Key occasions
73rd over: England 317-5 (Brook 131, Stokes 36) ball from Phillips is inside-edged between his personal legs and simply large of the stumps by Stokes. However for probably the most half England have performed Phillips comfortably. It’s a world away from their ordeal on the spinning fingers of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali in October.
Time for another over, two at a push.
72nd over: England 312-5 (Brook 128, Stokes 34) New Zealand can be completely happy to get off the sphere and begin afresh within the morning. The second new ball is due after 80 overs in order that they’ll nonetheless fancy their probabilities of holding England beneath 400.
71st over: England 308-5 (Brook 126, Stokes 32) I feel that’s seven catches New Zealand have put down at present: Duckett two, Brook 4 and now Stokes. It’s nearly unfathomable, particularly as Glenn Phillips then took by far the hardest probability.
seventieth over: England 306-5 (Brook 125, Stokes 31) Brook drives Smith for 3 to take England previous 300. Optimistic soul that I’m, I didn’t give them a prayer once they had been 71 for 4 and the ball was speaking like Brian Blessed.
And now Stokes has been dropped! The ball after threading a beautiful drive for 4, one of many photographs of the day, he had an off-balance swipe and was put down by Latham at brief cowl. It was a pointy, two-handed probability, however I reckon he’d take that eight instances out of 10.
69th over: England 298-5 (Brook 122, Stokes 26) Tom Latham goes to attempt to purchase a wicket earlier than the shut. Glenn Phillips is approaching, and you must assume a minimum of one of many England batters will go after him earlier than the shut.
For now it’s extra of the identical, a pair of singles and a few studious ahead defensives from Stokes.
68th over: England 296-5 (Brook 121, Stokes 25)
67th over: England 294-5 (Brook 120, Stokes 24) Brook averages 92 in away Checks, second solely to Don Bradman of those that have batted a minimum of 5 instances abroad. That features six of his seven Take a look at centuries up to now.
Phillips saves three runs with a flying cease at backward level. England have scored so many runs behind sq. on the off aspect at present; Stokes advertisements two extra with a deft steer. England path by 54.
66th over: England 287-5 (Brook 116, Stokes 21) Stokes is batting like Ben Foakes at No7 – however that’s high quality as he’s with a free-flowing top-order batter. If he’s left with Nos 10 and 11, Stokes’ method will change sooner than you may say “six extra”.
Again the place our ft are, Nathan Smith comes again for another spell earlier than ethe shut. He jags one again to hit Brook within the ribs, one other reminder that, even with the outdated ball, there may be nonetheless a bit on this pitch. Stokes then top-edges a hook for 4 to maneuver to 21 from 45 deliveries.
New Zealand desperately have to take a minimum of one wicket beofre the shut; they’ve half an hour to take action.
sixty fifth over: England 279-5 (Brook 113, Stokes 16) I’m wondering which top-order batter has been dropped probably the most in a single innings. I feel England dropped Adam Gilchrist 4 instances, the identical as Brook at present, when he made 90 at Lord’s in 2001. Just a few of these had been sitters as nicely.
sixty fourth over: England 279-5 (Brook 113, Stokes 16) O’Rourke cuts Brook in half with a magnificence that cuts again off the seam. He appears to be like horrible to face, particularly when he will get the ball to comply with the right-handers, and figures of 16-1-82-1 don’t do justice to his efficiency at present.
The final 4 of these runs got here from a Stokes slash that flew between slip and gully. Life strikes fairly quick: 42 overs in the past, England had been 71 for 4 and in all kinds.
63rd over: England 274-5 (Brook 112, Stokes 12) Matt Henry returns with New Zealand in pressing want of a wicket or three. Brook will get greater than midway down the monitor earlier than being despatched again by Stokes and has to scramble to make his floor. The throw missed anyway and it’s a maiden from Henry.
Stokes, taking his personal candy time, has made 12 from 40 balls. Brook has 112 from 133.
62nd over: England 274-5 (Brook 112, Stokes 12) Has Brook been dropped once more? He flicked at a legside supply from O’Rourke which was then dropped by Blundell and ran away for 4.
