England vs New Zealand New Zealand in England, 2 Test Series, 2021

FOUR! SPLENDID WIN FOR NEW ZEALAND! Outside off, on a length, Tom Latham just guides it behind point and then punches his fists in the air. Then runs down the track and punches fists with Ross Taylor, before embracing him. VICTORY BY 8 WICKETS AND SERIES WON 1-0!

Outside off, angling in, Tom shoulders arms.

FOUR! SCORES LEVEL! Around middle and leg, Latham just helps it through square leg and the ball races away. Would he hit the winning run (s) as well?

Around off, fuller, pushed towards mid on.

Landed outside off, pretty wide, moving away, Tom Latham looks to cut but cannot reach it.

Ross Taylor comes in at number 4, for the finishing duties. Meanwhile, Mark Wood comes on for a short burst. 25-3-85-2 in the first dig.

OUT! BOWLED! A drag on. Young never looked settled at the crease. Was always trying to play a bit too many shots without much feet movement. A length ball, outside off, Will Young plays a pretty loose shot, aiming to hit this through the covers but the feet don't move and the result is an inside edge, which hits the stumps.

Full and wide outside off, swinging away, left alone.

FOUR! A bit too short outside off, Will Young punches this through point for a boundary.

Full, outside off, pretty wide, Young lets it pass again.

Outside off, on a length, Will Young shoulders arms.

Around middle, swinging down, tucked towards fine leg for a single. 9 more needed for a win now.

First bowling change of the innings. Olly Stone it will be. 24-5-92-2 in the first innings.

Outside off, pretty wide, fractionally short, there to be cut and Will cuts. But there is no will to move his feet and he gets a bottom edge which goes on the bounce to the slip cordon.

Good length ball, around off, pushed back down the ground.

This one comes back in a long way from outside off, Young taps it to the leg side.

Landed outside off, Will Young pushes it towards point.

Around middle, swinging in, flicked towards short mid-wicket.

Around off, pushed to the off side for a single.

On a length, outside off, Will lets it pass.

Full, outside off, Young pushes it towards mid off.

DIRECT HIT WOULD HAVE GOT LATHAM. Around middle, Tom pushes it towards mid on and sets off for a quick single. Mark Wood comes in quickly, gets to the ball, dives and then attempts an under-arm throw at the bowler's end. Misses the stumps. It is a NO BALL as well. The stand moves to 21.

A short ball, outside off, Latham bails out of the pull. A late call of WIDE by the square leg umpire Richard Kettleborough. Broad is a bit disgruntled by that.

Full, outside off, Tom Latham shoulders arms.

On a good length, outside off, pushed through the covers for a couple.

Full, around off, swinging in, Will Young tucks it towards fine leg for a single.

Full, outside off, left alone.

On a length, outside off, pushed towards cover.

This one bounce off a length, around middle and leg, Latham looks to tuck it away but the ball suddenly shoots up, hits the glove and lobs towards square leg. The impact forces the bat to be pushed away from the hand.

Outside off, on a length, let through.

FOUR! MARVELLOUS! On a length, around middle, Tom Latham drives this straight back down the ground, through the vacant mid on region. Moves to 10 and New Zealand need 17 more.

On a good length, around middle, pushed uppishly towards mid on. Drops down on the pitch.

Around off, coming in, pushed towards mid on.

Play and a miss! This small passage of play is testing New Zealand's batting skills. Are they looking at this game already done and dusted with? Their minds don't seem to be on the game at present. Full, wide outside off, swinging away, WY plays an airy-fairy drive and misses comprehensively. No feet movement.

Landed outside off, again an indecision from Will. He wants to play at this one but then realizes that it is too wide to be played at. Lets it pass.

Full, outside off, tempting to be driven, Young is not the one to be tempted.

A quick short ball, outside off, coming in, Will Young looks to pull but misses and is hit just over the box. Ouch.

Full, outside off, pretty wide, left alone.

4000 RUNS IN TEST CRICKET FOR TOM LATHAM! Fine milestone for the stand-in captain, who has become a rock in New Zealand's batting now. Gets there with a gentle push towards point for a single.

Close, close call. Full, outside off, Will Young thinks about going after it, aiming to drive but then thinks the better of it and pulls his bat out. Is late and gets beaten, almost nicking it.

Full, just around off, watchfully defended.

Landed outside off, let through.

Around middle, nudged towards short mid-wicket for a quick single. The fielder gets across to his right from square leg, picks the ball up and has a shy at the bowler's end. Latham is well in but the throw hits his bat or pad and deflects past the man backing up at mid off. There is a chance of an overthrow but we all know that if there was a Fairplay Award in international cricket, which team would win it. Accordingly, Latham does not run.

Outside off, let through again.

Full, outside off, a touch wide, left alone.

Beautifully bowled and equally well kept too. And yes, not to forget, fine judgement by Young. On a good length, just outside off. Now, from that length and line, it is difficult to judge whether to play at it or leave it. But Will knows where his off stump is and shoulders arms. The ball goes just past the off stump. Now, the keeping aspect. James Bracey gets across to his right to collect but then the ball wobbles in the air and comes to his left. He reacts well and takes it cleanly. Keeping is perhaps the most difficult in England, be it sunny or overcast.

Full, around off, driven straight to mid on.

On a good length, fractionally wide outside off, left alone by Will Young.

Very full, on off, pushed towards short mid-wicket.

Around off, moving away, left alone.

Full, around off, pushed towards mid on.

Half volley outside off, punched on the up through the covers. Three runs to get off the mark.

Full, outside off, pushed towards point.

Landed outside off, fuller in length, swinging away, left alone by Will Young. Called as as NO BALL for overstepping, by the third umpire.

Outside off, extra bounce, pushed towards cover for a single.

FOUR LEG BYES! A bit too straight, Latham looks to clip it fine but misses. But the ball takes a part of his hip and flies over and wide of James Bracey, to his right, to the fine leg fence. 28 more to win now.

Around middle, nudged towards short mid-wicket.

Ooohhh... almost a carbon copy of the previous dismissal. James Anderson runs in from around the wicket at a pretty wide angle. He then makes the ball to come in off a length and Tom Latham is forced into playing that. Or that is what he thinks. Because in the end, he tries leaving it. Gets beaten.

Will Young walks in at number 3, replacing Devon Conway.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Broad strikes early again. Conway cannot finish off the game for his side. Full, outside off, pretty wide, Devon Conway looks to push at the ball away from his body but his feet do not move as much. All he manages is a thick outside edge and keeper James Bracey takes a simple catch.

Taking a cue from his partner. Latham gets off the mark in a similar fashion to Conway. Only this ball is wider than the one bowled to Conway and Tom has to reach out. But he opens the face of his bat neatly, gets to the pitch of the ball, in spite of reaching out and guides it behind point for three.

On a length, outside off, Tom Latham shoulders arms.

First ball which hits the bat in this innings. And straightaway, runs come. Full, outside off, closer than the previous ones, Devon opens the face of his bat slightly, plays this late and guides this with soft hands between third slip and gully. Doesn't have the legs to reach the fence and the batsmen take three.

Wide ball again, fuller, only this one straightens a touch after pitching. Same response from Conway. Shoulders arms.

Full, outside off, from around the wicket, from a very wide angle, bowling it wide as well, even if it comes in, it still is wide to be chased after and Devon Conway shoulders arms.

Stuart Broad to bowl from the other end.

Full, outside off, closer than the previous one, left alone once again to mark it as a maiden.

Landed outside off, wide again, shouldered arms to.

And again. Action replay of the previous delivery.

Fuller, outside off, closer than the previous ones but wide enough to be left alone.

Landed on a good length, wider outside off, let through again.

On a length, outside off, left alone.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! One ball. That is all it has taken. On a length, around off, angling away, Olly Stone looks to push but the away movement does him in. A thin outside edge and keeper Tom Blundell does the rest. NEW ZEALAND NEED 38 TO WIN!

