{"id":622764,"date":"2026-06-05T14:16:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T14:16:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/622764\/"},"modified":"2026-06-05T14:16:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T14:16:09","slug":"england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live-england-v-new-zealand-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/622764\/","title":{"rendered":"England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live | England v New Zealand 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Key events<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Thanks Tanya, hello everyone. England are effectively 148 for 2, which means they\u2019re past the Perth Zone. In that astonishing Test they were seven down by the time the lead reached 148, and then things got even more interesting.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">This match is far from a done deal, but we can safely* say it won\u2019t finish inside two days.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">* Ish<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22d8618f08119910f4987a#block-6a22d8618f08119910f4987a\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">30th over: England 121-2 (Gay 55, Root 4) There\u2019s some blue sky now creeping over north London. Root is giving himself time to settle and there\u2019s just one from Smith\u2019s over.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cI\u2019ve not seen much of Emilio Gay before,\u201d taps Tom Hopkins, \u201cbut he\u2019s a very pleasing presence at the crease. Anyone who plays a late cut like that gets my vote.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He looks pretty at home, doesn\u2019t he. The players are taking drinks now, so time for me to leave you in the very safe hands of Rob Smyth. Thanks for all your messages and sorry I didn\u2019t get to them all. Bye!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22d7348f08fbbd69e1a041#block-6a22d7348f08fbbd69e1a041\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">29th over: England 120-2 (Gay 54, Root 4) Root is off the mark, opens the face and sends four skidding to the rope. A leg slip crouches. Five dots from the rest of Jamieson\u2019s over.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22d6848f08eeba35d81bf0#block-6a22d6848f08eeba35d81bf0\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a010.03 EDT<\/p>\n<p>Fifty for Emilio Gay!<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">28th over: England 116-2 (Gay 54, Root 0) A change of bowling at the Nursery End, as Smith rolls up his sleeves . Another wristy four by Gay through deep third, slightly loopy. Next ball, he drops his hands and guides four to the same place but with less risk. Suddenly he\u2019s on 48 and a couple of runs off his legs brings a debut Test fifty: 84 balls, seven fours. I think he considers for a second taking his helmet off, but thinks better of it, and allows himself a little raise of the bat and a smile. Well played. Polishes off the over with a third four.<\/p>\n<p>Emilio Gay celebrates reaching his half century. Photograph: Gareth Copley\/Getty Images<a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22d46b8f08119910f4982c#block-6a22d46b8f08119910f4982c\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a010.12 EDT<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">27th over: England 100-2 (Gay 38, Root 0) Root taps his bat on the hard ground, rat-a-tat, a-tat-tat. Jamieson thunders in, Root lets the ball safely pass.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22d3f08f08119910f49825#block-6a22d3f08f08119910f49825\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>WICKET! Bethell b Henry 14 (England 99-2)<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Done by a grubber! The ball barely lifts off the ground after bouncing and shimmies under an airborne Bethell\u2019s bat and into his off stump.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">26th over: England 99-2 (Gay 37,) Henry traps Bethell on the crease, then Bethell edges past slip and he\u2019s finally taken out by low bounce. A crucial wicket just as it looked as if these two were taking England away. The lead now 126.<\/p>\n<p>Jacob Bethell is bowled by Matt Henry for 14. Photograph: Graham Hunt\/ProSports\/Shutterstock<a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22d2178f08eeba35d81ba6#block-6a22d2178f08eeba35d81ba6\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a009.52 EDT<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">25th over: England 97-1 (Gay 37, Bethell 12) Time for a bowling change and Jamieson replaces the unlucky O\u2019Rourke after an excellent spell. He\u2019s straight back into the grove for a maiden. Bethell and Gay come together for a chat in the middle, unfamiliar territory for both of them.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22d16f8f08119910f497e7#block-6a22d16f8f08119910f497e7\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">24th over: England 97-1 (Gay 37, Bethell 12) There\u2019s a post lunch quiet hum around Lord\u2019s. Henry bounds in, back spasm notwithstanding. A fistful of singles<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Hello there Kim Thonger.