the top five of the hit parade.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 43rd over: New Zealand 170-0 (Latham 82, Conway 77) Stokes replaces Archer and starts with an accurate over, one from it.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it gets gruesomely hot and the players are removed from the field, do you think Sky will put on highlights of the 1976 Old Trafford Test v the West Indies which will be 50 years ago in a couple of weeks?\u201d writes Matthew Lawrenson. \u201cThe battering Close and Edrich took<\/a> was less one-sided than this.\u201d<\/p>\n That\u2019s a nice line, but the pedant in me isn\u2019t having it. In this game, New Zealand are cruising on a flat deck; in 1976, some poor old quadragenarian was controlling 95mph+ bumpers on the chest like a centre-back.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 42nd over: New Zealand 169-0 (Latham 82, Conway 77) Conway unwittingly takes one hand off the bat while miscuing a drive off Bashir. But when Bashir drops fractionally short, Conway steers an accomplished boundary past backward point.<\/p>\n The Fear, Rob,\u201d writes Gary Naylor. \u201cThe Fear.\u201d<\/p>\n The sound of loneliness turned up to ten<\/a>?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Thanks Daniel, hello everyone. Did you know, of course you knew, there\u2019s been only one 200+ opening partnership against England in the last 15 years. It came, oddly enough, in one of England\u2019s finest victories, the miracle of Rawalpindi in 2022-23.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Righto, my watch is over; here\u2019s the great Rob Smyth to coax you through England\u2019s spellbinding comeback.<\/p>\n![\"Matt](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1782415510_690_Matt_Hughes.png\")
Matt Hughes<\/p>\n
McMorris retired hurt<\/p>\n