The players are out in the middle then. A pacer to start. Here's Trent Boult ​​​to Olly Stone. 10-2-34-1 so far.

New Zealand would be very happy. Not just because of this bowling performance as a whole, but because their missing pieces getting joined. Neil Wagner was looking a bit out of sorts in the first Test, but with 6 wickets in this one, he has tuned himself nicely for the Word Test Championship final against India, starting the coming Friday. The batting looks good and even the spin options are nicely stocked up. So all in readiness for the grand finale. For today, they would want to wrap up this innings as quickly as possible and win the match by the end of the session, at the most. It will be interesting to see who bowls the first over. Normally tailenders like to slog against spinners. Would Tom Latham open with Ajaz Patel at one end and one of the seamers at the other? Stay tuned for the action to begin.

What ails England? Batting and catching. They had New Zealand in trouble when the lead was slender but then dropped a few catches again to let them off the hook. And then with the bat, they once again played too many shots to get out of contention of the match as a whole. They lead by just 37 and only have Olly Stone and James Anderson in the middle. Looking at Anderson's batting credentials, Stone might just throw his bat around and try and get as many runs as possible. For England's sake, if Jimmy can channelise his Nottingham innings of 2014, against India, it would be very handy. England were 298/9 there and Joe Root and James Anderson forged a partnership of hold your breath - 198 - yes, that's right. 198, for the last wicket, of which Jimmy scored 81. Can they emulate something of that stand? For now, even a target of 100 would give some respect to this English team.

Refreshed? Sleep done? Fully awake? Okay. Time to pinch yourself again. Yes. This is not the highlights package of any match. England are actually 9 down, having lost 7 wickets in a session. Had it not been for Mark Wood, who played an entertaining cameo of 29 in 38 balls, we might have actually seen the game finish off on Saturday itself. A day to forget for England. A nightmare. They are on the cusp of a match and series defeat and it should only be a matter of time before the game is done. On that note, hello and a warm welcome to what is the fourth day, but could be the final day, final session or even the final hour of the second Test between England and New Zealand at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

... DAY 4 ...

Now then, what can we expect on Day 4? England will need a miracle to win this one but a miracle just does not seem possible. New Zealand will want to take the last wicket quickly and then score the runs off. Don't think Day 4 will last for more than a session. Do join us for all the action. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Matt Henry started things off with two wickets just before the Tea break. He then got another after the break. After that, every bowler chipped in. Wagner also took 3, Ajaz for two and Boult one. Had it not been for Stone and Wood, England might have already lost this game. Have to say, it is a sorry batting effort from the hosts and an excellent effort form the visitors with the ball.

The first one and a half sessions did not completely belong to them. From a position where it looked like they would take a big lead, they only got one just above 80. However, it was all about their bowlers after that.

End of an outstanding day for the visitors! More or less, they have sealed the deal (series) with the performance they have displayed on Day 3.

Another good leave by Anderson, outside off. THAT WILL BE STUMPS ON DAY 3!

Another outside off ball, Left alone.

Good leave by Anderson. Length ball, outside off, Seams away a bit and Anderson leaves it to the keeper.

On middle. This is worked towards mid on for a run.

Tad fuller, outside off, seams away. Left alone.

Back of a length ball, on off. Stone hops and taps it back on the crease.

Outside off, left alone.

Beaten! Boult fires it on a length and outside off, this one nicks a bit away. Anderson looks to play in the line and gets beaten on outside edge.

On middle, blocked.

A short one outside off, left alone.

Anderson walks out to bat!

OUT! Bowled! Broad departs for just a single run! Boult fires this one on a length and on off, this one jabs back in. Broad looks to play it but misses and it hits the stumps.

Swing and a miss! Back of a length ball, on middle. Stuart Broad looks to pull but misses it, gets hit on chest.

Successful over from Wagner! as this is worked towards point.

Short and on middle. Stone hops and taps it to point.

Full and on middle. Broad flicks it towards square leg for quick single, The fielder has a shy at striker's stump but misses it.

OUT! WOOD's cameo is over! Another shot ball from Wagner on middle. Wood gets his front foot out and looks to pull, ends up splicing it up high in the air, the keeper calls for it and takes a good catch just over the stumps. End of a good little innings by Wood. England are effectively 35 for 8.

FOUR Leg Byes! Wood pre-meditates the short ball, and makes room for himself, Goes all on his pull but misses it. Hits is shoulder and races over the slip fielder for four.

Length and on hips, Stone hops and clips it to square leg for a single.

Full and on off. Wood drives it swiftly but straight to mid-off.

On middle, it stays low, Wood gets his bat down in time to defend.

FOUR! Consecutive Boundaries! Length ball, outside off. Wood cuts it through cover-point for four.

FOUR! Wood will take the runs, however it comes! Length ball, on off. rises unexpectedly. Wood looks to defend but gets surprise by bounce. Gets outer half of bat towards vacant slip region for four.

Full and on off. Wood drives it to covers.

Appeal but not given, clearly! Boult comes round the wicket and angles in on middle. Wood looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto pads.

On middle, kept out.

Outside off, this is cut to point.

On off, blocked.

Almost! The arm ball, it comes in from outside off, Stone plays outside the line, it goes off the inside edge but last the leg pole.

Chance! On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket. Wood wants one and comes halfway down but is sent back in time.

FOUR! Stone moves into double figures! This is full and on middle, it is whipped through mid-wicket for a boundary.

On middle, kept out.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

On middle, blocked.

In the air... short! On middle, Wood pulls, it lands short of deep square leg for one.

On off, kept out nicely.

Good length and on middle, Wood plays it off the front foot to mid off.

On middle, Stone dead bats it.

On off, Stone pushes it to covers.

Attacks the stumps again, it is kept out.

On off, this is pushed to the bowler.

Flatter and on off, this is pushed back to the bowler.

On off, kept out.

Angled into the pads, this is worked to mid-wicket.

Anothet one on middle, kept out.

That is sharp! Short and on middle, Wood looks to upper cut but is beaten for pace.

On a length again and on middle, kept out.

Fuller and on off, it is pushed towards mid off for one.

Good length and on off, blocked.

Another solid defence from Wood.

Tosses it up, on off. Wood drives it but straight to the cover fielder.

Flatter and on off. Wood punches it off back foot.

On middle. Blocked out.

FOUR! Consecutive Boundries for Wood! Fraction short, outside off. Wood cuts it off the back foot through point for four.

FOUR! On middle. Wood shimmys down the pitch and smokes it over bowlers head for four, down the ground.

Back of a length ball, on off. Stone half ducks and looks to pull but misses.

Full and on off. This is pushed to mid off.

Length ball, outside off, this one hits the deck and rises. Stone defends it on the crease.

Full and on middle. Wood flicks it to mid-wicket and takes a single.

On middle. blocked out.

Length ball, on the leg pole. Wood looks to flick but misses and gets hit on pads.

Floated on off. Wood flicks it to square leg and keeps the strike.

On middle, blocked out.

This is driven straight to the covers.

SIX! England now lead by 5 runs! Tossed up, on middle. Wood gets on one knee and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket for biggie.

On middle, Blocked out.

On middle. This hits the deck and spins away, beating the defensive shot of Wood.

On middle, kept out.

Fuller and on middle, this is played to mid on.

FOUR! England trail by just the one! Outside off, this is cut through pint for a boundary.

Angled into the pads, it is worked to mid-wicket.

Good length and on middle, it is worked to square leg.

Outside off, Stone pushes at it but misses.

Muted appeal but turned down! On the pads, Wood fails to put bat on ball. It hits the pad and lobs towards short leg.

On off, it is pushed to mid off.

Down the leg side. Wood looks to flick but misses.

FOUR! Every run will be cheered now! Short and outside off, it is cut through point for a boundary.

Tossed up on off, blocked.

On middle, kept out.