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cI\u2019m trying to keep up with events while meeting and greeting potential clients at the BADA Fair in Rutland. That\u2019s the British Antique Dealer\u2019s Association for the uninitiated. I\u2019m offering a score update option to everyone I meet and plugging the OBO. Every time England get a boundary I shout BADA Bing BADA Boom and the men in white coats (they\u2019re not umpires) may drag me off soon.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22d0328f08fbbd69e19fd7#block-6a22d0328f08fbbd69e19fd7\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a010.07 EDT<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">23rd over: England 94-1 (Gay 34, Bethell 12) Sky show how hard O\u2019Rourke worked to push Bethell back in his crease so that when he came to drive his balance would be off \u2013 only for Conway to shell the catch. He\u2019s still thudding in and gives Bethell another stern examination. Another maiden.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22cf018f08eeba35d81b86#block-6a22cf018f08eeba35d81b86\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">22nd over: England 94-1 (Gay 34, Bethell 12) This is, dare I say it, very sensible from England. Careful. A pushed two here, a single there. Four leg side byes from an off-target Henry are gratefully received.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22ce578f08fbbd69e19fc8#block-6a22ce578f08fbbd69e19fc8\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">21st over: England 87-1 (Gay 34, Bethell 9) A 90mph maiden from a cheesed-off O\u2019Rourke.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22cd818f08fbbd69e19fb9#block-6a22cd818f08fbbd69e19fb9\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">20th over: England 87-1 (Gay 34, Bethell 9) Three catches now fluffed in this innings, plus the missed chance of a review. In a low-scoring game, particularly galling for the bowlers . Three singles from Henry\u2019s over.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22ccd48f08119910f497c6#block-6a22ccd48f08119910f497c6\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">19th over: England 84-1 (Gay 32, Bethell 8) New Zealand, famous for their fielding, suddenly with soapy fingers, drop another. This time Devon Conway, who also dropped Harry Brook in the first innings, fails to collect an awkward drive by Bethell at backward point and fluffs the rebound. O\u2019Rourke, who has been steaming in, is unimpressed,<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22cc068f08eeba35d81b74#block-6a22cc068f08eeba35d81b74\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">18th over: England 84-1 (Gay 32, Bethell 8) Bethell is getting some chin music here, Bethell twists into a short ball, neither duck nor dodge and is hit on the shoulder.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">An email wings in from Matt Guthrie in Montana. \u201cFor Bill Hargreaves and others (over 10), may I recommend the amazing <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/ArtButMakeItSports\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">ArtButMakeItSports<\/a> which juxtaposes action shots from sporting events with similar works of art. Great fun!\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22cb3f8f08eeba35d81b6a#block-6a22cb3f8f08eeba35d81b6a\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">18th over: England 84-1 (Gay 32, Bethell 8) Four leg byes and a couple more runs on the drive from Gay off Henry.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22caec8f08fbbd69e19fa3#block-6a22caec8f08fbbd69e19fa3\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">17th over: England 78-1 (Gay 30, Bethell 8) O\u2019Rourke from the pavilion end. A gorgeous square drive, with dipped knee, brings Gay the first boundary of the session.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cAfternoon Tanya,\u201d hello Tom Hopkins.<\/p>\n<p>\u201dI haven\u2019t done the statistical analysis to back this up, but I have the impression that for a lot of years Lord\u2019s Tests tend to have started with a tumble of wickets then the pitch has died a death and we\u2019ve ended up with big scores if not bore draws.<\/p>\n<p>\u201dI\u2019m not sure if that\u2019s happening here, or even if it\u2019ll have time to, but I do wonder if there\u2019s an underlying (literally, I guess!) issue and whether Lord\u2019s gets something of a free pass not afforded to other grounds?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Interesting hypothesis. I think it definitely gets more of a pass because all the visiting teams want to play there. They haven\u2019t had much rain in the south east recently so I don\u2019t know if that is also a factor. Rob is taking over from me in about an hour and he remembers everything, so try him for a full breakdown.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22c9938f08119910f497a0#block-6a22c9938f08119910f497a0\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>Afternoon session<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">16th over: England 73-1 (Gay 25, Bethell 8) The lights are on, the skies are brooding, but the sun, for now, is out. Henry, after two expensive overs this morning, continues. A huge lbw appeal second ball against Gay. Henry is keen, Latham less so, and NZ don\u2019t go upstairs. Ah, they should have done, replays show the ball would have clipped the top of leg stump. The balcony give it out which might be why Latham decides at the last moment to review another lbw against Bethell. This one would just have clipped the top so umpire\u2019s call.