The umpire gave 4 leg-byes however Steve Harmison within the commentary field thinks Brook obtained a contact on it. Replays present he’s proper! Brook has been dropped for the fourth time. It seemed a reasonably simple probability for Blundell, though there’s an opportunity it may need wobbled on the final. Even so, he ought to have caught it.
A massively irritating over for New Zealand ends with Brook inside-edging simply previous the stumps and away for ofur.
Harry Brook reaches his seventh Take a look at century
61st over: England 262-5 (Brook 104, Stokes 12) That’ll do! Harry Brook again cuts Southee for 4 to succeed in an exhilarating century: 123 balls, eight fours, two sixes. He’s been dropped 3 times – 3 times! – however has additionally performed some wonderful strokes.
Brook’s celebration is modest: he raises each arms earlier than pointing his bat skywards to salute his late grandmother Pauline.
sixtieth over: England 255-5 (Brook 97, Stokes 12) I forgot to say that that is the primary time Stokes has been right down to bat No7 in a Take a look at for the reason that Marlon Samuels salute sport within the Caribbean in 2015. He’s are available in at No7 on a lot of events since however solely ever due to a nightwatchman or a reshuffle.
Harry Brook, a person who will certainly by no means bat No7 in his Take a look at profession, takes a few singles to maneuver nearer to his seventh Take a look at hundred.
59th over: England 251-5 (Brook 95, Stokes 10) Harry Brook, on 91, intentionally ramps Southee over the keeper’s head for 4. That’s outrageous. He misplaced his stability and ended up mendacity his again, Rishabh Pant-style. The one distinction is that Pant would have hit it for six.
58th over: England 243-5 (Brook 88, Stokes 9) Stokes cuts the brand new bowler O’Rourke to the precise of Phillips at gully. Phillips dives to avoid wasting the boundary and flings the ball on the stumps in the identical motion, forcing Stokes to scramble to make his floor. He’s one of many all-time nice fielders.
The subsequent ball is a nasty 89mph lifter that beats Stokes, who smiles on the inherent absurdity of nostalgia impossibility of enjoying a ball like that if you’ve simply come to the crease. This could possibly be a enjoyable contest as a result of neither participant will again down. Stokes swivel-pulls easily for 4, his first boundary of the innings, then strikes inside one other sharp lifter.
Time for drinks. England path by 105 runs.
57th over: England 237-5 (Brook 87, Stokes 4) Stokes has began in a way that implies he means enterprise. He’s barely providing a stroke, and when he does it’s normally a watertight ahead defensive. Most of his greatest innings have began this fashion, most notably Headingley 2019 and Lord’s 2023.
We don’t know whether or not Stokes is in sufficiently good nick to make runs however he appears to be like in a very good place mentally, with not one of the cat-on-a-hot-tin-roof stuff we noticed in Pakistan. He hasn’t even thrown his bat at sq. leg for heaven’s sake.
56th over: England 233-5 (Brook 86, Stokes 1) Brief and large from Smith, which permits Brook to slash a deliberate boundary over the slips. A reminder that he was dropped on 18, 41 and 70, a competition of buttered fingers that might value New Zealand the sport.
fifty fifth over: England 226-5 (Brook 79, Stokes 1) Stokes nails a pleasant drive off Southee that’s stopped within the covers. Then he has a harmful flirt outdoors off stump and is overwhelmed. A maiden.
54th over: England 226-5 (Brook 79, Stokes 1) Stokes flicks Smith for a single to get off the mark from his eighth ball. This is a vital sequence for him – he’s down at No7, which is smart but additionally feels unbecoming, and he wants runs after a reasonably modest 2024.
Stokes’ away type is a selected concern given the deal with you understand what. Since batting imperiously in South Africa simply earlier than Covid, Stokes averages 25 from 25 Checks away from house.
53rd over: England 222-5 (Brook 76, Stokes 0) New Zealand and England by no means allow us to down, do they? Each sequence they play is topsy-turvy, even those that finish 3-0. We’ve already had a number of momentum shifts on this sport and Pope’s wicket could possibly be the catalyst for an additional.