Well bowled! This one is really full and on middle, comes in late. It is jammed out right at the end.

Another one on a length and around off, it is pushed to mid off.

On middle, this is pushed to mid off.

On the pads, Stone looks to flick but it goes off the pads and the keeper dives to his left and takes it.

Back of a length and on middle, this is pushed to mid off.

Shorter and outside off, Stone slashes at it but misses.

On middle, kept out.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! There is the big fish, Jor Root has been given out. England's last hope of giving their bowlers something to bowl at has edged this one and it is taken by the keeper. It is short and outside off, just outside off. A little too close to cut. There is also extra bounce. Root looks to cut but it goes off the outside edge and the keeper take it. Still 9 away from wiping off the deficit.

On the stumps again, this is pushed back to the bowler.

Outside off, left alone.

Flatter and on off, this is pushed to covers.

On middle, kept out.

On off, this is pushed to mid off.

On middle, blocked again nicely.

Back of a length and on middle, kept out.

Back of a length and on middle, this is pushed to mid on.

Some inward movement but the line is a little too straight. Stone looks to flick but gets hit on the pads.

On middle. Clips it in front of square leg for single.

Tosses up, on off. Stone punches it off back foot onto the crease and survives the over.

On middle. Blocked out off back foot.

Tossed up, on off. Defends it on the crease.

On middle, blocked out.

This one spins from middle. Stone defends off the back foot.

Floats in ton the pads. Stone flicks it to fine leg for couple of runs.

On middle. Blocked out.

Edge and Just Short! Length ball, around off, skids through the surface. Stone tempts to defend but gets outside edge, just short of 2nd slip, who half stops it and allows single.

Wide of outside off. Left alone.

Single taken and Wagner will look to bowl to new batsmen. On middle. Flicked to square leg.

Across the batsmen, outside off. Left alone.

Length ball, outside off. Root covers his stump and blocks it.

Outside off. Left alone. Wicket maiden over from Ajaz Patel!

Flatter and on middle. Kept out

Tossed up, on middle. Defended back to bowler.

Ollie Stone walks out to bat!

OUT! Bowled! Ajaz Patel strikes in his second over! Flatter and around off. Bracey looks to play the sweep with the spin, but moves too across the stump, it hits the glove and then rolls onto his stumps. He did get off the mark in Test cricket but does not last for long. England still 14 away.

On middle. Blocked out.

On middle, defends this with the spin.

On middle. Blocked out.

FOUR! Freebie! Wagner spills it down the leg side. Root glances it, for the ball to race away to fine leg fence for four.

Another solid defence by Root.

Full and on middle. Pushed towards mid off.

Fuller and outside off, nicks back in. Swiftly pushes it to mid off.

On middle. Solid defence from Root.

On pads. This is flicked through square leg for two runs.

Outside off. Left alone.

Beaten! Length ball, on middle, it hits the deck and shapes away. Bracey looks to play inside the line and gets beaten.

Outside off, Left alone.

On middle. Kept out.

FOUR! Welcome Boundary! Short ball, angled on middle. Bracey pulls it along the ground towards mid-wicket for four.

Length and on middle. Defended off front foot on the crease.

Another solid defence from Root of a length ball, on middle.

Inswinger on middle. Root hangs back and blocks it out.

On middle. Blocked out.

Bracey is having some nervy time! Full and outside off. Bracey is tempted to push this but is too early on his shot, gets a inside edge towards square leg for single.

On middle. Blocked out.

Boult spills it down the leg side, Keeper does well to get his hand on it and half stop , Single taken.

On off. Blocked out.

Full and on off. Another late defensive shot from Bracey. He gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Length ball, and outside off. Bracey lets it roll to keeper.

Outside off. Left alone.

Full and on off. Bracey is late to his defence and gets a inside edge onto the pads.

Down the leg side. Root lets it go. The keeper dives to his left and stops it.

First run in Test cricket for Bracey! He has a huge smile on his face. A big loud cheer for him from the crowd! On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Almost gets his first run! On the pads, this is worked to square leg. The fielder dives to his left and stops it.

On middle, kept out. Bracey has two ducks.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Another one bites the dust and England are 5 down and they trail by another 27 runs! Lawrence, the hero of the first innings bags a single digit score. He could have left the ball. It is on a length and outside off, Lawrence pokes at it. It goes off the outside edge and the keeper does the rest.

Outside off, left alone.

Tossed up, On middle. Blocked out.

Full and on middle. Wachfully blocked out

On middle and leg. Solid defence from Root

Another one on the stumps, kept out.

On off, blocked.

On middle, kept out.

OUT! It is clipping the top of middle which means it remains umpire's call! Pope has to walk back once again after getting off to a start. He could feel a little hard done by over here. It did hit him a little high and the decision could have gone either way. England though slip further. Once again, just as a partnership was starting to build, Wagner breaks through. His first. This is slightly behind a length. It lands around off and then jags back in. Poor shuffles across and fails to adjust to the movement. He gets pinned on the pad. Just above the knee roll. An appeal and the finger is raised. Pope reviews but replays show that the on-field call remains.

Another inswing on middle. Flicked to mid-wicket

on middle, blocked.

The Kiwis have got another! Pope does review but he is a goner if no bat.

FOUR! Moves to 23! Length ball, outside off. Pope chops it off the back foot towards sweeper cover for four.

Full and on middle, jags back in. Pope drives it well but straight to covers.

Full and on middle. Flicked to mid-wicket.

Good Bowling! Full and angles in after hitting the deck. Pope covers his stump and lets it go to the keeper.

On off. Defended

Three more! Half volley by Henry, on leg stump. Pope flicks it through mid-wicket, who does well to chase, dive and keep it out of reaching the fence, three taken.

On middle. Blocked out on the deck.

Full and on off. Root drives it past mid off, the ball does not have legs to reach the fence, just three.

Full and on middle. Root clips it of bottom hand towards mid-wicket.

Outside off. This is pushed to covers.

On the pads, this is played down to fine leg for one.

On off, this is pushed to cover.

Fuller and on off, this is driven to mid off.

Well outside off, left alone.

Back of a length and on off, it is pushed to covers.

A little bit of shape into the batter. On middle, Root plays it with the swing to mid on.

Wagner is on now!

On off, blocked. Henry goes back to bowling length on the last ball. Negotiated well.

Make that 16! Two more through the leg side. Henry goes full and on middle, this is clipped through square leg. The fielder does get a hand to it so only two.

FOUR! Pope has gotten off to a good start here! This is fuller and outside off, he drives it through covers. You need not run for those. He's onto 14 in no time.

On off, defended.

Back of a length and on off, it is pushed to covers.

Very full and on off, this is driven nicely past mid off for two.

On off, kept out.

Goes really full and gets it to tail back in a long way but from middle. It ends up gonna down the leg side. The keeper dives to his left and stops it.

Just short! Angled into the pads, Pope flicks it in the air but it lands short of the square leg fielder. He does not stop it cleanly and a run is taken.

On off, kept out.

FORTUNATE FOUR! This one rises off a length now! On off, Pope is half-forward as he tries to block. It goes off the outside edge, past second slip for a boundary down to third man.

On middle, this one stays a little low. Blocked.

Outstanding over again from Henry! On off, kept out.

Hits the deck hare this time and on off, Root hops and guides it to point.

Good length and on off, defended.

Outside off, left alone.

Pope is off the mark straightaway! Fuller and on off, this is driven through mid off for three.

Crawley is a goner! If he has not hit it, it is plumb, he still reviews but that seems in hope.

OUT! THREE REDS AND CRAWLEY TAKES A REVIEW ALONG WITH HIM! Not sure why he reviewed that one. That looked dead. England in all sorts now as Henry is ripping them apart with some quality bowling. This lands on off, it is on a length. It jags back in. Crawley plays outside the line, probably because Henry has been moving it away more. It goes past the inside edge and hits the pads. An appeal and the finger is raised. Crawley has a chat and then reviews but replays show that the on-field call is the right one. England still trail by 55.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

On off, blocked.