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22c7a78f08119910f49792#block-6a22c7a78f08119910f49792\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A full session of play and only five wickets to fall. It must have got slightly easier to bat. Possibly. I thought Duckett and Gay batted with real discipline against some excellent Kiwi bowling. The post lunch session will be key<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Time for me to grab a sandwich, back shortly.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22bfa18f08fbbd69e19f19#block-6a22bfa18f08fbbd69e19f19\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">15th over: England 72-1 (Gay 24, Bethell 8) Bethell gets his eye in before lunch with two fours, one through the covers and one gully. O\u2019Rourke finishes the session with a firecracker that flies up and hits an evading Bethell on glove and chest. Gay and Bethell punch gloves and are applauded through the Long Room and into the dressing room. England\u2019s session \u2013 the lead 99.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22be4d8f08fbbd69e19f0a#block-6a22be4d8f08fbbd69e19f0a\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">14th over: England 64-1 (Gay 24, Bethell 0) Henry again. Gay cover drives him with a morale-boosting purr for four, but should have been caught next ball as he edges and the ball flies between diving first and second slips. Four byes completes a helpful 12-run over for England.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22bd4a8f08eeba35d81aa8#block-6a22bd4a8f08eeba35d81aa8\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">13th over: England 52-1 (Gay 16, Bethell 0) Duckett so nearly made it to lunch. O\u2019Rourke greets Bethell with a snorting bouncer that he rather balletically evades.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">An email drops from a nearly airborne Charlie Dunmore. \u201cAbout to take off from Geneva to Heathrow to take my kids to their first ever cricket match. Could only get tickets for the 4th day at Lord\u2019s, so if the wickets keep falling, they may have to settle for Surrey v Hampshire at the Oval, which may not be the experience they were hoping for&#8230;\u201d I think the forecast is dodgy for Saturday, so you may still be in luck. If not, the Oval is a great place to watch cricket. The Guardian will be live blogging from that game so drop us a line if you end up having to placate them with your reserve plans.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22bc7d8f08eeba35d81aa2#block-6a22bc7d8f08eeba35d81aa2\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>WICKET! Duckett c Phillips b O&#8217;Rourke 33 (England 52-1)<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Duckett bends his knees as if he\u2019s about do dig a sandcastle and dollops the ball into the hands of Phillips at gully.<\/p>\n<p>New Zealand&#8217;s Will O&#8217;Rourke celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of England&#8217;s Ben Duckett. Photograph: Andrew Boyers\/Action Images\/Reuters<a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22bb468f08fbbd69e19eec#block-6a22bb468f08fbbd69e19eec\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a009.39 EDT<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">12th over: England 46-0 (Duckett 27 ,Gay 16) Matt Henry comes in for his first over since his four yesterday. He\u2019s tentative and it\u2019s not terribly successful. His first ball is a fat wide one that Duckett drives down the ground, the next a half volley driven to the long on boundary. The third ball slides past Duckett and hits wicketkeeper Blundell on the end of his fingers, who howls with pain.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22ba2e8f08fbbd69e19edc#block-6a22ba2e8f08fbbd69e19edc\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">11th over: England 35-0 (Duckett 18 ,Gay 15) Gay ducks O\u2019Rourke\u2019s first ball and is lucky to survive a rash drive at his second. Ducks the fifth but slides four through deep third off the final delivery. England just starting to pick up the pace here.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22b92e8f08fbbd69e19ed1#block-6a22b92e8f08fbbd69e19ed1\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">10th over: England 31-0 (Duckett 18 ,Gay 11) Smith hastens in, spidery moustache resting on his lip. At last a wideish ball, and Gay bends his back, rolls his wrists and sends four handsomely towards the Grandstand. Smith is furious with himself and after he collects his cap, wrestles it in frustration.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cI\u2019d love to see Squires do something with that photo from the 25th over,\u201d writes Bill Hargreaves. \u201cHe worked wonders with his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/picture\/2026\/may\/26\/david-squires-on-arsenal-premier-league-title\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Caravaggio take on the Arsenal West Ham game<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22b8198f08eeba35d81a6e#block-6a22b8198f08eeba35d81a6e\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">9th over: England 24-0 (Duckett 17 ,Gay 5) O\u2019Rourke replaces Jamieson and his first ball is nasty, brutish and short, rapping Duckett\u2019s bottom hand. Duckett pulls his hand away immediately, and the physio runs on and manipulates things. Duckett continues and Rourke pins him in place with six dot balls.