WICKET! England 222-5 (Pope c Phillips b Southee 77)
Glenn Phillips ends the partnership with a surprising catch! Pope slashed a again reduce off the brand new bowler Southee, a shot he has performed all day, however this time Phillips flew to his proper and stretched to take a one-handed blinder. We’ve seen Phillips do it a number of instances nevertheless it nonetheless takes the breath away.
With the doable exception of myself, I’m unsure another fielder on the earth would have caught that. Pope goes for a wonderful counter-attacking 77 from 98 balls.
52nd over: England 222-4 (Brook 76, Pope 77) Brook takes a single off Smith to deliver up a riotous 150 partnership in just 30 overs. In addition to considerably lowering the deficit, it has given England’s decrease center order a terrific probability to punish a tiring New Zealand assault tonight.
Brook dropped for the third time!
51st over: England 219-4 (Brook 75, Pope 75) That is getting foolish. New Zealand are usually so dependable within the subject however at present they’ve put down 5 possibilities. Brook hoicked Phillips excessive in the direction of deep midwicket, the place Conway shelled an ungainly runnings probability.
fiftieth over: England 213-4 (Brook 70, Pope 74) The velocity at which England rating means video games can change at dizzying velocity, particularly when they’re comparatively low-scoring. It’s much less then 30 overs for the reason that dismissal of Ben Duckett put New Zealand in full management; now they’re arguably second favourites. They might do with a timeout, even a drinks break, to compose themselves and talk about bowling plans.
That’s not an possibility simply but so Nathan Smith returns to the assault. Brook fees a brief ball, is hit within the intestine and will get 4 leg-byes for King and nation when the ball deflects previous the diving Blundell. It was a no-ball as nicely.
forty ninth over: England 206-4 (Brook 69, Pope 74) Latham stations himself at brief mid-on and is sort of in enterprise when Pope jabs at Phillips with these acquainted laborious arms. The ball reaches Latham on the bounce.
Pope continues to assault, thumping Phillips inside out by means of the covers for 3. Brook works a single to deliver up 2000 Take a look at runs on the startling common of 58.82. That is his thirty sixth innings, which places him joint-eighth on the all-time record with Viv Richards and Arthur Morris amongst others.
forty eighth over: England 200-4 (Brook 67, Pope 70) Pope drives O’Rourke sweetly by means of mid-off for 3; Brook pulls him brusquely by means of midwicket with the identical outcome.
New Zealand are below critical stress for the primary time within the subject. England are solely 148 runs behind, the ball is getting outdated and, crucially, are not driving their luck with the bat.
forty seventh over: England 191-4 (Brook 63, Pope 66) Pope works Phillips for 2 to succeed in 3000 runs in Checks. His total common is modest (34.49) nevertheless it’s price reiterating that he averages 38.62 since Ben Stokes took over as captain – and nearly all of these runs have been made batting out of place. Goodness is aware of who bats No3 for England subsequent summer time. Shoaib Bashir?
forty sixth over: England 186-4 (Brook 62, Pope 62) O’Rourke reminds Pope what time it’s with a few lovely bouncers. Each zip previous Pope’s tried uppercut, with the second additionally placing him on his bottom. The wicketkeeper Blundell did rather well to avoid wasting 4 byes.
forty fifth over: England 186-4 (Brook 62, Pope 62) Phillips overpitches to Brook and is scrunched by means of additional cowl for 4. Fantastically timed. Batting appears to be like extra comfy* than at any stage within the England innings, which presumably means Brook is about to slog one up within the air.
* Much less uncomfortable might be a greater means of phrasing it.
forty fourth over: England 180-4 (Brook 56, Pope 61) O’Rourke has a strangled LBW shout in opposition to Pope, who was saved by a giant inside-edge.
forty third over: England 179-4 (Brook 56, Pope 61) Glenn Phillips continues after tea. He’s a canny, brisk offspinner who took some completely essential wickets in India and has a Take a look at bowling common of 27. That common nearly drops additional when Brook performs and misses outdoors off.
forty second over: England 177-4 (Brook 55, Pope 61) O’Rourke begins after tea to Pope, who rolls his wrists to gather a pair by means of midwicket. Brook then flashes lustily outdoors off stump and is overwhelmed.