Really well bowled! Goes around the wicket and angles it into the off pole. Root has to look to play at it due to the angle. The ball lands and straightens. Goes past the outside edge.

This one tails back in from outside off, blocked again.

On off, blocked.

Nicely timed and well fielded! On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket. The fielder at mid on hares after it, dives and stops it. Saves a run for his side. Crawley scoring quite freely.

Beaten! A beauty to end a lovely over! Length and on off, this shapes away. Root looks to defend but is beaten.

Relentless stuff! Another length ball on off, Root plays it to covers.

Well fielded again! Length and on off again. Root looks to defend with soft hands. It goes off the outside edge but the gully fielder dives to his left and stops it.

A muted appeal but nothing! Outside off, Root plays this one with his pad slightly ahead of the bat. He gets hit on the former. An appeal but nothing.

Well fielded! Length and on off, Root looks to defend but goes off the outside edge. Third slip stops it well by diving to his right.

On off, Root hangs back and blocks it.

Short and down the leg side. Crawley looks to pull but is a touch early in the shot. He is beaten.

On off, Crawley plays it late and towards gully.

Joe is off the mark! On middle, this is worked wide of mid on for one.

Root is happy to play Boult on the back foot. This is on middle, probably a length you want to play forward too but Root stays back and keeps it out.

Beaten! Length and on off, angling away. Root is beaten as he pushes at it.

Back of a length and on off, blocked.

Boult from the other end.

FOUR! That is a shot of authority! A shot which can boost your confidence. Full and on middle, this is driven straight down the ground for a boundary. A good start to the session for England.

Just outside off, left alone.

Good length and on middle, kept out.

FOUR BYES! Bonus runs! Length and just outside off, this one stays really low. Crawley looks to push at it but is beaten. It sneaks between the legs of the keeper and goes to the fence.

Good delivery and well left! Just outside off, Crawley leaves it alone by covering his off pole.

Back of a length and on off,  blocked.

Time for the last and an important session! Root and Crawley will resume. Henry to continue.

... Day 3, Session 3 ...

So, England have lost two in the 6 overs they had to face before the break and are on the back foot! Henry has been the one causing problems as he has got not the openers. The hosts still trail by over 60 and a lot will depend on Root if they are to find a way out of this tough situation. He'll need support from the others and especially Crawley who is in need of some runs. Can he deliver?

Talking about the session now, it has been a good one for the bowlers. 7 wickets have fallen in total. 5 for the Kiwiss and two of England. Not good sings if you're an English fan as that just indicates that batting is getting tough. The wicket though seems to be playing well. We'll find out more after the break. Will we see ball dominate again?

On middle, nicks in a bit. Root solidly defends it to mid-off. That's TEA for the day.

Outside off, watchfully leaves it.

Fuller and on off. This is pushed towards mid off for single.

One more ball on off, kept out.

On off, solidly blocked.

Edge but Safe! Another length ball, around off. Crawley is tempted to defends but gets leading edge towards the 2nd slip on a bounce.

Outside off. Shoulders arms it.

Joe Root walks out to bat!

OUT! Edge and Gone! Henry gets his Second Wicket! A length ball, Outside off. Sibley steps across and looks to defend but gets a thick outside edge towards second slip who takes a good low catch to dismiss Sibley. England now in trouble.

Outside off. Left alone to the keeper.

On middle. Blocked out.

Outside off. Shoulders arms to it.

Back of a length, on off. Sibley hops and taps it to covers.

Fuller and around the 5th stump. Crawley covers his stump and lets it go to the keeper.

On off. Kept out.

FOUR! Classic Drive! Tad fuller, outside off, scrambled seam. This is driven-pushed past mid-on for four.

Fuller and on middle. Flicked to mid-wicket.

Beaten! Length ball outside off. Crawley is tempted to defend this but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Fuller and outside off, the ball hits the deck and seams away, keeper does good to grab it.

Outside off. Shoulders arms to it.

On middle. Blocked out.

FOUR! Length ball, outside off. Sibley prods to defend but gets a thick outside edge towards the vacant gully region for four.

A length ball, outside off. Crawley prods forward and pushes it to off side for a quick single.

On middle. Blocked out.

Fuller and on middle. This is pushed to mid on.

Fuller, shaping back in a little. This is pushed to mid on.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

A bumper now! Ducked under.

Three more! This is a lovely shot. Full and outside off, Crawley strokes it through covers for three.

Three! Fuller and on middle, this is stroked through mid on for three.

On off,  blocked.

Boult to bowl from the other end.

Sibley is off the mark now! On the pads, this is worked down towards fine leg for one.

England and Crawley are underway! On the pads, this is worked through square leg for one.

And again, full and outside off, left alone again.

Another full one outside off, Crawley lets it go to the keeper.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! That is the start the Kiwis wanted. Also, it is a good wicket to get as Burns has been amongst the runs. A flashy drive from him probably too early his innings. This is full and outside off, asking Burns to go after it. He does away from his body. It goes off the outside edge and the fielder at first slip dives to his left and takes it.

Length and on off. Blocked out.

OUT! Three reds and that is the end of the Kiwi innings! Good review from England. There were two sounds but it did not hit the bat. On middle, Patel looks to heave it across the line but misses. It hits the pad. An appeal but turned down. England review and it shows the on-field call needs to be overturned. NEW ZEALAND HAVE BEEN BOWLED OUT FOR 388!

FOUR! Great Shot! Tossed up, on off. Boult shimmys down the pitch and slashes it over bowlers head, down the ground for four.

On middle. Clips it towards square leg for single.

Round arm from Root, spills it down the leg side. Patel misses his flick.

Floated on middle. Flicked towards mid-wicket.

On middle. Defended back on the crease.

Tossed up, outside off. Watchfully left alone.

Outside off. Left alone.

FOUR! Lead is now of 80! Back of a length ball, on middle. Boult looks to pull but gets inner half of bat past mid-on for four.

Yorker and on middle. Digs out to mid on.

FOUR! Cheeky! Full and on middle. Boult looks to heave it on leg side but gets a thick inside edge towards the fine leg fence for four.

On middle, Kept out.

Shot but well Fielded! Full and on middle. Boult makes room and pushes it wide of mid-on who dives to his left and saves a boundary.

Full and on middle. Patel flicks it towards mid-wicket for two more runs.

FOUR! Consecutive Boundaries! Angles this one on middle. Patel sways down and upper cuts it towards the over the first slip fielder for a boundary.

FOUR! Timing! Angles this one onto the pads. Patel whips it towards the mid-wicket region for four.

Short and on middle. Patel pulls it along the ground towards mid-wicket for couple of runs.

Full and on off. Patel guides it out to the point fielder who dives to his left and denies a single.

Back of a length ball, on middle. Patel pulls it off back foot towards square leg for single.

Length and outside off. Left alone.

On middle. Kept out.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Number 9 goes down and it is Blundell who is the last recognized batter. That is a good catch by Root. This is full and outside off, Blundell goes for an expansive drive. This flies off the outside edge and Root takes a good catch to his left.

Yorker and on middle. Blundell digs it out in time towards mid-wicket.

A length ball, angling on middle. Blundell watchfully blocks it.

Fuller and on off. Blundell defends this under his eyes.

Stuart Broad is back!

DRINKS! A good hour for England! They have managed to take wickets on regular intervals but they need to keep doing so. The lead has already crossed 50, ca they take the remaining two quickly?

A short of  length ball, on middle. Patel sways away from it.

FOUR! Freebie! Low full toss, outside off. Patel makes room and guides it through the vacant gully region for four.

Fuller and on middle. Patel defends it to covers.

Another length ball, outside off. Shoulders arms to it.

Short ball, Angling on middle. Patel sways away from it.