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Hello there, Tom van der Gucht.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cThe way this pitch sounds to be playing reminds me of Baldrick in Blackadder Goes Fourth when he engraved his name on a bullet as he felt that he\u2019d be less likely to be shot if he owned the said bullet with his name on&#8230; Perhaps England should take a leaf out of his book and take the ball with their name on it out of the equation by going hell for leather old-school Bazball style.\u201d I wonder if they might be, had the winter not unravelled as it did.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22b6758f08fbbd69e19eb3#block-6a22b6758f08fbbd69e19eb3\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">8th over: England 24-0 (Duckett 17 ,Gay 5) Gay is rapped on the knee and Smith appeals with gusto, but given not out and NZ don\u2019t go upstairs. Outside the line I think.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22b5dc8f08fbbd69e19ead#block-6a22b5dc8f08fbbd69e19ead\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">7th over: England 21-0 (Duckett 14 ,Gay 5) Jamieson smiles a wolfish smile as he sends down something unplayable to Duckett. Gay gets bat firmly on ball and picks up three through midwicket \u2013 a pretty challenging workout on debut.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22b4678f08119910f4969f#block-6a22b4678f08119910f4969f\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">6th over: England 16-0 (Duckett 13 ,Gay 2) A quieter over from Smith.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cI worked with a chap (a committed recreational runner) who had a haircut comparable to Stokes\u2019 previous sweepback,\u201d writes Charlie Tinsley. \u201cHe was promptly nicknamed Sonic. I\u2019d be interested in Stokes pre and post haircut bowling speeds.\u201d Are you predicting a Samsonesque loss of powers?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22b39e8f08eeba35d81a37#block-6a22b39e8f08eeba35d81a37\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">5th over: England 14-0 (Duckett 12, Gay 1) It\u2019s grey over the pavilion, though the sun is shining on Jamieson\u2019s back. Duckett off-drives four, that will be a confidence boost, but now Rachin Ravindra, who dropped Brook in the first innings, lets Duckett through his hands at midwicket. Duckett was out of his crease, steers the ball up, but Ravindra gets in a tangle as he leans forward and the ball appears to miss his hands and hit him in the belly. Jamieson leans over and sighs, hands on shins.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22b2428f08119910f49666#block-6a22b2428f08119910f49666\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">4th over: England 10-0 (Duckett 8, Gay 1) Gay is greeted with a beauty from Smith that swings away and leaves his drive swishing through air. Inside edges his way to the other end, where Duckett axes another four over point. Tricky, tricky conditions and excellent bowling.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22b1198f08eeba35d81a0c#block-6a22b1198f08eeba35d81a0c\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">3rd over: England 4-0 (Duckett 4, Gay 0) Jamieson continues to torment Duckett, one jags away, another keeps low, until Duckett finally gets bat on ball, over point for four but not with total conviction.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cMorning Tanya,\u201d hello Stef !<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cDoing my laundry so in and out. I\u2019m all for exciting cricket but please I don\u2019t want a two- day test I\u2019ve still got the clothes to dry and be ironed.\u201d I\u2019m with you all the way \u2013 that\u2019s exactly how I felt during the Ashes \u2013 I wanted five days out of every Test to carry me through the winter.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22b00d8f08fbbd69e19e31#block-6a22b00d8f08fbbd69e19e31\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">2nd over: England 0-0 (Duckett 0, Gay 0) While Piers Morgan and Alec Stewart roar with laughter over a glass of champagne in one of the boxes, Emilio Gay has the more difficult task of dealing with Nathan Smith. He edges a couple towards the slip cordon, but with dropped wrists. Shoulders arms at a couple more. And has a final woofing drive and miss at the last ball, then blows his lips out in a sigh of frustration\/relief.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22aed78f08eeba35d819e4#block-6a22aed78f08eeba35d819e4\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">1st over: England 0-0 (Duckett 0, Gay 0) Jamieson pulls on his seven-league boots. Duckett defends sensibly for two balls then is lured into a stroke or two and is flummoxed completely by a final delivery on song.