Pope has had such an up and down 12 months.These are his scores in Checks in 2024: 1, 196, 23, 23, 39, 3, 0, 0, 11, 19, 57, 121, 51, 10, 6, 6, 1, 17, 154, 7, 0, 29, 22, 3, 1, 61*.
This can be an prolonged night session, with 38 overs nonetheless to bowl. If England are nonetheless batting on the shut they’ll be near parity, probably even within the lead.
Musical interlude
forty first over: England 174-4 (Brook 54, Pope 59) Glenn Phillips, an occasional offspinner who shouldn’t actually be known as an occasional offspinner as a result of have you ever seen his current document, is given the ultimate over earlier than tea. It’s an uneventful affair, with Pope and Brook gathering three singles to finish a breathless session.
England scored 129 in 26.3 overs for the lack of Ben Duckett. Brook and Pope wanted loads of luck – Brook was dropped twice – however they deserved loads of it for having the braveness and talent to counter-attack in bowler-friendly circumstances. Most England groups of my lifetime can be 120 for six at tea, not 174 for 4.
Pope was notably good and appears extra pure at No5 or 6. Over the course of this sequence he may turn into one of many few batters in Take a look at historical past to earn a demovement by means of weight of runs.
fortieth over: England 171-4 (Brook 53, Pope 57) Pope turns O’Rourke for a single to deliver up a significant, doubtlessly game-changing half-century from 59 balls. It’s been streaky at instances, certain, nevertheless it has additionally showcased a few of Pope’s greatest qualities.
It’s been a busy, selfless and relentlessly optimistic innings – and it continues with a deliberate uppercut for 4 later within the over. There have been two males out behind sq. however he bisected them completely. A thump by means of additional cowl for 3 brings up the hundred partnership from 112 balls. For an England fan, it’s been the cricket-watching equal of a trip on the Huge Dipper.
thirty ninth over: England 162-4 (Brook 52, Pope 49) Pope performs throughout the road at Henry and is hit on the flap of the pad. New Zealand plead unsuccessfully for LBW, then barely talk about a evaluate when Rod Tucker turns them down. Too excessive? Sure, however not by a lot – it will have been umpire’s name.
One other turbulent over ends with Brook flashing an edge simply wanting gully.
thirty eighth over: England 158-4 (Brook 51, Pope 48) Will O’Rourke replaces Smith and could have time for a few overs earlier than tea. He has a bob every means, with two slips and two males out for the hook. Every thing is aware of the brief ball is coming – and when it does Brook whirls a pull to lengthy leg for six to deliver up his half-century. It’s been a significant innings: 65 balls, 5 fours, two sixes. Oh and two dropped catches, which can come again to chew New Zealand someplace intimate and painful.
thirty seventh over: England 151-4 (Brook 45, Pope 47) Pope overtakes Brook, who had an 18-runs begin, by edging/steering Henry by means of the slips at catchable top for 4.
thirty sixth over: England 146-4 (Brook 45, Pope 42) Pope jumps throughout a brief ball from Smith, pulling for 4 with a brusque authority. He will get one other boundary later within the over, flicking wristily over the pinnacle of midwicket. There have been a number of shouts of ‘catch!’ nevertheless it cleared the fielder pretty comfortably. A fast single takes him to 42 from 47 balls; it’s a typical Ollie Pope joyride, he’s simply doing it from a distinct place.
England have belted 50 runs from the final 9 overs. Brook was dropped in that point, and this actually hasn’t been a counter-attack for the ages, however they’ve performed with game-changing intent. It takes braveness to try this on this scenario, particularly for those who’re additionally below stress to your place like Pope.
thirty fifth over: England 135-4 (Brook 43, Pope 33) Henry replaces Southee, whose figures of 11-2-35-0 are a minor scandal. The ‘0’ bit anyway. England proceed to stay liek they’ll die tomorrow, with Pope selecting up 5 runs of various streakiness.
Regardless of the technical benefit, it’s nice leisure. New Zealand received’t be fearful but, however they may be if these two are nonetheless in after tea. We’ve obtained about 25 minutes of the afternoon session to play.