Tad fuller and on middle. This is flicked towards mid-wicket for a quick single.

Swing and a miss! Length ball, outside off. Patel looks to pull it but misses it.

Another one on the middle. Patel solidly defends this back on the crease.

On middle. Blocked out.

Tad fuller and on middle. Patel shows the full face of bat and defends it on the off side.

On middle. Kept out.

Full and on middle. Patel defends it to mid on.

Length ball, angling on the pads. Patel looks to flick but misses, the ball rolls over, wide of short leg for a Leg Bye.

Length ball, angling on middle. Blocked out.

Fuller and angling on off. Patel drives it to the point fielder.

Good Bowling! A short of a length ball, angling in on middle. Patel ducks and sways away from it.

On middle, Kept out.

Back of a length ball, on middle. Patel ducks under this one to let it fly towards the keeper.

On middle. This is flicked towards fine leg for a single.

Full and on off. Patel blocks it out.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Length ball, and on off. Blundell defends this on the crease.

On middle. Kept out.

Shout for LBW but might be missing the leg stump! Full and drifting on leg stump. Blundell looks to flick but misses. Hits the pads. Anderson shouts for LBW but was clearly missing the leg stump.

Back of a length ball, outside off. Patel sways away from it.

Round the wicket. A length ball, outside off. Patel shoulders arms to it.

Ajaz Patel walks out to bat!

OUT! THAT LOOKED OUT FROM THE TIME IT HIT THE PAD! Too quick for Henry. Wood spears this one full and around middle and leg. Henry looks to flick but is a touch late in getting the bat down. He misses and it hits the back pad. An appeal and the finger is raised. England really bowling with a lot of fire here.

Length and on middle. Clipped towards mid-wicket.

On middle. Kept out.

Outside off. Pushed towards cover.

On middle. Kept out.

A length ball, on middle. This is flicked to the mid-wicket region.

Tad fuller, outside off. Prods forward and defends this to covers.

Full and on middle. It is clipped towards the mid-wicket fielder.

On middle. blocked out.

Full and drifting down the leg side. Blundell misses his flick to the keeper.

FOUR! Length ball, outside off. Henry slashes it hard but gets a thick edge over the leaping 2nd slip fielder for a boundary.

Full and on off. Henry middles this one for a push towards mid-off who dives to his right and saves a boundary.

FOUR! A length ball, outside off. Henry drives this under his eyes through the cover-point fielder for four.

Fuller and on middle. This is on-driven to the mid-on fielder.

On middle. Blocked out.

Fuller and on off. This is driven but straight to the cover fielder.

On off, kept out.

On off, it is pushed to cover.

Solid again! Another one on middle, it is played back to the bowler.

On middle again, this is defended nicely.

Back of a length and on off, this is pushed to covers.

On off, kept out.

FOUR! Back of a length ball, on off. Henry half-pulls it through the mid-wicket fielder for four.

Short and on middle. It is pulled towards fine leg for a single.

FOUR! Full and outside off. Blundell leans into the drive and plays it through covers for four.

This is Good Bowling by England! A cross-seamer on middle. Blundell looks to flick but gets tangled and gets hit on pads of a inside edge.

Another length ball, on middle. This is worked towards mid-wicket.

On middle. Kept out.

A huge appeal but turned down. Root reviews. Seems high.

NOT OUT! There is a spike on Ultra Edge so England lose their review! Never looked out to be honest. Not sure why the review was taken. Maybe in excitement. This is shortish and angling into the pads. Henry looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads. An appeal but turned down. Anderson does not fancy it a lot but Root reviews. Replays show that there is an inside edge.

Another dot as this is pushed to cover.

On middle. Defended back to bowler.

Matt Henry is the bee man in.

OUT! Bowled! Two in two overs for England! Anderson goes around the wicket, bowls a length ball, angling in around off. Hint of inswing, Wagner tries to push at it but was too late to his shot, and the ball knocks off the stumps. This is a good passage of play for England.

On middle. Defended back to bowler.

Length ball, on middle. Flicked on to leg side for a single.

Good Bowling! Back of a length ball, on middle. Wagner was in two minds whether to duck or to defend. Ends up defending, the ball hits high on the bat and rolls over to vacant short square leg region.

Neil Wagner walks out to bat!

OUT! TAKEN! Mitchell is a goner and Stone gets a wicket quickly after the break. Just the start his side would have wanted. This is short and on middle, Mitchell looks to pull but it goes more off the upper part and straight to mid-wicket. England into the bowling all-rounders now. Lead is just the 32.

On middle. It is worked towards square leg for a single.

FOUR LEG BYES! Back of a length ball, drifting it on the leg side. Blundell looks to clip but misses, hits his pads, and the ball rolls over to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Length ball, on middle. It is clipped towards mid-wicket.

Tad fuller and nips in on middle. Blundell solidly defends it.

A length ball, on off. Mitchell looks to defend but it goes off the outer half towards the gully region for a couple of runs.

Full and around off. Mitchell shimmies down to block it towards cover.

On middle. Blocked out.

Length ball and angles it on middle. It is defended towards mid-on.

A length ball, and on middle. Mitchell defends it on the pitch.

Length ball, and on off. Blocked out.

James Anderson to bowl from the other end!

A dot to end! On middle, blocked.

Mitchell too scored his first run of the session. Stone goes wide of the crease and angles it into the pads, it is worked through square leg for one.

First run in this session! On middle, this is worked towards mid-wicket for one.

Back of a length and on middle, blocked.

On the fuller side but a little too straight, it is worked to mid-wicket.

Starts off on a length and outside off, left alone.

We are all set for the action to begin! The England players make their way out to the middle. They are followed by the New Zealand batters, Mitchell and Blundell who will continue their innings. Olle Stone to bowl.

... Day 3, Session 2 ...

The Black Caps would be looking to just bat on and on. One more session with the bat should take the lead beyond 100 which would prove very substantial on this pitch. But they have their last recognized batting pair in the middle. They would hope that it digs in and forms a big partnership. Join us back at 1.40 pm local (1240 GMT) for the second session.

End of a very good session for New Zealand. They have scored 97 runs and lost 2 wickets and got into the lead. The pitch still looks good to bat on what could be the best batting day of the match. England could have had more wickets, but for their poor catching. However, they are not far behind the 8-ball and will look forward to break this Blundell-Mitchell stand as quickly as possible and keep the lead under say, 75.

On a good length, outside off, moving away, Mitchell works it with the away movement towards third man for a couple. LUNCH ON DAY 3, NEW ZEALAND LEAD BY 23!

Around off, on a length, solidly defended.

A short ball, outside off, pulled towards long leg for a single.

Full and wide outside off, left alone.

On a good length, outside off, Tom Blundell defends solidly.

Around off, angling in, worked through mid-wicket for a couple. The lead moves to 20. The stand moves to 11.

Should be the last over before Lunch. Just a minute left.

Short, outside off, punched towards short extra cover.

Tossed up, outside off, Daryl Mitchell comes down the track but yorks himself. Gets an inside edge onto his pads.

Short, outside off, worked through mid-wicket for a single.

Around middle, looped up a touch, worked in front of short leg. 3 minutes to go for Lunch.

Outside off, solidly blocked.

Full, around off, pushed to the right of Joe Root.

5 minutes to go to Lunch. Joe Root brings himself on. 13-3-39-0 so far.

Oohhh.. this seemed like a plan. Wood bowls a ball down the leg side, a full toss and Mitchell misses his flick. Interestingly, Joe Root has stationed himself at leg slip.

Full, outside off, Daryl Mitchell walks forward and defends.

A bouncer, but down the leg side, ducked under.

7 minutes to go to Lunch. James Anderson is warming up.

Full, outside off, watchfully kept out.

Around off, on a length, solidly defended.

Around off, angling in, worked through mid-wicket for a single. Moves to 20.

Another bouncer, this time Daryl ducks.