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22ade88f08eeba35d819d4#block-6a22ade88f08eeba35d819d4\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A New Zealand huddle, at what looks like an overcast Lord\u2019s.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cAs much as I like it hooping around, do you ever think back to all those \u2018unfit, unplayable\u2019 Bunsens in India and Pakistan and acknowledge some of the rank hypocrisy of the England pundits?\u201d writes Simon Thomas. \u201cIt\u2019s great fun when the wickets are tumbling in England but it is a disgrace when local conditions apply elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cIt was good fun though.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Very true Simon. And here come Duckett and Gay through the pavilion and down the steps.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22acd78f08fbbd69e19dfe#block-6a22acd78f08fbbd69e19dfe\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A dream comeback for Robinson, three wickets in his first over, five in the innings \u2013 his fourth five-wicket haul in Tests.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">And the excellent Josh Tongue now has 40 wickets in six and a half Tests, averaging 23.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22abed8f08eeba35d819b8#block-6a22abed8f08eeba35d819b8\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">On comes the heavy roller, and a bit of reading for the change of innings.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22ab808f08119910f4960d#block-6a22ab808f08119910f4960d\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>WICKET! Henry b Robinson 0 (New Zealand 113 all out, trail England by 27)<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Henry shuffles gingerly backwards and loses his middle stump! A chuffed-to-bits Robinson collects his fifth wicket, holds up the ball and marches England off the field. The lead over New Zealand is a useful 27.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">29.5 overs: New Zealand 113 all out ( Jamieson 38) Jamieson might as well go for glory and clubs Robinson over long on and out of reach of the chasing Stokes. Takes a single from the fourth ball leaving Henry to stump-dancing fate.<\/p>\n<p>England&#8217;s Ollie Robinson celebrates taking his fifth wicket, the wicket of New Zealand&#8217;s Matt Henry. Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth\/AP<a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22aa388f08fbbd69e19deb#block-6a22aa388f08fbbd69e19deb\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a007.03 EDT<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">29th over: New Zealand 108-9 ( Jamieson 33, Henry 0 ) Atkinson replaces Tongue from the pavilion end, his first ball is wide and stylishly driven square by Jamison for a single, which exposes O\u2019Rourke who lasts no longer. Matt Henry survives four balls.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22a9908f08fbbd69e19ddf#block-6a22a9908f08fbbd69e19ddf\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>WICKET! O&#8217;Rourke c Brook b Atkinson 1 (New Zealand 108-9)<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Atkinson\u2019s second ball of the morning, a tumbling wobble seam, and O\u2019Rourke obligingly gets low and guides the ball to Brook at second slip.<\/p>\n<p>Will O&#8217;Rourke looks dejected as he trudges off  the pitch whilst the England players celebrate. Photograph: Andrew Boyers\/Action Images\/Reuters<a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22a8938f08eeba35d8198d#block-6a22a8938f08eeba35d8198d\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a006.55 EDT<\/p>\n<p>Overseas TMS link<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">28th over: New Zealand 107-8 ( Jamieson 32, O\u2019 Rourke 1) Robinson continues after a long chat with Stokes, who shuffles the field mid over and adds a slip for O\u2019Rourke. Emilio Gay goes under the helmet for the last ball of the over. Good to be kept busy on Test debut \u2013 but the pressure!<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">And thank you to Tom Thronicker in Spain for supplying the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/live\/e016tUID5i4\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">overseas TMS link<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22a7848f08fbbd69e19dae#block-6a22a7848f08fbbd69e19dae\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">27th over: New Zealand 106-8 ( Jamieson 31, O\u2019 Rourke 1) Tongue reapplies the tourniquet. Back on message. Squeaks one, two, past O\u2019Rourke\u2019s careful outside edge.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22a6f68f08eeba35d81968#block-6a22a6f68f08eeba35d81968\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">26th over: New Zealand 105-8 ( Jamieson 30, O\u2019 Rourke 1) Take that! Jamieson clobbers a bouncer from Robinson into the Grandstand. And another, next ball, also a pedestrian bouncer. \u201cStokes needs to have a word with his bowlers,\u201d says Nasser. \u201cThey need to keep aiming at off stump.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cMorning, From a chilly but clear Joburg!\u201d says Duncan Bonnett. \u201cIf nobody is blaming the pitch, I suppose we\u2019ve moved from Bazball to Bazbowl? Mayhem for the rest of the day?