A bouncer outside off, Mitchell pulls out of the pull.

Around off, tucked towards short mid-wicket for a run.

Oh dear. We have a delay. As the ball touched the fence, someone at the periphery touched it and returned the ball. Now, due to the new Covid rules, the on-field people cannot touch the ball now and have to disinfect it. The umpires are in the middle, they look at the ball but cannot touch it, till eventually, they get a cloth to wipe it and then hand it over to Stone.

FOUR! BRUTAL! That is a bad ball. Short, wide outside off and punished. Tom Blundell crashes a cut through point.

Outside off, a short length ball, Daryl Mitchell nudges it through square leg and now gets off the mark.

Around off, pushed towards mid on.

A short ball, outside off, skids through, Blundell looks to pull but misses and is hit on the pads. End of a good, hostile over from Wood.

Around off, pushed towards short mid-wicket.

A short ball, outside off, pulled wide of short mid-wicket.

He is away straigthaway. Around off, Daryl Mitchell gets across and nudges it towards fine leg. Oh wait. It is a leg bye. Mitchell stays on 0 then.

Daryl Mitchell walks in at number 7, replacing Henry Nicholls. Didn't play at Lord's but the last time he did play a Test, scored a century. It was at Wellington, in January 2021, against Pakistan.

OUT! GLOVED DOWN THE LEG SIDE! Wood strikes now and two set batsmen are back in the pavillon. A short ball, down the leg side, angled in from around the wicket, Henry Nicholls gets across to nudge it fine. But instead, all he manages is a tickle off the gloves and keeper James Bracey does the rest, going down to his right. England appeal, umpire Richard Kettleborough has his finger raised but Nicholls does not wait. He was off as soon as he saw the catch getting completed. End of a watchful knock.

The physio is coming out. Nicholls says he is okay but he has to pass the mandatory concussion test. Which he does and we are ready.

OUCH! Onto the helmet. A short ball, around off, Henry Nicholls looks to pull but the ball comes on much quicker than his anticipation and hits him on the helmet. Perhaps he took his eyes off the ball too.

FOUR! Good punch down the ground. Full, outside off, Tom Blundell comes forward and just pushes this down the ground, without any big followthrough and wide mid off has no chance. The stand moves to 20.

Around middle, pushed towards mid on.

Full, outside off, driven straight to mid off.

On a length, outside off, solidly defended.

Down the leg side, Nicholls look to flick but misses. The ball goes off his pads towards square leg. No signal from the umpire, so must have been an inside edge.

Outside off, on a length, Henry Nicholls shoulders arms.

Around off, tucked towards short mid-wicket.

FOUR! Starting to feel a little more comfortable, is Tom Blundell. Outside off, on a length, Blundell opens the face of his bat and guides it behind point. He moves to 10 and NEW ZEALAND ARE INTO THE LEAD.

Ha ha ha. Spends a lot of time on the floor after he delivers, Mark Wood. Full, outside off, Tom Blundell drives it straight back. Wood slips in his followthrough but keeps his eyes on the ball and collects it as it comes right at his face.

Full, outside off, angling in, pushed towards mid on.

Around middle, angled in, tucked towards deep mid-wicket for a single. NEW ZEALAND DRAW PARITY. Nicholls moves to 20.

Outside off, on a length, left alone.

Full, outside off, solidly blocked.

A short ball, around off, Henry pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a run. The stand moves to 10.

Down the leg side, angled in from around the wicket, Nicholls misses his tuck.

Around middle, Tom Blundell looks to tuck but misses. The ball hits his pads and drops down to the leg side. Blundell looks up at Nicholls, who calls him through. A leg bye taken.

Full, around off, solidly defended.

300 COMES UP FOR NEW ZEALAND. They trail by 3 now. Around middle, nudged through square leg for a single.

FOUR! Nicely played. On a length, outside off, Tom Blundell allows the ball to come to him, sees it move away and then at the last moment, dabs it wide of gully, to his left, to find the fence at third man.

Fuller, outside off, left alone.

A bouncer, around middle, Blundell ducks.

This one comes back in from a length, outside off, Tom Blundell defends it watchfully.

Back of a length, outside off, pushed towards cover.

On a good length, outside off, pushed towards point.

Landed outside off, on a length, left alone. Pretty wide to be playing those.

Full, outside off, shouldered arms to.

Around off, nudged through square leg for a single.

On a good length, around off, Blundell tucks it towards square leg. Henry Nicholls scampers through for the single, before being sent back at the last moment. The throw misses the stumps at the bowler's end.

Outside off, on a length, left alone.

On a good length, outside off, Tom Blundell shoulders arms. The ball jags back in tremendously and Blundell is hit on the thigh pads. Olly Stone thinks he has his man and screams for the LBW. Denied by the umpire. Stone looks at his skipper who indicates height.

A bouncer, down the leg side, let through.

Outside off, pushed wide of mid off, to his left, for a quick single. Good stop by James Anderson. The deficit is now 9. Blundell is off the mark.

Around off, pushed towards mid on.

Outside off, on a length, Tom Blundell feels for it but misses.

Around middle, nudged towards fine leg for a single.

Around middle, pushed towards mid on.

EDGED, DROPPED! The second chance goes off Stone in this Test. Young, on Friday and Bracey now. England have been poor with their catching - full stop. Full, outside off, Tom Blundell looks to defend but the ball moves away and takes an outside edge. It is a wide ball to be defending at and Blundell nearly pays the price. But James Bracey dives to his right with one glove and cannot hang on. End of a successful over nevertheless from Stone. Could have had two.

Outside off again, on a length, left alone again.

Outside off, moving away, left alone.

Tom Blundell walks in at number 6, replacing Ross Taylor.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Another batsman falls in the 80s in this Test. Rory Burns, Dan Lawrence (stranded), Devon Conway, Will Young and now, Ross Taylor. Not a special ball by any means but Olly Stone will take it. Full, outside off, moving away slightly, Taylor, looking to keep up with his aggressive intent, slashes hard, without any footwork. Gets a thick outside edge and James Bracey, the keeper, does well to get across to his right to take it. Edgbaston erupts. Ollie leaps. England get a breakthrough right after Drinks. They lead by 11 and have an inexperienced lower middle order in front of them.

Seems like a part of the leather has come off the ball. The umpire cuts it off with a scissor.

Full, around off, pushed towards mid on.

Outside off, pushed towards point.

Olly Stone comes into the attack now. 15-4-58-0 so far.

DRINKS BREAK. New Zeaand's hour, without a doubt. Things could have been different though, had England held onto their chance. Ross Taylor has come out with an attacking mode and he is actually taking this game away from England. The deficit is almost negligible and another hour of such batting might swell the lead to 50. England have some thinking to do and they bowlers other than Stuart Broad to step up.

Full, around off, nudged towards fine leg for a run.

Outside off, on a length, Ross Taylor sets himself up for the pull but then adjusts and defends it down the track.

This one swings in, from outside off, Nicholls works it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! No third man and that is an advantage sometimes in Test matches. Outside off, Henry Nicholls leans, opens the face of the bat and guides it to the left of backward point, to the third man fence. The stand moves to 61.

Outside off, extra bounce, pushed towards point.

Umpire Richard Kettleborough is looking concerned. He walks down the middle of the pitch, looks at the area and gives a friendly warning to Wood. Oh my. Wood has run straight down the pitch.

Around middle, tucked towards square leg.

Change in the bowling. Mark Wood to bowl. 14-0-43-0 so far.

FOUR! Gets this one through. Taylor is really looking good this morning. Full, outside off, Ross Taylor leans and drives this through mid off. Stuart Broad lumbers to his left and puts in a laboured dive and misses. The deficit is now 17.

Angled into the left hander, tucked towards fine leg for a single.

On a good length, around off, solidly defended.

That is a good shot. Full, outside off, Taylor leans into the shot and pushes it through mid off. Stuart Broad goes after it but Mark Wood gets there first, from mid on. Slides and parries it back to Broad. Three runs taken. 50-STAND IS UP! Nicholls' contribution is just 10.

Well fielded. Short, outside off, Ross Taylor nails the cut this time. And it is Zak Crawley once again! At point, who dives to his right and stops it with one hand.

Full, around off, worked towards mid on.

Three times in a row as far as this shot is concerned. Short, outside off, Ross pulls it through mid-wicket but Zak Crawley dives to his left and makes a half stop, parrying it to the right of mid on. A single taken.

Landed outside off, Rosco walks into the shot and pushes it through mid off. James Anderson gets across to his right from wide mid off and stops it.

That's twice in two overs. Short, outside off, Ross Taylor pulls it away but finds Zak Crawley at short mid-wicket.

A short ball, around middle and leg, nudged towards fine leg for a run. Nicholls moves to 10.

Outside off, pushed towards cover for a single.

FOUR BYES! James Bracey is having a nightmare behind the stumps. A length ball, outside off, Ross Taylor shoulders arms. The ball goes through but keeps on climbing towards Bracey who is certainly not expecting it. The ball hits the top of his gloves and flies down to the third man fence. The deficit is now 28.

Full, outside off, watchfully defended.

Around middle, well defended.

Outside off, on a length, coming in, once again Henry Nicholls trusts the bounce and shoulders arms. The ball justifies his trust and goes over the off stump. Keeper James Bracey has to dive to his right to stop and fumbles.

Outside off, pushed towards point for a single. Taylor moves to 70.

And again. Full and down the leg side, Ross Taylor misses his flick again.

Down the leg side, flick shot missed.

Huge shout for LBW but turned down. Pitched outside leg to the naked eye. Nicholls missed his tuck and was hit on the pads. Broad wants a review but Joe Root convinces him that it pitched outside leg. Ball Tracker confirms.

FOUR BYES! More frustration for Stuart Broad. A short ball, around middle, Henry Nicholls ducks and the ball shoots well above him and the keeper to the fence behind. The stand moves to 41.

DROPPED! Rosco gets a life. A short ball, around off, Taylor looks to pull but the bounce does him in. The ball goes towards fine leg where substitute Sam Billings runs in to take the catch. Gets to the ball but it goes right between his hands and drops down. A single taken.

Missed out. A short ball, outside off, Ross Taylor nails the pull to perfection but finds Zak Crawley to perfection at short mid-wicket. A meter either side of him and it was a boundary.

Around middle, tucked through square leg for a quick run.

Around off, coming in, worked through mid-wicket. Bit of a misfield from Zak Crawley coming in, which makes it easier for the single to be completed. Took his eyes off the ball and missed it. The deficit is now 39.

Full, around off, solidly defended.

Outside off, on a length, Nicholls shoulders arms.

Around middle, pushed to the leg side.

Outside off, angled in, Henry Nicholls misses his tuck and is hit on the pads. The ball hits the thigh and balloons towards gully. The crowd gets excited when the catch is taken and James Anderson makes a polite enquiry for the catch. Umpire Richard Illingworth is not interested.

Outside off, pushed towards cover.

The umpire has a look at the ball, to check whether it has gone out of shape. Nope, nothing. Please continue.

Full, outside off, Ross Taylor drives this straight back. Good athleticism from James Anderson to get his foot in the way. The ball actually hits the sole of the boot and deflects wide of Stuart Broad at mid off, who was going to his right, but then has to move to his left. A single taken.

Fuller, around off, pushed towards point.

Good pace, short and directed at Henry's arm pit, the southpaw thinks about pulling but then lets it go.

Comes from over the wicket, angles this away from the left hander, Nicholls lets it go.

Fuller, around off, whipped through mid-wicket where Dan Lawrence dives to his left and makes a good stop.

This one has extra bounce, around off, Henry Nicholls hops and defends.

Landed outside off, on a length, left alone.

Fuller, around off, watchfully kept out.

Around off, solidly defended.

FOUR MORE! Much better from Taylor. On a length, outside off, this time Ross Taylor waits for the ball to come to him and punches this off the back foot, well in front of point, for consecutive boundaries. The stand moves to 33 from just 37 balls.

EDGED, FOUR! Flashy from Rosco. Full, wide outside off, Ross Taylor looks to drive this on the up. The ball moves away, takes the outside edge and flies through backward point. Rory Burns dives to his right but the ball is past him in a flash. Taylor moves to 62.

Around off, moving away, watchfully pushed towards point.

On a length, around off, watchfully defended.

Little bit quicker, but wider outside off, shouldered arms to.

Around off, on a length, left alone.

Full, outside off, Taylor drives this with the full face of the bat, straight back to the bowler. Stuart Broad saves his face by getting his hands in front, through pure reflex action. The ball bursts through his fingers and goes down the ground. Mark Wood does well to get across from mid on and slide to keep the batsmen to a single. The deficit is now 49.

Full, just outside off, Ross Taylor plays this with a straight bat towards mid on.

Short, a little bit wide outside off, Henry Nicholls stands tall, gets on top of the bounce and punches it through the covers. Ollie Pope gets to the ball and slides, parrying the ball to the fielder running with him from point. Three runs taken.

Down the leg side, left alone.

Outside off, angling away, left alone.

Sprayed down the leg side, HN misses his flick and James Bracey cannot stop it cleanly even with a dive to his right. A bye conceded. 250 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND. Trail by 53.

Good carry again. On a length, outside off, coming in with the angle, Henry trusts the bounce and shoulders arms. The ball clips his left trouser and goes over the stumps to the keeper.

A short ball, around middle, Nicholls leaps and fends it down to the leg side. The pitch seems to have gotten quicker.

This is wider outside off, Henry Nicholls thinks of going after it with a cut but pulls his bat back at the last moment.

On a length, around off, watchfully defended.

The second new ball is available and IT IS TAKEN. James Anderson will bowl first with the new cherry. 18-5-45-0 so far.

Onto the helmet. A short ball, around off, coming in, Ross leaps to fend it away but gets a top edge and the ball deflects onto the grill.

Around off, length pulled back slightly, Rosco walks across and pushes this towards mid on.

FOUR! MARVELLOUS! Overpitched, outside off, Taylor leans and drives it to the left of mid off. The stand moves to 20 from 19 balls.

Around off, pushed to the off side.

Straighter, around off, watchfully pushed towards short mid-wicket.

Full, around middle, Ross Taylor looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. Going down leg.

Looped up, around leg, defended towards shrt mid-wicket.

Outside off, pushed towards point for one.

Short, outside off, Henry Nicholls rocks back and cuts it through the covers for a run.

Outside off, cut through point for a single.

FOUR! No arguments this time! FIFTY FOR ROSCO! Full, outside off, Taylor gets down and sweeps this powerfully through square leg. It has been a scratchy innings but runs are runs. He will take them all the more. Can he get to his century now?

FOUR! Fifty for Ross Taylor. Or is it? Nope. LEG BYES signalled. Full, around middle, spinning down, Ross Taylor looks to flick and the ball goes off something, through the vacant leg slip region to the fine leg fence. Now, Taylor is ready to raise his bat but then he sees the umpire signal it as leg byes. Ultra Edge later on shows there was an inside edge!

Will Lawrence get another over? Yes.

Full again, outside off, Nicholls drives this solidly towards mid off.

Fuller, around middle, driven towards mid on.

Around off, pushed towards mid off.

Around off, angling in, watchfully defended.

NOT OUT. Joe Root shakes his head. Not because this was not out but because of the ease with which the batsmen got a single. Outside off, Ross Taylor pushes it towards cover and sets off for a quick single. The fielder gets to his right from point and has a shy at the striker's end and hits. Referred upstairs but Nicholls was well in. The deficit is now 69.

Direct hit but Nicholls looks in. As per the rule, this needs to go upstairs and it does. Replay is conclusive.