\u201d Personally, I favour a long period of calm, I\u2019m supposed to be going to Lord\u2019s tomorrow.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22a5aa8f08fbbd69e19d8b#block-6a22a5aa8f08fbbd69e19d8b\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">25th over: New Zealand 90-8 ( Jamieson 16, O\u2019 Rourke 0) Tongue plumps for a slower ball and Jamieson leans back and fires him straight back into the pavilion for six, scattering the egg and bacon blazers. Nearly treads on his stump next ball as he jumps back into his crease with his colossal boots. O\u2019Rourke uncomfortably survives three balls near 90mph.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Matt Henry, off the field yesterday with a back spasm, will have a bat reports TMS.<\/p>\n<p>Though one non scattered egg and bacon attired member did attempt a catch. Photograph: Ben Whitley\/PA<a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22a46f8f08119910f49599#block-6a22a46f8f08119910f49599\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a006.51 EDT<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">24th over: New Zealand 83-8 ( Jamieson 9, O\u2019 Rourke 0) Just one from Robinson\u2019s over \u2013 New Zealand still trail by 57.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22a4378f08119910f49590#block-6a22a4378f08119910f49590\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>WICKET! Smith b Tongue 15 (New Zealand 82-8)<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Smith carefully watches Tongue\u2019s delivery, tucks up his bat, jumps, and neatly leaves the ball, allowing it to crunch into the top of off stump.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">23rd over: New Zealand 82-8 ( Jamieson 8, O\u2019 Rourke 0) Ooof, Tongue fires a ball in, which rises and crashes into Jamieson\u2019s helmet as he swivels &#8211; takes quite some doing at six foot eight. Tongue, nice man that he is, looks concerned and if he\u2019s ok. He is. Smith runs four down to the rope shortly before he becomes the third man in the match to be bowled leaving the ball.<\/p>\n<p>Whoops. Photograph: Andrew Boyers\/Action Images\/Reuters<a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22a2a08f08119910f4957a#block-6a22a2a08f08119910f4957a\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a006.58 EDT<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">22nd over: New Zealand 77-7 ( Smith 11, Jamieson 7) Jamieson gets his boundary at the third time of asking, flashing Robinson to the third man boundary and generally causing chaos.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cI was watching the Test highlights on the iPlayer earlier,\u201d writes John Starbuck, \u201cand struck by the amount of facial hair on both teams. Does this herald a return to the Golden Days of WG and the like?\u201d So true, I think Bethell and Jamie Smith are the only baby-faced English players. I love a bit of stubble so fully approve.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a22a10f8f08eeba35d8191f#block-6a22a10f8f08eeba35d8191f\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">21st over: New Zealand 70-7 ( Smith 10, Jamieson 1 ) Jamieson marches in with intent after Philips loses his off stump. Bangs into a drive, throws the combine harvester at another, but only picks up one run. Smith drives the smiling Tongue\u2019s last ball for four.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a229fd68f08119910f4955d#block-6a229fd68f08119910f4955d\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>WICKET! Phillips b Tongue 34 (New Zealand 65-7)<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Tongue\u2019s first ball of the day fractionally straightens and Philips plays\u2026 and misses. A satisfying crunch of stumps.<\/p>\n<p>Josh Tounge\u2019s delivery clatters into Glenn Phillips stumps.  Photograph: Andrew Boyers\/Action Images\/Reuters<a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a229f2f8f08119910f49554#block-6a229f2f8f08119910f49554\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a007.02 EDT<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">20th over: New Zealand 65-6 (Phillips 34, Smith 6) Ben Stokes, newly shorn of his 1950s sweep-back, completes his over started yesterday. A no ball and Phillips sends him sweetly down to backward point for three.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a229e498f08fbbd69e19d28#block-6a229e498f08fbbd69e19d28\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cPlus ca change,\u201d says Mark Puttick.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cAlmost exactly four years since England last played New Zealand at Lord\u2019s<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">2022: England\u2019s 1st inns, 141-10, 42.5 overs<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">2026: England\u2019s 1st inns, 140-10, 39.4 overs<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">2022: NZ 1st inns, found themselves 2-2 &amp; 12-4, both Mitchell &amp; Blundell were bowled as NZ folded to 36-6.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">2026: NZ 1st Inns, found themselves 2-2 &amp; 12-4, both Mitchell &amp; Blundell were bowled as NZ folded to 29-6<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">England batted 2nd in 2022 though.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Incredible symmetry.