Full, around middle, clipped through mid-wicket. Plenty of vacant real estate there and the batsmen take three.

It will be Stuart Broad to bowl from the other end. 15-6-22-2 so far.

Full, around off, watchfully defended.

A full bunger, around middle, Henry Nicholls gets down and sweeps it through square leg for a single. Off the mark.

Full, around off, watchfully defended.

All set then, for the game to resume? The players are out in the middle. The new man in is Henry Nicholls while Dan Lawrence will finish off his pending over. Here we go...

If any, New Zealand would be ruing the last-ball wicket of Will Young on Friday evening, just about marring what was an excellent day's work. They have got plenty of batting left, in Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell and Daryl Mitchell, but some inexperience as well. They have Ross Taylor batting well on 46, but everyday is a new day and England will know that if they get Taylor early, or go through his partners, they might well even get a lead, however slender it might be. The bowlers endured a tough day on Friday and would want to make amends on Saturday. Anticipating an exciting session.

A day of the 'Young'sters it was. First Devon Conway. Then, Will Young. The young pair first took New Zealand to the shores of safety and then started to impress themselves against a rampant Stuart Broad. New Zealand trail by just 74 now, but we all know how batting collapses are just on the verge of happening. Who will make the first move on the moving day? Hello and a warm welcome to Day 3 of the second Test between England and New Zealand, at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

... DAY 3 ...

Now what would the teams want on Day 3? The Kiwis would want to just bat, bat and bat and try and take a lead of over 100. England can't afford that as the pitch has started to show some wear and tear and any sort of lead would be handy. Another important day awaits. Do join us. Till then, take care and goodbye!

The England bowlers did not bowl that badly, they caused a lot of problems, beat the edge a lot of times but they just did not have a lot of luck on their side. Broad though was the pick for them. He looked threatening in every spell he bowled and has two out of the three wickets to fall.

Another session which goes their way! They lost Conway early on but after that, Ross and Young battled through the difficult part and then managed to score freely. They added another good stand and got the deficit to below 80. Just as it seemed that both would resume their innings on Day 3, Young fell.

End of a really good day of Test cricket and on the end, it is New Zealand who will be the happier of the two. They would have been a lot more pleased had that wicket not fallen but the visitors will be pretty happy with where they are in the game at the moment.

OUT! TAKEN AT BAT-PAD! Lawrence strikes on the last over of the day and Young is the one to depart. First Test wicket for Lawrence and the move to give him the ball proves to be a master stroke. Big turn on this one. It lands outside off, in the rough and turns back in. Young lunges to defend but it goes off the inside edge and lobs towards short leg where the fielder dives forward and takes it. Heartbreak for Young as he trudges off slowly. THAT WILL ALSO BE STUMPS ON DAY 2!

FOUR! That is squeezed out nicely! Full and outside off, this is hit through covers and it goes all the way to the fence.

On middle, blocked.

On the stumps, kept out.

On middle, kept out.

Shorter and on off, this is pushed through covers for one.

On the pads, Young looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

Another single as this is flicked through mid-wicket.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

A single as this is nudged on the leg side.

On middle, this is flicked to mid-wicket.

Tossed up on off, kept out.

He has threaded the gap nicely for a couple! Full and on off, this is driven through covers for two.

On middle again, this is played with the turn to square leg.

On middle, this is worked through square leg for one.

Back of a length ball, outside off. Young is too early on his pull shot and gets beaten.

Full and outside off. Young prods forward and defends it to cover.

Lenght ball, on middle. Flicks it with soft hand towards mid-wicket for single.

Swing and a Miss!! Length ball, outside off. Taylor goes for a cut but gets beaten on outside edge.

Full and outside off. Taylor dives it swiftly but got cuts out by a diving cover fielder.

Back of a length ball, angling in on middle. Young pulls it along the ground towards mid-wicket for single.

Tossed up, on leg. Taylor flicks it on leg side.

On off. Blocks it.

FOUR!! Floats this one down the leg side. Taylor plays a light glance, as the ball races over to fine leg fence.

On middle, it is played back to the bowler.

Tossed up, on middle. Defended back to bowler.

Flatter and on middle. Blocked out back to bowler.

Just a single off the over!! Lenght ball, on middle. Blocks it back to bowler.

Lenght and on middle. Blocks it.

Swing and a Miss!! Back of a length ball, outside off. Young looks to slash at it but connects thin air.

Short and on middle. Taylor pulls it along the ground in front of square leg for single.

Full and around off. Taylor prods forward and drives it straight to mid-off.

Full and angling on middle. Taylor blocks it to short leg.

Flatter and outside off, this one skids through. Young is beaten as he looks to push at it.

On off, it is pushed to covers.

This is worked through mid-wicket for one.

On middle, kept out.

A single as this is worked through square leg.

Tossed up on off, blocked.

Back of a length and on off, it is pushed to covers.

On middle, blocked.

FOUR! Slashed away! Short and wide outside off, this is cut through point and it races away to the fence.

Back of a length and on middle, blocked.

Shorter and outside off, Taylor lets it go to the keeper.

On off, it is pushed to covers.

Tossed up, outside off. Young prods forward and defends this on off side.

On middle. Blocked out on deck.

Loopy, on off. Taylor prods forward and looks to defend, gets a thick outside edge towards point for a quick single.

Driven back to bowler.

FOUR!! Freebies!! Tossed up, on off. Taylor whips it with the angle, up and over the mid-wicket fielder for four.

Flatter and on middle. Blocked out to mid-wicket.

Full and on middle. Yound on-drives it to mid-on fielder.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

A single now as this is worked through mid-wicket for one. 200 up for the Kiwis.

FOUR BYES! Short and down the leg side. Taylor lets it go. It keeps swinging away from the keeper and past the keeper for a boundary.

Back of a length and on off, it is guided to point.

On middle, Taylor works it to mid-wicket.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

Young steps out and works this to mid-wicket.

On off this is pushed to cover.

Floats it up on the stumps, kept out.

Anothet tossed up ball on off, it is defended onto the ground.

Tossed up on middle, kept out.

On middle, this is worked to short leg.

A short one on middle, Taylor gets into a tangle but he does manage to play it down onto the ground.

One more added to the total! On middle, this is worked through square leg.

On off, this is guided to point for one.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

FOUR LEG BYES! On the pads, Young tries to flick but misses. It hits the pad and goes down to the fine leg fence.

Flatter and on middle. Flicks it off back foot towards mid-wicket for single.

Low full toss, on leg. Taylor sweeps it but gets leading edge short of mid-wicket fielder. Single taken.

Loopy and outside off. blocks it out.

Shimmys down and clips it to mid-wicket.

Flatter and quicker on middle. Young punches off back foot back to bowler.

Tossed up on miidle. Blocked out.

Inswinger by Wood on middle. Young clips it towards the mid-wicket fielder for single.

Another outside off and another leave by Young.

Outside off. Left alone.

Fuller and drifting down on leg. Young clips it towards fine leg before the square leg fielder comes across, two taken.

Back of a length ball, on middle. Young looks to pull but sways away from it on time.

Fuller on middle. Blocked out.

FOUR! Taylor had to get bat to that! On middle, Ross walks across and looks to flick. It goes off the inner half and through fine leg for a boundary.

FOUR! On the pads, this is worked fine on the leg side for a boundary.

On off, it is kept out nicely.

On the stumps, Young blocks it.

On off, it is kept out with soft hands.

Fuller and on off, this is driven towards mid off for one.

Fuller and angling on the pads. Young looks to flick but misses. Gets hit on pads, Wood had a lone appeal but height might be the issue.

Outside off. Left alone.

Fuller and on off. Young defends it to cover. Taylor thinks of sneaking a single but was send back clearly.

Full and on middle. Flicked through mid-wicket for one.

Back of a length ball, on middle. Taylor looks to pull but gets hit on shoulder area. That might hurt.