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a229cc38f08fbbd69e19d16#block-6a229cc38f08fbbd69e19d16\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cGood morning Tanya,\u201d hello Krishnamoorthy V!<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cLooks like the match may get over today. While we wait for it to start , have you been following this new sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi who is one part Viv Richards, one part Sachin Tendulkar and one part Matthew Hayden. Bowlers world over must be having nightmares featuring him.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He\u2019s incredible isn\u2019t he? There\u2019s part of me that things he\u2019s too young to deal with the pressure and adulation, but he seems to be taking it in his stride. It can\u2019t be long before he gets a tap on the shoulder from the Indian hierachy.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a229bd98f08fbbd69e19d06#block-6a229bd98f08fbbd69e19d06\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>Session times for day two<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Ninety-eight overs are due today after yesterday\u2019s rain.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Morning Session: 1100-1315<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Afternoon Session: 1355-1610<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Evening Session: 1630-1830<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a229ad18f08fbbd69e19cfd#block-6a229ad18f08fbbd69e19cfd\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>Red for Ruth<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A deeply moving piece of television on Sky about the Ruth Strauss Foundation. Two young mums speak about living with a stage four cancer diagnosis, and another about the death of her husband \u2013 127 children lose a parent every day in the UK. For some reason I can\u2019t access the Ruth Strauss Foundation website, but you can google it if you would like to donate.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a2298968f08119910f49510#block-6a2298968f08119910f49510\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A thoughtful piece from Andy Bull on Brendan McCullum which contains the killer line \u2013 \u201conly two of that team that played [at Lord\u2019s] back in 2022, Ben Stokes and Joe Root, made it all the way through the cycle back to this match.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a2298038f08fbbd69e19cef#block-6a2298038f08fbbd69e19cef\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Mike Atherton and Stuart Broad are in red blazers on Red for Ruth day at Lord\u2019s. They laud Ollie Robinson. \u201cHe moved the ball and in such a dangerous area,\u201d says Broad, \u201che was immaculate in his length and more importantly in his line.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a2296ff8f08119910f494fd#block-6a2296ff8f08119910f494fd\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>Preamble<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Good morning and welcome to day two of the first Test of the summer, the morning after the evening before, when everyone staggered over the line at twenty past seven, punch drunk and 16 wickets poorer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">It was a fast-food order of a first day, punchy innings from Harry Brook and Glenn Phillips the only ballast against the clattering of wickets between the showers. Kyle Jamieson finished with five for 62 on his comeback after a stress-fracture, and Ollie Robinson four for ten, including an extraordinary triple-wicket maiden in his first over back after a two-year hiatus.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The weather looks better for today, batting should be easier, which may be some consolation for those looking at their weekend tickets and wondering whether they\u2019ll have anything to watch. Play starts at 11am BST, do join us.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=England v New Zealand: first men\u2019s cricket Test, day two \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/live\/2026\/jun\/05\/england-v-new-zealand-first-mens-cricket-test-day-two-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6a21ad648f08119910f48e6a#block-6a21ad648f08119910f48e6a\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a005.49 EDT<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Key events Thanks Tanya, hello everyone. England are effectively 148 for 2, which means they\u2019re past the Perth&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":622765,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[1721,101,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-622764","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cricket","tag-cricket","tag-sports","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/622764","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=622764"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/622764\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/622765"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=622764"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=622764"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=622764"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}